Sonder Here is a blog to represent humanity. The purpose of the blog is simple, to bring awareness that we all matter and are all here. The realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk. - The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Girls trip this year was a blast! Not only did I get the chance to explore New York! I got the chance to spend time with my siblings and grandmother. This blog post will be all about our adventures.
For starters, it was my first time on a plane. The preparation with packing is so nerve wrecking. Luckily, I was able to fit everything in one suitcase. The airport is a nightmare. My sister is an employee so we got to use the employee shuttle to our gate and that still took an hour.
On top of it all it was super rainy in Dallas. I was soaked and literally had to change clothes in the parking lot.
The prices at the airport are just ridiculous. It was my first time flying so I was not aware. We ended up eating at Fridays cause it was the most affordable.
The rain caused the flights to continued to get delayed. Some flights even got canceled. Once on the plane it was my first time. All of the seats had tvs. Delta really knows how to treat their passengers because I couldn’t really tell the difference from us and first class. I mean they were seated earlier and got the refreshments first, and I think free liquor but I was drinking too so we good. The rain cause a lot of turbulence but we made it safely.
When we arrived their airport was closed and super empty. It was around 11 pm, but we were able to catch a Uber to our hotel. We had some issues with the room thermostat and the size, but we got it together.
Manhattan was where we spent most of our vacation because it’s where the hotel was located. We only left when we went to see the Statue of Liberty . We didn’t take the tour, but we were able to see it while on the Ferry. The ferry is really nice. I like how they have the vendors around the entrance.
Manhattan had vendors on every corner. It seems they all mainly sold the same thing: rice , chicken, halal, etc. The vendors stayed open really late and the food was always fast and good . Perfect when you’re in a hurry or drinking lol.
Time Square was lit! So many different vibes, energies, and personalities. I loved every minute of it. It reminded me of like a block party. The lights and the sounds and all of the different interactions taking place at once reminded of just why I started this blog.
The restaurants in Manhattan were expensive. Definitely all worth it though. The subways were confusing as we got lost multiple times, but it was a great experience.
New York really had lots of horn honking and many flower shops in Manhattan. Overall it was a great time and I can’t wait to visit more of New York.
I’ve always heard cruises were fun, but I really never thought about going on one. I recently had the chance to experience this by an invite from my family. Dues were due in August and the trip took place from 11/4/23 – 11/10/23. The anticipation was just way too much for me to handle. Making sure you have everything you need for the trip was hectic. I wanted to be as comfortable as I am at home even while away. I felt this is the only way I would truly enjoy myself. This is the second trip I’ve been on with my family and I knew we’d have just as much fun as we did in Colorado. I did overpack a tad bit! But I was definitely comfortable on the trip.
Day 1, 2, & Day 7 Events (Many of them I did on both days because we were heading to the first destination on days one and two. On day six we were heading back to Galveston, so these were fun on the ship days! Day 7 we arrived back in Galveston at 8am, so the whole day just consisted of getting off the ship to head back home. Not really much excitement on the last day, lol. We were really drained from all the fun from the overall trip.)
We had to arrive at Galveston at 1:30 PM. This is the time we put on our check-in reservation. Apparently, Carnival has a lot of ships. We were on the Carnival Vista. This was its last time porting from Galveston so in a way I made history. The ship pulled off at 4 PM. The trip to Galveston was cool. It’s always good to take a quick trip to Houston and you can’t forget about Buckee’s. I always have to stop for some dried meat! Once we arrived to the port, carrying the two suitcases around was a lot of work. I decided to carry on my luggage because I did not want to wait for it or risk things getting lost. I’ve heard stories, lol. For how many people it was checking in, we were able to make it to the cabin fairly quickly. Day one was really chill once we actually made it on the ship. It gave me time to explore the decks. Although you could buy drinks on the first day, we were allowed to bring one bottle of wine so this is what I drank on.
The cabins were cool for us to have a basic one. It was really just enough room. I shared rooms with my brother. I They have events going on every single day on the ship. This way you can keep up with what’s going on and you’ll never be bored. Some of my favorite events were the movie shown on deck 10 and when we’ll have the party gatherings on the deck. The clubs were legit too. The DJ and host TJ definitely know how to get a party started.
The food was the best part! An unlimited buffet! Not even just that! We also had a fancy dinner every night at 8:15 PM at he Reflections Restaurant. We were assigned the same table every night. You were allowed to get two of course on the menu. I always took my second meal to eat in the cabin. The last days of the trip we received a pretty cool dance and farewell from the crew. The staff on the ship were very friendly and always willing to help. I also found out they’re usually away from family between 6-8 months at a time while working on the ship.
