Yes I am like that crazy girlfriend that disappears and then surfaces months later. Yes I am THAT girl :/

Happily I haven’t met with any unfortunate accidents or mysterious ailments..I’ve been just plain ol’ busy. The good news is that I am now course-free and have been left to my own devices (not the battery operated ones) to write that pesky paper…my dissertation. Which means I now have more time to ramble…er post. So voila! I am back and it sure as heck feels good!

Now for my news…. see below. Isn’t he just the cutest addition to our family?

I'm cute and I know it!

Got a theme going here with all of the ‘summer’ postings, but I can’t resist really. Aside from 95 degree weather in South FL and the humidity to match, we look forward to the laid back summers. The tourist are gone, (I mean really who wants to fry here with us?) and we have the beach to ourselves. We are professional folks, we have the right flip flops, sunscreen and a tan cultivated by many months of sun. This is no time for amateurs to brave the Florida heat. Come back in the winter when you are up to your armpits in snow and and we still are at the beach, like Thanksgiving . We actually had a turkey pool party once.. but I digress.

Today, summer solstice, we can actually say its officially summer! Here is to BBQ, awesome tans and fertility! Err… yep that about covers it

Oh and reading..yep those fantastic summer reads. After a year full of hunting for theoretical frameworks for my dissertation and reading literally hundreds of academic articles, I am ready for some pure, unadulterated FLUFF. Yep, it has its place in the world. It is there to keep you sane and happy. Lord bless em…

Currently I am drawing up my summer read list. Any recommendations?

As I sit here daydreaming of all the awesome things I will do during my time off this summer, eating ranks as #1. LOL But first I have to cook. So I have been scouting my feeds for yummy summer foods and drinks. And yes of course I will share the recipe and the results of my labors. I look forward to cleaning out cupboards, alphabetizing my spices and  munching on Watermelon Mojito Popsicle by the pool… all in my fancy schamcy kitchen

sigh…jk..I wish

OK so I am a teensy weensy obsessed with nail polish. I can’t help it there is so much color stuff! color blocking, ombre and china glaze! Gradient nails? I swoon….

Pristine beaches, drinks on the beach.. and great friends. That’s my summer. And yes I know how lucky I am. After a grueling academic year, sipping on something cool and fruity seems heavenly. After watching the tourist swarm my town ever year, for our beaches or ports I am going to finally join them. I am going on my first EVER cruise this summer to Mexico! I am so excited! Are you a cruiser? Have advice for a newby?

I am totally ok with spending a little extra  $$$ in business that help communities instead of the ones that destroy small businesses and lower wages in tight communities . Target is one of the good guys.. did you know  that since 2007, Target has transformed school libraries nationwide? They HAVE!  Some libraries with the greatest needs—77 so far—have received a complete Target School Library Makeover. These libraries received  bigger spaces with new carpet, furniture and colors and BOOKS—”thanks to the time and talent of Target design and construction team members, and with the support of nonprofit partner The Heart of America Foundation”. Look at the one in our home town! Support businesses like these!

Way to great my 36th year of life… with the flu.

I totally want this!

As you path beaters know my work world is academia, and for us the summer is the end of the year. Although this blog is much ado about nothing (pun intended of course)  it allows me blow off some steam and write about well..nothing, and sometimes a little bit of this and that. Every once in awhile I get the urge to look back and see what really happened after the dust has settled.

Before we all decide to roll our collective eyes and categorize this post as L-A-M-E, think about the last time you just stopped and jotted down your thoughts. That long huh? Well lets get ya started…

a) After extensive research, I’ve come to the conclusion the very few turtles ARE ninjas. After I flipped over the excruciatingly slow process of a doctoral program I realized I am not exactly same person that started the program. For one,  I have a new appreciation for research. I question the validity of information and I see that this is a much bigger endeavor that I thought. Good thing I know this now, otherwise I may have not started. And the ninja? Well that’s me. I will quietly conquer.

b) Sometimes I wish real world conversations had a 140 character limit. Say what I mean and mean what I say. And make it quick. People have a very short attention span. I think I have learned the meaning of succinct. A hard lesson for a Cuban

c) Amazed how much ” fake” food is out there. So I have consciously made a decision to eat even better. Now if I could develop consistency in my exercise habits I would be golden.

OK that’s it… that is my major AHA moments of the academic year. Care to share yours?

Its no secret I am easily distracted, hence this post about desk toys. Enjoy ! lol