Review: Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe Punta Cana

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

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The last week of September I visited the beautiful 5 star Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe in the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic (affectionately known as the DR) as part of my participation in a company retreat. So I guess you could call this a work trip but it certainly didn’t feel like it! Despite visiting during hurricane season, we were fortunate to have had perfect weather the entire 5 days we were there…just missing Hurricane Matthew, which sadly wrought havoc on the DR and even more so neighboring Haiti. My prayers and well wishes go out to all of those affected by this horrendous storm. If you are going to travel to Punta Cana or anywhere in the Caribbean for that matter, just note hurricane season is from June through November so you are always at risk of getting tricky weather during that time.

Nearly 2,000 of my partners from across the globe converged upon this expansive resort, which boasts 1600 rooms, 11 restaurants, and a luxury spa, which was my absolute favorite part of the resort. The resort also sits on a 1.2 mile long beach, one of the best in Punta Cana, which is on the top 10 list of the best beaches in the world. In addition to the water being the most beautiful shades of blue and green on Earth and the soft, white powdery sand feeling like a massage between your toes, the coral reef keeps the ocean calm and the sun keeps it warm, which makes for just about the perfect beach experience there is…well at least for a beach bum like me.

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The accommodations were one of my favorite parts about this resort. Even the standard rooms, which they call superior, are spacious and have Jacuzzi adorned balconies with views of the golf course. I opted for the Junior Suite Deluxe Premium Level Oceanfront View and I’m so glad I did! If you’re wondering if premium status makes that big of a difference, the answer is a resounding YES! Where it made the most difference for me was the restaurants, which I’ll talk about in just a moment, but you also have the best ocean views (see photo below), free access to the hydrotherapy area of the spa (simply amazing) and 10% off spa services, private check-in and check-out and exclusive use of the premium level lounge, and complimentary Wi-Fi. [Something to note, we received complimentary Wi-Fi as part of our group amenities but if I had been traveling on an individual trip, this would be something I would definitely want included.]

Jacuzzi on the balcony
Junior Suite
Beautiful pool & ocean view from the balcony

Now onto my favorite thing to talk about from my travel adventures…food. I have to say, it was hit or miss for me. But, this is also where the premium status came through for me. I was not impressed with the main dining options. I’m not going to down buffets because all are not created equal, not even on this property. The only buffet option that was consistently good for me was La Brisa, which was on the secluded adults-only section of the property. I get it though; it’s pretty hard to stay true to “gourmet” when you’ve got 3,000 humans to feed on one property. But if that’s what you’re expecting, in my opinion, you’re not going to get that in the main dining buffet halls. When you have premium status, you have first dibs to the reservations for the specialty restaurants, which go really fast, so you want to make sure you schedule your reservations when you first arrive, especially if the resort is near or at capacity. If you have premium level, you get to schedule those reservations with your concierge upon arrival. Winning! [Side note, I think this was a function of coming in as part of a big group, but they didn’t do a good job of explaining all of the benefits of what you get for being at premium status. Make sure you review the web site and your package carefully so you don’t miss out on any sweet amenities.]

I really enjoyed the Spanish restaurant La Fuente, which makes sense because Barceló is a Spanish owned company. Even the house red wine there was superior to many of the wines we experienced at other bars and restaurants on the property. Sadly I did not get a chance to visit the French restaurant La Comedie, which is exclusive to premium level guests, but I heard from my partners it was delicious and the service was excellent. The Sante Fe Steakhouse was decent and I enjoyed my ribeye but where I found the most disappointment was in the seafood restaurant El Coral. I really wanted to love it because it is my favorite type of food but it was very inconsistent and I found myself warning my partners when they went there more about what they should NOT get than about what they should get. Stay away from the lobster bisque and clam chowder, oh and the lobster ravioli, oh and that shrimp dish, I found myself saying. I will say the crab legs were good…once we got our hands on them. They could not replenish them fast enough because they were on the seafood and salad bar and clearly everyone else thought it was the best thing in the restaurant as well. I also heard reports that the salmon was good. The grilled lobster was decent and once I had them make my own shrimp dish on the grill, it was delicious. But come on, if they qualify themselves as a gourmet restaurant, I shouldn’t have to tell them how to make a delicious dish. Yes I’m a foodie and I can be a little hard at times on restaurants but I’m just saying…

I will end on a positive note. Once I visited the spa on my fourth day there (how did that happen?), I did not want to leave so that’s where I spent the majority of the remainder of my stay. The massage itself, the relaxation room, the hydrotherapy rooms and pools…all 5 star! I would recommend spending a day there. The only critique I have is they should have a bar and a restaurant in the spa so you don’t ever have to leave!