I spent most of my time on the ship going to the events, eating, getting drunk and playing dominos. The water is so calming and even on the windy days it was not really that cold. The pools and hot tubs use the ocean water so it was really salty. They had things like family Feud and Bingo. The casino always reeked of smoke. You could smoke on on the casino floor and deck 11. My Nana met a guy and he invited us to an event with complimentary drinks. I got super drunk off rum. I got to beat my dad in dominos and I even got to play other guys on the ship. I also got stung by a bee for the first time. It swelled up, but it healed quickly. The sting was pretty itchy for many days afterwards.
You can only use your room card to buy things while on the ship. They did not accept cards or cash. There were kiosks and a service desk where you could add funds to the card. When off the ship you can use cash and card. I did not buy the drink package because 15 alcoholic drinks a day just feels forced. Plus it was like $400. I ended up spending $200 on alcohol, so I did save some money. I did buy the Wifi package so I could talk to my family at home. I missed my kids and husband while on the trip, but I was bale to Facetime them daily. The hub app had a nice feature for $5 where you could chat with your family on the ship. It was 11 of us so this helped keep us on track and know where to meet up for events and when we got off the ship or heading back. We were able to bring a 12 pack of a canned drink so I brought sparkling water. I was bale to use my onboard credit to have water bottles delivered to the cabin.
Day 3 – Costa Maya
Costa Maya was beautiful. It was rainy and windy, so I did not do any of the excursions. Upon arrival at the port, there were many stores. My sisters even got to experience the thing where the fish eat the dead skin from your feet. I was way too scared to try it. We had to catch a taxi to the beach. It was only $4 per person each way. The beach was beautiful. I’ve never seen water so clear and blue and had the chance to play with my toes in the sand. It was the perfect temperature and everyone was so nice. I wish I could have explored Costa Maya more, but we were a little pressed on time because we had to make sure we caught the taxi back to the port to catch the ship at departure time. The crew that worked on the beach played song from Kodak Black and Sexy Redd. I was a little surprised because it kind of caught me off guard. You could have unlimited alcoholic drinks for $40. There were individuals selling plants, bracelets, and even doing henna. When picking up a souvenir I decided to go with a pick coffee mug. We were an hour ahead of Texas while in Mexico, so we had to keep track of that.
Day 4 -Belize
We had to take another boat from the ship to reach Belize because they are still building their ship. On the way we got to see dolphins on the trip there. The boat was really nice to turn off the propellers to not hurt the fish. Belize was so beautiful and colorful from the approaching view. When we arrived ta the port in Belize the first thing we did was stop at the liquor store to buy the pre-mixed margarita drinks. This helped us save so much money and helped us vibe on the trip. I also was able to try another cigar. This one was way better than the one I bought on the ship. We looked in the stores for souvenirs. I was able to get a really cool dragon pipe that I gave to my husband. We stopped to eat at a restaurant that was right next to the water. they were super busy and we kind of had to keep reminding them about the food. I tried a chicken skewer with rice. Nothing too fancy, but it was decent and helped soak up the alcohol. We ended up becoming friends with the waiter because he came to sit next to us and tell us about his life. He also gave us some pointers on how to navigate the country. We were able to walk around the neighborhood. We came across a lot of cool people selling food and handmade items. It was also rainy this day so no excursions, but we still had a vibing experience.
Day 5- Cozumel
Cozumel was the last stop on the trip. Upon arrival, we came across another liquor store. I drunk so much alcohol on this trip it’s ridiculous. They had an offer for 3 big bottles of 1800 for $67! We could not pass that up so we all put in on it. we took one bottle with us and was able to put the other two in a locker until we head back to the ship. We were taking shots the entire time while touring Cozumel Saving as much money as we could on this trip was really a good goal that I think we accomplished. Drinks were between $10 – $20 at the bars. There was a mini party going on at the strip. Many individuals were dancing and playing instruments and having a great time. We got to explore more in Cozumel by being able to walk the streets to see more of the city. We went into a great deal of shops. I was able to pick up some gifts for my kids. We also met a cool girl named Stacy who hung with us the entire day.
