Night Nation Run, Del Mar

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Night Nation Run

Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California

The race fee was $29.99 per person for the basic package. All the basic package included was entry, the race number and one single glow stick. 

The course was very sparse and voice of music or fun. The music and party atmosphere was only at the beginning and one place in the middle.

It definitely was not worth the money.

Poki Poki, Escondido, California

Poke is one of those things that when my husband first suggested it, I had no interest. When the Poki Poki opened here in Oceanside, my husband saw a post from a coworker, and immediately suggested we go and try it. I was having none of it. I did not want to try it, my suggestion was that he go and try it when I wasn't with him. 

Yes, I do eat sushi, but I do not like any of the raw tunas. Actually, most of the raw fish I do not like. I guess that I am one of those with a texture issue with sushi, not an issue with the fact that it is raw fish. 

Finally, my husband got me to try Poki Poki when they grand opened in San Marcos, and I have been a huge fan ever since. I even suggest it for my husband when he has to work. I go pick it up and take it to him. 

I like that Poki Poki is fast casual. The recent trend of more and more fast casual restaurants opening is really something that we have definitely enjoyed. Whatever you like, you can get it on your food, exactly how you want it. Try something different each time you visit. Get a salad, get a rice bowl, get a poke burrito, try it all. 

I am the type of person who does not like anything hot or spicy, where my husband wants all the spice he can get. Fast casual places allow us to customize exactly what we want.

When we visited Poki Poki in Escondido, it was during their grand opening. They were organized to keep up with the long line. My only note was that there were things at other stores that was not available, and there were things that are not an extra charge that they were charging an upcharge. 

San Diego Padres, May 9, 2018

 The San Diego Padres have numerous special theme nights. We ended up going to the game for Comic Con Night on May 9, 2018.

Not only was there a special Comic Con Hat ticket package that could be bought, but the whole game was themed around Comic Books and Superheroes. It was hilarious.

We try to go to as many Padres games as we can. Living an hour drive away from the stadium, games during the week are a challenge, but we do our best. 

Pinners Conference & Expo

Pinners Conference & Expo

The Pinners Conference is where Pinterest comes to life. It is a two day conference full of classes and vendors the represent all aspects of Pinterest.

Beauty, Party Planning, DIY, Crafts, Cooking, Fashion, Health, Fitness, Jewelry, Sewing, Travel, Photography, Plants, Canning, Renovations

Just about anything that would be on Pinterest is represented at the Pinners Conference.

I bought the 2 day, 2 class per day package. Two of my classes did not have a class fee. They were cardmaking classes and the kits were included.

The other classes I did was a Hello Sign, a USA sign and a Mermaid sign.
Many of the vendors had make n takes at their booth. I was able to make several things to take home. 

Everyone in attendance received a free reusable bag and a free planner.

Hollywood Cars Museum, Las Vegas

The Hollywood Cars Museum,  Las Vegas.

Get the Groupon Deal!

The collection is fairly interesting,  but most of the cars are from movies and tv shows only those over 40 or 50 would recognize. 

The Groupon deal includes sodas and sunglasses. Full price, it isn't worth it, but the Groupon deal definitely makes it worth it. 

Part of the former Liberace museum has been moved here. Several cars, a few outfits,  and a few pieces is all they have. 

Carnival Inspiration, February 2018

Carnival Inspiration

February 26, 2018

Long Beach, CA

Catalina Island, CA

Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Our second Carnival Premier Getaway, our 3rd cruise out of Long Beach, Our second short Mexico Cruise. 

This was our 9th cruise on Carnival. When we originally started cruising on Carnival in 2015, our plan was to not repeat the Ship, Embarkation port, or Itinerary. So far, we have not cruise on a Carnival Ship twice. We have done the same itinerary twice, and this was our third cruise out of Long Beach.

We board the Carnival Inspiration and then went to Catalina Island the next day. We decided to take a tour around Catalina Island and get to see some sights. It was a great drive to get to view around the Island. When we had been there before we did something else. 

Our next stop was Ensenada Mexico. This was my third time in Ensenada. Our first time we drove there. From where we are in Northern San Diego County county, it takes about 90 minutes with no traffic to get to the border, and then it is about 2 hrs to get to Ensenada after crossing the border.  The second and third time we visited Ensenada we were on a Carnival Ship.

Ensenada is a fun tourist town. The weather is pretty good all year, so there is a ton to do as far as activities. This trip we did a wine country tour. People do not really think of Baja California as being Wine Country, but it is. Due to the wonderful weather, it is a great place for grapes and olives, not just the infamous Agave for tequila. Our wine country tour included a bottle of wine at the first vineyard. The second vineyard had way more than just wine. It had all sorts of oils, spreads and seasonings. It was a great tour even for those who do not drink. 

Carnival Inspiration February 2018

Carnival Inspiration

Premier Getaway Cruise

February 2018

In October of 2017, we took our first Carnival Premier Getaway Cruise out of Long Beach, CA. The first cruise was on the Carnival Imagination.  At this point, we had taken 4 other Premier Cruises by Carnival. Premier cruises are basically a "Bonus" for Carnival Casino Players. The cruise goes on as normal, but there are special things in and out of the casino for players who booked their cabins with the special promotion.

Previously, when we had cruised out of Long Beach, the cruise terminal had been under some remodeling, so we were basically sitting outside waiting on our boarding group to be called to proceed. Then when we walked through, we could see that most of the terminal was blocked off. This was our first time where the cruise terminal was actually open and we walked through the entire thing. 

The cruise on Carnival Inspiration was very similar to the previous cruise on Carnival Imagination. The ships are close in age and are the same size.  Even on 2 ships that are close in size, age and style, every cruise is a completely different experience.

Our cruise went to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Ironically, due to where we live in San Diego County, both places are easily driveable. Well, we can drive to the ferry to Catalina. Obviously, we could not actually drive to Catalina Island.

Our first stop was Catalina, then Ensenada, then a Sea Day, then we disembarked back in Long Beach.  Each day of the cruise, whether we were in a port or Sea Day, there were special things going on in the casino at various hours. Some of the events like the slot tournaments are open to anyone in the casino who has enough points to qualify, but there are some events that are only open to the Premier invited guests. 

Even though the cruise is shorter than the regular Premier Cruises that Carnival organizes, the Premier Getaway is definitely not an afterthought. Carnival Players Club makes sure that these shorter cruises where they have organized a Premier Getaway Cruise are just as much fun for the Premier Players as any other cruise that they have been on, Premier or not.