Some great naps were had here by the spa’s infinity pool
My mother beginning her spa experience
This is the relaxation room of life!
Ahhh..refreshing!

I would have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Barceló Bávaro Palace and I would recommend it to my clients, especially those who are looking to do group functions like family reunions, company retreats and larger weddings. I know it’s hard to please everyone when you have a resort that accommodates more than 3,000 men, women and children, but in my opinion Barceló made one of the best attempts I’ve seen for a large scale all-inclusive property.

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Tip: Make sure you wake up early enough one morning to catch the sunrise…it was glorious!

Review: Grown Restaurant in Miami

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

Ever since I heard about a fast, healthy and organic food concept coming to the Miami area I was psyched about the opportunity to go. I’ve always liked the “fast” part of fast food, but the fast food options that I actually really like are few and far between. While I’m not a vegan or vegetarian or even a pescatarian, I appreciate good food that doesn’t just taste good, but is good for me as well. Needless to say, when I walked through the door and saw Grown’s motto: “Real food, cooked slow for fast people” I knew I was in the right place.

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Grown restaurant is the brainchild of Shannon Allen, the wife of former NBA star Ray Allen. Frustrated with the fast options out there, like so many others including myself, they decided to do something about it, and I’m glad they did. They pride themselves on serving organic, locally grown and nutritious ingredients and in their own words “practicing sustainability beyond the kitchen”, which is unheard of in the fast food arena. [Read their cool story HERE.) Grown opened in March of this year and according to the numerous press articles they’ve scored since then, business is booming and there’s no slowdown in sight.

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They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and there are options for just about every type of eater there is from vegan and gluten free dieters to seafood lovers and carnivores like me. My mom, who resides in Miami Beach, had been once before soon after it opened and raved about it so she was eager to join me on my first experience. She let me pick everything for both of us so I could try a number of things at once. I opted for the free range rotisserie chicken with sides of sautéed broccoli and herb roasted red bliss potatoes and ordered the grilled shrimp with sides of green beans with carmelized onions and toasted almonds and long grain rice for my mom. You could choose a sauce with your meal so I chose the herb yogurt, which went perfectly with the chicken and potatoes and the cilantro lime sauce that went well with just about everything we ate.

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Let me start by saying just about everything was delicious and seasoned to perfection! And it only took about 5-10 minutes from the time we ordered our food until our order was ready. My absolute favorite item was the green beans and I loved pairing the sauces with the sides as well as the proteins. My one disappointment was the long grain rice. I was expecting some type of snazzy wild or different type of grain rice but it was just plain ole white rice and didn’t seem to have much seasoning on it. But that’s not stopping me from going back. There are so many other yummy treats left for me to try.

In addition to the full meal options like we had (which also can be ordered family style feeding up to four people), they have a generous assortment of wraps, salads, soups, sandwiches, gluten-free baked goods, cold-pressed juices and smoothies. You can opt to eat in like we did, inside the restaurant or at one of the communal tables on the outdoor patio, or you can take advantage of the take-out or drive-thru options. I also absolutely loved how they have an “almost grown” menu and a little play station for the kiddies complete with interactive tablets to keep them occupied while the adults try to eat in peace.

Last but not least, while Grown may be an alternative to your normal fast food options from a timing perspective, don’t expect it to compete with the fast food boys from a cost perspective. Considering all of Grown’s ingredients are USDA-certified organic and sourced mainly from organic farms in South Florida, it is not cheap. The meal prices range from $12 – $25 per person. With drinks, our order came up to $48 total for lunch. I believe it was worth every penny, but sadly I couldn’t afford to eat like that every day.

Even with the elevated price point for fast food options, I believe Grown is well worth a visit. It really is in a class all by itself because most of their food options are still cheaper than many of the sit down restaurant options you’ll find in the Miami area, and I’ve been to many of them. When you visit, be sure to drop me a line to let me know what you thought of it…that is, if you don’t see me at the counter next to you!

As a lover of quotes, I adore the quotes they have strategically placed around the restaurant.

 

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The Insect and Butterfly Garden

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

Anyone who knows me well knows I have a serious fear of insects. When I say fear, I don’t just mean that I don’t like them, which is definitely the case as well. Truth be told, I have a serious phobia, which is an intense irrational fear, and I’m not ashamed to say I actually went to counseling because of it.

