10 Reasons to Go on a Girlcation

(R to L) Megan-spunky and fun mother of two adorable twins, Amber- Texan beauty queen and mother of 3, me, and Afton-culinary master and mother of 3

I can't tell you how great my girl excursion was for the soul. The atmosphere was grand and the resort was luxurious, but the best part didn't have anything to do with location. It had everything to do with girl power. Every woman must take in a girl vacation. My friend described the deliciousness of the trip here. I second everything and add my simplified 10 reasons why you should plan a girlcation today:

1. You can get to know women aside from where they buy their kids' clothing or shop for diapers.

2. You can go to sleep at 3am and wake up at 11am.

3. You can shop until your legs collapse, and never hear a word of complaint.

4. You can share make up tips and borrow clothing from each other. The result maybe a little hoochie, but extremely fun nonetheless.

5. You can talk about seex, and share in your confusion why men love their anatomy so.

6. You can do a yoga session and do the goddess pose and really mean it.

Strong like the trees

7. You can explore waterfalls together and swim with the fishes. PLUS, you can make fun of all the Europeans in thongs and Speedos.

8. You can eat 3 times the number of calories than normal because everyone knows if the food came from someone else's plate, it is calorie free.

9. You can share a glitter filled tub together and talk about Hollywood gossip and pretend you know everything.

10. You can talk about the pains of motherhood, but also know deep down inside we all can't wait to wrap our arms around our little boogers again.

Goan Food and Churches

My staple diet on this trip: anise seed covered in sugar. Luckily, my friends didn't care for it so within a day and a half, I downed the whole bag. It is good for digestion and adds an extra ring of cellulite on the thighs, why would you ever refuse?

The food is slightly different in Goa than most of India. Like the rest of Goa, it is Mediterranean/Indian fusion, with plenty of seafood and spices. I had the tastiest naan (butter, garic, and cheese-the guiltiest pleasure ever) and butter chicken I have ever had in my life in Goa.

Fresh catches for the day. I wanted it ALL. There is nothing like watching the creature move only 10 minutes before it makes it to your table. Dee-ish.

Various hunks of sugar. The black chunks are molasses sugar. I found a small sample while walking around the market. I bushed off the bug that was crawling on it and took a bite. Sooo yummy.

A heap of chilli. We bought vanilla beans from the owner of this chilli mountain. 100 beans for 20 bucks. I don't know what to do with it, but all my culinary friends had a plethora of fancy ideas. We can't buy vanilla extract in Doha because of the high alcohol content (alcohol is strictly prohibited here). Guess what I used in my coconut cookies yesterday? I am sure it is blasphemous to those who know the true value of a vanilla bean, but the cookies were extra tasty.

A happy visual

We ate at a traditional Goan Restaurant one evening. It was magical. We put on smokey eyes and were serenaded by some instrumentals. The atmosphere was as good as the food and the only thing it lacked was a Jason Mraz song, which we fruitlessly requested.

To make you drool...

The other appeal of Goa are the Catholic churches. It is strange to be in India where Christianity is so strong. Truthfully, I missed the strong Hinduism vibe there, but I was able to find a few temples to feel like home. Nothing like a good Kali idol to bring peace to your heart.

There were definitely fewer temples than there were churches.

Old Goa Church is one of the older churches that houses the remains of the famous St. Francis Xavier. St. Xavier was sent to Goa by the Portuguese king and it is believed that he converted over 30,000 Goans in the 1500s. You can't see much but Xavier's skull from where we stood. I saw some red, and some brown, and grey linen. Care for me to go into more detail? I could if you want.

I don't care much for the canonized remains, but the structure itself was impressive. It all adds to the Goan charm. It isn't as spicy as the food, but unique and interesting just the same.

Goa--A Sneak Preview

I have come down from the great high that was my trip. I was nervous that something was going to go wrong, but truly, it all went off without a hitch. I felt like I was back in college. You know, uninhibited discussions, make-up tips, and stories that would make your head spin. The only thing this trip confirmed for all of us is that it MUST happen again.

Once I beg my friends for the good pictures, I will post more details. But for now, I will tease you with the grandeur of GOA.

Terrific Twos

Sedona's Birthday Party

Sedona just turned two a couple of days ago. She wins the prize for being the easiest baby so far. She has been the kid with the lowest demands and the most returns. There is nothing like Sedona lov'n. Even at this stage she tries to be a little naughty but I simply have to tell her 'No Sedona' and she will turn around and say in an apologetic way, "Oh, kay". Maybe the devil in her has yet to come out, or maybe all middle children are this way. Or maybe the devil in her HAS come out, we just don't notice cause she is the middle child? Ignorance is bliss...

