WOMEN ON THEIR WAY - Local Nation

An opportunity appeared in my email inbox. The subject line for the email read: Share your travel knowledge and enter for a chance to win! I often delete mail like that but I do have some travel knowledge and I was curious - win what? Well it wasn't thousands of dollars - bummer! As I understand it at the moment, I win the points/funds to take two trips to the Sponsor's properties and then I write for their travel blog about my experience. Not a bad deal and I get to say I'm a winner!! :-) Part of the entry is to write a 350 word "essay" (I hardly call a few paragraphs an essay but...) about travel and why I should get this privilege. Below is what I submitted.

"Traveling gives me such an appreciation of so many different things - old and new. Meeting people from other areas or countries, new sights and sounds, the food and photo opportunities are just some of what I love in the adventure of traveling, Sure, an adventure can get a bit messy, like an off-road excursion. Or, an adventure can produce conflicting reactions, for example, when scaling the heights of a mountain and you are awe-struck and unnerved at the same time. This is all metaphorically speaking since I do neither four wheeling nor climbing!
Nonetheless, the travel adventures of trying new foods, activities, customs and taking in the sites stretches me and usually enlarges my world. Life is too short to live in a small place! It's good to get away from the regular routine no matter what kind of routine it is. There is something about unfamiliarity to stimulate creativity, or open up new thought patterns or finally just relax! It's easier to see life in a slightly (or vastly) different way when out of our element.
Whether it's enjoying the shopping and energy of a big city or village life which is designed to slow you down; whether you drink in the sites from a cafe and people watch or plan your day filled with art, history and a 5 star restaurant, it's all about the experience. Travel is about allowing yourself the freedom to let go, be curious, find new passions, be surprised and reflect.
I've had the privilege of traveling to China, and many places throughout the Americas, as well as, living for over 10 years in Europe. My background is in architecture and I love photography. Photos can capture street scenes, people going about their daily lives, imposing and magnificent structures, calm and inviting beaches, any variety of landscape. They are wonderful memories and a glimpse into another world. I also enjoy sharing the world as it expands before me though word pictures because I want others to get a taste of my experience and be encouraged to go find their own travel adventure!"

What do you think? You can actually vote for me if you'd like. The voting period is in March - below is the link! :-)
Women on Their Way

Life with Brian - Part 2

We are out of our regular routine these past few days since we are in WA visiting family. We got to see our daughter's engagement ring IRL (in real life), at the moment Brian is out having some Father - Son time with our youngest, and earlier we celebrated Brian and my mother’s birthdays together. These are all wonderful events and certainly meant to be shared. Although I have to say I love our “regular” life as well.

Today I thought I’d continue a bit with “Life with Brian” (and living with someone with a chronic illness.) We are well into the winter season which does change our pace of life and possible expectations. Can I say our life is more volatile? I don’t think that’s an inappropriate word for the season, but only because of the storms - and I’m talking about the weather, folks!! No, we do not become more volatile with one another! :-) That would just be wasted energy - no room for that!

Weather patterns during the winter are just more unpredictable so Brian’s energy, pain and motivation levels fluctuate a lot more. Therefore, frustration with the situations, and blahs can dictate more than we’d like. (Of course, I can have my own blahs during the winter, too.) There are two aspects during Brian’s challenging season for me that are the most difficult. The first is that I can’t do anything to “fix” the situation. I would love it if I could suggest something or do something that would make him feel better. I don’t know exactly what he feels since I’m not inside his body, but even if I could know I still can’t change it. It’s always difficult to watch someone you love suffer. I can be there for him and listen IF he wants to talk but no expectations.

Secondly, there are times when I miss him. Oh, he can be sitting right next to me but he’s not himself. His pain, or fatigue, or blahs require his full focus just to get through the rough spot. Thankfully for all, those times don’t last too long - a day or two. I probably I miss him more during those tough times than when we are actually apart. I think that’s true because it is then that both difficult aspects come together for me.

All in all, I have no complaints because health issues are our only issue. We are both easy going and have a sense of humor. In my opinion, those are a couple of the key factors in a successful relationship. We appreciate the little things in life, look forward to the good times, try to live in the present, and be thankful - especially for each other!

Hold On!

I continue to engage in my sedentary pursuit of foreign real estate browsing. I mentioned Panama and Ecuador before and Mexico is also on the list with Nicaragua trailing in distant fourth. I also talked in my last post about changes on the forefront. Put those two things together and Brian and I have come up with selling the house and moving somewhere warmer and cheaper. (A few places in the States are also in the running!) Surprising? I'm still a little surprised at how quickly and radically our thinking has changed in the last six weeks. Perhaps you ask - why? Boiled down, the financial upset towards the end of the year caused us to drastically rethink the direction we want to move regarding our finances. By the way, the financial upset is resolved, and more positively than we had hoped! Thank God!

No specifics. No decisions. This, too, is a process. During one of my browsing times, I did run across a coffee plantation for sale in Panama :-). It's located in the Chiriqui province. I know I don't know how to pronounce that name correctly, but in my mind it sounds vaguely like "cheery." So when I teased Brian that we could buy a coffee farm, naturally the name of our product would be Carol's Cheery Coffee. Does it get any better than that?!

I doubt that buying a coffee plantation is in our future, :-) but we are open to new possibilities. After all, life is an adventure!