A few years ago, an insect native to the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States called cicadas were set to reemerge after a 13-year hibernation underground and I thought I was going to lose my mind. Even worse, I feared I would inadvertently kill myself behind the wheel of a car if one of them got into the car with me, which they’ve been known to do – fly into cars with people, not kill them (smile). I considered looking into ways I could take a leave of absence from my job and just live somewhere else during their visit. Sounds crazy right? Well, I opted for therapy instead and I’m glad I did. That 8 week counseling period did not just get me through that time unscathed; by the end of my last session I was picking up (dead) cicadas with my bare hands. Yuck! So unfortunately it was a temporary solution; I was cured only for a season. I’m sad to say I still have a serious bug phobia. [Insert deep sigh here.]

A couple of months ago I decided to add some variety to my morning workout routine by taking a walk in my neighborhood. One morning I had an idea to visit the Franciscan Monastery, a longstanding beloved fixture in my quaint neighborhood of Northeast D.C. called Brookland. Interestingly enough, my mom grew up in the same neighborhood and I later learned that my grandmother used to take my mom with her on walks to this very same monastery about 60 years ago! I don’t think it was a coincidence that I was being led there. As I explored the monastery like a tourist visiting for the first time, I discovered a beautiful pond with a small waterfall flowing into it and a dozen or so beautifully colored fish swimming there. A few benches surround the pond so I decided to take a breather there for a minute and take in the serenity of the environment. It was amazing! So much so, I named it my new quiet place and started visiting at least once a week for quiet time, reflection and prayer.

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You may be asking, OK what does this have to do with your fear of insects. Well, it wasn’t until after my second or third visit I looked around and discovered a sign that made me realize the place where I had found so much peace and serenity over the past few weeks was actually a home to the thing that causes me more angst and fear than just about anything in the world. That place is called The Insect and Butterfly Garden. I had to laugh at myself and the irony of the situation. At first I became disappointed, and not soon after discovering this revelation of course I started to notice all of the annoying flying insects buzzing around me. But instead of letting that new information taint my new quiet place, I just decided to include it in my experience. What that did for me was more enlightening than any therapy session.

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I couldn’t ignore the lesson. Before I knew what the place was called, it was considered a safe haven for me. In an instant, upon discovering what it “really was”, my perspective was threatened. I say threatened and not changed because I chose to have an empowering context for this place instead of defining it by the false, limiting thoughts that tend to creep into my mind. I’m trying not to get too deep here but I really want to express the power of perspective. It is so powerful and we may not think we have control over it but we absolutely do. I could have made the choice to throw up my hands and turn my quiet place over to the insects; after all, it is their home, right? Instead, I chose to refocus my attention on the wonderful attributes that lead me to the garden in the first place, and I reclaimed my peace. Once I chose that perspective, I realized the insects didn’t care about me being there anyway. In fact, they didn’t bother me at all. In the end, I found some very good advice in that old adage: when you can’t beat them, join them.

 

The Power of Testimony

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

I had the honor of participating in and in some cases, producing some pretty incredible events over the past two weeks. Unfortunately, the exhaustion that consumed this human body of mine after taking part in these amazing events tried to keep me from being great…nevertheless, Golden Life Musings has returned!

Let’s start with the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia. Being transparent, I’ve never really liked politics and I’ve shied away as much as possible from political conversations. And while I’m a registered Democrat who has voted in every election in which I’ve been qualified to vote since the age of 18, my views on many of the issues being debated by the major parties tend to fall more neatly into that of the independent camp. Being even more honest, going into the convention I was very underwhelmed by Hillary Clinton but just the thoughts of the alternative make me shiver, so I figured I would at least investigate to see what all the hype is about.

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Apologies for the ham session here…I’m rarely able to resist photo booths!

20160811_140112The convention was awesome for a few reasons. One, it was inspiring to see such a genuinely diverse group of people there on one accord. [Side Note: As an African American female, I also took pride in the fact that several African American women had leading roles in making the DNC a success, including the DNC Committee CEO Rev. Leah Daughtry, who did a phenomenal job at leading the planning and execution of the convention.] This seems like something obvious that would take place at a convention for a major political party, but from what I understand more often than not, the opposite is true. Just take a look at the highlights from the Republican National Convention (RNC) this year. Even though there were some die-hard Bernie fans in the building sporting their yellow shirts that stuck out like sore thumbs among the sea of red, white and blue, they even conceded it was best for them to take one for the team, have a seat and get on board.

