Safe in Venezuela

I've been in Venezuela for over a week now and have been either locked in a hotel or at the venue we are playing.  Our security guards are very nice, and are more than willing to lend a helping hand.  Besides the hotel and the venue, we've been to McDonald's almost everyday and to a mall or grocery store.  We look pretty funny with guards.  Next week we go to the Dominican Republic and have a few days off at the beach.  We're hoping for internet there, as it's been touch and go here in Venezuela

A clip from my show!

Found this while browsing the web. It's pretty good! It's from when we were in Valladolid, Spain last year. Enjoy!

At home for five weeks!

Due to problems in Columbia, we've been sent home for a few weeks. We were not told exactly why the Columbian portion of our tour was cancelled, but either way, I'm happy to be home!

A day at the beach in Coasta Rica

After a hard week of work in Coasta Rica, the promoters took us to a beach resort for the day:





Yes! That really is me! I had my hair relaxed/straightened at a spa salon in Coasta Rica. Don't know how long it will stay this pretty, but it sure did make a good beach photo!

Antigua, Guatemala

On our one day off in Guatemala, many of us went to Antigua. It is considered one of the most outstanding and best-preserved colonial city in Spanish America. To me, it was a cute town filled with squares, parks and restaurants. Here's some photos:

Photos from Panama

Here I am in Panama City with my favorite kitty, Hello Kitty!

Next I go to the Panama Canal. . . watch the boat go through!

Goodbye boat!

In Central America, and my computer is broken

Hey all, I know I know. . . no recent updates. Well there´s a reason for that. . . .my computer has stopped working mysteriously, and I´m not sure how to get it fixed. The bloody thing won´t even turn on! I hope to get it fixed soon!!!! I feel so cut off from the world!

Panama

Work has started once again. This past week has been totally insane, but we opened without a glich. Got to see the Panama Canal and that´s about it. I´ve spent the entire week trying to get the show in working order. The hotel this week doesn´t have internet, so I have no pictures so share right now, but hopefully next week!

Last week's PR

Last week Pooh, Tigger and I were sent to Central America for some advanced press events announcing the show. We did events in Panama, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Pooh and Tigger were so happy to get back to the 100 Acre Woods at the end of the week, as we were super busy!!

Above are pictures of Pooh and Tigger at a mall in Panama City. They got to meet lots of new friends!

Next we went to Guatemala. Things where kinda hot there, as you can tell by Pooh fanning himself. We got to meet lots of cute and well behaved children at a preschool. The first lady of Guatemala was on hand to welcome Pooh and Tigger. (She's the lady in the grey suit.)

At this preschool, they were big fans of of everyone from the 100 Acre woods as their classrooms were decorated!

In Costa Rica, they threw Pooh a birthday party complete with cake!

All in all it was very very busy for us. We have just enough time to recuperate before we head back to Central America to start our show!

Short Update on Home Life

Here it is, already closing the month of March and I will return to tour at the end of April.



So here's what I've been doing:

I visited my extended family in Kansas City at the beginning of the month. It was really great to see the family, I didn't realize I had become such a family celebrity!

Paul and I have gone our separate ways.

I went to the warehouses (for two weeks) that the company owns and worked on making the show look tip-top for South America!

I've been babysitting little Dominic about once a week. He's now learned to roll over, and he's starting to recognize people (besides Mom & Dad).

Things have been pretty good, but I'm starting to get anxious to get back to work!

Nothing New to Report

There's nothing new here to report.

I've been working a lot at Hallmark to get myself out of the house.

Paul and I are trying real hard to stay together, but it is really hard. He sent me roses for Valentine's Day and they're beautiful, almost too beautiful.

I've also been filling my time babysitting my nephew Dominic. I should really take some pics of him for the blog, he's awfully cute.

I hope life gets a little more exciting again soon, I'm starting to miss being on the road!

Readjusting to Home Life

Paul left for home on Friday night. I've been pretty bummed out about our separation, but we're doing the best we can about this pesky ocean between us. I'm trying real hard to readjust to home life, but it's so weird. No work, no travel days, no maid service. To add to matters, I keep misplacing things and I have no idea where others have been filed away for safe-keeping.

On the bright side, I've got to spend some quality moments with my little nephew, Dominic. Friday night Auntie Amy gets him all to herself! Yay!

