A DAY TO CELEBRATE!!

Today is a very important day that I felt I wanted to do a quick blog on. Exactly a year ago today my cousin Amy was diagnosed with cancer in multiple parts of her body. This was a very sad and scary day for everyone in my family last year. I remember my mom telling me that she wanted to bring my cousin Kerry over to see my new loft, so when I opened the door to just find my mom standing there I knew something was wrong. When she sat on the couch and burst into to tears telling me about what had been discovered by doctors, it was really hard to believe it was real and it was probably one of the biggest wake up calls I have ever had. The news hit me very hard and made cancer seem like something that actually can happen to people in their 20's and 30's. That day I made a very important decision that I believe has changed my future, I quit smoking.

Well it is a year later and miraculously my cousin's cancer is gone and I have not touched a cigarette since that evening on July 25th 2007. So today is truly a day to celebrate for both of us :) To celebrate my break up with smoking I am throwing my self a little "Smoke Out BBQ" tomorrow to celebrate!

CONGRATS AMY!!!!

BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT THE DARK KNIGHT....

Make sure to tune into the G4 Network this weekend, my Uncle's special is running all weekend long and is a behind the scenes look at Batman- The Dark Knight!!!!

A group of us is going to see it tonight, we are so excited!!!

Part 4- FRENCH RIVERIA

DAY 7

The train from Avignon to Cannes was beautiful, it ran right along the Mediterranean. We were very excited because we had finally reached the part of our vacation that we agreed would be the "relaxing" part. Our hotel The Belle Plague Brougham (just like Pat) was located on Rue Brougham in Old Cannes.

We walked the marina and decided on some Italian food for dinner right on the beach.

DAY 8

We finally got the opportunity to sleep in a little bit and spent the morning on the beach, which happened to be a clothing optional beach. Unfortunately most of the people who opted out of their swimming suits, should not have :).

We walked the shopping district and saw the location for the film festival. There is a circle that surrounds the building with all the celebrities hand prints, so that was neat to see.

We picked up some wine and headed up to our rooftop pool for some more R & R. After we both napped a bit we got ready and headed out to the casino in Cannes, which to our surprise was empty. I guess only the weekends are busy in the casino. We won a bit then lost it but managed to walk out with what we brought in so I guess that is always good. We walked up to Old Town on the top of the hill and took some pics and then headed to bed.

DAY 9

We took a tour of Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo in the morning. It was great because it felt like a private tour since there were only 3 of us (Pat, myself and Jill, from Ireland).

Eze was another mid evil village situated on the top of a mountain, only this town was on a cliff so the views were spectacular. It felt like a postcard every turn you made. Bono, from U2 has a house right below the village and dines at the famous restaurant quite a bit (coffee is 7 Euros there YIKES!!!).

I was very excited for our next stop to the perfumery Fragonard, where we got to experience how perfume is made and learn the history of it. Since 99% of perfume is made in Grasse the region is famous for it. We then were able to purchase any of the perfumes we liked at the factory.

Then we were on our way to visit the second smallest country in the world (behind the Vatican), Monaco. The drive to Monaco was breathtaking and our guide told us so much about the area on our way and while we were driving though. We drove on the road where Princess Grace died and our guide told us all about the scandals with her daughter Princess Stephanie.

Once we entered Monaco, you could literally smell the money. Our guide explained that the only way you can live in Monaco is if you marry someone born in Monaco, or you must have at least 2 million Euros in your bank account. There is zero crime in Monaco because there is one policeman for every 5 people. They have a jail but it is empty :).

Our first stop was the Cathedral of Monaco, a beautiful church where the royal family is actually buried inside under the marble floor. The graves of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier's are the last in the circle.

We then went to the Prince's Palace to watch the "Changing of the Guards" and then take some photos over the city and marina. The flag was waving from the palace which means the Prince was actually there.

Then it was a quick drive on the Indy race track in Monte Carlo which led to the main circle that included the very famous casino and a boutique for every uber famous designer in the world. The cars parked out front just showed how much money was in this tiny country.

Once we returned we quickly grabbed our luggage and headed for the bus to Nice, where we had to spend the night because our flight was supposed to leave at 7am. But, as we got to experience traveling in Europe is sometimes very difficult and after an airline strike and 3 different flights, 24 hours later we arrived in Denver :(.

Had a wonderful time but am happy to be home and get over this jet lag hehehe.

Part 3- PROVENCE

DAY 5

Although we had a bit of a stressful morning getting to Avignon due to the fact our travel agent overlooked it was a French holiday and travel was impossible. Luckily we were able to get on our train and ended up in Avignon right on schedule.

Avignon is located in the Provence area of France and is know as the City of Popes. From 1309-1377, Avignon starred as the second Vatican, when the Pope at that time escaped Rome for security reasons. The entire city is surrounded by a mid-evil wall, which has been blown out in spots to allow for roads.

We spent our first afternoon walking around the town and around the Palace of the Popes and in the gardens above the Palace and Church. From the gardens the views are amazing, both of the Rhone river and also of the surrounding historic sites including the mid-evil bridge across the Rhone (half way across now).

We located a great wine bar that had 2.50 Euro regional wines and beers. This was so cheap compared to everywhere else we had been, so we had a few glasses :). Unfortunately that led to eating a hot pink (scary) hot dog later that night LOL.

DAY 6

We took a great tour of the Provence area including the villages of Roussilion and Gordes and the Lavender fields at Abbaye de Senanque.

The village of Roussilion is a beautiful town nestled at the top of a mountain. Everything is this village is painted with the colors of earth that are available in the region, red, orange and yellow. The village has been protected from building since 1946, so modern renovations will not occur in the village. There were sections of the town with huge red rocks, similar to what we have in Colorado. Our guide actually told us later they call it French Colorado.

Next we headed to a village called Gordes. This village is named one of France's most beautiful towns and as you drive up to it you understand why. The town was constructed in the 11th century and everything is entirely made of dry stone work.

Our last stop was the lavender fields at Abbaye de Senanque. This was the part I was the most excited for and it did not disappoint. The smell was so wonderful too.

Once we had cleaned up we headed to an African restaurant in Avignon for dinner called Woolloomooloo. This proved to be our most challenging meal because nothing was in English and no one spoke English. We basically just guessed and surprisingly the food was great!

DAY 7

We headed out early in the morning to a town called Arles. We were very interested in this town because this is the town were Van Gogh produced most of his work (and cut off a piece of his ear :) so throughout the town there are easels set up with Van Gogh's paintings to show you were he sat to paint his famous pieces. The last photo is actually set up in front of his old apartment.

It also is famous for its Roman Arena. Nearly 2,000 years ago Gladiators fought wild animals for crowds entertainment. In the early 1800's an entire town was set up within the circular defenses of the Arena. Obviously the town was cleared out not too long after and the arena returned. It has been somewhat modified for the "Bullgames" that still occur in the town and the outside is being completely restored so it will actually look the way it did 2000 years ago, again.

After we had lunch at a great Lebonese cafe we were on our way to Cannes in the French Riveria.