Three years ago today

A Honeymoon is supposed to be a fun relaxing time that you spend with your new spouse. Our Honeymoon didn't go exactly as we had planned. Three years ago Josue and I went on our honeymoon to the Riviera Maya, Mexico. On August 7th 2008 we went on a tour to Tulum, Mexico to see the ruins but we never made it.  Our tour bus driver fell asleep at the wheel and we crashed. It was scary and unreal. Two people passed and many others were severely hurt. I remember "coming to" hearing Josue call my name. He had been thrown to the back of the bus and I was slammed up against a broken window. We were stuck inside the bus for at least 30 minutes but it felt like an eternity. There was blood everyone and the man behind us couldn't find his wife. I remember feeling numb, but scared. Then a man started yelling "she's going to die" over and over again in reference to his Fiance. Josue calmed him down and we tied off her bleeding leg with a shoe lace.  When help finally came we got out of there and helped others to the ambulance. I had a piece of glass removed from my leg but other than bumps, bruises, and scrapes we were ok. Josue was amazing he helped translate for the people who didn't speak Spanish. He was there for me because I was shaking and crying. Now looking back it makes me realize what a stong man I married, and much I love him.
We were  taken back to our hotel and I remember thinking I was going to die because I felt so strange inside I thought I was for sure having internal bleeding. Once the strange feeling subsided and I saw a Doctor I felt a little better. Josue and I were given some muscle relaxers because the whip lash was terrible and I was given some antibiotic for my gash. We tried to use the next few days to relax and heal but it was hard, and we were both so glad to leave.
When we got home I was different. I was so grateful to be alive and praising God for choosing the seats he did for us. I couldn't imagine losing Josue, or him losing me. But I felt guilty, and sad all the time. I hurt inside and had horrible night terrors. It started to be hard for me to hide my feelings and Josue started to notice. He urged me to talk to him, but always said I was fine. Months went by and I didn't feel any better. I finally saw a Doctor and was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Survivors Guilt. I saw a therapist and started to take some medications. It was then I realized I had a problem, and needed to work through it. In all honesty I think what helped me the most was opening up about the accident. I started by telling God, then Josue and my Mom,  I went further and explained how I felt to my friends. Being open about my feelings helped me tremendously. I would never be able to explain the accident if it hadn't been for my healing. I have so much gratitude and feel so blessed now, and when I think of this day three years ago I can't smile, but I can feel good about God's choice to keep me and my husband alive. I'm still afraid of buses, and I'm not sure if I will ever like them or feel completley safe on one, but I've ridden one and I'm ok. 

                                                                     After the accident

He is always there for me to lean on

The Newspaper article



Maui, Hawaii

About a week ago we returned from our awesome trip to Maui, Hawaii. We really enjoyed our vacation. We went with two other couples who are very dear friends to Josue and I. Overall I think group vacationing is great! I wish Josue and I had a little more alone time to celebrate our anniversary, but we can do that at home ;) We stayed in a 3 bedroom condo. (in Kihei, Maui) Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of it, but here is a picture of our amazing view right outside it.

On our first day we went shopping, settled in and went swimming. Josue and I took a sunset stroll on the beach outside the condo. It was great for our friends to all meet and see the beautiful first Maui sunset.

The next day Josue and I went on the road to Hana with Yeimy and Ronald. We had fun laughing and talking on the way up and then hiked to the seven sacred pools and then headed up to the 400ft waterfall (Waimoku falls) through the bamboo forest. If you e er find yourself on The Road to Hana, make sure you stop for some delicious banana bread! We ended our afternoon at a gorgeous black sand beach in Hana, the water was great!

~Josue at the seven sacred pools~

Later that evening we met up with Temo and Cecia at Fred's and ate/drank the night away.

The following day we went on a helicopter ride which was amazing!! I have to admit I was scared at first, but it wasn't scary at all and no turbulence!!! It was an awesome view and totally worth it! After our helicopter ride we rented mopeds and rode down to Wailea beach, super nice!! Then we had a group BBQ outside our condo on the Lanai, what a beautiful sunset yet again!

~Temo, Cecia, Myself, and Josue at the Helipad~

~ Rainbow over some waterfalls view from the helicopter~

Thursday we went to Kaanapali Beach. We rented jetski's. I haven't been since I was 9 (when I was thrown off) so I was a little nervous. Josue drove and I held on tight! Of course we tipped over our first 5 secs on, but once we got going it was a blast. That evening we went to a traditional Luau. (Myths of Maui) The food was ok, and the "open bar" was weak, but the service was phenomenal, and the show was fabulous.

Thursday night there was a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch a meteor shower from atop a volcano. I was so tired, but Yeimy convinced us to go with them, and I am sure glad we did! It was amazing!! No pictures, but the memories will never be forgotten.

Friday was our big snorkeling trip, wow!! I think this was my favorite adventure! All 6 of us took the Pride of Maui snorkel trip. We went to Molokini island and Turtle Town. After coming home napping and getting ready we went to the town of Paia. We ate at the Paia fish market, I think every one's favorite place to eat. Afterwards we walked around the quaint little town and of course Cecia and I had to have our daily Shave Ice =)

Saturday we wento Makena beach and just enjoyed the sun. Then we had a group lunch back at the condo, yum! In the evening we went to IO Maui in Lahaina. We enjoyed a lovely dinner, and another gorgeous sunset. After dinner we walked around Whaler's Village and had a drink at oceanside Bubba Gumps.

Sunday we spent the morning paddle surfing in Kihei and then packing and cleaning up =(

Once we got the car loaded we headed back to Paia and walked around and bought souvenirs. They have a beach in Paia; Baldwin Park Beach. My favorite beach in all of Maui, almost white sand, calm waves and clear water. Breathtaking!!!! We had dinner at Flatbread Co. delicious!!
Then we headed to the airport for our flight back to Los Angeles.

