Former La Mesa resident Asia Wright embarked Monday on a two-month cruise worthy of an adventure. She and her parents are flying from Fort Lauderdale, FL, to South America, where they will travel down one coast, fly out for a day excursion into Antarctica before returning to South America to cruise up the other side into the Caribbean.

On March 7, Wright will travel through the Panama Canal, a rare journey. "I've done it twice, though," she said. "I think I kind of overdid it the first time. We took so many pictures ... like a million a second." Not that this cruise will garner fewer photos. Wright bought a new camera for high-quality snaps, which she has promised to send Town Pulse. "I needed a nice camera," she said. "I didn't want to come back with blurry pictures."

Unlike many cruise passengers who take one too many visits to the all-you-can-eat buffets, Wright said she intends to use time on the ship to get in shape. "I'm getting back to me," said the Seattle maritime attorney, who has vowed to eat mostly fruit and salad during the day. "I'm getting back on the six-pack-abs plan."

Wright, who said she worked hard to afford to take this cruise, was excited at the prospect of seeing some penguins. "I can't touch them," she said, "but I will try to get as close as I can to them."

WAILING INTO 2011: New Year's Eve often brings good times filled with great music. This New Year's Eve wasn't an exception to the rule. Keyboard player Douglas Kvandal and saxophonist George Fogelman welcomed the year West Coast jazz style at GIO on La Mesa Boulevard. Kvandal and Fogelman are San Diego State University college buddies who enjoy getting together to play jazz standards from the 1950s and '60s. The two once played the Dr. Dean show at the Catamaran Hotel.

Kvandal gigs regularly around town, including first and third Thursdays at the Riviera Supper Club on University Avenue, Wednesdays at Candelas in Coronado, and Saturdays at King's Inn in Mission Valley. Fogelman jams in his own way as the creative director at Smart Kidz Media Inc.

FORGIVE ME, FATHER, FOR I HAVE…BINGO!: For those who love to place dots on numbers, St. Martin of Tours Academy is offering the popular game  at 6 p.m. Wednesdays in its parish hall. Proceeds go toward keeping academy tuition more affordable for students.