Health care, like other businesses, ought to be self-sustaining. And if not, at least they shouldn’t rely on the government year over year, when the costs are clearly rising, and getting out of control. Someone told me that, years ago (back when hospitals didn’t have to search for alternate revenue streams), CEO’s were merely superintendents of the buildings. Rather true, I think.

Anyway, this isn’t really “new” news … seems like hospitals have been searching for new revenue streams for awhile. Perhaps more frequently now …

Looking to get on board Oasis of the Seas in a few weeks…

Ship in Labadee, Haiti

So, below are pictures of the ship and ports! We sailed on March 29, out of Ft. Lauderdale.

Cabin 7288 — Not a very special pic, lighting wasn’t good but wanted to show the angled balcony. As well, the somewhat uncomfortable sofa in the background!

Bathroom inside the cabin — Possibly one of the nicer bathrooms on the ships that I’ve seen! Look at all those drawers! Tons of room! Kind of makes me wish my bathroom at home had these drawers. I’d have a lot LESS clutter! No need to bring q-tips and cotton balls!

A close-up of the angled balconies

At the elevators. Nifty blue lights make the ship look really modern. Did you know that the solar panels on the ship power all the elevators? Lots of interesting info at Team Earth (Deck 7)

Indoor swimming pool. The solar panels mentioned above are here. It gets a little chilly in here at times. It’s not as crowded here as it is outside by the bigger/main pool.

A real live tree in the middle of the ship! lol. thought it was pretty interesting. Don’t freak out when you stand underneath it and a leaf or two comes falling down!

The grass! real grass! Many think it’s overrated. I for one, never used it, but thought it was interesting.

The main pool area.

The gym. I was rather impressed by the equipment (not so much by the classes). Very new stuff and lots of selection. No worries if you forget your iPod charger! Just work out and charge your Pod at the same time! I had difficulties doing this (I’m using the 4th generation iPod nano) but a woman next to me was using hers without a problem (3rd gen nano). Working out is a lot more fun when you can watch tv at the same time! Oohh, you can even bring your USB key and it’ll save the data from your workout! Pretty cool if you remember to bring a USB key to the gym!

The many bars and lounges around the Solstice!

Of course, the main highlight of every cruise is the food!

The Grand Epernay Dining Room

Make your own sundaes!! Yum!

Fake desserts … but pretty none the less!

The 6 stars of Murano. (The name of the dessert). You of course, get it at the specialty dining restaurant, Murano. One advice: SHARE! This is NOT made for 1 person! By the 3rd dessert, you’ll be wondering, ‘what on earth did I get myself into!?’

Lobster thermidor from Murano

Crepes from Bistro on 5. This was DEFINITELY worth the $5 cover charge!

One of the desserts from Silk Harvest. I ate here on the first night … and forgot what this dessert was called! >.<

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Out n about in the Caribbean!

San Juan

Important note: Starbucks here!!! Meaning, free wi-fi!!! For all those net hunters, this is a very important tip! I was upset I left my laptop in the cabin. Which, by the way, you CAN fit your entire laptop into the safe (I have a 15″ lappie).

Windy day which became RAINY! But luckily, clouds cleared up after a 20 min downpour and all was good again!

Nifty bus. Thought the ads were cool!

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St. Maarten

St. Maarten … the French side

Guavaberry store

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Tortola, BVI

Taxi. Thought it was cute. Island tour cost about $8 to $10. They’ll ask for $15 first, but will drop the price!
You can get some souvenirs at the Sunny Caribbee. Probably a 5-10 min walk from pier. They sell mostly spices, but they have other little small things, like jam. Not too impressive, and rather overpriced. But hey, they’re souvenirs.

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Labadee, Haiti
‘Nuf said!

Map for those interested

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Sighh.. and that concludes a 1 week trip.

Pretty ‘lil flower

I am embarrassed to admit that I once ate shark fin on the rare occasion. After watching this documentary, I’m going no where near it! However, I’m most proud to say that I’ve managed to convince my parents NOT to do so as well. One person/family at a time…

If sharks have been around for 400 million years …. they must be doing something right.

On an interesting note…. I found out that the “Charity pot” by Lush Cosmetics donates $$ to the Sea Shepherd! Good to know! I might buy that cream JUST because of the charity affiliation.

who doesn’t like the lil gold bunnies!?

]]> http://cynfia.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/gold-bunnies/feed/ 0 wabbiTT bunnies http://cynfia.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/my-loves/ http://cynfia.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/my-loves/#comments Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:55:34 +0000 cynfia http://cynfia.wordpress.com/?p=29 ]]>

I am actually liking the london fog lattes!!

First present! hehe… so long agosss… but yummmies!

What I did:
1) Follow ingredients from Chocolate Chip Cookies a la Anna Olson
2) Follow instructions from Alton Brown
3) Modify ingredients

Instructions:
- Melt butter over low heat, sift flour, salt, baking soda, cornstarch etc… together
- Blend butter sugar over Med. spd
- Add vanilla
- Slowly add flour + egg
- Chill dough before baking

**note: instead of 2 cups of all purpose flour, changed it to 1 cup of pastry flour and 1 cup of AP flour. Apparently … there’s more gluten in pastry flour, thus making cookie more chewy. As well, cornstarch is supposed to do the trick.

Nope… nothing worked for me.

Baking was done at 350F, for 10min. Attempt #2 will include baking for only 8 min.

Those two cylindrical “things” at the top of the Island/Coral Princess look like rocket launchers!!

Then….

Why: Makes the area under my computer look SO much more organized! Besides, these velcro ties come in a pack of 5 or 10, for only $.196USD or $3.20USD (respectively)

Received these last night … they came in 5 different colours … and since then, I’ve been looking for messy cables to organize! Woo hoo for supreme boredom!

2 of the 5 cable ties (have yet to find use for!)

And once again, blogging about nothing! I mean, this is pretty much a way to talk to myself, without REALLY talking to myself, right? It’s the socially accepted norm … whereas talking to myself out loud would generate odd looks from strangers.

So, thus begins my rants, raves and random gibberish!