Wishing You a Healthy, Prosperous and World Traveling New Year!
Chicks That Trip
*Photo from freedigitalphotos.net by noppasinw
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
The Sterilization of Starbucks
The Sterilization of Starbucks
Whether you are a coffee drinker or not, you will turn into one after a while of living here (in Seattle). Most of my friends can attest to the fact that I am not a coffee connoisseur. I have low expectations, and typically drink one of three coffee variations: regular coffee, vanilla latte, or some mocha type of concoction.
Despite the fact that I've never been a huge coffee drinker, I've always chilled at Starbucks, and a couple of other coffee establishments; however, Starbucks had always been my favorite, because I'd get to know the Baristas and they wouldn't chastise me for my lack of coffee culture, and the environment had always been cozy and inviting; HAD being the operative word.
Prior to my move to Seattle from Denver, I had been seeing a rash of updating of the Starbucks in the area. Hey, I'm all for updating and staying "fresh." The problem comes when the cozy, comfy leather chairs and odd sofas are replaced by cold and uninviting furniture; which does NOT encourage lingering. Hmmm, maybe that's the point.
About a month into living here in Seattle, I scooted into one of the Starbucks that was close to my house. There was a sign on the door that read (paraphrasing), "We'll be open during our remodeling. Please continue to frequent our location during our remodeling process." I stepped inside and chose a space that was a long, bench like seating, covered in a soft fabric, with several single tables next to one another. It's one of those situations where you have to squish between the tables to sit down, and you hope your rear-end isn't in someones face before you plop down.
I hunkered down into my seat, and began working away on my computer. A short time later, a perfectly coiffed lady in her late 60's sat next to me; curled her legs underneath herself, and pulled out her Kindle (or could have been a Nook...I'm not sure). She glanced in my direction and gave a light smile. I returned the smile and continued working on my computer.
About thirty minutes later she put her device down and looked around the place. It was humming with a lot of energy. The loud hissing of the steam machines; idle chatter, and heated discussions surrounded us. She turned to me and said, "You know this is all going to end don't you?"
I cocked my head to the side and said, "How is that?"
"All of these places [Starbucks] are getting 'renovated.' They are taking the heart away and making it so...so, Corporate. I mean, I know they are big time, but it's sad to see what they are doing," she uttered in a melancholy voice.
I replied, "Yes, it's a sterilization."
She perked up, "That's the exact word. Sterilization," she sighed.
We chatted a bit more, and then she settled back into her reading, and I returned to my work on the computer.
Now, with that being said, it's forced me to branch out and not seek out the comfort of a place I'd been going for sometime, but to try new places. I'm delighted to report that while Starbucks definitely has a tight grip on the coffee locations in this city; there are countless coffee shops and café's that are, and have been giving them a run for their money. I have a couple that are starting to become my "go to" places too, and I will share a bit about them as I venture out and spread my wings.
Bottoms up!
*Photo taken by That Chick Té
www.chicksthattrip.com
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Welcome to the Emerald City!
Welcome to the Emerald City
That Chick Té is baaaaack! The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity; therefore, I apologize for the delay in updating my blog with THE BIG MOVE!
I have quite a few stories about my drive out to Seattle, Washington, and I have to admit (coming from someone who prefers not to drive), I had a wonderful time driving out with my mother, as I start a new adventure and page in my life in the phenomenal city of Seattle.
This city is SPECTACULAR! You can be in the city; by water, or in the mountains (some of these things are accomplished simultaneously) in what seems like a ten minute time frame. Driving across the bridge over Lake Washington, to downtown Seattle when I entered the city took my breathe away. I'd been to Seattle on many occasions, but I rarely had the opportunity to get out of the city and visit the surrounding areas. The only other place I'd been before was Olympia, and while that was nice; there are no breathtaking views (to me) like there are in and around Seattle.
