As usually the case exchanging with a fellow blogger Valenciartist came upon the idea of telling you a bit more than just travel and anecdotes in my blog. After all, my life has been very rich and why not have some in my blog which is after all my life’s stories. Therefore , here is a bit extra on me from my life in Central and South Florida !!!, and in Volusia, Broward and Miami-Dade counties !!! Of course, I have other posts in my blog. Hope you enjoy this bit of personal trivia as I.
Let me tell you a bit more on my personal life in the Central and South Florida of mine. It is said that to remember is to live again, well I am doing just that with this post and the one on NJ. Florida was the last land lived before my moved to my belle France in 2003. My nostalgic moments of our time in Florida, several years, college graduation, marriage, sons to show for it, the works.
I lived for 18 years in Florida in addition to four years of University studies!!!while living in NJ (see post). My first contact with the State of Florida took place in 1974 when I went from New Jersey to visit my father’s side aunt in Miami Lakes; it didnt seem that great, I guess I was already used to the cold weather from Spain and New Jersey lol! Then in August of 1977, I went to pursue my university studies there, and settled at Daytona Beach. It was instant love, the city was warm, sunny but also cool in winter, nice folks and the beach and the girls was awesome. Spring Break is an event all American college students need or do go thru in their life,and its not to be missed.
On January 5 1985 arrived for good, this time living at Seaside Drive, Ormond by the Sea (North peninsula) on a house my parents had bought for their retirement ::) Beach bum boy was using it first Lol!!! Living was great as I could use the school library ,and became active in the soccer/football team that was playing in the Daytona Beach YMCA fields. I did obtain sponsorship with Coronado Title Co for a Co-ed indoor soccer team that finish Champion in 1986!! It was easy as my team was made up of women from the Univ Central Florida(rank in top 10 in USA soccer) and resident guys from England , Greece, and Germany!
For a shorter story, time went on and while traveling met a young French girl (Martine) working in Paris living in Meaux Seine-et-Marne dept 77 Île de France region in 1989. This was quickly followed by visits to her family and hers to mine and before I knew it, this independent young men was married on December 26, 1990 at City Island municipal courthouse in Daytona Beach, deciding to live there. We went all over together, visiting France every year thereafter.
My last home was in Miramar ,Silver Lakes divison of Sapphire Bay sub-division in Broward county . While there came down to Biscayne Blvd and the French Consulat to become a French citizen in 2000; before moving permanently to France in August 23, 2003. We had 3 wonderful boys, one older (born in DB) and then identical twins,(born in Hialeah). While continuing to work in Miami Beacon Center area and my wife by the MIA airport. I have to add again here, sorry, the trip was not without losses as upon arriving in France my dear late mother Gladys passed away on December 27 2007, and later in the Morbihan breton my dear late wife Martine passed away on April 30 2018, so life is a beach cannot be all glory, there are ups and downs , and these were really deep downs; still sad and will always be sad, there is no words. My blog posts sweeting the pain a bit.
While in Florida early on was very much involved in my University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ,Eagles Soar as told by the Duke of Edinburg to our Pres John Paul Riddle upon training the British aviation personnel for the defense of their island nation before and during WWII.
I took part in the ERAU univ Soccer/football team as libero or central defender where we played all over the State of Florida from 1980 to 1982. Also, participated in intramural Volleyball, beach Volleyball ,and Softball always reaching semis or finals, and winning one in Volleyball ,and co ed indoor soccer at the YMCA of Daytona Beach, and Beach volleyball in Miramar !!
I,also, participated and was name Treasurer of the Univ Management Club, a great honor indeed as was voted by my peers. I signed myself the id card lol !!
I did my jury duty in the criminal courthouse of Fort Lauderdale, which gladly escape been chosen for the final jury. It was awful sad there…I was picked twice for the selection but escape both times !
I became involved with associations that were part of my job such as the National Association of Credit Management in USA. We had our branch out of Tampa, and also , Orlando.
I had my first management job function with an outfit called Promark Distributors out of Beacon center in Miami. This allows me to be member of the above organisation. In the mean time I was call up by big Microsoft for a job interview, it went so well the HR person told me the only candidate send to met them was me! I interview with a whole gang including the 2nd men Steve Ballmer at the time who came in for a handshake , another indication I was on the lead. However, after discussing with the wife, we decided the move was too far from France, and the area we lived was better so I refuse to the astonishement of my collegues, you have refuse Microsoft!! Yep I did it my way !
I was involved with the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Miami and importing wines from France with Philippe Dreyfus, a great great great…nephew of Captain Dreyfus famous affair in France. Also, participated on the first Spanish wines tapas event held at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables that after I left it has become the now famous South Florida Wine Festival! The event at the Biltmore Hotel counted with 35 Spanish bodegas and several Spanish oriented restaurants in the greater Miami area. I , also, participated with Alberto Mueller a journalist with Diario de Las Americas and hooked up with Gourmet Group of Spain introducing Spanish wines at Sunset Corners store at 8701 SW 72nd St. I went up to be awarded certificate as knowledable of Spanish wines by ICEX and French wines by SOPEXA. I was invited by dinner/wine tastings by Chuck Cassidy senior buyer of Crown Wines & Spirits, which I patronise first the store in Biscayne blvd North Miami and later the US 1 1590 South Dixie Highway, Coral Gables. I,also, worked for a short period at the ABC Wines and Liquors store that was in US 1, 725 S. Yonge Street, Ormond Beach and was in charge of wine stock and ordering under manager JD Brandy !!
And my last forays into politics were in the early 90’s before my eyes open up to American politics and no more. I continued to received recognition by Republican groups, which I kept them all for the tell tell of any bar lol !!!
In closing, I had the distinct pleasure to start using Cruises into the Caribbean with an outfit called Windjammers Barefoot Cruises. I did a post on it but it was great and many memorable moments of my stayed in Florida. Unfortunately, the boat Fantôme was sank and destroyed with crews on board by hurricane Mitch. I have the book of the sad story and a post in my blog. I have found me the certificate of participation!
As I am having lots of personal items here and my name, let me remind you all these are personal private properties and are not to be use in any way or manner falling under the US DMCA copyright rules which I have posted in my blog here: https://paris1972-versailles2003.com/1-all-rights-reserved/
The Daytona Beach tourist office (my oldest boy was born here): https://www.daytonabeach.com/
The city of Ormond Beach on leisure services (we lived here): https://www.ormondbeach.org/258/Leisure-Services
The city of Hialeah on things to see (my twin boys were born here): https://www.hialeahfl.gov/101/Visit
The city of Miramar on parks and recreation (we lived here last) :https://www.miramarfl.gov/1726/Parks-Recreation
My last Greater Fort Lauderdale tourist office: https://www.sunny.org/
The Visit Florida tourist board on Central East Fla: https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/central-east/
The Visit Florida tourist board on South East Fla: https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/southeast/
There you go folks, a lot more about me and my personal life in Central and South Florida ,where my working life took off exponentially ,that eventually took me to my belle France. My Florida will always be remembered !!!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 