Posts Tagged ‘Vacation’

Off On A Family Vacation…

Thursday, July 1st, 2010
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By the time you read this, we’ll be off enjoying time together as a family.

We picked an additional half week to spend with extended family to celebrate “Googley-Bears” birthday on Friday. He’s been talking about turning 7 for weeks now and we wanted to do something special for him.

Yes, he’ll turn 7 in spite of the fact that I’ve asked…

I’ve pleaded…

I’ve even made an attempt at ordering that he must remain at six for at least one more year but he won’t have any of it.

Little does he know that I have this picture already framed and prepared give to his bride on his wedding day. I’ve entitled it “Sand in Diaper” which was shot on a Weekend Getaway to Sandestin Resort several years ago.

Teach him to disobey his father. ;-P

Because I want to enjoy as much family time together as possible, I don’t plan on posting again here until after the 11th.

The newsletter will still go out as scheduled. (Part of this weeks publication is already done.)

Here’s wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Chow!

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Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
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Winners VS. Losers

Friday, April 2nd, 2010
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I received a Facebook “tag” yesterday morning from one of my connections. One of the things I love about the growing list of friends on Facebook are the quotes I see from famous people or simple words of wisdom provided by them personally.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate reading these words and quotes on my wall. Quite often the quotes I see are extremely timely for what’s going on in my current life – or like the one I found yesterday, I can relate to through my own experience. As I wind down the week, and get ready to spend a week with my family on vacation (the kids are on Spring Break) I thought I’d share my thoughts on what was forwarded to me – and see if you can relate.

It’s entitled “Winners vs. Losers”

Winners are always part of the answer.
Losers are always part of the problem.

Nobody’s perfect and everyone has problems – but why on earth do some people constantly dwell on the problem rather than looking for an answer? I mean – does complaining actually solve anything? While “venting” can make some feel better, it doesn’t resolve squat. Furthermore, until you actually find a solution to the problem – it’s never going to go away.

I’ll expand a little more a little later on how coming up with an answer can not only eliminate problems, but can also be extremely profitable.

Winners always have a program.
Losers always have an excuse.

Remember the goal setting you did back at the beginning of the year? (You DID do the goal setting right?) That’s your program – your road map – your blueprint. You wouldn’t build a house without some type of blueprint to follow. And for guys, I know this is hard…but it IS a lot easier when you actually READ the directions. You don’t however have to tell anyone. ;-P

Let’s say your “program” comes up short, or even worse, doesn’t work at all. Instead of making excuses and thinking you’re failure, think about what you could change or tweak that to produces a better result. I never look at anything I do as a failure, only a result.

Next time you think you need to make an excuse because somebody (even your own head) screams at you that you “failed” – think about this quote:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
~Thomas Alva Edision

Instead of coming up with excuses the next time you stumble and fall, think about what kind of adjustments you need to make to your program. What you come up with could be the light bulb you need to complete your program.

Winners say, “let me help you.”
Losers say, “that’s not my job.”

The appreciation that I receive on an ongoing basis for our newsletter is humbling. I remember a time in our company that if you weren’t part of a particular team, you didn’t get much help. I never understood that concept, and the thing that I’m probably proudest of these days is a willingness to help each other out regardless of who your sponsor is, your Power Team Leader, or your Director.

You’ll never know how good it feels to give unconditionally until you actually try. You know what they say about tithing – that works with actions too. What you give happily and without any expected return – comes back to you many times over.

Opening up our newsletter to everyone in our company has proven to be not only extremely rewarding – but produced ample opportunities for new ventures and income I could have never imagined if I didn’t freely give of my knowledge, skills and talents.

Winners find answers in every problem.
Losers find a problem in every answer
.

Wanna hear a really cool definition of an Entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is a “problem solver”.

Think about it.

Have you ever heard the story of Mike Nesmith’s mom? For those who don’t know the name Mike Nesmith – think back to The Monkees’. (And if you don’t know who The Monkees’ are – just call me an old fuddy duddy and read on…)

Anyway, Mike’s mom invented “liquid paper”. Her problem was she couldn’t correct her typing mistakes on one of those old fashion typewriters. (Please tell me that you at least know what a typewriter is.) She ended up using her experience as a starving artist to solve this problem and the rest as they say – is history.