~ Baldwin Park Beach~

Our trip to Maui was fantastic! I still have to say that I am spoiled with the caribbean waters, but Maui was so pretty in its own right. I think we would like to go to Oahu the next time we make it out to Hawaii, but wouldn't hesitate to recommend or go back to Maui one day.

If you have any questions please email me =)

St. Thomas U.S.V.I.

Our first stop on our Caribbean cruise was the US Virgin Island of St. Thomas. We took an ultimate island experience tour. This was my first bus trip since the fatal one and I was nervous, but excited too! After driving with some amazing photo stops including Drake's Seat we spent a few hours in Megans Bay Beach, one of the worlds top 10 beaches. It was gorgeous, and a must see if you are ever in St. Thomas. The waters were crystal clear, and calm. We snorkeled and saw sea turtles!

One of the many picture stops on our tour

After Megan's Bay our tour took us to Black Beard's Castle. I enjoyed this walking tour. Mostly because it included a tour of a rum factory and rum tasting ;) We swam in the waterfall pools, and walked along the museum route. The walking tour ended with an Amber museum with a huge Amber waterfall, that has a legend that if you touch it you will recieve finacial fortune. Of course we rubbed that baby! (We actually won in the cruises' casino that evening!!)

Then we continued with our tour to main street that has some fabulous shopping! We bought some souvenieres and Josue got a new wallet! We concluded our tour with a Harbor Cruise back to our ship. It was just beautiful!

The Harbor Cruise

The Amber Waterfall

The View from one of the museums

St. Thomas was beautiful and one of my favorite islands!

Honeymoon Part Deux ~ Graduation Trip

As most of you know our honeymoon was a flop, and I just graduated Nursing school. So to redo our Honeymoon and celebrate nursing school graduation we took a 10 day vacation to Puerto Rico and a southern Caribbean Cruise. I plan to blog each island separately, but I just have to do Puerto Rico first as it was my absolute favorite island out of all that we visited. We got to spend the most time there and the food was excellent!

We started our journey in San Juan, we stayed at a hotel on Condado Beach. The El Canario hotel was just ok. We picked it because it was a smaller boutique hotel and less expensive choice. The front desk staff wasn't very nice and the room was mediocre. But they did upgrade us to a "suite" it was nice to have the extra space.

After checking in we rented a car; first stop old San Juan, one word: gorgeous. Now I'm a sucker for old architecture so this may not be for everyone, but if you like old things definitely check out the forts! We went to El Morro and San Cristobal forts. El Morro is right on the tip of San Juan, I could have spent all day there.

"Capital Building"


There is lot's of other things to do in Old San Juan there is a beach, a park, shopping, boating, exploring, and of course eating! If you’re looking for a good place to eat in old San Juan I would recommend Cafe El Punto on Fortaleza street. It’s a main street for major shopping in San Juan. But this gem of restaurant can be found smack in the middle of all the action. They had the best plantains! Great Puertorican food!!

After spending all day wandering around we got some rum punch and daquiri's at Senor Frog's to watch the Super Bowl.

The next day we left bright and early and headed our for El Yunque, in the northeast mountains of Puerto Rico, is the only rainforest in the Caribbean. We drove up the curvy roads up the the mountain; as we got further up and hiked inward the landscape changed drastically, offering us great visual rewards around every corner. I highly recommend seeing this if you are ever in Puerto Rico.

" Driving in the Yaris =) "

"Overlooking the Rainforest"

"La Coca Falls"

"La Mina Falls"

After our long Hike throught the Rainforest we worked up quite the appetite so we headed down the mountain to Luquillo Beach.

We ate at a beach front place on a local's recommendation, La Parrilla. DELICIOUS! Best Mofongo ever...I can now die happy =)

I had PR beans & rice like the one's Ramona's Dad made me once. La Parrilla came in a very close second!


Mostly after that we drove around visited Fajardo and other beautiful things. My Camera died so I didn't get any pictures =(. But if you ever go there spend some time in Fajardo it's gorgeous and has ferry ships to Vieques, another amazing place!

We were pretty full so for dinner we went to Plaza Las Americas a huge shopping mall. We actually ate at a PR style fast food kiosk in the mall. It was so so, but I enjoyed our time at the mall, because it was such a cool mall!

Puerto Rico is a Fantastic Place, and out of all the islands we visited it is the one we would like to go back and spend more time. I felt like we didn't get to see everything. Next time we go I def. want to go see the south side of the island, and the cool caves on the west side I keep hearing about. Plus I don't know how long I can go without real PR Mofongo ;)

Next up a review of our ship and St. Thomas.

Our Honeymoon

We Stayed at the Excellence Riviera Cancun it was an AMAZING resort!!!!!!!!!!!!!So gorgeous!!The staff had the best customer service I have ever seen. They were so nice and friendly. The food was soo yummy, and the drinks were good too! Here are a few photos to show how beautiful it really was.

We had a lovely Honeymoon However we did not get to go on any excursions as we were in a large Bus accident on the way to Tulum Mexico to see Mayan Ruins. Because of the accident we were too scared to go on any other buses in Mexico and we were pretty scraped and bruised. I also had bad whiplash, so I was in no condition to do much. But we tried to relax as much as we could and enjoy the time we had. We feel so fortunate to be alive, and thank God everyday for picking the seats that he did for us. We pray for the loved ones of those who lost there lives, and our hearts go ou to all those in Pain.
Josue promised a second Honeymoon Probably to Hawaii so you may see those pictures added to here...hopefully soon!

Here is a link to a message board in English everything else we found was in Spanish.

http://tinyurl.com/5laqx3

If you want to see pictures of the accident please look at my Knot Honeymoon Bio