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 – Attractions to See

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Our female tour guide spoke English fluently and was an expert in her job. As we rode through the city, she pinpointed landmarks and attractions that make St. Petersburg unique. We got the opportunity to ride passed sights like St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Summer Palace of Peter, and Mikhailovsky Theatre.

There were historic structures within close proximity to modern businesses. It wasn’t difficult to spot some chain restaurants that are popular in most developed countries. I was excited about seeing these attractions and touring the Hermitage, I was also enthralled by my surroundings. This was a capital city that is at least two centuries old that accommodates many different types of people.

When all was said and done, I could only smile. Sometimes it is difficult to express feelings that move you. My problem was we hadn’t even entered the museum yet. The orchestration of Dave Koz and Friends at Sea cruises is precise. They take into consideration the awesomeness of these destinations and make them the backdrop for the music and entertainment. The comedy of Tommy Davidson was next up for the late night audience, like us.

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 – 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!

What is Resume Development? – Necessary Details

Many people are unaware of the changes that professional resumes are expected to undergo. A part of this involves keeping up with trendy formats and designs. Others have to do with ensuring that these documents are both concise and informative.

The Speed of Life often takes people away from thoughts of how to fine-tune and modernize resumes and cover letters. The development process that content writers and resume specialists use is important. These are experts when it comes to crafting the wording that highlights an applicant’s skills and expertise.

These writers are familiar with the expectations of HR departments, hiring officials and interviewers. Showcasing details about experience is essential to securing an interview during this process.

Some skills are simply transferable because they are paramount to most any field or industry. Hiring a talented writer to tailor your experience in a way that catches the eye is important.

The details are what these readers are looking for so that they can connect them with the position they are recruiting for. Here are some skills to consider for your resume project:

• Team Collaboration
• Communications
• Problem Resolution
• Planning & Organization

What Are They Thinking? 1

The more time that I spend with teenagers, the more I'm certain that the world has it wrong. There seems to be some blanket stereotype that teens are only concerned with themselves. Many adults think (wrongly) that this age group is interested in just a few things. Things like celebrity, music, and movies do interest this group by-and-large.

Teens are just as diverse, however, as adults are. They normally adopt some of the same interests that their parents do. This doesn't mean that they come to the same conclusions about current issues. It simply means that if you aren't a well-rounded parent, it's hard to expect your children to be. The influence that you have and the example that you set does matter.

From a bit of recent research, I found some intriguing topics that teens said they thought about regularly. Here are some of these topics:

* 2012 Presidential Election
* Results of Raising the Debt Ceiling
* Funding for School Budgets

These topics include issues that will impact the future of teens. Not only do they listen to news outlets for this information, they discuss it with each other. There are many deep thinkers in the millions of teenagers in our country. These are individuals that are multi-faceted, talented, and engaged. We need to take advantage of this and mature the art of conversation in them. Be a sounding board, and you'll be surprised at what you'll hear.