Why Do Old People Expose Themselves

Note to Naked Old People... guidelines for speedo wearing see above.

So my two sisters come into town to visit me over the weekend. Despite the fact that three Greek Girls under one roof is crazy enough, imagine how it is when one of them decides "Hey, we should go to the beach". HELLO... can we say "Muckery Central?..." Sure it's all fun and games until we get there and see an 85 yr. old man in a speedo (and we're not talking about the Jack Lalane type either, and no it wasn't Mr. Bricks ~ Thank you God). This subconsciously leads us all to begin wondering if we look good in a bikini or not? Now of course you can stop asking because yes we do, but it's just a default chip programmed in every girls brain. Greek girls have two of these chips - one for each side.... one for the Baklava and one for the spinach pie - just sayin.

On with the story.... besides the fact that my one sister's psychotic dog, (yes I did say psychotic people, it was actually eating the wall while we were gone) was at home unattended terrorizing my own four fur-kids. Oh to be a fly on the wall at the doggie party... So there we were, sitting there all comfy, blanket down, snacks and iced happiness ready to go, chairs properly positioned to bake ourselves into a golden spender (yes we were wearing sunscreen - no it wasn't olive oil - or made from olive oil extract) and BAM there it goes again. But this time it wasn't a man it was a woman.... wearing a thong bikini old enough to be my grama and lets just say on the very heavy side, she could have been on the senior version of the Biggest Looser ~ just sayin. So just as we blink... we happen to notice that she has not one but two tattoos larger than my head on each side of her butt. No I'm not kidding people. Then comes the highlight of the day: its' a toss up between the super skinny swimmer guy who decides he's gonna take a shower and expose himself in the public sprayer to remove the sand or.... the woman who dove into the water and had both boobs flop out of her top and proceed to act like nothing was wrong. No guys it was not Gisele Bundchen.

Now I'm not saying I don't love old people nor appreciate them, because I do. I adore my yaya and my grama in heaven, and I even sang for nursing homes after classes when I was in high school :D However... What is it about some older people who do not seem to get it that it is not kosher to wear less than Lady Gaga on the beach. I know they say less is more, and this is most often the case, but not so much when you have not kept away father time by taking excellent care of your miracle body like Jack Lalane. Anyone who knows me knows how much I adored the guy and if you are old and you look like that, be my guest wear what you want.

In the words of one of my other fitness hero's Tony Horton "Aging Schmaging, you can get all old and crotchety, or you can be in shape." I donno about you, but I'm going for the latter. Thus my working out like a machine.

Have a blessed day & don't forget the sunblock!

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

Why Old People Go To Florida

As I was growing up I always heard stories of cantankerous New Yorkers who would go to Florida for the winter.  I thought that was silly, who doesn't like a good snow storm now and then? My sisters and I secretly thought it was the hot Florida sunshine that turned the older ladies hair blue.

Well, I was such a naive little Greek girl.

After experiencing the winter that we did in New York this year, I hope I never have to go through something like that again. Buuuurrrrr, I get cold just thinking about it. So to treat myself, I decided to spend my Easter vacation in Florida this year. Maybe just to try to see if I can get that punk look with some blue hair action happening on top of my Blonde coconut.

It didn't take long to convert me. After one week, I decided that when I get old (about Mr. Brick's age) and when I am no longer on tour with my music, I'm going to be a snow bird, and fly south for the winter. 

Like in the video, this has been my social agenda for the entire week:

1. Lace on sneakers - go for run on beach.

2. Swing by Dunkin Donuts for iced coffee (yummo)

3. Chill on beach

4. Send Mr. Bricks a postcard saying, "I bet you wished you were here"  (The thought of Mr. Bricks in a speedo...ok, I just threw up a little in my mouth) Next day repeat steps 1 -4

Blessings,

Ava

xox

I Just Ate Deep Fried Pickles

Yummo. Deep Fried Pickles. My new BFF?

Still in Florida and loving it.

The best part about traveling is being out of your comfort zone. It's good to not get too complacent in life. When you are not in your own home night after night you tend to need to improvise to make things "more like home." Choosing what to eat on this vacay, has certainly  put me out of my comfort zone on a few occasions so far.

