Italian Dining with Scott & Alise

I've been staying in Clearwater (near Tampa) with great friends Scott Howard and Alise Torhus this week.

I keep calling it Tampa. Scott quietly interjects each time with "Clearwater" to remind me exactly where I am at. *laugh*

I am forever grateful for not only their friendship and hospitality, but their love and grace with caring for me this week whilst I have been recovering from a lung-gripping flu... post my Caribbean Cruise.

Whilst most of my days have been spent lazing around in my 'heart' pajamas... we have been out and about a few times. Including two nights ago when I wanted to express my gratitude for them in my life, and took them out to dinner.

We went to Macaroni Grill (Alise's choice) and enjoyed a fun night eating delicious Italian food.

Grateful to always have my flipvideo, I captured the essence of the restaurant and staff, as well as our fun experience.

Enjoy!

x Katie Joy

Cave Tubing in Belize - An Internet Marketer's Caribbean Cruise

Last week I was absent from the internet world, as I was cruisin' the Caribbean Sea on the annual (Mike Filsaime's) Internet Marketer's Cruise.

Seven fabulous nights and eight days on the Carnival Dream.

And a dream it was.

One of the great highlights was cave-tubing in Belize.. quite an adventure after trekking through the jungle for half an hour to get to our beginning point of the cave entry.

The water was freeeeeezing! But the adventure was worth it.

Along with all the laughs.

The rest of the week's highlights also included:

• Jeep driving in Cozumel, and visiting Mayan ruins
• A beach party in Roatan (Honduras)
• More Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya
• Networking onboard the ship with some of the best internet marketing minds in the world
• Plenty of cocktails
• Dancing
• Fun! Fun! Fun!
• Making plenty of new friends and Joint Venture Partners from around the world....

(For more pictures: check out my facebook profile)

With all the fabulous time during the event, my heart and mind sends love and attention to those in Haiti, who were affected throughout the same week from such a devastating earthquake.

It reinforces my gratitude for my life even more... and serves as a reminder that we just don't know when our life expiry date comes up, or what circumstances we will face in our life.

When I was a Paramedic and worked for St John Ambulance for almost 8 years... I learned: that EVERY moment of EVERY day is precious.. live in the NOW, Live in your truth, Love and share it... and take action every day to live life on your terms.. there may not be a tomorrow to pursue your dreams.. do it today. ♥

Eating Alligator in Florida...

It's been almost two weeks since I've blogged. And this is a little out of sync.. although, it is TODAY's event!

Today, I ate ALLIGATOR!

I'm staying with friends in Clearwater, Florida (near Tampa) and celebrated a day of fun with my friend Scott with a Margarita and Alligator bites..

Excuse the husky voice.. I've been helping my body recover from a lung-wrestling flu...

I'm taking a few days 'vacation' after an incredible and intense Internet Marketer's Caribbean Cruise last week... more coming on that update.

Grey's Anatomy - I got to sit on the lap of "Mr McDreamy" Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey, a.k.a. "Mr McDreamy", or Dr. Derek Shepherd, the neurosurgeon on 'Grey's Anatomy' was on my Delta flight today from L.A. to Orlando.

As I went to enter the flight, I noticed the 'buzz' from the flight attendents whispering to staff and other passengers boarding. "Patrick Dempsey's on the flight!" And with a short pause, "but we're used to famous stars flying with us."

Now, I rarely watch T.V. or listen to the radio. BUT, I have always been a fan of the quirky prime time T.V. show "Grey's Anatomy."

And Patrick Dempsey's conflicted character has always made me curious, both in his thought processes and dare I say, in his delicious looks!

As we boarded the flight, we all moved forward down the aisle in an orderly fashion so as to take our seats. Every single person passed Patrick, since he was sitting in the FIRST aisle first class seat.

I sat in my exit row aisle seat. This time in economy. I usually fly United, and get the first class upgrade. I'm happy to take economy on this flight simply to share in this universal alignment.