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Me and Uncle Joe!

I was most mesmerized by the speakers of the convention. And I’m not just referring to the big name speakers such as FLOTUS and POTUS and the VP aka Uncle Joe (who I got a chance to meet by the way, and was super cool!); rather, it was the unsuspecting average everyday people, non-politicians, that spoke to the heart of the issues that are plaguing this country and why their support is behind someone they believe can make a difference. I will say, by the time Hillary took the stage on the last night of the convention, my ambivalence had transitioned to a sense of pride in the candidate to whom I was giving my vote, simply from the personal testimonials that were shared. It was pretty amazing!

I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about the entertainment. You can’t have a convention without some partying, right? Each night, an after party following the main events (which ended around 11 pm) chock full of delectable treats and adult beverages lasted into the wee hours of the morning. And the eye candy of the who’s who of Hollywood was enough to keep you up all night waiting for a chance to catch a glimpse, or even better, snap a picture. Or was that just me who was waiting for Lenny Kravitz, who among other celebs and myself, was staying at the convention’s host hotel? There are not too many celebrities I would stalk, but he certainly makes the short list lol. Alas, I had to settle for seeing him from the stands. Deep sigh…

Lenny Kravitz doing his thing on the DNC stage
Super creative adult beverages
One of my favorite actresses Angela Bassett
My mom and her friends titled this photo with actress Lynn Whitfield For Colored Girls lol

From there, I traveled down to Atlanta to participate in the second annual SheSpeaks Global conference, a women’s empowerment movement founded by my friend and business partner, Chinaza Duson. Chinaza has had an incredible journey in her 40 years of life and she’s using her voice as an instrument to inspire and impact the lives of women around the world who believe they’ve lost their own voice. I’ve had the pleasure of serving as the publicist for this amazing movement since its inception last year and I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to literally have a hand in lives being transformed for the better right before your eyes. Many of the women who attended last year came back with some powerful testimonials about how last year’s conference helped them to find their voice to do something extraordinary. One moment that stuck out to me the most was the testimony of Christina Serrano, who last year came as an attendee, full of tears at the conclusion, and came back as a powerful speaker on the main stage!

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L. Christina first sharing her story with Chinaza R. Christina sharing her story from the stage a year later

These two events got me thinking about the power of a testimony. There’s a saying that rings true, “You can’t have a testimony without first being tested.” I think it is one of the things that makes us all human, to be tested at some point in our lives. If you haven’t been tested, you just simply haven’t lived long enough right? I know this blog post has taken a shift but I promise I’m going somewhere with this. There is something about someone sharing a story of triumph over tragedy, faith over fear, progress over pain that inspires us to move. We all have a story to tell and the unfortunate thing is too many people are being quiet. Some of you reading this have a story to tell that will inspire someone to take a positive action in some way. You never know how your words might fall on someone else. It could mean the difference in something seemingly as insignificant as someone choosing a better health regimen or make the difference in who becomes the next President of the United States. Regardless of what you have to share, there’s power in your testimony and there’s someone waiting on you to speak up.

Where is the Love?

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

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I fought writing this. I’ve been silent because I really felt for a moment that there were no words to say. I’ve been in silent prayer for days trying to come up with something that could help express my feelings of hurt, shame, disgust, disappointment, sadness, and outrage with the recent and not so recent killings that are plaguing our society. And I had nothing…until today.

Yesterday, I was listening to one of my very few favorite radio programs – The Willie Moore Jr. Show, which broadcasts locally here in the DMV on the contemporary gospel station Praise 104.1, and something Willie said stuck with me. He said we need to take a minute to respond and not react to situations like this. A big reason why many of our problems persist is because we are too busy being reactionary, which is based off of unreliable and momentary feelings, rather than being thoughtful and prayerful, which can lead to a more helpful and productive response to a tragedy.

Let me be clear. What is happening right now is a tragedy, and it’s not necessarily a new one. Senseless killings have been happening since the original fall of man. What’s happening right now is there is more widespread attention focused on it and it’s breaking people’s hearts, literally. We can’t help but to pay attention to it now. But I believe it’s having an adverse effect. Instead of us doing something about it, it appears to be getting worse because people are reacting rather than responding and it’s continuing a vicious cycle.

One of my close friends Sharnikya, who I might add is a brilliant life coach and blogger herself [See Life Abundantly], wrote a post the other day worth sharing below that I think gets to the heart of the solution. And before some people take offense to what she said about the hashtags, no one is saying don’t express feelings about what’s happening, – there’s therapy in that – but what else are we going to do?