These are just a VERY few things I LOVE about Dona:

1. She is easy going. We took her to India with us and she was so low maintenance. It was incredible the things we did with a 5 month old baby on that trip not to mention all the attention she got from the locals. I swear there are some Indians out there that have more photos of Sedona than I do.

Delhi, India

Himalayan Mountain Range

2. She loves music and LOVES to dance.

3. She will eat ANYTHING.

4. There is something very calm, knowing, and mature about her spirit.

5. She can sleep anytime, anywhere, and with anyone.

6. She is very motherly and loves babies.

7. She is very tolerant of her brother and sister.

8. She loves all cultures and people.

9. She is willing to touch and play with anything.

10. She has the most infectious smile that can illuminate an entire room.

Cheesy photos taken on Haleni's cell phone

Everyone loves the Dona!

Happy Birthday!

Missionary Moment

My parents in India...I would add one of them in Africa, but my stuff is climbing a mountain at the Nepali border somewhere...

My mom and dad served a CES mission in South Africa. Knowing the crime and serious issues they have there one might be slightly hesitant to accept the call. Nope, not my mom and dad. They said, bring it on...All their stuff stolen, bring it on...Held at gun point...bring it on...Face to face with a criminal...eh, what else do you got?

In honour of my mom's birthday today, I thought I would post a letter written by a couple missionary that worked with my parents.

"I must interrupt this long enough to give you the latest Camilleri-ism. In the past we had told you of two different events concerning Elder and Sister Camilleri where they were victims of theft. Once their apartment was broken into, and their lap top, camera and other personal things were taken. Next, they were visiting an early morning class when one of the drivers coming to seminary, and the owner of the house, were held at gun point, and their cars stolen (one was a new BMW). Well, two weeks ago those same Camilleris were coming home from Institute class in Pretoria. When they stopped at a stop light, some punk came up to the back window, smashed it and reached in to grab Sister C's scripture bag. These thugs always think those bags are purses and have money in them. Elder Camilleri was not wearing his seat belt, which in this case was a blessing. His reaction was swift and powerful! His wife says that as the window crashed it made a horrible sound and as it did Elder C. gave a blood curdling, 'Kung Foo' yell and at the same time swung around to the back seat smacking that guy two healthy blows before he could get his grubby, greedy and malevolent arm out of their car. I don't have a very Christian attitude about such thugs, so my hope is that he was so traumatized and terror stricken, he slunk home to have a heart attack, never to disturb peaceful folk again. After such an adventure, wouldn't you have second thoughts about sticking your arm into someone's back seat? Anyway, Camilleri's will be going home in April and we will miss them very much."

Love ya mom & dad! You make turning 65 not seem so bad. People half your age don't have the same vitality and love of life like you. Can't wait for you to get here so we can go bird watching, orchid collecting, people watching, and of course, shopping together. The kids can't wait for you to arrive and neither can we. So many adventures await us!

Ode to Dad

If it wasn't for my kids bringing me a card for their dad for Father's Day, I would have totally forgotten all about this most special day. I'm so glad they did cause no one deserves a little recognition like my dad.

Here are just a very small sample of why I adore my dad...


Sedona's Blessing

1. He never takes himself too seriously - My dad is always up for a good laugh. I have so many memories of my dad pulling a prank of some kind. Whether it is as extreme as doing a fake drug bust on a new missionary in the ward, or as simple as pulling his shirt through his fly just to see people's reactions, he is never embarrassed or afraid to shock others. It didn't help as a shy child to have my dad find ways of making me blush. But now that I am older, I am thankful for the fun times he forced on me cause now I can laugh off situations that otherwise would kill me with embarrassment.


One of the billion tickles my dad has given me as a child

2. He is fearless - I can't recall a time when I saw my dad scared. He has been put in some pretty freaky situations and yet, he is always cool and calm. I remember when my mom said, 'Your dad is in prison for a while.' He went undercover as a murderer to gain some inside information. I remember my dad coming home from being gone (for I don't know how long) and he was the same old guy, not shaken for a moment. I also remember the time some rough character was following my dad's car after he picked me up from school. He drove all over trying to make sure this guy didn't know where we lived. And there he was, just chatting with me about my day, life as usual. I never knew of all the scary situations my dad had been in because he maintained such normalcy in the home. It wasn't until after, when he was relaxed, talking with friends that the true stories came out. I always LOVED overhearing my dad talk about those stories because otherwise, I would have thought my family life as pretty boring.


