Weekly Diary: April 25 - May 1, 2025

Weekly Diary contains what I did and how I felt during the past week. Weekly Diary will be published on my blog every Friday, For special reasons, the weekly diary will be delayed by a day or two. Let’s read my new weekly diary of April 25 - May 1, 2025!  This diary took place in Naples, Florida which is my Florida residence. 

Friday, April 25 - it was a relaxing and quiet day for me. I worked hard on being productive on my iPad. I started playing a new solitaire game, Disney Solitaire because I am a Disney superfan. I enjoyed playing solitaire a lot. Playing a solitaire game has helped me possess a positive mindset and numeric strategy. I went to Tacos and Tequila for dinner - I had a special berry hoppy margarita (the margarita was so refreshing and delicious), guacamole and chips, and two tacos- Cuban & BBQ Pork - yummy. 

Saturday, April 26 - My maternal aunt, Elaine and her daughter, Kate finally arrived down here. I shared a big hug with them. I haven't seen them in a year. They are staying in my house for a whole week. We all had Lebanese Feast for dinner. The feast is authentically delicious and fresh. (In fact, my maternal family is fully a Lebanese descent. Lebanon is a country in West Asia, most known for its diverse cultural heritage. My ancestors on my mom's side were Lebanese, and they spoke Arabic. They were also Maronite Catholics.) We had a lot to catch up! I am so grateful and blessed to be a part of the family on my mom's side! 

Sunday, April 27 - I had a broccoli cheddar quiche and fruit salad for brunch- yummy. I enjoyed spending time all day with my aunt and her daughter. I saw that my mom and her niece, Kate were in the pool. They had fun at the pool. We all went to Swan River Seafood for early dinner. I had a blueberry basil smash cocktail, crab stuffed mushrooms, and broiled seafood platter with beet & sweet potato salad and roasted baby carrots- what a perfectly delicious dinner!  

Monday, April 28 - I had a pool day with my family and my caregiver. The weather was so wonderful. I enjoyed relaxing at the pool with them. We headed to Ridgway Bar and Grill on the 3rd Street South for dinner. There is a bunch of lilac flowers decorated outside of the restaurant. I had the picture of myself in that area taken. At the restaurant, I had a glass of Chardonnay, Parmesan Encrusted Eggplant appetizer (breaded eggplant sticks), Coq Au Vin with pappardelle pasta (chicken, carrots, onions, pancetta, and red wine chicken-demi sauce), and crème burlee with raspberry dessert- what a fantastic meal. As we left the restaurant, we took a picture of ourselves together as a family. The picture took place in the same area as I took a picture of myself.

Me posing with a bunch of flowers on the fence outside of the restaurant @ Ridgway Bar & Grill on Third Street South. 

My mom (left), my maternal aunt Elaine (center), and my maternal cousin Kate (right) were surrounded by me outside of the restaurant @ Ridgway Bar & Grill on Third Street South. 

Tuesday, April 29 - I ate a slice of quiche for breakfast. My cousin was working remotely from my house. She is a busy person that loves traveling. My dad got me a salmon avocado roll sushi for lunch - I am a salmon and avocado lover! 😋 I had waxing done. We all headed to DaVinci's on Marco Island for dinner. Shortly before dinner, I posed in a water fountain next to the restaurant. At the restaurant, I got a glass of Pinot Noir wine, Caesar salad, Tortillini Di Carne (filled with short ribs and topped with sweet peas, mushrooms, and prosciutto in a cream sauce), and Napoleone cake (flaky puff pastry layered with a vanilla pastry cream, finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar, garnished with fresh berries) - what a magnificent dinner! It might be one of the Best Italian restaurants I've ever visited.... just because the restaurant makes fancifully delicious Italian cuisine. They bring a wonderful taste of Italy to your table!

Me at the water fountain next to DaVinci's restaurant 

Wednesday, April 30 - I had a delicious Lebanese omelette for brunch with my maternal family. My mom made the omelette - it's like a frittata, made of eggs mixed with herbs, Lebanese spices, and vegetables. It's my late maternal grandmother's recipe. I worked on my wardrobe lists - Listing and organizing things I wear helps me memorize day to day easily. We all headed to Del Mar on 5th Avenue South for dinner. Before heading to the restaurant, I stopped by the big heart installation- what a lovely spot to take a selfie. At the restaurant, I drank a beach party cocktail which made me feel so energized. I got a pita with spicy feta spread and hummus, and a lobster spaghetti. What a very delicious dinner! Shortly after dinner, we took a picture of ourselves together in the same place as I took a picture of myself before dinner. As we did a car race to go home, we were driving two separate cars. My dad and my family defeated me and my caregiver in the car race. 😂  On our way home, my caregiver and I saw my dad and my family in his car. My mom was making my late paternal grandmother's chocolate sauc. I wanted the chocolate sauce for my leftover napoleone cake because my mom offered me the suggestion. I ate it- yummy. I appreciated her suggestion. 

Big Heart Installation on 5th Avenue South 

 

Me and my mom wearing the same dress- Like Mother, Like Daughter! 

Entertainment: I watched a finale of Good American Family on Hulu. I was speechless and shocked when watching the finale.... I loved the limited series. It's based on a complicated true story of Natalia Grace who was adopted by an American family and then was abandoned by her adoptive parents. The storyline was beautiful but somehow dangerous. Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo nailed the performance as an adoptive mother of Natalia Grace.  I also loved the actress' portrayal of Natalia Grace. The whole cast did a great job. Watching the whole show made me feel pretty satisfied with how the story was written beautifully and emotionally but there are some scenes that are just dangerous and dark. I rate it 9/10. I think you should watch it. 

Thursday, May 1 - Happy May! It's my last month of the Florida season! 🥺 It is hard to believe that time flies rapidly. I will be returning to Cincinnati (my hometown) at the end of this month and living there until mid-December. I am not ready to say goodbye. But I will miss the paradise. I am looking forward to returning to my hometown and exploring new opportunities and places there! 

I worked out with my physical therapist and it was really great. I tried harder but my leg muscles felt a little bit tight when I stood up. I made sure my leg muscles were feeling good when I was done working out. I went to Kretch's on Marco Island for dinner with my parents, my maternal aunt, my maternal cousin, and my caregiver. We all had turkey dinner together. I also ate escargot before turkey dinner. It was a great dinner. My dad took me and my caregiver to the restaurant. 

The past week has been wonderful for me. It was filled with excitement, relaxation, fun, joy, laughter, positivity, and wellbeing. I am grateful for what I did during the past week. 😁🥰  

Thank you for reading my weekly diary. I hope you enjoy reading it. Let me know how you react to my weekly diary in comments below. I will post my new weekly diary next week.

🩷 Marisa