I normally make my own meals or have my meals prepared for me exactly the way I want to ensure that it is not loaded with unnecessary sodium and/or fats. Whenever I travel for a length of time like this I always have my secret stash, just in case I need a dose of healthiness.  However a Greek girl can't live on Coffee and Zone Bars alone, so I had to venture out of my comfort zone yesterday and try something new. Deep fried pickles.

At first I wasn't going to even try it because, well it was deep-fried. I was thinking, who do they think I am Mr. Bricks? He will eat anything deep-fried, I eat very little fried food. But at the last-minute I decided to throw caution to the wind and try them. And guess what? They were good. Don't get all excited Mr. Bricks you won't find deep fried pickles on my tour bus anytime soon. But in a social setting if they were being served, I wouldn't pass them up. I couldn't eat too many fried pickles as I still have a few more days I need to look good on the beach in a bikini.

Why is it that we take more chances doing things on vacation than when we are safe and sound in our own house and home towns. There are always pictures being posted on Facebook from people saying they just got back from vacation and look what they did, ate or saw. On the beach I also saw a few people who decided to wear things that I am pretty sure they do not wear in Oklahoma City. My Greek eyeballs are still burned with the image of those two older men in speedos ~ yikes!

I suspect that we all do things outside our comfort zone on vacation just for all of the bragging rights. Because look at me, not only did I eat fried pickles on my Florida vacation, I also bragged about it right here on my blog!

Time to put a little more sun screen on the nose....

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Flip Flops in the Sand

Flip Flops in the SandPhotos Courtesy of Wharman Photostream

I successfully made the migration to Florida for my 2 week vacation. Here is my itinerary:

• Plant my little Greek butt on the beach
• Stick toes in sand
• Enjoy the sunshine and warm weather
• Send "Dear John" postcard to Old Man Winter (it's finally over!!!)
• Send "I bet you wished you were here" postcard to Mr. Bricks
• Edit "Gone" music video to be ready for the April 28th premiere
• Go sneaker shopping

It  was such a long cold winter in New York this year and since I have been working so hard recently I really do not feel guilty about just taking some Ava time. But don't get your pantaloons in a wad, I will still be blogging from the beach. Blogging is not like work for me, I consider it Greek translation. As the words just flow from my noggin I put it down on paper... it's kinda magical, as if I didn't write anything at all - just sayin'. Song writing is like that for me as well, it just flows like butter, well actually  like "smart balance " or real olive oil - that's how I roll. My triglycerides are 33, so I think I'm good.

Blessings,

Ava

xox

Hawaii Vacation Portraits: Kailua, Oahu

This family enjoyed a Kailua-style vacation recently. One of the first things Grandma organized when she was planning the vacation was a family portrait session! We enjoyed meeting this lovely family.

Ihilani Resort, Ko'olina: Couple Portraits

Destination Wedding on Kailua Beach: Michael & Eri

This gorgeous bride and good-looking groom from Japan got married on an unusually windy overcast day in Kailua, Oahu, but the sun came out in time for their ceremony - hooray! It was a sweet, heartfelt bilingual ceremony full of happy tears. The couple took some sand from Kailua Beach with them in two small vials that they wore around their necks. Congratulations Michael and Eri! We wish you a very happy life together.

Flowers: Emi's Flowers and Gifts

Family Portraits on Lanikai Beach, Oahu

Hawaii Engagement Photography: Kama'aina Discount

Fifty percent kama'aina discount on engagement photography: $180 (regular price is $360). E-session package includes one hour of on-location photography on Oahu, a disc of edited and enhanced images with copyright release, and a private online gallery of images to share with family and friends. Offer is valid until January 30, 2010.

We are also offering beautiful Save the Date cards on high quality, eco-friendly paper. Please contact us for more information.

Honolulu Vacation Photography

Grandma, mom and daughter visited Oahu over the summer to enjoy some quality time together. The young lady belongs on the stage - she was so full of fun and theatrics and kept us laughing through photo session. We enjoyed meeting these three lovely gals.