As I settled into my seat and sat watching the last of the passengers board, I realized that "if I don't ask, I don't get." I got my new waterproof digital camera ready (the one I just bought at duty free to take on the cruise) and set off down the aisle at a fast pace. I didn't want to be stopped by a Nazi airline steward.

I reached Patrick's seat and squatted down in front of him. He looked a little taken aback, yet I soon saw his face relax.

"Hi!" I announce, "I'm Katie and I'm Australian." (OK, I'm pulling whatever favor card I can right now)

I watch his face soften. "I was sitting back there and realized that if I don't ask, I don't get."

I watch for him becoming more receptive. He is.

"If you say "No", that's OK, and I just want to ask if I can have a photo with you."

I smile.

It wins.

"Sure," he says and radiates his branded smile that melts my heart.

The guy behind Patrick says, "I'll take your photo!" I hand him my camera.

I'm shaking!

Patrick smirks his delicious lazy smile.

He starts to twist in his chair to get ready for the photo. In order for me to get in it, I need to get closer. He's so humble. And polite. I am almost sitting on his knee. Then I ask, "can I sit on your lap?"

"Sure," he says... and I do with glee!

The photo is taken, as the flight attendants are insisting that all electrical equipment be shut off.

I grace Patrick with my gratitude... "you've made my day," I say with a radiant smile.

He lights up with his grin I only know from the the T.V. Show as "Mr McDreamy."

"Thank You!" I say and leave him in peace.

I skip down the aisle and enter back into economy where there are a bunch of people who roar into applause at my audacity... I do a little jig and dance in the aisle, so happy and elated.

People clap and laugh with joy.

As I am walking back to my seat I hear, "Katie! Katie Gilbert! From facebook!" I turn to see a familiar face. It's a friend I have met on facebook, Blake Mitchell."



We connect and Hi five.. "Wow! Such a small world!" I say. He nods.

"I'm now Katie Joy!" I state. Blake smiles.

I feel famous. *laugh* The irony is I went to connect with someone I know as famous in the front of the plane, and on my way back, someone recognizes me!

I'm thrilled.

As I take my seat, I reflect on the moment. Proud of myself.

I learned a terrific lesson.

If you don't ask, you don't get.

And.. if you ask.. you most often get what you want.

I wonder how many people on the plane may have thought of the possibility of doing what I did, but no-one else took action.

I did.

That was the learning.

Stepping up and taking action.

I was nervous. I was aware that I might get a "no". But I figured that if I didn't ask it was an automatic "No!" anyway.

If there is one thing I want to share, that is:

JUST DO IT!

Follow your heart.

Take action!

Do it with grace, respect and love and everybody wins!

First Day in L.A. ...a day of comical mishaps

First Day in L.A. ...a day of comical mishaps.

Avatar & Japanese Dining

After a fabulous ‘girls’ day out with Johanna, we all met up with some friends to eat out and to see Avatar.

One word for the movie ‘Avatar’ – “WOW!”

It blew me away! There is no other movie that I’ve seen that is that phenomenal. Every scene had me on the edge of my seat and captivated by the screen.

I often had to remind myself to breathe!

If you haven’t seen Avatar yet – then I highly recommend it… and make sure you see it in 3D.

Lunch With A Lizard!

Yesterday I enjoyed a delicious lunch and a glass of wine with my friend Johanna Ashley, in Sunny Queensland.

In the balmy tropical heat of the Sunshine Coast it’s not unusual to see and hear the gecko’s ‘chirping’. But today we were entertained by a larger cousin who decided to dine next to us… a ‘bearded dragon’ lizard!

Johanna is also a barrel of laughs, as her spirit shines even greater than her beauty (and she is a stunner!). I laughed at her reaction as a few guests (two flies) decided to play ‘noogie’ (Johanna’s word) in her Chai Tea!