A Day On A Boat

On the 14th of May we headed out on the boat for a day of enjoyable horizons and fishing. With my Dad as the boat Captain we couldn't have been in better hands for cruising around. It was quite relaxing to be out on the water, in the warmth of the Florida sun with amazing people besides you.

Aside from seeing a manatee, and a dolphin I was quite excited to see a pair of Roseate Spoonbills. These pink colored birds are actually rare to see, yet they have been known to occasionally nest in the Sarasota area. The pink color occurs due to their diet, making them fairly easy to spot when they are among the mangroves.

For lunch, we stopped at one of my favorite restaurants, The Old Salty Dog. With its dockside tables, and the marine themed atmosphere, it is a relaxing place to come to when the weather is nice. What is terrific about the restaurant is being able to pull up on a boat, tie the boat off, get lunch and then go straight back to boating.

After lunch we started fishing, and together we caught 5 fish. 

All in all a terrific day spent on the water! 

Being Tourists in Our Own Backyard...

After my graduation from University of Richmond, Ole and Birgitte joined my family in Sarasota, Florida for a family vacation. We really took the time to live the Florida lifestyle. We went boating, fishing, took walks along the water, went to the best beach in the country, and took the time to go to local museums. It was incredibly nice to have everyone together in my hometown. Too often we forget what an amazing and unique place Sarasota is, so taking the time to explore was perfect. Instead of putting all the sights of our vacation in one post I shall split it up. 

When people hear me say that my hometown of Sarasota has the #1 beach in the country, they think that I am simply biased. Though I may prefer the sands of Siesta Key beach more than any other beach I have seen, it was actually rated as the #1 beach. 

My favorite thing about Siesta Key beach is, as I mentioned before, the sand. With a higher percentage of Quarts than the typical beach, the sand here is very fine grains, that are white in color. The only way to describe it is that it is like baby powder. 

I love watching the birds at the beach. From Laughing Gulls (commonly called seagulls), to several types of Pelicans, Herons and other wading birds, it seems like there are always a few entertaining birds at Siesta.

At Siesta Key beach there is an interesting tradition. Every Sunday, right around sunset there is a drum circle. It is not an elaborately planned or organized affair, yielding spontaneous rhythms, and entertainment for those who happen to be at the beach.

And people still wonder why I am picky when it comes to beaches!

Graduation from University of Richmond

This May, I completed my undergraduate education at the University of Richmond, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies with Departmental Honors, and with a second major of International Studies : World Politics & Diplomacy.

Finishing my Bachelor degree is still a bit surreal. The weekend of graduation itself was jam packed with receptions, traditions, and events to commemorate our commencement. I was really lucky that many family members were able to come to Richmond for the weekend, including my host parents. Not only was I thrilled to show everyone where I have been studying, but I felt the strength of my family's support, which was priceless. Family came from Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Denmark for my graduation weekend, making it incredibly special simply because everyone was together.

Birgitte, Ole, and I

The Levanti family, The Kelly family, and The Johnson family all together!

Words can never express how incredibly thankful I am for all my family members, those who were able to make it to my graduation as well as those who were unable to. Each and every family member has impacted the person that I am today. Their love is what gives me the strength to face life's many challenges. Without these amazing people in my life, I doubt I would have been able to finish my Bachelor degree at a place like University of Richmond. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to attend the University of Richmond, and I am thankful for my family who has given me the strength to succeed.

In September 2012, I will be a Master's student at Maastricht University in The Netherlands. No matter where I am in the world, I know that my family's love will give me the strength I need to face whatever may occur on life's path.