God Bless and Good Bye Florida!

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Mark Holtzer, Noah and Joni

Use Condoms

Never pull off the road to poop

Beaner Dancing

where's mommy?

Andrea Singing

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With my Degree in hand (YAY!) I'm off to travel the world!
This particular post is my dedication to Florida. If this seems too much like a "myspace" blog for which I'm not to fond of,
then please, feel free to skip to the next one. However, if you have been part of my life here in Florida, you might want to read this. Now that I'm leaving, I can spill all your dirty secrets, and you won't know where I live! HAHA!
(unless your name is Dorraine, and you don't have dirty secrets-you're just dirty!)
What I love about Florida is that there is 6 months straight where you can go to the beach, and drive around with your windows down. I know all the backstreets, where all the thrift stores are, where to get good deals on food, and when/where there are fresh food markets. These are all conveniences. Conveniences are typically missed more than anything.
For instance, I love to cook. I am very good at it, and when I was in Thailand, I missed it more than anything. I love knowing my way around my kitchen, and for sure anyone that I stay with along my travels, I will be happy to cook for them. And so it is, that I have decided to let some of my cooking secrets out in my Good bye to Florida Blog.

For instance, salmon is very good with a Coconut-Mango Marinade. Cook it with Couscous and cranberries on the side. The trick with a lot of meals is to make sure that you get a full variety of textures and flavors. Mix some sweet with the hot flavors. So, my secret to my Salmon Coconut-Mango is a bit of Chili Pepper. Not enough to steam you up, just enough to balance the sweetness of the coconut-mango. The cranberries in the couscous add tartness (got to get a full range of flavors!).

I make the best spagetti with Meat sauce that I have ever tasted. Italian restaurants have always let me down. I won't give out my secret ingredient for this, however, I will be happy to cook it for anyone who asks.

My last 4 months in Florida I worked as a nanny/light housekeeper for an affluent family in Boca Raton. You know those fancy houses that we dream about (as girls) when we were young? I called this "the Princess House" Granite Countertops, Marble Floors, SIX bedrooms, FIVE bathrooms, a pool, three car garage... If you dream of a large house, STOP.
It takes a full hour just to clean the master bathroom. I did several hours of housekeeping everyday, and still there was a maid that came in for 8 hours on Monday. There's just so much upkeep in such a big house. The marble floors are so hard on the body. My feet, knees, and shins would ache from walking on that floor.
My fantasy is this: a lovely TWO bedroom house with hardwood floors. A house with character and a bit of land that I can garden in. A good kitchen to cook in, and I will be happy. Amen.

When I come back to America, I'll be attending the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and studying to become an acupuncturist. Don't worry, Daddy and Grampy - even if I do get married, at least for my business, I will keep my maiden name. I can't leave all the pressure on Mathew to carry on the "ZALK" name, since he is the only Grandson!

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Photos

Climbing over to the UK.
This image captures it all. Driving up from Florida (where this dude's left foot is) to New York (where his hand is) climbing over to the UK. This picture is perfect!

Why I love Florida
Here is why I love Florida: 'nuff said? I can do this any day for about 9 months out of the year. This day, the water was perfect, fish were visible, the sky was clear, and the sun was kissing my skin!

The Beach
Here we are again. Such a lovely day. I saw a few birds looking for their next meal.

True Happiness.
Being in an environment such as this is soothing and wonderful. I only discovered rock climbing in January, and I had no idea how much I would soon love this sport. (maybe become addicted is better word?)

Duncan
Thanks to Duncan, I now know how to lead climb, clean the top rope, repel down, and play black jack. This is the British fellow that I met in Thailand. Hopefully we will climb in Britain or Europe... real soon!

lead climbing
According to Duncan, I was an "expendable youngster" and therefore he would have me lead climb most of the time so that he could top rope. I needed the practice, anyways.

repelling down the mountain
When you climb, you must make sure that you clean your gear at the top of the mountain. Once cleaned of your personal gear, you repel yourself down. That is what I am doing here.

Climbing
The smartest thing I did whilst climbing was NOT TAKE MY MOTHER. She would have been so nervous with her daughter going vertical up on these mountains.

READY TO CLIMB!!!
Duncan and I are heading out to Red Rocks to feed our addiction.

Welcome to Red Rocks
Las Vegas was a fun vacation- post finals- gift. I left the day of finals to climb. Here, the mountains are sandstone, whereas they were limestone in Tonsai.

Hiking up the mountains to climb
Here, anyone who enjoys hiking would love this. For climbers, hiking is a warm up. Especially considering how much gear one is carrying.

Joel hiking up the mountain
Joel is an excellent climber and a natural teacher. Joel and his wife left the kids with the grandparents.

Duncan smoking
Here Duncan is enjoying a smoke at the end of a hard day's climb. Well, I'm not sure how hard HE actually climbed.
At any rate, he was ready for a beer.

dirty hands
Hands get dirty while using climbing gear. Here, my fingertips are missing so many layers from gripping the sandstone that I'm quite sure I could commit any crime and the police would never be able to get proper fingerprints.

Boulder, Colorado
Before climbing in Colorado, you must cross the water. Fortunately, there is a cable connecting the two sides.
Look at the beautiful steam and mountains where I will be moving soon!

The Colorado Millers
I write this with a smile, as I remember when Holly and Tim first started dating. Aspen is so cute, and much loved. Holly had a mid-wife and a home-birth. This is one blessed baby!

Aspen shopping with me.
I never had so much attention from the employees wanting to make sure that I found everything I needed. It was quite odd, as I never realized how much attention a baby attracts.

Baby Aspen and Joni
Taking the babe out for a stroll.

Aunt Molly
My 96 year old Nanny.
I love you Nanny!!!

Dad.
Daddy and Me. I still think that I have the World's greatest dad. He is pretty incredible. My mom is also part of the 'Craig Zalk fan club.'

John Stellar
John is the Public Relations Man for the movie, "the Secret" and PAX Programs. Two things that are amazing. John is amazing.
Good Bye, John!

Cousin Mark
Here is my Cousin Mark enjoying my Beer Chicken. He and my father are very close. He loves to tell me about the many times my dad sat on him and farted on his head. He has so many stories of my dad as a mischevous kid. Don't worry Dad-I don't believe them at all.

Beer Chicken with Cilantro
Cooking in my grandmother's kitchen.
You want some? I know you want some, you want some now? How 'bout now? The chicken is organic, and the avocados are so ripe... you know you can't say no...

Beer Chicken with Cilantro
Marinate chicken in cheap beer. the cheaper the better. Grill with spices (paprika, salt, garlic-just use "Tony Cachere" seasoning.) Pull together a ton of cilantro, tomatoes, avocadoes, couscous, and throw the chicken on top. Top with lemon juice. Yummy!

GUNS
Here is my very first gun. From what I gather about other countries, America is the only country that makes guns so easily available to the public.
Even the police in Britain don't carry guns. They have to call the station to request access to the gun that is locked in the car and be given a certain code to get the gun out of the lock box. By the way... check out the accuracy of my shooting. I had it quite a ways back. I think around 25-30 feet.

Comments

[kendra]

i like it a lot!
looks like its just the beginning of amazing adventures to come. can't wait to read about what goes down whilst on the road. stay safe and party on sister. time to make Mat jealous as he goes to work and you get to play!