Florida moments

I'm kicking off my updates with a recap of my remaining trip to Florida in early December!

I spent the first half of the week in Orlando for a training.  It was a fun change of pace from cubicle life as I was able to attend interesting classes, catch up with coworkers that I hadn't seen in awhile, and explore some of the surrounding Disney attractions. Orlando is a fun place to have a training because after a long day of serious classes, it is refreshing to run around Disney and feel like a kid again!

"Chillin' out" out at Sea World

0 minute wait time for rides!

About to ride the Kraken at Sea World

Catching a wave!

After the week in Orlando, I jetted over to the Tampa/St Pete area for the weekend to visit one of my dearest friends, Sarah (aka Slac).  We spent the weekend experiencing Sarah's life in Florida, including my first time attending a pure barre class!

My review of the experience: Well, unfortunately I didn't really understand the whole "tuck" concept, so while Sarah looked like she was getting the workout of her life, I spent most of the class awkwardly trying to understand what was going on and how exactly to place and configure my limbs and body to do the moves.  However, this shouldn't necessarily be a reflection on the class itself - it seems like a great workout and, as my sister can attest from my childhood attempts at dance class, trying to get my body to be flexible or twist in any shape or form can be ridiculously impossible…. or entertaining… for others.

After class we met up with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (who also live in Tampa!) for a wonderful lunch by the water, then went for a walk on the beach, and after one of Sarah's friends gave us backstage/front row tickets to a Fall Out Boy concert in town (thanks Tim!).

Although living abroad can be tough due to how much I frequently miss my family and friends, I left my week in Florida extremely happy that I was able to spend such treasured time with so many loved ones over the course of the week!

Lunch with Rob and Coralie!

Here are my eat, stay, and play recommendations for the St Pete area:

EAT: Castile Restaurant for inventive food by the beach and Red Mesa for mexican food
STAY: I highly recommend Casa de Sarah for lodging, it was conveniently located near the beach, beautifully decorated, and the host was extremely accommodating -- thanks Sarah! ;)
PLAY: Madeira beach provided a relaxing mid-afternoon stroll. I also thought the bars in downtown St Pete were fun and varied.