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I know one place we can start is with love. I already heard it before this was posted. Someone just said REALLY? [Insert eye roll here.] But stay with me, I’m almost done. It seems so simple but yet society has romanticized it so much, I believe no one really knows what it means any more. Jesus said it was the greatest commandment of them all but it seems people, unfortunately mostly Christians, have forgotten what it means to really love others. I get it. Some may argue that I’m really simplifying a solution to a very complex issue, but what if we just tried it? Because honestly, the more I look at what’s happening, the less I see love on any side of the war.

This is a war, in case you didn’t know. It’s been a never ending war that keeps getting worse because we honestly don’t even know we’re in a war. And those who’ve realized there is a war, don’t even know who the opponent is or how to fight it. Times like these, when I don’t know what to say or do, I go to the only place I can find comfort – the word. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

You may ask, well what does that look like? For one example, read That is Love. I think love also looks like your answers to the questions Sharnikya asks. If we all took time to answer some of those questions for ourselves I think we’d begin to find the love we so desperately need.

 

 

 

 

 

Pleasant Surprise in Palm Springs

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

As a top travel producer for my parent company, I had the privilege of attending the biannual conference of one of the world’s largest travel consortiums in Palm Desert, California this past weekend. I intended to learn a lot about my industry and some of the amazing vendors that service it (which I did), but I was not prepared for the fun and excitement I would have exploring new destinations in Southern California.

It started with the airport. Yes, the airport, you read that right. I’ve been to and through a lot of airports in my life but I can’t say that any have charmed me, that is until I stepped foot off the plane at the Palm Springs airport. It is a tiny airport with only two runways and about 15 gates, but what was most charming was the open-air concept with palm trees and other beautifully landscaped desert foliage lining the walkway as you travel from the gates to baggage claim. I have to admit, in the selfie-crazed society in which we live, I just couldn’t help but to snap a pic, which happened to be the best airport selfie pic of mine to date! The airport also had a playground where the little ones can play as their families await their flights. How cute is that?!

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Palm Springs Airport

The travel conference was being held at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs, which is a beautiful 4 star luxury resort that is just as ideal for a bachelor/bachelorette destination as it is for a conference or a family getaway. That type of diversity within one property is hard to come by but this resort manages to nail it. Between the massive lobby and sushi bar, 5 pools, spa and golf facilities, nightclub, multiple dining options and even a gondola ride that takes you on a tour of the exterior of the property and pool areas, you really don’t have to leave the resort for anything. But of course, as travel professionals wanting to see what else the Palm Springs area had to offer, my partners and I ventured off the beaten path and we were pleasantly surprised by the options there as well.

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J.W. Marriott Desert Springs

Being the foodie I am, I was delighted to know that the travel conference fell right in the middle of the Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week. Winning! I don’t normally eat at a chain restaurant when traveling out of town, especially if it’s a chain that exists in my home town, but the first night we just couldn’t resist the $38 three course restaurant week menu at Ruth’s Chris. I mean come on, it’s Ruth’s Chris! Lol. The second night, we did get to sample a local gem called Kaiser Grille (Palm Desert) and we were pleased not just with the delightful three course $38 pre-fixe menu, but the excellent service as well. Definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the Palm Springs area!

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Dijon and panko crusted half rack of lamb with grilled asparagus at Kaiser Grille

I’m not your adventurous type but thankfully my partners with whom I attended the travel conference are and they convinced me that the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world, was a must experience excursion. While it was a little rough getting up to the 8,500 ft. elevation (2.5 miles above the desert floor) for a girl who has a slight issue with heights, the majestic views were worth it. Words can’t really express the beauty and peace we experienced up there. If all I had was one word, it would be enchanting.

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Before leaving the area, we had to visit the gorgeous La Quinta Resort, known for its quaint, home away from home feel and being the host of many world-famous golf tournaments. The brunch at their Twenty6 restaurant was amazing! I recommend the crab benedict for you crustacean lovers out there. When I return to the area, I’m definitely staying at this property and doing a thorough “site-inspection” of the spa. I could hear it calling my name when we left…if only there were more time!

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La Quinta Resort & Club

By the way, I could not write a blog about my experience without mentioning my very first California earthquake! My first night there, I was awakened at 1:00 AM (which was still 4:00 AM EST for me at this point) by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake! It only lasted for 30 seconds, 15 seconds of which I was still sleep and trying to figure out what was happening, but how’s that for a first impression of Palm Springs? I can’t say this made up the “pleasant” part of my experience but it’s certainly a good story to tell!

