And so comes the end of summer – from the Jodie ½ of Lydia Dare~

This year, my son and I took a cruise vacation the week before his school term began. We just got back last week. This wasn't our first cruise, but it was one of the best! I should probably admit to being a bit of a travel snob and fairly spoiled as far as traveling goes in general. Most of this comes from the years I've spent as a meeting planner/travel manager for an IT consulting firm.

Usually when I travel, it is for business. Because I've contracted large groups and brought a number of people to a certain hotel or venue, I get treated like royalty. I am given the nicest room with the prettiest view. And waiting for me inside my nice room, there's always a big basket of fruit, cheese, wine and a glowing note from the management telling me how wonderful I am. Best of all, it's all free. Yep, being a meeting planner does wonders for your ego.

However, when I travel for vacation and I'm footing the bill, I get none of those perks; not usually anyway. I end up with a small room, with a less than desirable view. There's no gift basket awaiting me. No note gushing about what a delight I am to know. In fact, they don't even know who I am. Vacations are very humbling affairs for me.

But not this one.

This time, we went all out. In other words, we splurged. I reserved a suite and arranged for a limo transfer from the airport. We pretended we were celebrities. My son barely rolled down the tinted window enough for his hand and waved at the pedestrians along the streets of Miami, as though he was rich and famous.

We went parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and spent a day at the Atlantis Resort in Nassau. When we were tired, we rested on our balcony overlooking the Caribbean and just breathed in the fresh air. On board the ship, we won progressive trivia and Twilight trivia (although my son won't admit to the latter), taking away the amazing prizes of a mug and highlighter.


This year my mother and my brother Ryan joined us for the cruise, which was a first time for them. It was so wonderful having them along for the ride, and the four of us have already put a deposit down for a cruise next summer.

I am so addicted to my iphone, that at first it was difficult not being able to send or receive emails in international water or ports. We were essentially cut off from society for a few days and I got the shakes. But in the end, not being able to communicate with the outside world was nice too.


But all good things must come to an end. School begins. Deadlines loom. Ex-es wait in the wings to ruin your day. And work calls for you to return. My late night evenings will be put on hold until next summer vacation. My days of waking up at 5:00am have returned in full force.

I am already dreaming about next year's vacation.