Nicolita
I was so thrilled when my long-time girlfriend Dionne told me she wanted to celebrate her 30th birthday in the states with me. We met in 2005 in Caracas, Venezuela where we taught English to children.
Through our crazy adventures there I grew very fond of the Bayesian/Ghanian Brit from Wales. She has this infectious energy that bubbles with joy and satisfaction at every moment. Since I tend to be very critical and hard to please, she feels like a Caribbean breeze, a lovely beach, & a Caiparinha all rolled into one. Stay tuned for our Miami adventure!
Category Archives: Local Tampa Bay
Psychic fair- Summer
Perhaps it is a uniquely human trait to constantly search for our answers from others., hoping against hope that someone else can read our futures, guide us along the path to happiness. The ironic thing is, that even when we manifest our desires, things rarely turn out the way we want.
Knowing full well that my answers in life must come from within, I found myself drawn once again to the mystical and magical of the monthly psychic fair at the Temple of Love and Healing.
The church opened at 9 so that seekers such as myself could sign up for the best times. The event reminded me of a strange mix of psychotherapy, sales and auction, with a timer going off every 10 minutes to signal that time was coming to a close and then again five minutes later to close each session. As the reverend closed my Akashic records, another client was already waiting her turn.
At the very least, the whole event was entertaining and positive, no forecasts of doom and gloom. Still I wonder, are any of these people truly able to see something I can’t? Are they connecting with spirit guides that show them truths about others or are they just bull-shitting? Do they believe in their own abilities or are they just in denial?
I hate it when people tell me that the answers are within myself… If I could see them I wouldn’t be asking! Still, while providing food for thought I haven’t found anyone yet who can tell me how to live my life. 
Garage sales
Walking my dogs down the street on Saturday morning, I waved to my neighbors who were having a garage sale. Enticed by the prospect of a good deal, I put off yoga for the day and walked over joining the flocks of bargain hunters who had arrived from near and far, cars crowding my narrow brick street. After a quick brose around, I realized, to my delight, that my neighbor wears the same size clothes as I do! I don’t hoard much of anything, but a girl can always use more clothes. It’s strange how new energy always comes with excitement. The fatigue from the week magically lifted as I sorted through bins of my favorite brands of clothing, GAP, Roxy, Old Navy… I soon paraded home with 3 new work shirts, a pair of striped pants, 3 waffle-weave long sleeved shirts, 2 blouses and a Cat in the Hat shopping bag, all for 12. I proudly showed my new treasures to my skeptical husband, who after politely viewing my mini-fashion show, walked me over to my 6’X 4’ closet and asked me, “Have you looked at your closet? It is filled to the max! Where are you going to put all this?” I had to acknowledge (rather reluctantly) that he was right. So, I braced myself to embark on a grueling cleaning mission. On a blue skied, 75 degree day in late January, how did I get tuck cleaning out my closet when I should be out riding my bike to Honeymoon Island? 4 hours later and three full bags of donations later, I had re-discovered 10 year old shoes that had been sitting in my closet for at least 4 years, a leather jacket that I once loved and forgotten I had, and many other long-forgotten dusty treasures. It’s amazing how much stuff I’ve accumulated that I truly don’t need while in other parts of the world the $12 I spent on bargain clothes would feed a family for a week.
Proud Mama
Nicolita J
anuary 28, 2012
I can’t begin to describe how proud I am of my “little green thumb”! Finally after a year and a half of trial and mostly error in my garden I have some beautiful peppers to show for it. These were peppers grown from seeds that I took out of a pepper that I had purchased. The maturation time is long. My babies are several months old. I am determined to grow my own red bell peppers because at $1.00 a piece that’s just madness.