Overall I really enjoyed my first cruise. I did not want to spend too much and plus it was windy and rainy so I did not get to experience the excursions. I will definitely take another and be able to experience more next time. I wish I had a passport, but I was able to cruise with my birth certificate and ID because we left and returned at the same port. It’s still pretty cool to say I’ve been to Costa Maya, Belize, and Cozumel.
Planning a honeymoon is not the easiest thing to do. Although I’d like to go to the Bahamas with my two piece or get blazed in Jamaica, times are hard and we’re balling on a budget. Marriage to my partner of a decade is mind blowing. It didn’t change much in the relationship, but now it’s official. We had a blast on the trip and we only spent $1000 road trippin’ through Texas.
The main key was to save money, so booking a hotel or Airbnb was out of the question. An SUV and a gym membership is all you need. A Planet Fitness membership that was signed up for at the beginning of the year, but never used, came in handy. Then the showers were clean and it was not a lot of people using them. The initial thought was it’ll feel awkward showing in a public place. It turned out to be way more comfortable than expected. Amazon came in clutch with everything needed to sleep in the SUV. Plus, we had no problem sleeping the car because of all the fun we had. Here’s a list of everything with the links:
The trip started off in Dallas, TX. Our first stop was in Temple, TX. Here we stopped at Buc-ee’s to fill up on gas and goodies. Buc-ee’s is probably by favorite station. They have everything you need while traveling. It’s like a travel grocery store. I got a gallon of water and beef jerky. Their beef jerky is probably the best I’ve tasted.
Austin
Austin was the next stop and this is where day one ended. When taking a trip to Austin ride the scooters. I really hate they were removed from Dallas because I really enjoyed them. They can get a little pricey, so be sure to purchase a Lime Ride Pass in advance. You could also use my promo code RPC6UO2 to get $3 off towards your first ride.
A night of Lime scooters down 6th Street
The convenient stores that are in downtown Austin will help you find souvenir items. My guy and I got t-shirts! Cliché, indeed, but we wanted something we could use. Mine is tie dye and says the classic slogan “Keep Austin Weird”! My guy’s shirt says “Where the Weird Things Are” with the character from Where the Wild Things Are as a memorable Austin bat. Speaking of bats, be sure to try out the Austin Bat Tour. It sounds small, but experiencing hundreds of bats flying over your person is a wild experience.
Shirts in convenience store on 6th Street
We spent some time in Kyle, TX. I had no idea Texas had so many cliffs! The P Terry’s in San Marcos, TX was a quick stop for a bite to eat. We tried Gumbeaux2Geaux, a Black Owned restaurant, and everything was fire! The food, desserts, and beverages were so good! I even got a small crab in the gumbo! Check them out the next time you’re in Austin.
San Antonio
San Antonio is where the trip ends. The Towers of America’s is like something I’ve never seen and to think it was built as a flex! We tried to see peacocks on the Peacock Trail, but had no luck. We did run into some cool art though. The Hard Rock Cafe is closed in Dallas, but they have one on the Riverwalk! We made a stop at The Friendly Spot and the vibe was lit. Between mixing the liquor and eating all that fried food, we got kind of sick, but I was ready for the next day.
One-Hour Kayaking at King William District (Closed for the season)
SeaWorld® San Antonio (Premium Attraction) – The roller coasters look innocent, but those bad boys are scary. My favorite one has to be the Steel Eel! I believe it was preparation for SeaWorld San Antonio Halloween Spooktacular because once nightfall came, the “freaks came out at night”! I danced with cheerleaders bleeding from the mouth and took a photo with Slender Man. The main attraction was really the Orca show! Boy was I in for a treat. It’s hard to believe that killer whales can be trained. The best part was the splash show and I made sure to sit in the Splash Zone!
Overall the trip was amazing! The next road trip you take, please go to SeaWorld! I still have dreams, good ones lol, about the Magical Orcas.
Starting off as just a table and transforming into two stores, Dallas has a retail nursery hidden in plain sight. Plant lovers report here because you are in for a treat. Ruibals the ducked off plant paradise in Dallas. There are so many different plants ranging from bedding plants, perennials, shrubs, trees, tropical plants, floral plants and garden vegetables. Not only do they deliver and offer the location to be rented for events, they also offer gardening services. You can get a landscaping consultation and they’ll even plant your plants for you.