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Overall, I was most awestruck by the natural beauty of this area. I’ve seen many different landscapes around the world but the contrast of palm trees and mountain views are up there in the most remarkable category. I must say, this was definitely a “sleeper” destination for me but now having visited, I definitely see myself not just returning but offering this destination as an alternative to my clients seeking getaways right here in the United States. I’m confident they will be just as pleasantly surprised as I was.

I’ve Been Gone For Too Long…

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

As I contemplated what to write after more than three weeks of being absent from Golden Life Musings, my brain cells took on a life of their own as they pumped the hook to Ciara’s “Gimme Dat” soundtrack in my head, and there has been no releasing it ever since. Have you ever gotten that one song in your head and no matter what you do, including playing other music, you cannot let it go? Yep, that’s me right now. But for me, as catchy as the song lyrics and beat are, it’s the feeling of what those song lyrics mean for me that’s taken a hold of me.

I grew up on stage and around music. From the time I was four, twirling around in my first tutu (See Beyond the Barre), into my late teens singing in a local girl group, I lived on the stage and I loved it. I also loved to write songs, some of which actually earned me some recognition in a couple of songwriting contests. And then life happened. We can also call it the realities of adulthood setting in. Sure, there are plenty of people who have pursued professional music careers into their adulthood; in fact, my two friends are some of them. However, the sad reality is many of us have done a dangerous thing with passions like this. We’ve set them off to the side and filed it away in the “someday I’ll get back to it” category and unfortunately, many never do. I’m a culprit of this and I did it with my music, a self-professed passion.

A little over a week ago, I appeared on stage again in a reunion tribute concert with that girl group I mentioned above, Visions, which was comprised of me and two of my childhood friends who performed together professionally in the D.C. area in the mid to late 90’s. Until that night, the three of us had not performed on stage together in 18 years. I can’t even believe I just wrote that. Now I’ve sung since then, even on stage, backing up both of those friends at various shows over the years, but not in a featured role. Admittedly, I had been hiding behind my some day until I finally became intentional about my someday becoming right now. All it took was a decision. I said to my girls, let’s do this…and we did.

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It felt good up there. As I was singing I started to wonder, why has it really been that long since I last performed? I offered up a bunch of excuses in my head, but after contemplating more on that after the performance, the only thing that made any sense for me was fear. Have you ever noticed, in general the older we get, the more fear we have? The fear of being judged, rejected and perhaps most of all, failing is so powerful. I wonder how many unrealized dreams, including my own, have been stopped by that one powerful emotion (See Why Won’t We Be Great).

The reality is as much as I love to sing and write music, I’ve done very little of that as an adult…until now, that is. In the words of Ciara, I think it’s time to bring it back…

See a link HERE of the Visions Reunion on May 19.

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She Slays

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

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To slay (verb): killed it, succeeded in something amazing. I can always count on the Urban Dictionary to come through in a pinch. Well, Beyoncé has indeed slayed again with her new album Lemonade and Formation Tour and she is showing no signs of stopping here. She is unapologetically killing the game and continues to slay nearly two decades into her career.

Last week I attended the opening show of Formation in Miami and it was for lack of a better word, magical. I’ve been to more Beyoncé concerts that I can keep track of, but this one was special. I believe all of her tours had sold out before but this time she sold out stadiums, as opposed to concert halls and arenas. After performing her newest single Formation, for which her tour is named, she expressed a genuine excitement and giddiness about the fact that as a little girl she had dreamed of this day… the day she would perform at a sold out stadium full of fans that had come to see no one but her. I caught the magnitude of that and found myself almost tear up 5 minutes into her show. Now before you judge me, I should clarify that I’m not one of those crazy people who cry or faints at just the sight or sound of their favorite artist. This was an inspiring moment for me. I too have a big dream that others might deem impossible and I long for that feeling of having big dreams realized.

You may not like some of Beyoncé’s lyrics or how much skin she shows or even perhaps the sound of her voice, but there are a few things you have to respect about her. She is a brilliant business woman with a stellar team behind her and she is one of the hardest working entertainers out there period. Her work ethic and drive towards her purpose are undeniable. Even after by all traditional standards most people would say she’s “made it,” she continues to push envelopes and break barriers in the entertainment industry and beyond.