With a Buddhist prayer wheel in the Himalayan mountains

3. He is willing to take big risks for some fun - I am sure after reading my blog, you can see why my parents have been married for 45 plus years, they share a lot in common. Mainly, they share is a great zest for life and unusual experiences. My dad has always been willing to go anywhere and do almost anything, especially if there is some danger in the mix. Every time Axel and I wonder where we will move next, we know the more dangerous or newsworthy the country is, the more willing my dad is to come. He has been in the Israeli army, to a South African prison, and the border of Iraq just last year. I am so thankful that Nepal is a hot spot right now because it gives my dad more of an incentive to visit.


At the Dubai Museum

4. He is dedicated and trustworthy – If my dad says he will do it, you can bet it will get done. It doesn’t matter if it is 9 years as bishop or as a Boy Scout Leader. He is always there to not only do the job, but do it really, really well. During all my years growing up, I knew when my dad had a talk to give or a lesson to teach because he would lock himself in a room for hours researching and praying over whatever he was doing. It taught me great discipline and dedication to what I am doing. Even the smallest assignment causes my dad to put forth great effort and thought. Trust me, if you leave a telephone message with my dad to have me call you back, he will remind me so many times that I will call you back just so he will leave me alone. But I think the biggest sign of dedication is his love to my mother. My father's love and devotion seems to grow each year they are married. I can only hope I can do the same.


In the Palmyra Pageant

5. He is the cleanest man I know – I know when my dad comes to visit because the kids diapers are always changed the second their dirty and the trash can never quite makes it to the top. He is such a clean freak that he knows every dumpster in Brantford just so he can dispose of his garbage on a daily basis instead of waiting for the weekly trash pick up. Any time he is out and about, he plans his route according to where he can drop off his garbage. It definitely borderlines obsessive compulsive! My maid is never quite sure what to do around my dad because he is always one step ahead of her. Also, oddly, a lot of my memories were of my dad washing dishes and folding laundry.


Making a friend

6. He deeply loves his children and grandchildren – I never once wondered where I stood with my dad. I always knew he loved me and thought I was great. I know he feels that way about all of his kids, their spouses, and grandkids. He is always interested in what we are up to and how we are doing. My dad is my most devoted reader of my blog and if that wasn’t enough, he always sends me a daily email telling me what he thought of the blog and asking how I am doing. I have a countless number of letters from my dad from when I was on my mission, in collage, and 'just cause'.


On the job

7. He is humble – As cool as my dad is, he doesn’t show it in the least. He has done so many extraordinary things and seen so many unusual places (Tonga, Mozambique, Israel, South Africa, Namibia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Hungary, Oman, Croatia, Bosnia- to only name a few) but when you chat with him, he is so down to earth and not pretentious in the least. My dad accepts anyone and everyone and never seems to think he is any better. That is why he needs me around so I can brag, brag, and brag.


The puffer

8. He is musically talented – As much as my dad would deny it, he has got some great rhythm. He loves music and some of my favourite teenage memories are of my dad driving me to seminary with the music blasting. He would pound his hand on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the song (specifically Fleetwood Mac). Whether it is a 60’s bebop song or a top 40, my dad knows every word. I love that about my dad and I am so thankful I got a little bit of love for the booty shak’n myself!


Spear'n

9. He always trusts me – My dad always emphasized certain things throughout my life (for example, ‘Life is not fair’). Many times, they were not the things I wanted to hear, but true nonetheless. But despite his general words of wisdom, my dad never really gave me advice, which often made me mad. I always expected my dad to tell me what to do and he never once did. Even when he knew I was about to do something that maybe he wouldn’t approve of, I knew he always expected me to make the right choices despite my rebellious heart. The cool thing was I knew that my dad trusted me and because of that, I did not want to disappoint him. It instilled a great confidence within me that made me the independent soul that I am today.


In Oman

10. He doesn’t just look young, he is young at heart too – Some people in this world just have 'it' and some don’t. I am here to tell you that my dad has the cool factor. He always knows the latest and greatest. He is always there to chat with about current news events and what so and so was wearing at the Oscars. That is why he was such a great bishop. Not one person could say, ‘You just don’t understand what it is like, Bishop’ because most likely, my dad was at a nighclub the night before teaching undercover cops how to buy drugs. He knows what it is all about, the good, the bad, and the ugly. And what is more amazing is he can hang with any crowd and yet never compromise his beliefs. How he does it, I don’t know. But honestly, my dad (who is 65 years old plus) is the hippest senior I know. On top of that, he looks like he is at least 20 years younger than he is. We joke that my dad is made of plastic cause he never ages. He barely has a grey hair on his head and he has been able to keep his baby face into his sixties! How he does it, baffles us all.


Spearing fish from the Gulf

Sadly, I have only scratched the surface and feel my literary ability (or lack thereof) does not do my dad justice. But in the end, I know my dad knows how I feel about him. He rocks! If you know him, I know you will agree. I am the luckiest daughter in the world, and I know it.


Doing yoga in India