Summer: Where There Are No Problems, Only Situations

I just floated there in the Atlantic Ocean. The crystal blue waters were ever so refreshing. Underneath that H₂0 surface, schools of fish, colonies of coral, and clever, little crabs were abounding living in their salty environment. The sun was shining brighter than ever showing the beauty of the incredible landscape around me. I let my feet sink into the soft, grainy sand. I allowed myself to relax and forget about the world I left behind. Aboard one of the largest cruise ships in the world, I could close my eyes and hear the waves crashing to and fro and ever so slightly feel the ship rock back and forth. At night, entertainment was at its best. Jaw dropping acrobats and divers amazed me, as my eyes would blink in disbelief. Outstanding actors, singers, and musicians would perform and deserve those rewarding standing ovations. For one week, time was never a concern and perhaps even forgotten. It seemed as these moments on and off that ship could go on forever.  I was continuously thinking, 

  “This is Paradise.”

The past week I packed my bags (how much is too much?) and traveled on the Allure of the Seas with Royal Caribbean. I vacationed on and off board for seven days. I truly enjoyed it. I never really wanted to go home but now it looks like I’m back to reality.

Some of my favorite activities that I was able to check off my vacation bucket list included swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel Mexico, watching the Broadway show: Chicago, learning how to boogie Board and surf on the ship’s FlowRider®, participating in a flash mob, rock climbing, and drinking coconut juice in Falmouth, Jamaica.

A piece of advice for anyone going on the cruise: There is so much stuff to do. Luckily, I brought my Five Star® composition book so I could write down all the times of the activities I wanted to do. It was really easy to do.  I would bring it with me everywhere, even at the pool. This composition book has a hardback covering, therefore it can’t be destroyed.

Like I’ve mentioned before, I am a Five Star® Brand Ambassador. Other ambassadors on Team Five Star® have been traveling as well from the beach, to attending camps, and even going to other continents. Check out where they’ve been at www.tinyurl.com/fsteam.

Well, coming back to reality can truly be a Debbie Downer. It’s not a problem though, only a situation as they say in Jamaica. Looking ahead, I am spending my last moments with my swim team, preparing to move into my dorm room at UNC, and spending more precious moments with my family. So yep, life is good. No worries.

Twitter: @kconsing

Tumblr: kconsing.tumblr.com

An Interesting Thing You Probably Didn't Know

Let me just clear this up. I'm not visually an artistic person. I can barely draw or paint a masterpiece. But I do know how to sculpt a little bit. I'm not talking like clay pottery or stone structures. I'm talking about sand. Yes, sand. I live about 4 or 5 hours away from the beach. Every time we visit we naturally visit the sandy shores and salty waters. I do more than just lay down on a towel and bake in the sun though. I love helping my father create sandcastles. I'm not just talking about the ones automatically formed in a shovel and pail. I mean legit ones. They're not so easy to create. I don't help with any of the fine, sculpting details. That's what my dad does. I help him create the foundation. When we pick a spot to create the sculpture, we do right where the wet sand and dry sand meet. The foundation is basically the base or structure of the entire thing. You have to do it exactly right or else your sandcastle will crumble into little pieces. So I take the long walk between the ocean and the structure to help form the base. This is how you make a solid base. You place sand, then pack it water back and forth. Trust me walking back and forth to the ocean to collect water is a major workout. We surround it with a roofing tarp to help from a cylindrical base. After adding a couple more additional bases on top of the main base, my dad starts chipping away the sand with random kitchen tools, a water sprayer, and a straw. I don't partake in that part. I usually just build a little wall or a wall with arches in front of the sculpture to highlight the main structure more and as a temporary barrier when the ocean comes to it.

  

I love sand sculptures because they aren't permanent. They don't last long. They entertain those who have an observant I to see the sculpture. The only things that can preserve them are photographs. It's kind of relaxing to see the ocean wash it away. It's feels so peaceful watching mother nature take it's course. It reminds you that life happens for a reason. We may lose people who we once thought were our friends. We may have formed a great relationship with someone one day, only to see it wash away the next. Sandcastles are like that too. No matter what happened, no matter how things just drifted apart, the only important thing is the great memories that were captured.  

Oh, Happy Easter!

Random thought of the moment: Every one says you only live once but I just truly think that you obviously love Oreos. YOLO.