I don’t want to ruin it for those who may be attending her show, and have paid big bucks I might add, but I do want to point out some critical things that stuck out for me. One, just as any Beyoncé experience, and that is just what it is… an experience, you will get nearly two hours of nonstop entertainment. As an entertainer, I study and appreciate other entertainers. I don’t believe I’ve seen anyone perform like she does for nearly two hours – dancing (full-out), singing (and not that lip synching many entertainers resort to because, granted it’s hard to both sing and dance full-out, sorry J-Lo and Janet), and enduring six costume changes and making it look easy. I know for a fact, it isn’t.

Two, there are no other brands advertised but hers (or her hubby’s), and there are many. If I could earn a dollar for every time I saw the branding for her new Ivy Park fashion line, I would be rich. Hey, I can’t knock the hustle. As my mom and I were heading to our seats, we noticed they were selling t-shirts that said “Boycott Beyoncé”. We both looked at each other with these puzzled looks on our faces like who would ever sell a t-shirt with such a negative message against their brand? Later we heard on a radio station that when police officers were threatening to boycott Beyoncé because of perceived negative messages against the police in her Formation video, her brand team said if this is going to be a thing, let’s profit from it. That’s gangsta! Lol again, you’ve got to respect the hustle.

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Last but certainly not least, I was mesmerized by the fact that she could drop an album on Saturday and by Wednesday, her fans knew literally all the lyrics to the songs that hadn’t even been released on the radio yet. Beyoncé herself was even taken aback by how loyal her fans are, which by the way spanned across multiple ethnicities, ages and sexual orientations. The look of amazement and gratitude on her face when she pointed her golden mic towards the audience and heard them singing her words back to her was priceless.

If you’re one of the tens of thousands of people who have invested in seeing her Formation experience, you will not be disappointed. I assure you Beyonce makes good on her promise to always slay.

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Check out Beyonce’s cool Purple-themed tribute to Prince HERE

 

Calvary

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

I’ve been gone for a little while because there have been a lot of things going on in this golden life of mine, most of them good, but all of them seemingly vying for my immediate attention at the same time. I also wanted to wait to write my next blog post when I was truly inspired by something. Well that happened on Sunday. It seems every time I serve and volunteer my time to help others, I get back what I give tenfold and more. And when I say get something back it is almost always an inexplicable sense of peace and joy that no one could ever put a price tag on.

This Sunday some of my girlfriends and I hosted our fifth bi-annual Spa Day experience for the women of Calvary Women’s Services, a women’s shelter that provides housing, health, education and employment programs in SE, Washington, D.C. An event we’ve branded Calvary Spa Day, involves us taking over the basement of Calvary and turning it into a nearly full-service day spa offering manicures, hair styling, facials, makeup and massages to the 30 women who reside there. Expert nail technicians, hairstylists, makeup artists and aestheticians come and volunteer their time and professional services on their day off to pamper the women for an entire day. You wouldn’t believe the difference this one day makes in the lives of these women, and us volunteers too.

Calvary Spa Day team
The Calvary Spa Day team

 

 

 

Many of the women at Calvary who participate have endured abusive relationships, health challenges, financial hardships and more and have found a temporary home and respite in Calvary. When we began Calvary Spa Day three years ago, our goal was to offer the ladies an experience that if only for one day would allow them to be treated like the queens they are and forget about the awful circumstances that brought them there. We’ve continued it because of the overwhelming responses we received from the ladies and their eager anticipation of the next event.

While our hope is for them to get back on their feet and move beyond Calvary, it is always a joy to see some of the residents return to spa day and talk with excitement about how beautiful they look and feel and how they are already looking forward to the next one. Hearing statements like “I’ve never felt so beautiful”, “It’s been a real long time since I felt this good about myself”, “I feel like somebody just bathed me” make all the effort and hard work we put into creating this experience absolutely worth it. Literally a transformation takes place and each woman exudes nothing but confidence, happiness and peace when we leave their presence on that day.

I leave there thinking problems…what problems do I have? I just helped to make 30 women’s day! Without offering any type of scripture, sermon, or laying of hands, I find myself ministering to the women about Christ’s love and light just by showing up and helping them to see just how beautiful they are. How amazing is that?!

When you see the impact you’ve made in someone’s life by serving them, even if it’s something you would consider a small act of kindness, it tends to shift your perspective, particularly regarding the types of silly things we worry about on a day to day basis. I know for sure this experience has offered me a new perspective and I consider it my responsibility to pay it forward. There’s a whole world out there beyond the walls of Calvary that could use a little light and love as well.

