Our Dominican Republic Spring Break

When I close my eyes sometimes I still see the turquoise water, white sand, bright blue chair longs...Taking a tropical vacation in the middle of gray, cold, windy stretch of winter between February and March charges me to go through the rest of winter until we see more sun here.


Our Dominican Republic vacation this February was the first time we went to an all-inclusive resort. I was a afraid that laying out at the sun would quickly bore us, but in fact we hardly had time to lay around. We tried windsurfing, went on a day long jeep safari, even went down the waterfalls!

Dominican Republic is still very poor country, but with developing tourist industry I can definitely see these hardworking people becoming better off year after year. Dominicans came across to me as good spirited, and cherishing their land. They sing and dance all the time.

Punta Cana is a more touristy destination in Dominican Republic, it is located on the Southern part of the country's coast. We went to the north of Dominican Republic - Puerto Plata and stayed at Grand Oasis Marien, it was next door to Iberostar Costa Dorada hotel. Although our neighboring hotel was higher class, we liked ours better.



Santo Domingo, the capital of Dominican Republic was the city where Columbus came to shore to discover America. Just based on this fact we would like to come back to this bright country, next time to Punta Cana. Very nice vacation destination with a mix of tropical laziness and adventure.


If you haven't been to Dominican Republic, keep it in mind when planning your next vacation. Really nice honeymoon destination too!

Good Morning, Monday!

Mondays for me, as for many other people, are difficult. It is the beginning of the work week. It is hard to switch gears from freer, on my schedule day to committed and scheduled day.

BUT:
0) Andrey is not business traveling this week and will spend evenings at home :)
1) it already feels and looks like Spring!
2) there was major progress on wedding planning this past weekend (but I won't tell just yet);
3) this week I WILL write about our Spring break trip;
4) my brother and his wife are in town, and we will be able to spend some time together!
5) if the weather holds, I will be doing my third!! photo shoot this coming weekend!! (I'm yet to cover my first two here - this is coming up).

So .... life patches together in a bright, spriny blanket and I am thrilled to cover myself with it!

By shellayy0077 from Photobucket

International Women's Day

Especially in Eastern Europe "The 8ths of March" - International Women's Day is as big holiday as Mother's Day here, in the USA, if not bigger. In Belarus, this is a day when florists earn probably half of their yearly revenue, all men are especially attentive to all women surrounding them at ANY moment, and we, ladies, feel like princesses and queens. I really like the atmosphere of this holiday and enjoy to be especially attentive to my Mom and grannies.

My warmest wishes to my dearest girlfriends - beautiful, smart, graceful, sophisticated and unique!

When I came back from work today, I was greeted by a bouquet of beautiful flowers and a card that I decided to keep on my nightstand:

:)))

Perfect Presents

Have you ever received a perfect birthday present? Something that you didn't even know you wanted so much until you got it? Andrey received a present like that from our friends for his birthday. (Perfect for me, that is). Of course, he appreciates it too, but I know I will enjoy it more.

We opened the lime green packet at the end of the night, and there it was - a wireless thermometer and weather forecaster! :) I know, you didn't expect it from me - to have such passion for weather predictions.

Let me explain.

You see, in Belarus, in our apartment in Minsk, my dad attached a thermometer outside our kitchen window probably as soon as we moved in, and we had it there for 20 years (all my life there)! My first thing to do in the morning was to check the temperature outside so I can decide how to dress for the day. Minsk is a big city, so you walked everywhere or used public transportation, so dressing appropriately was important. Now my friends in Minsk tell me they don't remember when was the last time they used public transport, as everybody has cars, but when we were growing up, we rode buses, trolleybuses, trams and subway.
Even though our suburban life in Buffalo allows to ignore the weather, as we jump from warm house to warm car to warm office and after work day is over in the opposite order, I still like knowing the weather before I head out. I don't know why, but it adds comforting routine to my morning.

So now, to MY greatest delight, we are proud owners of the wireless thermometer & weather forecaster.

Image via Amazon

It's a Boy!

Image by Airika & Gerald Pope

Today, but in 1979, a boy was born. I didn't know at that time, that it was a very important day of my life. I now know. :) He is the magic ingredient that makes the colors of my life brighter, tough moments lighter, and makes me appreciate every moment spent together.
I am looking forward to growing better together, starting a family together and being a companion to each other in everything that happens in our lives.
Happy Birthday, my husband-to-be!!!

A message from the Moon

Today is February 22. My last post is dated February 4. Surely, I must have fallen off the planet Earth, you would think.

The truth is - it seemed that I did! Last week (it felt more like a month) I found myself on the sunny, sandy beaches of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. I kept pinching my skin very hard to make sure I really was in July weather, when the calendar said February. Many details and photos to follow! So far, I am leaving this YouTube video as a part of my "not my fault" plea. Perhaps it will make my vanishing act more understandable and, I hope, forgivable:



Also soon to come:
1) Updates on the Dress Search
2) Our choice of flowers
3) Chair covers and other extras for the reception
2) Tips for traveling to Dominican Republic (excellent honeymoon destination)

Why Include David's Bridal into THE DRESS Search?

Last Tuesday we celebrated my work friend's birthday in The Melting Pot (fondue). It is a conversation inspiring restaurant: the lights are dimmed, the food comes slow, you need to cook it, it comes out scrumptious, and the meal finisher is velvety chocolate that is not too sweet. Perfectly tasty. This atmosphere is the best to meet new people and get to know them better.

This is how I met my friend's friend Gayle. Over a conversation Gayle learned that I have a wedding to plan this year, and I learned that Gaile has actively participated in planning of nearly 10(!!!) of her friends weddings. She was kind to offer her knowledge base of Buffalo wedding planning! I feel very lucky to have met Gaile, since her first advice to me was something that I didn't even think of.

Gaile advised to start THE DRESS search from David's Bridal. It is a place where you should try on a dress in every style to see what fits best. If you like what you found in David's Bridal - even better, since their dresses are very affordable. If not, than with a determined silhouette you should move on to bridal boutiques. (This is probably my scenario).

I have already visited David's Bridal once, but need to return to finish trying all the dresses. I will follow up with a complete report. I also promise to share all Gaile's advice I get.

Collage from The Rose Dress