Tulum, Mexico Wedding Highlights
Posted on September 8, 2022 by Ching under Events, Travel.
Mexico was a quick getaway for us just to get a break from our day to day. We had planned to stay at Hotel Xcaret, currently our favorite resort in Mexico, during the week of our 20th anniversary but then I found that Erica and her fiance Phillip were getting married in Tulum that same week. We quickly decided to change resorts and stay at the resort where they are having the wedding instead.
Pictures of the beach and pictures of the pool… Our room had a great view of both but the location wasn’t the best when it’s “party time” at the pool. The most peaceful time is first thing in the morning when people are still asleep.
Brian and I arrived on Wednesday and had a day to ourselves on Thursday before wedding festivities began.
Guests arrived throughout the week with everyone pretty much at the location on Friday. I was so impressed with how many friends and family members came to celebrate with Erica and Phillip. The bride and groom hosted a “meet and greet” on Friday night that gave everyone an opportunity to meet all the the other guests. Several people toasted the lovely couple and Big Lou gave a nice long speech.
Here’s a group pic of everyone from Friday night.
These next set of pics were taken at the ceremony and reception.
Between the ceremony and reception, we were treated to cocktails on the beach while being entertained by a local Mariachi Band as the family and wedding party took photos. Erica’s dad and aunt even sang along with the band.
Here’s a picture of the beautiful couple at the rooftop reception.
Brian and I had a wonderful time and even danced to a few songs. I stole this pic from Erica’s Facebook.
Then I made a highlight video consisting of pictures that I took and also some I grabbed from Facebook. Dreams Tulum did such a fabulous job with Erica and Phillip’s wedding. It almost made us want to renew our vows.
Until next time. GNG.
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Chicken N Pickle Sponsored Athlete Sip ‘n Play
Posted on August 29, 2022 by Ching under Community, Pickleball.
Once a month, Chicken N Pickle hosts a “Sip ‘n Play” event for sponsored athletes. They give us a couple of courts for two hours so we can play, practice, and socialize with one another. It’s very generous of them and I am grateful for it. These are the highlights from the one we had this month.
These events are usually on the first Tuesday of the month but this month the first Tuesday coincides with Chicken N Pickle’s “Our Hearts are Local” employee volunteer day. Chicken N Pickle closes for the entire day so that employees can participate in a volunteer activity together. So our next sponsored athlete play day is on Wednesday, September 7, instead.
Other upcoming events at Chicken N Pickle include:
- September 13 – Newbie Night
- September 13-15 – Picklepalooza 2022
- September 20-22 – Chicken N Pickle Signature Camp
Are you signed up for any of these fun events? If so, see you there!
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My Favorite Lunch Buddy
Posted on August 22, 2022 by Ching under Food and Drink.
My favorite lunch buddy aka Chris Townley is on vacation this week so I’m on my own for coffees and lunches which makes me really sad. I am super excited for him and his Seattle trip, though, and I look forward to hearing about it over coffee/lunch upon his return.
For a long time, Sienna Tuscan Steakhouse (the restaurant inside the Ambassador Hotel across the street from our office) was only open for dinner so, when we found out that they had reopened for lunch service, we decided to walk across the street and check them out. These are pictures of the food we had at lunch that day.
The food was good but expensive, which I should have expected. The restaurant is inside a fancy hotel after all.
Would probably not go there again unless we are celebrating a special occasion because my lunch cost a lot.
As far as lunches go, there are far more economical options that don’t entail packing a sack lunch. For instance, there is the Perfect Plate at the Kiva inside the Garvey Center. Their sandwiches are great and not that expensive.
Here are some pics of our food.
You can also get reasonably-priced pre-made to-go meals there. You can get 3- and 6-day meal plans in small and large portions.
They have some ready to go in the refrigerated case. You can also order in advance and then just pick them up there.
Finally, just past the Garvey Center, is another great restaurant option — AVI.
The food is excellent and the lunch prices are reasonable. Not to mention they have great seafood tacos, which is what both Chris and I had on the day that we walked over there for lunch.
These are the pics of our yummy tacos from AVI.
Anyway, that is all for now. Until next time, GNG.
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Another Dream Team Doubles in the Books
Posted on August 20, 2022 by Ching under Community, Pickleball.
These are some highlights from the last Dream Team Doubles event at Riverside Tennis Center last month. Many amazing players from both genders came to participate but there was only one team champ. Congratulations to Jen Tiano, Jenny Cole, Antwome Topps, and Nathan Peters!
This is a fun format that the players seem to really enjoy. I can’t wait for us do this again and to be able to play next time. Until then, GNG.
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Dining by the Alphabet – Part G
Posted on August 19, 2022 by Ching under Food and Drink.
I know it’s already August and we are only at G. We are such slackers! Here’s all the ones we’ve done in the past.
For the letter G, I randomly picked Grace Market because I had been reading about how good the food is and I thought it was a restaurant. Surprise, surprise.
It turns out, it’s an Asian supermarket. But it was too late. I was already committed to going there and eating their food. I was hopeful that somewhere in there they had table and chairs that you could sit at and enjoy the delicious food they make but no cigar. You can’t even eat there! Booo.
These were the options when we went.
I got a beef bibimbap (rice bowl with beef and veggies) and a kimbap (kind of like a sushi roll thing). Brian didn’t really care for either but I thought they were both good. Wasn’t expecting to eat “to go” food but that’s what I get for not doing my research before picking the place. I’m going with a regular restaurant next time.
Until then, GNG.
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