I am looking forward to checking out the bevy of wineries throughout the area; some only a fifteen minute car ride from where I live, like the popular and highly recognizable, Chateau St. Michelle Winery, located in Woodinville, Wa.
While I enjoy and take in as much as I can of this vibrant city, I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all too.
Cheers!
*Photo taken by That Chick Té
www.chicksthattrip.com
Monday, February 10, 2014
International Wine Guild Cruise
My friends from the International Wine Guild will be hosting a wine cruise. The flyer below contains most of the information.
Join Us For A Wine Cruise
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June 28 - July 5, 2014 PLUS a trip to Umbria before the cruise
From Rome To Barcelona! |
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10-Night Luxurious Wine Cruise
|
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Our June 28th,
10-day "Rome to Barcelona" cruise is in its final stage of booking. If
you have not yet booked your cabin, please be aware we can only
guarantee cabin inventory until February 15th! After this date, booking requests will only be honored on a "space available" basis.
So if you
want to go, please book now so you can enjoy the widest selection of
prices and cabins. This 10-night luxurious wine and food journey would
make a wonderful Valentine's present! Per person pricing, based on two
to a cabin, begins at $4,474 including round trip airfare from 26 US
cities.
And if you book now, Oceania's normal deposit payment has been reduced to just $750 per person.
This
cruise begins in the "Eternal City" of Rome, and we know you'll want to
arrive early to insure you don't hear those fateful words "You just
missed the ship"! To encourage early arrival, Food & Wine Trails
has released their special 2-night pre-cruise package that includes a
boutique Rome hotel, an overnight at a Tres Bicchieri rated winery in
Umbria with a wine-dinner, a cooking class in the classic hill town of
Orvieto and a transfer to the ship. Claude Robbins will be onboard as
the host, and the full 10-night tour will count as one of your required
Level 3 wine trips if you are working on a Level 3 diploma!
Onboard
the ship Claude will host a Welcome Reception for the group, a special
wine pared dinner and two private wine education seminars. All these
events will be with wines chosen by the Guild.
During
your cruise, you have the opportunity to participate in two optional
private excursions. In the port of Livorno, you will enjoy a perfect
Super Tuscan-day visiting Azienda Agricola Tua Rita , the very first
Italian winery to receive a perfect 100/100 score from Robert Parker.
In Marseille, France the group will visit the world renowned wine region
of Chateauneuf du Pape with a wine-paired luncheon cooked by a
Michelin-starred chef and a private tasting Domaine de la Janasse,
another highly rated winery.
Contact our travel partner Food & Wine Trails
or visit www.foodandwinetrails.com/
Claude is
looking forward to sharing his knowledge with you about these amazing
wine producing areas and creating an experience that you will remember
for a lifetime.
|
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Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Wishing Our Olympians Success, Safety & Fun!
Wishing Our Olympians Success, Safety & Fun!
In a little more than a week, the Winter Olympic Games being held in Sochi, Russia will commence. There has been quite a bit of televised awareness around these olympics, but not for the usual reasons. Unfortunately, heightened degrees of security and travel alerts have been made due to the possibility (suspicion) of terrorist activity.
While safety is clearly the most important factor, I am disappointed that it has become the main focal point of these events. There are women and men coming from all over the globe in anticipation of winning in their respective events, as well as attendees coming to cheer on their friends, family members and fellow country men and women.
I am sending my positive vibes into the universe for all of the attendees and participants; while also wishing them safe passage, and the ability to enjoy this (possibly) once in a lifetime experience.
*Photo "Skier in Power Snow," taken by franky242 and used from freedigitalphotos.net
www.chicksthattrip.com
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Looking forward to another fabulous New Year!
Welcome to 2014!
Chicks That Trip
*Photo from freedigitalphotos.net
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Happy Holidays & Seasons Greetings!
Happy Holidays & Seasons Greetings!
Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season full of
friends, family, fun and frivolity.
Looking forward to another wonderful new year
filled will many more possibilities to
be explored.
