life of a cruise ship nurse: Sydney, Australia part 1

my experiences in sydney will be told in multiple parts.  mostly because i cannot decide which pictures to cut.

 i made it to sydney after the 15 hour flight from LA ready to explore the city. of course, it was raining. i was not about to let a little water falling from the sky ruin my day.  rain or shine, here i come! i took the train from my hotel to the city.

 and, i got off at the wrong stop.  i mean, it's not my fault that the train conductor does not announce the stops here like they do in other major cities!!!  oh well, more exploring for me!

 when i got out of the subway, this is the first thing i saw!  the sydney harbor bridge!! i have waited my whole life to come here!

 the sydney opera house was the next thing i looked for.  two iconic landmarks in one minute.  amazing. 

 today happens to be a mardi gras parade in sydney.  there are banners and signs everywhere!

 selfie with the sydney opera house. i was there!

 i love old phone booths. they are practically obsolete, but sydney still has a few.

 planter box

 we decided to walk across the harbor bridge.  there are some amazing views from up there. namely, the sydney opera house.

 a close up of the opera house.  it is a unique building.

 a view of downtown from the bridge

the park to the right of the opera house is the royal botanic gardens.  they are spectacular!  it is a huge green space in the middle of the city.  i loved it. 

another view of the harbor bridge.

The doggy diaries: Mama's famous German chocolate cookies

1 box German chocolate cake mix
2 eggs

2/3 cup butter flavored crisco (this is important as it makes the cookies absolutely delicious!  if you don't like butter, use regular shortening.....but you are missing out!)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine cake mix, eggs and shortening. Roll into little balls and place on cookie sheet. 

Bake for 8 minutes. Let cool.

I usually double the cookie recipe

For the frosting:

1-12 oz can evaporated milk
1.5 cups sugar
3/4 cups butter
4 egg yolks slightly beaten
1.5 teaspoons mexican vanilla (this is super important.  vanilla extract is NOT good enough. :)
1-7 oz package coconut (I add more, which is my preference)
1.5 cups chopped pecans

Place eggs, sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla in large saucepan
Stirring constantly, cook on medium heat for 12 minutes or until thickened and golden brown
Remove from heat
Add coconut and pecans
Cool to room temperature
Frost one cookie and then top with another cookie. 

professional photo shoot with jack

i hired Elaina Renae Photography http://elainarenae.com/ to take some shots of jack because she donates the sitting fee to a rescue of my choice (rescue rovers). he is a great subject. every pic turned out just completely perfect. he is just the most handsomest dog ever.

i love this pic. it shows jacks personality perfectly. he absolutely loves rocks and he found one as soon as we got to millcreek canyon.

this is one of my absolute favorite pics. it is the perfect action shot. he was running to me when this pic was taken.

such a gorgeous dog!

this was taken during a brief break in playing with his rock.

he is a great poser for pics. hard not to be when you are the best looking dog on earth.

this one is my absolute favorite. i can't get over how much i adore this dog! he is the best dog. he is completely loyal to me.

ok, wait. i changed my mind. this one might be my favorite. ugh. they are all my favorite.

tongue out mountain playing.

then we got some fun pics. he looks really good in glasses

my boy whom i love

the cutest professor. i am so incredibly thankful for this special boy. he is the best part of my life.

the doggy diaries: jack rabbit

while i am cruising, my boy jack lives with my parents. my mom dresses him up to keep us all apprised of how things are going. told from the perspective of the dog.

i am not pleased that i am dressed up as a jack rabbit. but, i imagine my mama will love my fluffy little tail.

life of a cruise ship nurse: grand cayman

 you can't come to grand cayman and not go to hell. it is a unique place that is basically a bunch of black rocks.  or if you want to get technical, black limestone formations. i'm not going to lie, i'd never go back. not worth the money you spend on the cab ride.  although there is a post office there and now all your friends and family can get mail from hell.

 i'd rather spend my day at the beach whilst in grand cayman

 the water is the perfect temperature of awesomeness

 you can rent all sorts of water-craft.  or you can just lay on the beach. :)

 such a gorgeous place to read a book

dinner

what a perfect day!

life of a cruise ship nurse: eating at the tamarind

the tamarind is my favorite place to eat on the ships. it is an asian fusion restaurant. so yummy!

chicken pho, my favorite soup ever!

asian beef salad

wasabi beef. most excellent steak ever

coconut tempura ice cream

part of the medical team

the doggy diaries: going fishin

while i am cruising, my boy jack lives with my parents. my mom dresses him up to keep us all apprised of how things are going. told from the perspective of the dog.

going fishin with my papa in my mama's orange coat. neiner neiner neiner

life of a cruise ship nurse: half moon cay, bahamas

 the passenger doc and i are on the tender headed to the island. we will staff the first aid building all day.

 it is gorgeous here!

 the water is so amazing

 i love how calm the waters are here

 view outside the first aid building

 i was able to take a dip in that gorgeous ocean while on break.

my sentiments exactly! 

 this is the medical building on the island

 thankfully it was a slow day....

 views from our office

first aid

 storm is coming in.....

another gorgeous day on half moon cay