Foodie Blubs from Waikiki, HI

Kona Coffee Purveyors

2330 Kalakaua Ave #160, 

International Marketplace, Honolulu, HI 96815

As you know, I’m a sucker when it comes to the smell of a good cup of coffee. The smell coming from Kona Coffee Purveyors hooked me immediately. I already knew an authentic macchiato was coming my way. This unique spot is known as an artisan location to get Kona coffee and espresso beverages. It is also a patisserie that offers guests amazing baked goods.

My hubby gravitated towards the Pineapple Coconut Croissant which also included tasty almond slivers. This was a delectable treat when paired with a Mocha Latte. I was a bit braver and tried the Cauliflower, Cheese, and Cayenne Scone with my macchiato. The baked goods were not only unique but well-worth a second visit the next morning.

Speed of Life Stops!

Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Places to Ponder

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Since 2013, we’ve gotten the chance to visit many once-in-a-lifetime cities around the world with Dave Koz. A lot of these were places that I’d dreamed of since I was a child. There are others that I didn’t know would impact me until I actually arrived. Rome, for example was one of those cities with its rich history and famous attractions.

I went there and learned to relax despite the Speed of Life. It soon came to my attention that St. Petersburg would also be on my list of special destinations. There were unique things that made it stand out but familiar things that couldn’t be missed. One of the things that I write about often is the fact that people are essentially the same.

When you ride through a city and see families interacting and excited pets, it’s hard to separate individuals based upon location. Whenever there’s a lot of information to consume and a short period of time to do so, music makes me relax and ponder. I think our host DK knows exactly what he’s doing when he selects truly amazing places for use to visit. Then he offers us jazz creativity at its best through artists, such as Peter White, Keiko Matsui, and Peet Project.



Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Priceless Impressions

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Day five on board may have started like any other busy morning on these Dave Koz Cruises, but it was unique. Some early risers drank their coffee to the sounds of Kenny Lattimore, Chris Walker, and Javier Colon. Those of us a bit groggy after a late night of music, delectable cuisine, and dancing woke to a beautiful sunny day in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Now, I am aware that there was an elephant in the room when it came to expectations and preconceived notions. My very first impressions of this city were breath-taking. The views of the water and broader landscapes were priceless. The organization for excursions into the city was detailed and understandable.

Ours was a guided tour that journeyed through St. Petersburg ending at the Hermitage. We had three glorious hours to see artwork that could not be viewed anywhere else in the world. Before stepping into this renowned museum, we took tons of photos just like everyone in the crowd of tourists.

I hadn’t expected to ride through a vibrant and bustling cosmopolitan city. The Speed of Life of this day was filled with surprises and education about this particular Baltic port of call.



Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Mixing Jazz in Estonia

A big part of my chronicling of this trip has to do with our shared love for jazz. I must be honest, however, in saying that I came late to the party. My husband grew up in Brooklyn, NY and has a rich history of listening to different styles of jazz. I started my journey by getting my feet wet with artists, such as Kenny G and Dave Koz.

Not long after we went on our first cruise in 2013 with DK, I realized that I was hooked. At the time, new artists like Vincent Ingala were hitting the scene and would soon be on the charts, as well. Industry staples like Richard Elliot and Gerald Albright solidified their place in what many refer to as Smooth Jazz.

There’s no way to separate the music from the destinations that we travel to. They are a mixture, a perfect blend that follows the couple thousand of us cruisers, who are on board for the both of them. Estonia left an impression on me partially because of its natural beauty. This was showcased in a very unassuming way.

There was no way to look at the busy residents and tourists on city streets to know about Tallinn’s history. It wasn’t possible to know that 1,500 islands, beaches, lakes, and forests are a part of the landscape that defines the country. Sitting relaxed in front of a restaurant near the mall, I listened to the sounds of the city.

I collected my thoughts and the inspiration for future writing, while absorbing the memories created in this place.

Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Another Surprising Connection

A big part of this European trip included research for my writing, both before we traveled and after we set sail. Reading about Tallinn was interesting and got me excited for the trip. Actually arriving in the city and seeing it with my own eyes was another thing altogether. I thought that I knew what the experience was going to be but it truly was so much more.