An average housewife who was simply looking for a way to solve her problem.

Winners see a green near every sand trap.
Losers see 2 or 3 sand traps near every green

It’s so odd to me how so many people focus on the sand traps instead of the green. The Masters is coming up next week. Is there any question that these professionals have a laser focus on one thing and one thing only – the green. Imagine what their game would be like if the thought going through their mind as they take the club back is “Don’t hit the sand – don’t hit the sand – PLEASE don’t hit the sand!”

Those types of thoughts only ensure that the next thing that comes out of their mouth is “[expletive]! I just hit the sand!”

I can tell you from personal experience that listening (or reading) from those who focus on the sand will land you in that trap. And it doesn’t matter how strong willed you think you are. That kind of negative crap will rub off on you like it or not.

Instead, get yourself a Coach who will not only show you the green – but how to hit it every time.

All those Golf Pros you’ll see next weekend at The Masters have a Coach, and it’s because of their Coach (along with a lot of hard work and practice) that their playing on one of the most pristine tracks known to man – and you’re sitting at home watching.

Winners say, “it may be difficult, but it’s possible.”
Losers say, “it may be possible, but it’s too difficult.”

What the mind can conceive, it can achieve. Kennedy knew this when he gave our nation the goal of sending a man to the moon and landing him safely back here on earth. Ford knew it when he gave his engineers the task of creating a V8 engine.

Imagine where we would be if someone said “Nah – it’s too difficult.” The amount of problems and scenarios to overcome in order to land a man on the moon is mind blowing. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy – and I don’t know about you, but I’m nowhere close to knowing everything or feeling like I can stop learning, growing and expanding.

Walking was once difficult when you were a baby – but possible. Becoming financially independent in this current economic climate is difficult – put possible. If you see others doing it, it’s possible. The trick is finding out what they think – how they act – and what they feel. Then just model that behavior.

I won’t be around next week. Instead, I’ll be spending some time with my family and myself to work on more goals. I’ve checked off some born and achieved back in December and January – and it’s time to re-evaluate and create new ones. My own quarterly report if you will. I’ve also got some new ideas that you’ll find out more about in this weekend’s Newsletter and you’ll see one of the steps I’ve taken and how I’m planning to achieve this new idea.

So food for thought as we move into your week – be it spring break or not:

You’ll enjoy your weekend and you’re week much better if you think and act like a winner instead of a loser.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

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Do You ZamZuu?
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TSO #588629
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Until we get back around the way…

Monday, October 26th, 2009
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By the time you read this, our family will be in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. I’ve come equiped with my  “What part of NO do you not understand?” T-shirt which I purchased the last time we were in port here. (For those of you who have been here, you know why we need a shirt like this.) We’ll spend a relaxing day at Bamboo Beach Club since the kids wanted some beach time. (And still too young for Dunn’s River Falls)

Tomorrow is a big day in Grand Cayman. We’ll do a couple of excursions including swashbuckling on a Cayman Pirate Adventure in the morning and then spend the afternoon at Dolphin Discovery and the Cayman Turtle Farm.

Later that evening, we will dine and celebrate my daughters 8th (going on 18) birthday aboard Carnival Destiny.

This particular ship has been the top pick for a number of our clients since it was refurbished and started sailing it’s 4 and 5 day itineraries to the Caribbean from Miami. When Ronda and I were awarded Team MVP by our Directors at Convention and given a Carnival Gift Certificate as a way to say thanks for all we do, I pretty much immediately knew when and were we wanted to go.

Of course, you can’t have a proper birthday party without family involved. So we invited extended family to come along for the party on the World’s Most Popular Cruise Line. (They know a really good Travel Agent who got them one heck of a deal.)

So while you enjoy RPM and Red Carpet Day, we’ll be stuck down here in the Caribbean – thousands of miles away. (And lovin’ every minute of it.)

I’ll probably hit the internet cafe a time or two, but don’t be looking for any posts during the week. Like our newsletter that went out yesterday, this was written and scheduled last week before we left.

To keep you entertained – check out our favorite cruise tune this trip. I’m a classic rock and roller, but Michael Franti and Spearhead’s new tune “Say Hey (I love you)” gave me happy feet the first time I heard it. It’s got a create Caribbean beat and will certainly give you the itch.