An Improving Economy Can be Correlated to...What!?

Normally I don't watch the news. However, my mother is an avid watcher of such. Over the holidays I was up visiting family and staying with my mother. So naturally one evening the news was on, and I was half listening while surfing the internet. The New Year is approaching and the local news was reporting about a poll that had been taken to assess the general outlook of people regarding 2012. I was not listening well enough to catch if it was a national or local poll; I did manage to hear that 62 percent of those asked were hopeful that 2012 would be an improvement over 2011. I wouldn't say the optimism was overwhelming but at least on the positive side. Time will tell, of course.

Although I have to say, the following “news worthy” story really gave scientific clout to the optimism, at least of the male population. What, you ask, announced to America that the men are thinking happy thoughts about the future? Why, of course, it's the increase of sales for men's underpants - boxers or briefs! “They” say that there exists a subconscious correlation between when men buy underwear and their optimism in connection with the economy! Who knew, but there you have it. If you needed hope for the future, here is a substantial foundation to build your dreams upon and feel confident about the upcoming economic stability. Just thought you should know, in case you missed that meaty story on your news program. :-) Interestingly enough, while getting ready for bed tonight my husband talked about needing to buy some underwear, not a topic that comes up often! Plus, he had neither heard the news story nor read my post. Hmmm!

By the way, count me in the 62 percent. I think 2012 has to be better than 2011. If not, I may return to my ostrich ways! Actually, I'm quite excited for the coming year – changes are on the forefront and new adventures. Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

My Christmas Card!

I don't do Christmas cards. I love the idea of them. I love getting them, although I never feel entitled to them! That's not the reason they are sent, I know. :-) But getting my act together in time to get the cards out just doesn't happen.

Merry Christmas to all!

So this year I'm letting this post be my greetings to everyone. As I've mentioned the holidays this year have caught me rather out of sorts. But I don't want to miss out on expressing my thanks and joy for just being! Let alone I have the gift of friends and family throughout the year. You all are a treasure!

I wish you all God's best in the coming year, a wonderful, laughter-filled holiday time and hope. Hope is the message of Christmas and it's sent with love.

Simple Pleasures

Christmas is coming in less than a week! It doesn't really seem possible but, then again, I'd be foolish to deny it!! I've moved slowly this year into embracing the idea of it all.

Last night we went went out with a couple of other friends for wine and appetizers. Honestly, we decided on going out because to pull something together at one of our houses was more effort than any of us had the energy for. The important point was getting together, and it was delightful. I won't bother you with a detailed description of all the yummies we had! Although taste treats are always enjoyable, it's the company that matters.

Last night was the whole package of a "holiday simple pleasure." I appreciated the Christmas lights inside and just outside our window, reminding me of the season. Our order of food (all shared :-) ) was a wonderful mix of flavors. The atmosphere was warm, the wine warmed my insides, I relaxed and engaged in the conversation that ranged from travel to Christmas visitors, family to future plans.

For me, this shows the best of the holidays. It is simple, more intimate, relaxed and relational.

Distractions Anyone?

What are your top picks for fun things to do? I love traveling but that's not something I can decide to do in the afternoon, for example. It does take some planning and money! A walk on the beach is very cheap; but I don't want to be wrapping my coat around me or afraid I'll be blown away, so the weather has to cooperate. Going to a movie is always a good option, if there is something worth seeing, although I realize that is a very subjective point. We went and saw Arthur Christmas yesterday. It was a great choice for a number of reasons - seasonal :), light and funny with a bit of sentiment, and a wonderful distraction.

I have to say that distractions are quite welcome these days. Perhaps I am really asking what do you do to distract yourself, rather than asking about fun activities. This is to admit I'm struggling a bit. I'm beginning to realize the stress of the recent and still ongoing financial dealings. (I think hormones are helping me to realize the stress and I'm not sure that I'd really call it helpful!!)

In the last 5 years or so I've adopted another low-key activity, maybe I should say sedentary pursuit, that I enjoy. It's looking at real estate by surfing online. Weird, you think?! It kind of is! I do have to have some interest in the area for one reason or another to even look. Plus, I reason the intriguing nature of it for me has to do with the fact that I used to practice architecture. At any rate, this is a good distraction for me lately, as well. I've gone far a field lately in my browsing - Panama and Ecuador! It's interesting to me to see the life, culture and architecture of a different country through their real estate. I also have to say it takes me far away from my present situation. Sometimes I just need a break. You too?

Mornings Don't Always Come Easily!

I love being creative and the results of that creativity, whether it's mine or someone else's; however, like most people, I am not creative in all realms. I function best in the artsy arena but not the crafty one, for example. I also like words and perhaps craft a bit with them although the art of poetry is not my forte. I saw the following poem on another blog I follow, and although you'll never see any poetry from me, this captured the essence of many a morning for me. So I thought I'd include it for your reading enjoyment.  

I slept late.
I am a slug.
But now there's coffee in my mug.

I want to go back to bed.
The sleep won't leave my head.
But there is much to do today.
So I will drink coffee instead.

I was warm & cozy, all tucked up in my bed.
We should stay here all day long my body told my head.
But I refused to listen even though it begged and pled.
I arose, went downstairs and made coffee instead.


It's really perfect and makes me smile! Perhaps some of you can relate, too. The blog post I got this from originally you can find here.