Sunday, August 8, 2010
A is for Aperture!
Fabulous day in Coronado! I finally took a class to learn how to use my SLR camera (although now I realize that it's time to upgrade!). I'm exhausted, sun burnt, but so content. I'm doing things for me.. I'm making ME happy! Post will continue tomorrow... I need some sleep. I'll leave you with a few shots from today :)
Friday, July 30, 2010
Eat, Pray, Love.. My trip to Bali
"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
Last week I started reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I typically try to steer away from books and movies that are overhyped (especially Oprah book club picks!), but I've had several people recommend this book to me after hearing about my breakup and upcoming trip to Bali. I was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up and realized the book is about a 30 year old divorcee who travels the world alone to rediscover herself. She starts in Italy (I lived there for three years) and ends in Bali (I'll be there in October!) AH HA! It seems we have something in common :)
Reading this book has motivated me to start planning my trip. The day after the breakup, I called my travel agent to see if there was any way to cancel our (very expensive) non-refundable airplane tickets. I was even willing to pay a substantial cancellation fee. Unfortunately for my bank account, non-refundable means just that.
I knew there was a slim chance to none that I could find a travel buddy to replace GOP. Although I feel like I'm a fairly independent person, I've never travelled anywhere on my own. I've been on business trips, and I always feel a little lonely coming back to my hotel room at the end of the night by myself. A few days after the breakup, I unexpectedly ended up having drinks with someone that has travelled all over the world on his own. He convinced me (well, actually said I had no choice) to go on this trip solo. After hearing about his travels and experiences, I made the decision that this was something I had to do.... (Thank you, KB :) )
I've decided to see where my mood, mind, and heart lead me. Rather than over planning every singe detail of the trip, I've decided to book 4 nights at a hotel and to wing the rest of the trip. If I meet a group of people and they are heading in another direction, I don't want anything to hold me back. If I decide to go on a rafting/camping trip.. then I'll do it! This is my time to explore!
Let the adventures begin...
Monkey Forest!
This is where I'm going to take a long bubble bath!!
View from the hotel!
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
Last week I started reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I typically try to steer away from books and movies that are overhyped (especially Oprah book club picks!), but I've had several people recommend this book to me after hearing about my breakup and upcoming trip to Bali. I was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up and realized the book is about a 30 year old divorcee who travels the world alone to rediscover herself. She starts in Italy (I lived there for three years) and ends in Bali (I'll be there in October!) AH HA! It seems we have something in common :)
Reading this book has motivated me to start planning my trip. The day after the breakup, I called my travel agent to see if there was any way to cancel our (very expensive) non-refundable airplane tickets. I was even willing to pay a substantial cancellation fee. Unfortunately for my bank account, non-refundable means just that.
I knew there was a slim chance to none that I could find a travel buddy to replace GOP. Although I feel like I'm a fairly independent person, I've never travelled anywhere on my own. I've been on business trips, and I always feel a little lonely coming back to my hotel room at the end of the night by myself. A few days after the breakup, I unexpectedly ended up having drinks with someone that has travelled all over the world on his own. He convinced me (well, actually said I had no choice) to go on this trip solo. After hearing about his travels and experiences, I made the decision that this was something I had to do.... (Thank you, KB :) )
I've decided to see where my mood, mind, and heart lead me. Rather than over planning every singe detail of the trip, I've decided to book 4 nights at a hotel and to wing the rest of the trip. If I meet a group of people and they are heading in another direction, I don't want anything to hold me back. If I decide to go on a rafting/camping trip.. then I'll do it! This is my time to explore!
Let the adventures begin...
Monkey Forest!
This is where I'm going to take a long bubble bath!!
View from the hotel!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Opening Day at the Races
Today was Opening Day at the Races! I've always wanted to get dressed up, wear a big hat and enjoy the sunshine with friends! Every year Opening Day seems to sneak up on me and I forget to put in for the day off of work. Since I'm on a mission to do things for me (and I have a ton of vacation time), I made no excuses this year!
I started the day off early by meeting up with some friends at the Fish Market. We enjoyed some mimosas and lunch before heading to the racetrack. We had a few more drinks, placed a couple of bets (and lost some money!) and had a great time.
