233: The Serendipity Episode
A GREAT time was had by all at our inaugural PodCastaway Retreat with these amazing humans! Saying goodbye was bittersweet, but the retreat weekend was only the beginning of Team 10K helping these new podcasters amplify their voices in the world of podcasting! And our Discord group has kept us right there by their sides for feedback and assistance ever since they left!
While her parents visited her in MA, Lulu’s Mom brought her some of her yummy homemade chili oil and also bought a big bag of Cheetos! Lulu is now obsessed with dipping the Cheetos in the chili oil…and she likes it even better than Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, so that’s sayin’ something!
Alison turned a former wishlist item (a new phone case w/card carrier) into a new obsession. Well, that is until Lulu let her know the possibilities of identity theft involved with her new clear phone case. So, back to the drawing board for Alison! She now wishes for a super new phone case, possibly one with AI interaction. These two are clearly great inventors!
Lulu loves having flowers and plants around her, but she just doesn’t want to have to care for them to keep them alive. So, she’s wishing for a service where someone else would take care of that for her. This kid looks like she does a good job!
Again, Alison had to change her wishlist this week based on Lulu’s insight about her new obsession. Maybe try this one? It’s not clear, so you can keep your info safe.
If you haven’t seen this movie, Serendipity, you’re missing out! So many things to love about this rom-com! First of all, John Cusack (I mean…c’mon!) and second…it’s just romantic as hell!
Lulu’s 10K day was chosen for the name of the retreat she visited later in her day. But, it started at the luxurious Airbnb home that has a private beach in the countryside of Valparaiso, IN. Although she felt is was a tad ‘model home’ looking, she knew she could remedy that and make it more ‘homey’ by purchasing $1000 worth of art work (and hopefully a rug) at the Valparaiso Art Festival.
Boy, was I excited when I saw where she was going to have breakfast! I miss the gooey buns at Le Peep! This breakfast chain used to be the go-to spot for breakfast in Orlando in the early 90’s, but eventually they were taken out of FL. Click on the link for a recipe for the gooey buns. Soooo good with ‘Mom’s Sassy Apples'! Lulu got her usual order of Eggs Benedict served with “Mom’s Sassy Apples” and Peasant Potatoes before heading to the Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse) to learn all about Valparaiso.
Next stop was the inspiration for her trip to Valparaiso…The Retreat at Serendipity Province where she opted for the ‘Happy Anniversary, Honey’ package that lasted just 5 minutes over 4 hours. It includes: “Pas De Deux Massage, Mint Chocolate Body Masque, Essence of Soul Session while enjoying Non Alcoholic “Berried In Sin cocktail & Sweet Fondue Pot with Seasonal Fruit, Eco-Fin Hand & Foot Treatment, & culminating with an Avocado Stone Facial. Eco-Fin is an aromatic paraffin alternative. Wonderfully Luxuriant. Impossibly Rich.”
Always ready to share a fun, new experience with her bestie, Lulu flew Alison to NYC to pick up 2 Serendipity Golden Opulence sundaes from Serendipity, an iconic NYC spot known for it’s frozen hot chocolate and more! This place plays a big role in the movie as well. (insert romantic sigh here) Using her new Yeti Roadie hot pink 24 Hard cooler and some dry ice, Alison transports them to Indiana to meet Lulu at the airport where they jump on a helicopter to eat their $1000/each sundaes before an incredibly unique dinner experience at Chicago’s Next Restaurant. They enjoyed the World's Fair Menu, ‘A playful, culinary trip to the World's Fair, showcasing innovative techniques and ingredients inspired by inventions of the past.’ You’ll want to check out their website as the food is so uniquely themed and displayed. I can only imagine it’s also delicious!
This week’s magic word (Serendipity) brought Alison to Todos Santos, Mexico where she stayed at the luxurious hacienda-style Serendipity Resort with a panoramic view of both the ocean and the mountains with a walk-around balcony in the Upper King Suite. She spent the day learning to surf with Mario Surf School and tipped them FAT so they would keep her safe from all the ocean’s dangers, but mostly sharks.
Lunch was at Hierbabuena, a beautiful al fresco restaurant down a dirt road that’s surrounded by their kitchen garden. They have an extensive menu using herbs and vegetables from their own garden. She ordered the enchiladas with a fresh, rich, and flavorful red sauce. If it’s cold out, all the chairs are draped with Mexican blankets so you can cozy up.
Since this day was quite affordable so far, Alison put her ‘outside of the box’ thinking cap on and decided to withdraw 50 $100 bills from the ATM and write Serendipity Sunset on them and leave them in random spots around town during the day, in hopes that those recipients would then meet her at the beach for a Serendipity Sunset Party. To show the Universe she expected them to show, she hired Chavez Catering, a local caterer who creates private beach dinners, bonfires, elegant picnics to catch the sunset and they can all be arranged with local acoustic live music. They provide tables, chairs, plates, glasses, cutlery and everything you need to have a special experience.
The Universe heard & delivered as 10 people showed up for the sunset party! After dinner & sunset, she took them to Baja Tattoo to each get a tattoo to commemorate the occasion! She started with the idea of matching tattoos, but soon she realized that including her, there were 11 serendipitous soulmates and the word, serendipity, has 11 letters! So, they each got a tattoo of one letter from the word, starting with Alison (S) and then each next one determined by the order in which they arrived.
And to celebrate the newfound friendship, they all went to Tequila Town to try out the over 200 tequilas & mezcal they offer. Without all the big stuff in this day, Alison and Lulu also realized they could actually afford to stay at the Serendipity & do some of this trip! I always love a 10K “We can DO this!” moment!
Being in a town without a car, Lulu is happy that grocery delivery is so easy and available. Although, she does miss being able to browse the grocery store for new exciting items to try.
Alison is happy that not long after the taping of this episode is her premiere of the movie she wrote, directed, filmed, edited, choreographed, recorded & edited music tracks for her teenage students. She’s a beast, that Alison! Congrats on a job well done!
CHECK OUT THE CHARITIES WE FOUND IN THE CITIES WE VISITED:
Hannah’s Hope
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