Wednesday, January 25, 2012

always knew legos were worth the money!



I am a die hard newspaper reader. I buy the actual one and then there are many on my favorites tab! Every place we have ever lived and then national newspapers that I only get to purchase when I buzz through the airport! Really love newspapers. On the way to school we buy the newspaper from the same man on the same corner each day, Saturdays and Sundays too...(I think he may miss us when we are gone!) We are what you call loyal customers. He calls Den "Boss" or "Captain" or "Sir" or "Poppa". We love this guy. When we pass that corner throughout the day, anytime of day, he spots the car and waves. Renee laughs about our relationship! It is the same relationship we have with the security guys at any of the establishments we frequent. We are on a first name basis....well that is if our names are mommy and poppa!

An interesting article in today's Jamaica Gleaner. I guess it is something I knew since Ryan was a toddler! His Christmas and birthday money would burn a hole in his pocket till he could get to the store to buy another Lego set. The article speaks of a workshop taking place in Jack's Hill for youngsters to learn the complex study of robotics. They create their own design with Lego's. So cool. They have 35,000 pieces organized for easy use. You know come to think of it I think I may have vacuumed up that many pieces in my life!

The last paragraph in the article says "In another way, it's about developing a set of life long skills. Your logical thinking is applicable in any field, your problem solving ability is applicable in any field, your sequential thinking, procedural thinking, your creativity, your ability to work on a team with people."

Who would have thunk it. All those thousands of pieces Ryan used and has kept for his toddlers do more than just past the time. I guess they are toys with a lifelong purpose. How cool is that!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Beautiful January Jamaica

This is our fourth January on the island. It is my favorite month of the Jamaica weather calendar! As I was driving today I reflected upon it again. There are cool breezes yet lots of sun. The mornings are cooler and the evenings are cooler. That is not saying much when the temps are very high anyway, however in January there is a difference! It is the dry season so no rain to speak of but it doesn't turn to desert. It is a beautiful month. Beautiful fruit and flowering trees, beautiful billowy clouds in the blue sky, an all around beautiful island.

I do think that when I return to Jamaica for a visit, I will choose January!







Thursday, January 5, 2012

Christmas Chocolate

Something I have always loved about the holiday is chocolate. Chocolate that I don't get any other time of the year. My mom makes the best fudge....but only at Christmas. Denny always bought a box of chocolate creamed centers....only at Christmas. Dad or Den always gets me a box of chocolate covered cherries....only at Christmas.

It's funny. I don't even think about or crave these chocolates any other time of the year. But Christmas comes around....watch out!

For 4 Christmas's now I haven't had Mom's fudge or the chocolate creamed centers, but this year I got a box of chocolate covered cherries! Dark ones that is....Dad and I only like the dark! Today I opened the box, so glad my luggage made it fine back home, I could have eaten 4 or 5 at once but I demonstrated a little self control and only had one....that is until I went back an hour later and had another. Oh man. So addictive! Who in the world ever dreamed up these things!

Jamaica is known for its jerk sauce and blue mountain coffee, not chocolate! Growing up in Pennsylvania just gives you a taste for chocolate. I remember as a little girl going to Hershey and drooling over the chocolate vats you once could get so close to. I loved the hershey kiss lampposts that lined the streets. After the factory tour you would receive a chocolate bar. Oh man that used to be the highlight of the trip. Just love Hershey PA. I hope it's not too far from VFCC once Den is on loan to the school. I just may have to make more than one trip to check out the chocolate town! Can't wait!