Walking the cobblestone streets and seeing the gothic influence in the buildings was amazing. These mixed in with modern structures and businesses harmonized with so many of the other cities in this part of the world. As usual we took a hop-on hop-off bus tour to see the things that we’d read about.

St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Tallinn TV Tower, Toompea Castle, and many other attractions were on our list. These were a part of the things that were expected. We had no idea that on one of our tour buses would be a familiar face. The world is definitely large but it would seem that it’s small at the same time.

An elementary teacher of my husband’s was there on the bus with us. A conversation about states and travel brought this truth about. How awesome and humbling to go around the world only to find another surprising connection. The Speed of Life is absolutely a real thing that makes its way back around.

It was inspiring, as well to see this woman not letting age or anything else keep her from what she loves. Travel and jazz are included among these things. Swirling around our conversation was the anticipation of Richard Elliot, a featured headliner for the main performance.

Chronicling Europe 2018 – Embracing Stockholm

All of the locals that we met along the journey confirmed that the weather was unseasonably warm. I’d thought that heavy clothing would be necessary throughout the entire Baltics Cruise with Dave Koz and Friends at Sea. The sun was a staple as we arrived at Stockholm, Sweden.

The previous night’s main show included our host and special guest Kenny Lattimore in concert. Late nights and jazz in every venue on board couldn’t keep us away from this beautiful city. As usual our hop on-and-off tours allow us to visit historic parts of the city, as well as, those that were filled with business and cosmopolitan life.

The lack of hustle and bustle on the early morning roadways, struck me as different from the typical sights at home during this time of day. Stockholm Palace and City Hall were definitely two landmarks that showcase the brilliance of the past.

Excursions that included the Swedish Opera House, the City Centre, and other popular locations were high on the list of many of our fellow cruisers. Sampling regional and national cuisine is always on my personal list of must-do activities.

Lunch time in the park displayed workers from all backgrounds relaxing and embracing the gorgeous city of Stockholm. There were no Speed of Life struggles that we could see!

My Journey to 50! - Oh, No…Thinking About Hair, Too?

Girls will forever be thinking about their hair. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 20 or 40 this is a feature that follows us around. For me right now, I decided to turn My Journey to 50 into a hair exploration, too!

In fact, I chose my style for 35, 40 and 45. Although I’m a little over-the-top in the detail department, I’m looking forward to the 50 hairstyle reveal. Comfort and ease are the key factors for me, right now. My stylist tries to convince me all of the time that longer hair is beautiful.

I totally agree with her. It’s just that it’s beautiful on someone else. I’ve never felt more free and attractive than when my hair was short. This is my opinion and my journey. Finding my way, and yours as well, is about listening to yourself.

If your hair or anything else becomes drudgery, is it worth it? No matter the compliments, I just want to enjoy as much of this time of life as possible. Loving the Speed of Life and all it…

Movie Genres – Experiment with Different Cinematography

Many people have one set go-to genre of movie and never branch out. The only problem with this is that you will likely miss some really great work. Those who enjoy an exciting action flick could delve into a thriller.


This is like going from Mad Max to the Accountant. The leap is not that major when the work is good and the story line is developed. Another option to consider during this sort of exploration is work from the past.


Surprisingly, films like Casablanca, North by Northwest and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are relevant to today’s current events. The all include stories that are serious, comic and relatable. The different ways that directors presented locations can be appreciated.


Find a new movie to view that is a change from your first choice. It is possible to tailor a more diverse appetite for movie-watching. Streaming services allow viewers to explore as many genres as they want.

Utilize Your Parks

　　

There are many different benefits that come from utilizing the parks in your community. Most cities and towns around the country offer residents access to at least one park. Some of these locations even have multiple good parks for people to choose from. A good park is one that is easily accessible, and offers you an opportunity to walk and
 Speed of Life, has sent families in search of economic outlets. The park is a free resource for connecting with your family. You can play games there or even eat a meal. The beautiful surroundings tend to enhance your family time.
You will find that there are physical and emotional benefits to visiting the park regularly. Many people go to the park to workout. They run, jog, walk, and do yoga. Others simply visit the park on their lunch breaks to eat. It doesn’t matter, why you go there, parks are valuable resources in any city.