Cabana Café
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Rich, creamy, coffee with sweet golden organic honey, freshly brewed by the cup. The little things in life mean so much. As I stroll through downtown to my favorite local coffee shop, I marvel at all the tourists and snowbirds that have flocked to my town. Tucked away on a little side street, I enter … Continue reading
Hot yoga entry 1
Warrior 3
January 16, 2012
“Ergh! Again?!” I scolded myself for forgetting my towel on the way to hot yoga once again. So instead of renting a towel, I made a quick stop at K-mart to buy one. Arriving at Heat Yoga and Fitness, I settled in for my semi-weekly stretchy sweat-a-thon. Beginning with some basic stretches, my mind wandered towards work, to do lists, facebook… Intent on staying focused, I reminded myself to focus on my breath… 30 minutes into practice and all I can think of is, “Hold on just a little longer.” The sweat runs down my nose and drips onto my towel. My tank top is soaked, my towel damp, my water bottle half empty. It feels as though all the liquid I’ve drank has instantly become sweat, pouring out of every open pore as I realize for the first time that sideways plank on one’s elbow is a lot harder than it looks. Ahhhh… back to a nice resting down dog. My eyes wander past the new cherry wood floors, past the yoga mats and sweaty students to the back left hand corner, where a very attractive man in his 30’s has just taken off his shirt to reveal sculpted pectorals, shoulders and stomach glistening with sweat. Some more vinyasas and then on to warrior three. Trying to keep my balance, focus on my breath rather than the droplets of sweat that fall directly off my forehead and onto my mat, my eyes wander again… “He really is fine” I think to myself as I lose my balance and clumsily put my foot down. The abdominal workout that follows takes my full concentration as I struggle with one more crunch in 96 degree heat amplified by 18 sweaty bodies all breathing and straining together. Finally, shivasana… I lay back in relief. Hands to my side, legs spread mat distance apart. My thoughts drift, becoming nonsensical as my body relaxes. I’m awakened by the sound of my instructor asking us to roll over to our sides. Slowly, reluctantly,I drag my right leg over my left and roll over to lie comfortably on my left side. Dreams take over once again, until finally I am asked to rejoin the class in our closing “namaste.” I pull myself to a sitting position, hands in prayer position, and bow down, thankful for the life and energy flowing through my body. With every possible toxin inhabiting my body fully flushed out, I am ready for another day.
Dunedin Arts & Crafts Festival
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Nicolita January 15, 2012 Yesterday Summer and I went to check out the Dunedin Arts & Crafts Festival. In general I love strolling and looking at art, especially photography. I’m always blown away by how talented and crafty people can be. Although it was too crowded for my taste, the weather was so delightful it … Continue reading
First date via Summer
“Brrr… it’s cold” I complain to my friend Nicolita. Dressed in my jeans, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt and heavy jacket, I must look ridiculous. Although it’s January, a sunny slightly breezy 68 degrees feels chilly. I prefer 80 degrees personally, but I’ll settle for 75. As we struggle to make our way through the throngs of slow-moving crowds on Main street in Dunedin, I notice Nicole’s longing gaze directed towards the art work at almost every stand we pass by. Once again, Main street is blocked off for an art show, something that seems to happen every weekend from fall until spring. I’m hungry and in a hurry to walk down to the marina for some fresh fish tacos, raw marinated tuna and juicy oysters on the half shell. I may complain, but I do love the festivities, the warm, sweet smell of roasting kettle corn, the throngs of locals and tourists alike crowding into artfully decorated stands selling everything from custom made jewelry to nude paintings of full-figured women. We arrive at Old Bay Cafe and Fish Market, a tiny deck and bar overlooking the marina. Amidst lively conversation, we feast on fresh oysters and in that moment there is just friendship intermingled with the taste of the sea and a hint of sand, for what is an oyster without a bit of sand?
Psychic Fair
Nicolita 
I don’t know why I’m drawn to the metaphysical except that I’ve always been comfortable with the idea of consulting a psychic, tarot reader, and numerologist. I haven’t had a decent reading since 2008 when the last psychic told me I’d be with a German guy, to which I responded “Never gonna happen!”. Yet here I sit married to a guy straight from Deutschland. Today I went to my first Psychic Fair at the Temple of Love and Healing in St. Petersburg. It was very interesting in that I got to meet with 3 readers for 15 minutes each for $25. Each of the women had great energy and told me things that made me see some of the possibilities for my near future. I have lots to ponder and while no one can tell me exactly how it’s going to go I’ll always be open to the possibilities of new insight.
Irie Eats
Nicolita
To my glee, I was treated to an impromptu lunch at Rumba Island Bar and Grill in Clearwater. Yes, it’s a chain restaurant and everybody knows how I abhor chains. However, it was a pleasant surprise. Specializing in Caribbean fare, I ordered the Mahi Mahi Ocho Rios stuffed with blue crab and topped with Hollandaise sauce. The sides were Jamaican greens and coconut rice. I was told the greens were collards which I knew had to be wrong, being Jamaican-American and all I knew Jamaicans eat callaloo which is less bitter. The chef sent me an impromptu amuse-bouche of the greens. To my horrible delight it was “collard greens”! It melted in my mouth with the salty taste of pork and butter. I sent the waiter with a message to the chef saying “Irie mon”. The Jamaican chef (wow how authentic) said I made his day. Cool place to chill out, Bob Marley playing in the background is always good for the soul.