Home Again

I've been home now for almost two weeks. I came home on a Monday night, and Paul followed me home on that Friday. We've been trying to do the tourist thing, but Paul doesn't really seem into it. He did however enjoy the Hard Rock Cafe:

Hopefully now that I'm in sunny Florida, I can get a little sun on my face. Mom was right, I am looking a little pale.

My 2006 Wrap Up

In order to start 2007, I feel I must steal Sandy's idea and give a 2006 wrap up.

 

Countries visited:

~ Mexico

~ Japan

~ Taiwan

~ Thailand

~ Malaysia

~ China

~ Spain

~ Italy

Total: 8

 

Time spent at home:

Approximately 60 days.

 

Time spent in the USA:

Approximately 65 days.

 

I can say "Thank you" in Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Italian.

 

I have bought things in American Dollars, Pesos, Yen, New Taiwan Dollars, Baht, Ringgits, Yuan, and Euros.

 

I have eaten McDonald's in Mexico, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, and Spain.  And you know what? It tastes the same no matter where you are, they just have some different menu options.  Like McDonald's Taiwan has amazing fried chicken and in Spain they have really yummy potato wedges called Patas Fritas Deluxe.

 

I have mastered the Squatty Potty.

 

That's all that comes to me off the top of my head.  Not quite sure what 2007 holds for me, but I'm excited to find out!  Happy New Year everyone!!!

 

Happy Holidays!

While I was in Santiago de Compostela, I became smitten with a lovely Dutch gentleman named Paul. Paul works for the show, in the transport part. He works with the concessions people, making sure they get their stock to the show and from city to city.

This was my first Christmas away from home. I thought it would be awful and lonely, but Paul made it special for me. After work on Christmas Eve, he took me to Pizza Hut, then home to the hotel to watch a movie, then gave me a present. Almost like I would have done if I had been home with Mom and Dad. We also called my parents and Mom got choked up and cried.

On Christmas Day, we left Valladolid and drove two hours to Madrid. Instead of going on the bus with everyone else, I chose to ride in the truck with Paul.

There's Paul driving, and here's me reading Christmas cards:Okay, so I'm not reading Christmas cards at that exact moment, I'm being cute.

Those of us at the show played Secret Santa. Michelle and I got each other!

Michelle is rockin' the ugly Christmas sweater. Apparently in her family, it's their tradition!

The promoters treated us to dinner at a nice restaurant.

Here Paul and I am. Then there's me posing with my two favorite boys:Even though Paul is not looking at the camera. Then cutie Keiko is rockin' a very cute Santa hat:Later Akeile, jams to the band with empty water bottles:All in all, Christmas wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was actually rather nice. Next up is New Year's!

Internet in Europe Sucks!

Wow, just realized how long it's been since I've updated my blog. Internet in Europe is either hard to come by, or very expensive. My roomie, Tony, and I have been desperate to get some things done on the Internet this week, so we're forking out the Euros.

Rome was totally amazing. You simply cannot do the city in one week. I forced myself to do power-sightseeing as much as I possibly could. Here's a few major pictures:

Here I am sitting on the Spanish Steps. The Colosseum.Trevi Fountain.My totally illegal, could have been put in jail, Sistine Chapel picture. It looks so much better in person. Professional pictures and amature ones do not do it justice.

Also while I was in Santiago de Compostela, I met Paul.

After Rome, we returned to Spain. We went to a lovely, simply picture perfect town called Santiago de Compostela. The city contains the cathedral holding the tomb of Saint James.
There is the cathedral and Saint James' tomb. Although there is a lot of speculation about it, but that is not for me to decide. More updates soon!

Pompeii, Italy

As we all know from history class Pompeii is a ruined Roman city near Naples. It was destroyed during a eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The volcano buried the city under many feet of ash and it was lost for 1,600 years before its accidental rediscovery. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. On my day off this week in Naples or Napoli, as it's called here in Itay, I went to Pompeii to check it out.

This is Porta Marina which has the city walls.

Here I am standing under the Arch of Caligula.

Here's the Basilica. This is where court was held and commerical and financial transactions took place.
This is the Odeion or small theatre as you will. It's in the Greek style using the naturally sloping ground. With the stage below the audience, it makes every seat in the house a good one.

When the city was found, they were able to fill the empty spaces produced by organic decomposition of the bodies with plaster. These show people in their final moments:

Here's a smattering of some other pictures from Pompeii:

It's quite amazing how well preserved some of the things are like the frescos and the mosaic floors.

Well I'm off to another day of work here in Napoli. The building this week is quite difficult, but we'll get through it.