If you’ve ever doubted Ken and Barbie exist—look no further! Meet John and Ariel, the real life Ken and Barbie! They even have the perfect Barbie dog: Buddy!

I met this beautiful couple when I started working at CBS 12 News in West Palm in 2007. Fast forward four years—they’re married and expecting their first baby in just one week (and counting)!

Thanks so much for letting me photograph such a wonderful and exciting time in your lives! Can’t wait to meet the Baby Barbie!

The wrath of Hurricane Irene made landfall in Bahamas late this week as a category 3 hurricane before pushing up the eastern seaboard. It shifted past Florida with its outer bands producing tropical force winds. I spent Thursday morning reporting from South Point Park on South Beach. The strongest gust I clocked on my wind gage: 14 mph. We escaped this one by sheer luck! Yes, a reporter (me) standing out in the storm that wasn’t! It’s all part of my job!

Friday morning, my colleague CBS 4 Photojournalist Doug Johnson and I flew over the Bahamas surveying the damage. We were invited by the President of G&G Shipping–the primary cargo carrier between the U.S. and Bahamas and the owner and president of Sky Limo. Both companies needed to assess the damage before getting back to business. While the structural damage was extensive, it could have been much worse. Locals credit stricter building code following Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

We flew over Bimini, Long Island, Cat Island, Harbor Island, Exsuma and finally landed on Eleuthera where we shot our story. We saw power lines down, shingles snapped off roof tops, boats high and dry and farmers left with a flooded crop. All in all, given the power of Hurricane Irene, the Bahamas fared well.

Here are some images I captured before and during our flight:

Sky Limo Owner and President Tom Conlan, Kara and Doug in Fort Lauderdale before take off

There was little damage on beautiful Bimini

Incredible sand bar just off Bimini

Destroyed Docks off Exuma

Shot of the murky blue water. I’m told it’s normally crystal clear

Boats that fared Hurricane Irene well and one that didn’t

Roof and structure damage on Cat Island

G&G Shipping’s containers knocked over by strong winds

Catamaran high and dry

No damage for the Glass Window Bridge on North Eleuthera

More roof damage

Harbor Island

Here’s to a successful recovery for the Bahamas and U.S.

There are many things I love about Sundays. One of my favorites is The New York Times Travel section. I used to subscribe to several daily newspapers, but now I mostly read online. Except for Sundays. The Times still arrives bright and early and is always waiting for me when I open my front door. I make the coffee and Nelson divvies up the paper—I take travel, business and style. He takes the rest and wants business when I’m done.

I’m always inspired by the beautiful photography and eloquent writing of the varied pieces that fill the travel section on a weekly basis. This morning I was thrilled to see Slovenia captured as the lead story. Oh Slovenia, how I love you!!

I traveled through this quaint country in March on my 50 day round the world adventure and was delightfully captivated! My dear friend Larisa and I planned just two days in the country’s capitol—Ljubljana—that afterward we described as a fairytale! Once we experienced what life was like here, we wanted to stay longer!

Inside Old Town Ljubljana

Larisa, me and the Alps! This was taken on top the castle in Ljubljana

If you’re considering a vacation to Europe in the near future—look no further—go to Slovene!

Here’s Seth Sherwood’s piece on Slovenia in today’s New York Times. We both share very similar perspectives on the country—from fashion to food—it’s why I connected so much with the piece.
The Times also posted a great photo slide show that you can see here.
And of course, here’s my blog on Slovenia after my visit.

Till next time…Carpe Diem!

Please meet two of my very favorite little boys. They happen to belong to two of my very best friends, Carrie and Becky. Grady (14 mo.) belongs to Becky. Ben (2mo.) belongs to Carrie. We’ve know one another since preschool! I love these girls so much and it’s been a blast watching them become Mamas! They’re amazing!

I took these picture last week when I was in Seattle for a family wedding. The girls were so wonderful to allow me to practice my snapping skills on the boys. We had such a fun day! It’s not hard to see why I adore these two little bundles of joy!

Gregarious Grady meets Baby Ben for the first time!

Baby Ben / 8 weeks old!

He’s such a precious little pea!

Grady / 14 months

Grady takes on the WORLD (that’s my boy)!!

When I was home at Christmastime Grady had just learned how to clap. He’s full of joy! It’s hard not to laugh and clap right along with him!

Grady and his nanny and best buddy, “Auntie Bud”

Thanks girls for a wonderful day. Somehow we never snapped a picture of the four of us. Next time, for sure!

Dear Japan,

My prayers are with you as you endure some of the most difficult days your county has ever faced. I learned about the earthquake / tsunami while traveling in Ireland two months ago. Since then I have visited eight countries—all with different cultures, practices and faiths. From Turkey to Thailand one theme continues to be consistent: prayers for Japan.

Inside St. Stephen’s Cathedral—Vienna, Austria (left) Inside a cafe—Ljubljana, Slovenia (right)

When I started planning my 50 day round the world adventure you were at the top of my list. You’re a country so rich in culture, beauty and sophistication—I was so excited to experience all you have to offer. This was my opportunity to seize the day and explore North Asia’s true gem.

As the situation escalated at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant—radiation levels went through the roof—I grew concerned about the reality of traveling safely. And so did my husband and family.

So with a heavy heart I made the decision to cancel my seven-day journey through your beautiful county. I changed planes in Tokyo from Bangkok to Chicago on my home after making a full circle around the globe. Just a few hours before I landed you experienced another 7.0 earthquake. I was reminded I made the right decision.

As a journalist it’s incredibility difficult to turn down the opportunity to share how Mother Nature has impacted your people and your places, even if it is for my own blog. Especially, from perspective of a journalist who covered the tsunami of 2004 in South Asia from Indonesia. This time, my family won the battle.

My prayers are with you Japan. I know I’ll be back, someday.