So until I get back around the way – Enjoy!

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

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Do You ZamZuu?
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What’s Your Life Balance Barometer?

Friday, October 23rd, 2009
16
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When I first saw this story in Travel Weekly about Princess doing a survey on the most stressed out cities in the US I was intrigued. I mean – cruise lines have been helping people de-stress for decades. While I wouldn’t consider this survey Pulitzer material, it’s certainly an interesting read for those of us who want to sell more vacations. (If you want Pulitzer, I’ve been telling people for over a decade that a cruise is the best vacation money can buy.)

irate-cust-510The Princess survey was done in conjunction with Harris Interactive who specializes in custom market research. The press release also referenced Dr. Kathleen Hall, founder of The Stress Institute, who believes learning how to deal with stress is one of the most important things Americans can do to lead more balanced lives.

According to the survey the top-five things Americans feel will help them achieve better life balance include realizing financial success, improving physical fitness, getting organized and taking more breaks and vacations. Yet one in four Americans aren’t planning to take a vacation in the next year. (Siting “work-related” reasons for not taking one.) As a side note – these same Americans (particularly those living in Washington, D.C.) don’t think the President of the United States should be given any vacation days either.

Here’s the list of America’s Most Stressed Out Cities

1. Chicago
2. Houston
3. Boston
4. Los Angeles
5. San Diego
6. Denver
7. San Francisco
8. Detroit
9. Tampa (tie)
9. Portland, Ore. (tie)
10. Seattle
11. Washington, D.C. (tie)
11. Baltimore (tie)
12. Sacramento
13. Pittsburgh
14. Philadelphia
15. New York
16. Phoenix
17. Atlanta
18. St. Louis
19. Minneapolis
20. Cincinnati
21. Las Vegas
22. Dallas/Fort Worth
23. Miami

Not surprising that the least stressed city in the survey has a major cruise port. (Hummmm)

I found the Princess Press release and the findings are an interesting read. Some of them include that 72 percent of Americas say they do not have balance in their lives, but there is hope. Slightly more than half believe they can achieve life balance in the next five years. The survey also noted that the poor economy is a leading causes for life imbalance, followed by the need to lose weight.

My solution to achieve life balance? I’m going to tote the Princess line here – “escape completely” on a luxury cruise liner for a week. Have someone else do the cooking and cleaning, enjoy the romance of the sea, and there’s something about the turquoise water that just soothes the soul. 

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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Weekend Getaway @ Sandestin Resort

Friday, February 10th, 2006
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What was originally going to be a romantic getaway for two back on Thanksgiving ended up being postponed due to a death in the family that week. We thought we would have to cancel and forgo the entire weekend, but found the staff at the Resort very accommodating, and allowed us a 30 day extension, not once but twice.

We ended up bringing the kids with us due to the timing of the weekend, and while it was not the romantic getaway we had hoped for, we were glad we did. (The kids were really glad we did anyway. I’ve posted pictures of our trip on the web and you can view a slide show of the great sights and our experiance here. (Just remember to hit play!)

We left for our road trip Friday afternoon from Atlanta for our 5 ½ hour road trip. Our reservations were a bayside suite at the 8 story Bayside Inn, adjacent to the Conference Center, Spa, and the Linkside Golf course. We found the suite very large with a small balcony overlooking the Chotawatchee Bay, small kitchen and separate bedroom for the adults. A tour of the hotel gave very spacious rooms with either two double beds or one king size bed. One nice feature of these rooms was the stove top, small refrigerator, coffee maker and toaster complete with plates and silverware. Something you don’t find in most hotel rooms.

The hotel is being upgraded and updated. One half of the hotel is blocked off for this upgrade and should be complete by the summer season. While to hotel did not look worn, the rooms were certainly dated from the wallpaper and cabinetry.

Much like cruise ships, our room key was our charge card for the weekend. Any extras could be charged to the room for any amenities, which were plenty, on the resort. The resort offers many extras including several golf courses, bicycle rentals, Salon and Day Spa, canoes and kayaking, parasailing, scuba diving and plenty of shopping.

