Our Lifestyle Adventires: Taking a Break VI

the brand new Vegas High Roller, bigger than the Singapore Flyer and the London Eye!

Cherry and Rick and Bill and me
at Slide Rock State Park, Sedona

I have been working on my website and FB business page but family matters take precedence!

First, my youngest sister Cherry and husband Rick spent a weekend with us at Viewpoint. We had fun at the hot tub and pool and had a long billiards game of Brocks vs. Colborns. Then we trooped to Golden Corral, a very popular buffet place anchored on great salads, superb grilled sirloin steaks, an array of entrees from Asian to Mexican to Italian, and an innovative dessert spread that features white and dark chocolate and caramel fondues and cotton candy with the traditional cakes and pies and ice cream. For $10.49 you can eat all you want. I had four plates: a salad, two entrées, and a dessert!

at Golden Corral

After an evening of ‘Saving Mr. Banks’, we woke up early to proceed to Sedona by 8:30 am. The road trip was delightfully interrupted by my first ever McGriddle, awesome breakfast treats at McDonalds. Our day in Sedona was spent taking photos at the Slide Rock State Park, feasting on rolled tacos, chicken enchiladas, and Santa Fe chicken sandwiches for lunch, and being solemn at the Holy Cross Cathedral on the Rocks. Sadly, the duo had to go home early. Rick starts with his new job in Lancaster, California on April 1. No hassle. We meet them again the following weekend.

the McGriddle with the M!!!

On April 3, the last of our neighbor-friends, Bud and Bonnie and Cris and Bonnie left for Washington and British Columbia respectively. Bill helped them get the RV ready for storage while I stayed home to cook fresh lumpia, a request from our friends from another campground, Bev and Dan. Dan, who came for a round of golf with Bill and for chatter and board and card games with me. Then we settled for dinner at Fat Willys, Viewpoint's bar and grille, for their 3-6 pm discounted specials.

Parents of the Bride and Principal Sponsors
with the Bride and Groom

my First Apo Krishna

We arrived in Las Vegas past 4 pm last Friday and checked in at the Riviera. Krishna arrived by bus from Santa Monica and joined Bill and me. She is the make-up artist and hair stylist for the 11 am wedding of Zan, Cherry’s youngest daughter, to Harley at Treasure Island's Wedding Chapel the next day. We went to a bar and hurried to see the newest sensation in Sin City, the High Roller, the tallest ferris wheel in the world beating both the Singapore Flyer and the London Eye.                                                                                                                        The wedding reception was held at Bucca di Beppo, a very popular Italian restaurant chain. The Caesar's salad, Penne San Remo, Chicken Parmiggiana, and their classic Spaghetti with Meatballs plus the cannoli made for a very good feast to celebrate the happy occasion. I had to put on my Toastmaster hat and emceed the program. Bill was godfather and Cynthia, my eldest sister was godmother but she couldn’t make it from the Philippines so I stood in for her. Toasts from Mother and Father of the Bride, uncle of the groom, best man, maid of honor, and other close friends completed the joyous affair. That night, the maxim, ‘Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, ’ was put to good use!

Bot and Jim, Cjerry and Rick, and Bill and I
at Gordon Ramsay's in Caesar Palace

Cherry and her husband Rick, their friends Bot and Jim, and we walked the Strip from Treasure Island to the Mirage, Caesar's Palace, and Bellagio. We had dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Pub Grille at th Palace and got fascinated all over again in Bellagio's Conservatory new display and the Bellagio Lights with the new Wheel and the old Eiffel Tower in the background. The young ones had a drinking party at the bride and groom's wedding suite before walking the strip, too. We ended up sleeping at 3 am!

the new flowers at the Conservatory

          The next day my sister Cherry and I, with our husbands, had brunch at the Treasure Island Coffee Shop after which we all trekked back to our homes, happy that we had the chance to feel the warmth of family in two weekends once again! But, before doing so, Tony Nievera, former Country Manager of IBM Philippines, came to our hotel and took photos of me for the book. He has turned to many interests after retirement, one of them serious photography! So lucky to have found him again!

Last Hurrah in Vegas: brunch at Treasure Island's Coffee Shop

Now back to writing. The Round 2 edited manuscript from my editor has come and I would like to submit the book to my publisher before we leave for Europe on May 17!