Monday, July 2, 2012

Benedetti & Svoboda Guitar Duo

At the end of May my father and I took a trip to Czech Republic (blog to come). It has been almost 6.5 years since I have been and my Dad decided to take me for my birthday. I have been really slacking with my blogging but it is probably because I don't have cute kids to publish pictures of or talk about, and I know that the subject of Johnson gets old :) Well it was a pleasure and work trip for my Dad. He had 4 concerts lined up when he was there and i was able to attend two before I went home, he stayed another week playing in Germany and another city in Czech Republic.

 Many may or may not know that my father is a Spanish/Flamenco guitarist. He has been playing for nearly 40 years and it is not only his trade but his passion. I have never seen anyone with the drive and motivation he has for the guitar (charlie comes close with surfing). I have always idolized his certainty in what he was meant to do in this world and it is to play guitar and teach others. He has toured the world, from Mexico to Taiwan and he is 55. Now he is a professor teaching music and guitar, while still playing gigs (and surfing and soccer and running) I have always loved to watch him play and felt privileged to have his music shape me as I have grown up. I have played numerous instruments and can still read music but I don't think I had/have a fraction of the motivation he has.

 Here is a recording of him in Plzen, Czech Republic. It has been my families hometown for generations and generations.

 Enjoy!


  PS: he is the one of the left :)

Friday, April 13, 2012

Puerto Rico with the Psillos Family

Well Charlie and I were lucky enough to go with his family to Puerto Rico! It was such a great time. The place that Katie found was perfectly located near the beach ( a short walk from our back yard [backyard included veranda and pool]), plenty of nice clean rooms, and overall perfect! Although the surf wasn't all that they hoped for it didn't hold back all the guys from going at least once a day. We did some great snorkeling and Eric brought his scuba stuff too in search of the Puerto Rican lobsters [we heard more about them then actually seeing them]. Played all kinds of games, one especially fun night of a game called "Mafia" which Erin had introduced to us. It proved to be really challenging, trying to lie or convince others you aren't lying! Great game, we had a ton of laughs, and a lot of mistrust (in a fun way ;). There was also a day where we rented paddle boards and everyone gave it a go, it's a lot tougher then it looks. You need some serious balance and gripping from your feet (that can probably be attributed to lack of balance ha). We also ate a lot of great food, empanada's, Thai, Mexican (yes Mexican, not Puerto RIcan), and lots (and LOTS!) of eggs sandwiches and pastries! mmm..I think I just made myself hungry!

We stayed with the family from Saturday to Thursday and Charlie and I stayed a few extra days in Rincon. Josh and Katie also stayed a little longer but at a nice bed and breakfast. It was nice they stayed too because we were able to hang out with them every day we were there. Always the more the merrier.

We had an amazing time and i am so grateful that Kathy and Rich worked around our schedules to get us there because I know it is so hard for everyone with their big families! Although it was nice to have all the adults we missed Hannah, Danny, Zeke, Rachel, Olivia, Colt, Ellie, AND Johnson :D I will also mention it was so fun to be able to see Katie pregnant too, since we are so far away I was afraid we wouldn't see her baby belly until summer. So excited for you guys!!!

Now the fun part...the pictures :)

Here are some pictures of us hanging out by the house!




Here is the view from the veranda, our beach path and one of the many beautiful sunsets!







Here are a few pictures of me and Katie paddle boarding. She was sort of a natural at it (obviously the guys were too) and better then me even though she was pregnant! Charlie initially helped me with balance but then I got it :)





Heres a picture of the guys and family at the beach. Since the Psillos family is still working on the concept of daily sunscreen a lot of them got burnt, Charlie was one of the worst though, he looked like a lobster.






I love this picture Charlie! He looks so handsome and colors are great.










Family outing for some Mexican food which was actually really good!




Game time!









We also celebrated Jessica's birthday! Erin made her a cake and the rest of us attempted to create a diversion while Erin and Kathy were looking for candles and matches. I think she was surprised :)






One night we went to check the waves and watch the sunset at a beach called Surfers Beach. At one point Charlie disappeared into the jungle and returned with a flower for me. So sweet. I love this guy!






One of the last days we were there, all the guys getting ready for their am surf session



When Charlie and I were on our own we ventured to one of our favorite empanada spots we went to a lot with our friends who came with us last year. Right nearby is a hotel with a restaurant/bar that is right on the beach. The water is really calm so it is a great swimming beach. They also had lounge chairs so we would get their famous coconut drink, lounge, and swim=paradise. Evidence of the relaxation is how out of it i look in the picture..But of course Charlie takes such a good picture no matter what.






We also ventured around to a lot of different beach's when we were on our own. We went to Crashboats and El Faro (the lighthouse). I got some amazing pictures at crashboats, the colors are unreal.











Well those are all the pictures! As you can tell it was amazing. There are definitely parts of Puerto Rico that are run down but Charlie and i have been aspiring and conspiring for a few years to buy property and move there (sorry Mom and Dad). It really is a little piece of paradise. WIll see what happens :)