I have passed by so many times when visiting the Dallas Farmers Market and I never stop by, until one day I did. Upon first view, all of the plants are neatly organized lining the street. As you walk through the flowers are color coordinated and they’ll lead you to an actual store. Inside you’ll find a plethora of things such as Ruibals’ merchandise, local products like sage and essential oil aromas, artisanal sodas and ice creams, and flowerpots in almost every size, shape and color. They even have plants inside. While at check out, I spotted a small Venus flytrap.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers. As I’m picking my son up from school the Friday before mother’s day, he walks down the stairs holding two plants with very unique bases. One was a water bottle and the other was a cereal cup. Both colored and decorated with an array of colors. It was supposed to be a secret, but he was so excited about it that he kept telling his dad. We are not sure what kind of flowers they are, but Dexter mentioned one started to grow a purple petal, until falling off.
I’m sure we’ve all been there. You know the time you’ve been out with your friends and you spill a drink on your blouse. Or you’re out on a date and a little piece of chili falls onto your clothes from your chili dog. Your night is ruined because you feel all dirty and you’d just like to go home to change. If only you had a Tide to Go pen handy to make all of your stains go away.
I received my first tide to go pen when I was in college. My mother in law would pack us up “essential boxes” for when we made the visit back home. Inside one of the boxes was one of these magical pens. I probably used that pen once and it got lost in my car. Each time I would get a stain while out, I’ll attempt to look for the pen and could never find it. It never occurred to me to just purchase another. I tried going to the gas station, but they’re overpriced there, so I went to Amazon.
I put one in my purse, one in the car, and gave my fiancé one for his work bag. Talk about life savers! Getting the three pack was the best decision I could have ever made. We always have one available if needed. They definitely come in handy while out running errands, out of date night, out with friends, or even the stains the kids cause.
You should check them out and tell me what you think.
The first air fryer was introduced in 2010 by Philips Electronics Co. This invention was made to offer efficiency to busy families by making it convenient to cook meals. Air frying is healthier than deep frying because it has less calories. You don’t have much to clean up or have to worry about grease, flour and preheating. The era of the air fryer is upon us. I’m sorry to say it, but air frying is what’s in right now. You can literally make anything in those things. Oven, microwave, stove, who? The mighty air fryer can do all of their jobs quickly and with ease. Here is my experience with my air fryer and why I think we all should have one. It’s important for our humanity for you to stay up to date on these things.
If you haven’t heard of an air fryer until now, you’re obviously living under a rock. I’m you! I honestly had no idea an air fryer existed in 2010. Even though I was 16 and not cooking my own meals that year, my first time hearing of an air fryer was in 2020. I guess with the pandemic everyone was staying home and making meals which made a demand for air fryers. All over social media and at family dinners you’ll hear about this famous air fryer. When it was time for me to purchase mine I went straight to Amazon. There were so many brands at so many prices I became overwhelmed. I went to Walmart for simplicity and to calm my anxiety. That visit only spiked it because they did not have any in my local store. Back to amazon I went and I decided to get the most affordable one on the site at the time with the best reviews. Bingo! I found the perfect 5.3 quart, black air fryer for $50. It was on sale at the time.
Perfect for my family of 4. Apparently the first ones were pretty expensive, but now you can find some real affordable ones. I got so excited when I pressed buy now and even happier when it was delivered to my local Amazon locker. I couldn’t wait to get cooking. I instantly started to look up things to cook and this is when I discovered you can cook anything. Even frozen meals! I use my air fryer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We make anything from egg muffins to a New York strip in that thing. I use it so much that I try to rotate my other appliances in from time to time just so they don’t feel left out.
If you don’t have an air fryer, then it’s definitely time to invest in one. When you do please share your experience with Sonder Here in the comments. For those of you that have had one, what’s your favorite thing to cook? My favorite thing is egg muffins and here is a great recipe!
I can still remember clearly how we started, staring from across the room. Does she love me ? Does she hate me ? I did not know which of the two, to assume.
I saw myself as unattractive , unworthy , but you saw something else in me. And immediately we connected, and this connection was interesting.
You were the first girl I truly dated. The first girl that drove me crazy. We bickered, we argued , but I still called you my baby.
But I realize in the present that then we made a huge mistake. Why would we, both agree, to put our love connection at stake ? Maybe this was simply fate, and luckily it turned out to be just a break.
Now look at us present day, with your effort, our connection has been restored. Madly in love as before, and we agreed to never make the same mistake, anymore.
Because this time , I’ll have the mind of being your man, and you as my lady. Instead of restricting our connection, as we did by debating.
But that was all in the past. We must live in the present. Because I want you in my future. And we’ll always have that connection , more so than computers.
Kishambrea Bowens