With such a large property, the resort offers a tram service which we found very enjoyable. A call to guest relations from your room phone would call a small bus to the front door to wisk you off to one of 25 stops around the resort. When you’re done and want to go back, or to another location, courtesy phones are located at each location to call for a pickup.

We made several stops via the tram service. Our first stop was Jolee Island. A small island located in the Chotawatchee Bay. A bridge connects you to the island and has a 1/3 mile nature trail that circles the island. Picnic tables are located at several locations along with park benches to sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery. A play Pirate ship complete with swings and slides is also located for the children to play. While we were there in off season, we had the entire island to ourselves.

Our next stop via the tram was The Village of Baytown Wharf. A classic southern style “town square” filled with restaurants and shops for the most discriminating taste. In order to give Mom or Dad some time to shop, there is a HUGE 9000 square foot Adventure Landing for the kids to play. Donated and built entirely by volunteers, Adventure Landing provides hours of play for the kids, which can translate to hours of shopping for Mom. Dad can sit back and relax while the kids enjoy their exploration. (Adult supervision is required while your kids are enjoying Adventure Landing.)

It was hard to decide where to have dinner with so many choices later that night, and wish we could have had more time to experience other restaurants in the Village. We would have liked to experience Poppy’s Seafood Factory, Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille or even Acme Oyster House which gave a distinct feeling of the French Quarter in New Orleans. We did experience Rum Runners that night which gave a distinct Island feel and wonderful selection of both land and seafood.

Some of the shops along the Wharf included Exquisite Interiors, Destin Jewelers, Jazzee Bath & Body, and Toys & Treasures. All very unique shops with wonderful selections to provide memorable gifts or souvenirs of you experience at Sandestin. We found the Village one of our favorite places during the weekend and would like to go back to experience some of the “night life” without the kids at some point.

Later that afternoon we finally hit Sandestin Beach. One of our favorite places on earth is a beach and Sandestin Beach did not disappoint. One of the most striking points about the beach was how white and soft the sand was, and oddly enough, not a seashell in sight. Having so much soft white sand however, can cause a bit of a problem for our son, who ended up getting sand all over him, thus he decided to take it upon himself to make it a “nude beach” which I don’t think the Resort would approve of, but was one of the classic moments of the weekend.

Being there during off season, gave us plenty of room to spread out and let the kids run around. I can only imagine how busy this beach can be during season and would also agree with The Travel Channel as one of the Top 10 Florida Beaches. Rental of beach chairs, umbrellas and cabanas are available. Guests may also enjoy one hour free rental of boogie boards and kayaks by presenting a Resort Card. And for your convenience, sunscreen and beach-related products are sold in the beach huts. The beach service does not accept cash, so bring your Resort Card with you to charge items to your room or your credit card.

Our next stay at Sandestin would most certainly be in Beachside Hotel One or Two with a view of the emerald waters of the Gulf Coast. The two hotels reside right on the beach and with the tram service, gives us easy access all 2400 acres of the resort. Plenty of other hotel options are available all around the resort and Condo’s are also available for an entire family.

An option I wish I would have been able to enjoy was the golf. I didn’t play a single hole of the 72 holes they have available at the resort. Four courses weave throughout the resort, and each has a character of its own. My wife would have also liked to have spent some pampering in the full service spa. Something she has not done since our last cruise. Both these options would have been enjoyed if we had been there on our own without the kids.

In closing, we found Sandestin a wonderful family resort with something to offer the entire family. We also see incredible potential as a romantic getaway for couples who want to rejuvenate a relationship. Most importantly it rejuvenates the individual soul of anyone who stays at this Oceanside paradise.

The entire family highly recommends Sandestin Resort and hopefully we’ll be back soon. With so much to do, my wife if looking forward to going back with the kids and bringing some other mom’s with kids with her this summer for a full week at the beach. We are also looking forward to going back without the children for another quick getaway weekend. You can find rates off our booking engine from $110 per night to $300 per night depending on season and hotel or condo you would like. Check out the current rates we have for the resort, or feel free to give us a call to see what we can do for your group.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight
Doug & Ronda Bauknight
AKA: TravelPro
Travel Agent / Networker
Phone: 678.458.5812
Learn How To Become A Travel Agent

Book Your Travel & Vacations With


Do You ZamZuu?
Do You ZamZuu?
TSO #588629
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