Helps reduce stress
It would probably amaze you that natural surroundings can affect your stress level. Studies have been done that associate the benefits the outdoors has on stress. Simply walking through the park could help you to better manage stress in your life.

Family outlet
The state of the current economy, and the
exercise.

Consider a Hobby

Having a hobby can provide you with many benefits. There are emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits related to hobbies. It doesn’t matter, whether you learn to play a musical instrument or are an avid reader. Your hobby can help you to be a well-rounded person. Many people have found that their hobbies are useful for relieving stress.

People struggling with various problems can enjoy the benefits of hobbies. Choosing the right hobby is important. You can choose one that interests you or one that help you to achieve a specific goal. Doing a bit of research before settling on a hobby is wise. Just like your profession, a hobby requires investment. This is true whether we are talking about time or money. Your commitment level will affect the benefits that you enjoy from your hobby.

A way to relax
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to learn to relax. Many hobbies are considered to be relaxing. Jogging, woodworking, and painting all fit into this category. These are extremely useful hobbies to people with demanding careers.

Achieving a goal
Some hobbies are also goals for many people. Learning to fly an airplane is an example of this sort of hobby. Not every pilot is interested in flying as a profession. Simply embarking on and achieving this goal is important to enthusiasts.

Expand horizons
You may select a hobby that will expand your horizons. Learning to speak a different language is an example here. Although this may be your hobby, it can also be beneficial to the work that you do.

Read Books with a Message

People who love to read often have a specific genre that interests them. There are a number of different reasons to read. Some people are simply avid readers and like to devour whatever they can get their hands on. Reading is their hobby. Depending on your job, reading may be a responsibility related to work.

Often we read because we like to learn something new. This is true whether the book is fiction or non-fiction. Books that have a message can fit into virtually any category. Among the books that you read, include books with a message. You don’t necessarily have to agree with the message to benefit from the book’s information. Broadening your horizons, as well as, developing critical thinking is a result of this reading.

Books on delicate issues
An example in this category is the book,
The Persistence of the Color Line by Randall Kennedy. Here readers are able to approach issues of race. Books of this sort are great for sparking conversation. They are bold in addressing topics that are considered taboo in many circles. You may find that you are able to expand your thinking from what you read.

The Future Can Be Scary

Many people that I've heard from are not exactly positive about the future. Everyone knows by looking at the morning, afternoon, and evening news that things aren't good on a lot of fronts. Most of us will not enjoy some of the pleasures that our parents were able to earn. Many of our children, will also find the future a stubborn obstacle.

Although there are challenging things ahead, do we have to be afraid of the future? I'm certainly not saying that there aren't scary occurrences happening all of the time. What I am saying is, how can we find ways to be positive about the future? Our outlook will have a trickle down affect on our children. If all we feel is fear about the years ahead, won't they end up thinking the same way.

Conversation is sometimes the best medicine. Families across the country are putting together a whole new game plan for their futures. Discussing the challenges being experienced is a good thing. Of course, this will depend on the ages of your children. Friends and family members are terrific, when it comes to these discussions. Communicating about your fears is definitely one huge step to overcoming them.

Most things about the future cannot be changed by us on a broad scale. On a small scale you can take care of your health, live on a budget, appreciate the little things, and enjoy your loved ones. Reflect on it!

Know Yourself Well

Getting to know yourself, may sound quite simple. In fact, many people assume that they know themselves pretty well. I have found that there's a lot more to me than meets the eye. As I get older, my interests change (or evolve) and so do my pursuits. The Speed of Life causes us all to keep way too busy.

We don't have enough time for family and friends much less ourselves. I'm convinced that the happiest person is one who really knows themselves. This means setting aside time, on purpose, to get to know you! A quiet place, a cozy spot, or a sandy beach could be a great place to start. Some have found that a weekly rendezvous with a latte and a good book is just as effective!

Since we are multi-faceted beings, there is always a lot to learn. For me, there's nothing more important than my Spiritual growth. This is a daily journey and challenging objective. It takes work each daily to become who and what I'm supposed to be. Each incremental change and realization is beneficial and fruitful.