I was hoping to catch up with some friends at the track that I haven't seen in years. I feel bad that I've neglected a few friendships during my relationship. Unfortunately, it seems like there's some sort of block at the track that makes texting almost impossible (or maybe it's just AT&T?!?!). I'll have to get together with my long lost friends very soon!
We ended the evening back at the Fish Market for dinner. Seared ahi and au gratin potatoes. YUMMM!
Update on my list of goals:
Since I've checked one item off of the list (insert smile), I've decided to replace it with another goal. I've always wanted to learn how to play guitar. This weekend I'm going to find a thrift store, buy a guitar, and attempt to teach myself how to play! I've heard that YouTube has a lot of instructional videos.. let's see if it works for me! Maybe next summer I'll throw a bonfire and I can be the entertainment! LOL
Sunday, July 18, 2010
I deserve something beautiful...
Why am I here? And why have I decided to share my story with the world? I guess you could say I've recently gone through some huge life changes. Not only did I recently reach the dreaded 3-0, but was unexpectedly dumped by Mr. Good On Paper (otherwise known as GOP).
This story is not about the death of a relationship, but instead my re-entry into the world as a single mom. Instead of harping on what I could have done differently, or what I did wrong, I'm choosing to focus on the belief that I deserve something beautiful. It's time for me to open my heart and mind to discover what it is that makes me happy.
I've never been the "typical" mom. I don't have any desire to be a PTO board member, run school fundraisers, or spend my free time scrapbooking. Instead, I'd much rather have random dance parties around the house while singing at the top of our lungs, building forts using all the sheets in the linen closet, and sometimes deciding at the end the day that we would much rather have ice cream for dinner. I'm sometimes frazzled, often times laughing, all while usually wearing a fabulous outfit.
The focus of this blog will not be about my son. **Side note: Before you start angrily pounding on the keyboard and sending me hate mail, I want to make it clear that my son comes before anyone or anything and always will.
Rather, I want to use this as a way to rediscover me. The woman who used to confidently lock eyes across the room with the most gorgeous man in the bar. The woman who rocked 4 inch heels and mini skirts. Sure, I may have a few more gray hairs, but I'm also someone that has been through hell and back and has figured out what I DON'T want in life (still trying to pinpoint the "WANT" part).
Instead of having a damn pity party, I'm going to focus on the a few short term goals for this summer:
1. Create a signature cocktail
2. Travel alone to Bali in October
3. Learn how to use my SLR camera
4. Take a last minute road trip with the Dude (my son) without a destination in mind
5. Make time to meet up with girlfriends to have brunch by the beach
6. Butterflies ;)
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too... " - Hope Floats
**PS.. It's a wig ;)
This story is not about the death of a relationship, but instead my re-entry into the world as a single mom. Instead of harping on what I could have done differently, or what I did wrong, I'm choosing to focus on the belief that I deserve something beautiful. It's time for me to open my heart and mind to discover what it is that makes me happy.
I've never been the "typical" mom. I don't have any desire to be a PTO board member, run school fundraisers, or spend my free time scrapbooking. Instead, I'd much rather have random dance parties around the house while singing at the top of our lungs, building forts using all the sheets in the linen closet, and sometimes deciding at the end the day that we would much rather have ice cream for dinner. I'm sometimes frazzled, often times laughing, all while usually wearing a fabulous outfit.
The focus of this blog will not be about my son. **Side note: Before you start angrily pounding on the keyboard and sending me hate mail, I want to make it clear that my son comes before anyone or anything and always will.
Rather, I want to use this as a way to rediscover me. The woman who used to confidently lock eyes across the room with the most gorgeous man in the bar. The woman who rocked 4 inch heels and mini skirts. Sure, I may have a few more gray hairs, but I'm also someone that has been through hell and back and has figured out what I DON'T want in life (still trying to pinpoint the "WANT" part).
Instead of having a damn pity party, I'm going to focus on the a few short term goals for this summer:
1. Create a signature cocktail
2. Travel alone to Bali in October
3. Learn how to use my SLR camera
4. Take a last minute road trip with the Dude (my son) without a destination in mind
5. Make time to meet up with girlfriends to have brunch by the beach
6. Butterflies ;)
"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too... " - Hope Floats
**PS.. It's a wig ;)
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