Chicks That Trip
*Photo used from freedigitalphotos.net "Christmas Decoration" by feelart
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Find Your Zen to Reduce Stress
Find Your Zen to Reduce Stress
The holiday season starting from around late October to mid-January has been marked as being the most stressful time of the year.
Everyone is racing around trying to get all of their holiday shopping completed; while also maintaining a job (yeah, you know that thing that helps you pay for unbelievable travel). It's no wonder that people are stressed out. Lines are longer, and it would seem that patience levels are significantly shorter.
I was just in Staples the past evening to purchase some items and I was conversing pleasantly with the young lady ringing me up, and she commented during our conversation that during the holidays, "People are just mean during this time of year. They are pushy and intolerant. Just mean." I nodded my head in agreement, because I've been seeing my fair share of "meanies" too.
This time of year isn't particularly stressful for me, because in my family we really don't exchange gifts, so we don't have that stress of finding the "perfect" gift; procuring it, and hoping that the person likes it. Furthermore, I've been working extremely hard this year to find my Zen.
While I am not a particularly religious person (though I was brought up in the church); I am a spiritual person. I believe that you treat others as you'd like to be treated, and that you should simply - be nice (although I do fail at this at times too).
With that being said, I have had my fair amount of stress this year; specifically from September through October, so I get it. Stress...well, it's a natural part of life. We all have it, and as some studies have indicated, a certain level of stress is actually a good thing.
My approach has been really immersing myself into things that lessen my stress. There are things I have to get done on a daily basis; therefore, I make sure those important items get done, and then the rest can wait. Also, I've found that revisiting pictures from my travels really helps put things into perspective. I place myself in those spaces that make me feel all warm and cozy and from there - I find my Zen.
The picture above was taken during one of my visits to Puerto Rico. It is the entrance to the St. Regis Resort & Spa in Bahia Principe, Puerto Rico, and let me tell you, the property is AMAZING. It has an exquisite golf course (played by many pros in the golf industry); areas that remind me of Jurassic Park (though it was actually filmed in Hawaii). It simply permeates a calming feeling that resonates throughout every space on the property. I did a site inspection and was toured around the entire property (I'll put a full review up soon). I was there for almost two hours, and let me tell you, it broke my heart to have to leave.
Now, whenever I feel a bit anxious or uptight, I place myself (mentally) back on that property. Immediately I can smell the ocean air and picture the exotic, indigenous foliage that surrounded me while I was visiting. The visions take me to a safe place and I can then shake off any of the nasties that may have been resting on my shoulders. I lean back. Take a deep breath, and immediately I'm in my Zen place.
During this stressful time of year, make sure you take time for you! It's easy to get caught up in the fray, so my advice is to be nice to yourself and enjoy the here and now.
Namaste.
*Photo of St. Regis in Bahia Principe, Puerto Rico was taken by That Chick Té
www.chicksthattrip.com
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing you and your families a beautiful
and food filled day of thanks.
Chicks That Trip
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Event Showcase: Restaurant Day
Restaurant Day - November 16, 2013
As much as I consider myself to be a "foodie," I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard about Restaurantday.org. Recently on my linkedin account (that I am remiss in checking on a regular basis), I received a posting about Restaurant Day, so I had to check it out.
Restaurantday.org describes the Restaurant Day concept as:
"Restaurant Day is a worldwide food carnival when anyone can set up a restaurant, café or a bar for a day. It can happen anywhere: at your home, at the office, on a street corner, in your garden or inner courtyard, at a park, or on the beach – only your imagination is the limit." ~ Restaurantday.org
The event started with just a humble smattering of 13 cities and 45 restaurants participating back in May, 2011, and has swelled to an impressive 220 cites, 35 countries and 1683 restaurants (at their last event, August 18, 2013.)
For more information on the next Restaurant Day being held on November 16, 2013, visit their site: Restaurantday.org, for more detailed information.
*Picture provided by That Chick Té
www.chicksthattrip.com
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