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Some of our amazing service providers who volunteer their time for Calvary Spa Day

Home of the Freestyle

Posted on by goldenlifemusings

 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to experience my first Norwegian cruise. This was the cruise line of choice for my Aunt Pat’s 70th Birthday celebration and admittedly I was excited about planning and going on the cruise because Norwegian was one of the major cruise lines I had not experienced yet. Full disclosure, cruising is not my favorite type of travel but it has certainly grown on me the more I do it. Overall, for a traveler like me who is a free spirit and doesn’t like to be regimented on my vacations and prefers to have multiple quality dining options, Norwegian hits the mark with their freestyle cruising concept. I would definitely recommend it, particularly the 3 or 4 day Norwegian Sky, to those who have never cruised and are uncertain if they would like to cruise.

Norwegian pioneered freestyle cruising with what is described as freedom dining options where cruisers are not limited to a seating time, dress restrictions or options for restaurants specializing in different cuisines. The foodie in me loves this [See Foodie Heaven]! I want to have a different dining experience each night and on a short cruise like the Norwegian Sky, you have more options for restaurants than days on the cruise so it actually makes you want to come back. Helpful Hint: If you enjoy different options like me, invest in the specialty dining upgrade or select it as one of your choices for group amenities like we did. The specialty dining restaurants were amazing and would have been well worth any additional investment. [See Having it All].

Creme brule at Le Bistro, the French specialty restaurant
Lamb chops at Le Bistro
Lobster linguini at Al Adagio, Italian specialty restaurant
Ceasar Salad at Al Adagio

What I also enjoyed about Norwegian was that it has its own private island, called Great Stirrup Cay, as a stop. As a beach bum, this was great because I didn’t have to do any extra research about finding a hotel in the Bahamas that offered a day pass for me to lay out on the beach, catch some rays and grab a bite to eat. Because Norwegian owned the island, we could partake in the food on the island in the same all-inclusive format as if we were on the ship. Another helpful hint: If you don’t want to worry about getting to the island early to reserve a beach chair close to the ocean and be among the masses, reserve a private cabana. You can also order what they call snacks, but was quite substantial, and have them delivered to your cabana, along with waiter service for your convenience.

Our bevy of “snacks”
One of our private cabanas
Our entourage as we head to the cabanas at Great Stirrup Cay
Enjoying the island with a view of the Norwegian Sky as the background
Private Cabana #2

As a balanced review, I must offer a few words of critique here. As this was Norwegian’s first stab at completely all-inclusive cruising as of January 2016, with the premium beverage service included in the package, there were some kinks. Combining this new feature along with planned activities for a group of 17 proved to be a little tricky. In the beginning when making the reservation for the group, I could tell the representative who was helping me was still trying to work out how to explain the amenity points with the upgraded beverage package no longer being an option. That was a process in itself. In addition, we received mixed signals upon boarding the ship on what type of cruise card we should have for our specialty dining package and every night, there appeared to be a mix up with those who had the package vs those who didn’t. Lastly, we arranged to have a table seated for 19 guests for the birthday dinner and when we arrived it was only set up for 17 because they said the space wouldn’t accommodate 19. This is probably something they should have told us when we made the reservation or perhaps even before we were seated so we didn’t have to play musical chairs to figure out 2 place settings were missing. Fortunately, I was on the ship with my group to iron out the kinks but this would have caused a disaster for my client had I not been there. Hopefully, once they’ve gotten a few sailings under their belts they will have worked out all the kinks.

Even with the mishaps it is worth noting that any time we did have a challenge or needed something, the onboard staff was very accommodating and that was most appreciated. I feel comfortable in sending future guests on Norwegian knowing that if they do run into any challenges, the staff will work to resolve them promptly and accordingly. Ultimately my client was treated like the queen she is throughout her stay and raved about her experience.

The last thing to note about freestyle cruising is that it offers a number of stateroom options, including a penthouse suite, which the birthday girl reserved for her stay, and a multitude of entertainment options including a casino, shows, activities and the spa for your enjoyment. Of course I opted in for a spa treatment and it was absolutely amazing. Melissa has healing hands! Whatever you decide to partake in, everything can be arranged while on the ship for your convenience. The best part for me, if you ever change your mind on what you want to do for the day it’s ok because it’s all freestyle, which I believe is how every vacation should be.

The Penthouse suite door
Aunt Pat at her birthday reception
The Penthouse Suite