February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day...a day of flowers, candy, diamonds, great sex, eternal love and devotion...OK...probably not.
Luckily I have somewhat escaped this holiday for the last couple years by either being on a cruise or away from the country. Unfortunately...I can be away from the U.S. but I can't escape the pink valentine's day explosion, heart shaped cakes at the bakery, and the constant sales pitch that...if I truly love someone...I need to spend money to buy stuff to "show" the people I love I care about them. Look, if I don't buy Christmas gifts...you probably don't have much hope I'll buy you a Valentine's gift.
But, if I see something I think you might like on February 18th...I will buy it for you. Not because I have to, but because I want to. Because I think you might like it. And THAT to me is so much better than getting anyone a gift because of a predetermined day.
So...I know what I don't like about this day. But there are also things I truly do appreciate...and I want to spend some time focusing on that.
Love. Such a strange emotion. It comes from nowhere, takes a hold of you, makes you act stupid and silly, and at times causes massive pain and sadness...and yet, I believe it's worth the pain. Yes, I'm actually saying this.
It's not just that passionate love between a couple...you know, the one where just the mere thought of the other brings a smile to your heart. But it's the love between a parent and a child, between friends, and even the special love people feel for their animal companions.
The greatest Valentine's gift I was given was to bear witness of a love between a parent and their child.
I am staying in an incredible small town near the Mediterranean. There is very little to do. The cafe's do not have wifi (or nonfat milk), stores are closed during the day, people take naps. It takes me 20 minutes to walk thru the whole town. Life here is very simple.
So on this day, I went with my cousin to pick up her daughter at school. As I arrived I saw hundreds of cars parked. Nobody was sitting in their cars. All the mothers and fathers were standing outside the school prepared to pick up their child. When each child came out, they ran to their parents who greated them with a hug and a kiss...and sometimes a jacket. Then they would run to their car together.
Each child left school and immediately was greeted by a person that loved them. Nobody walked home alone.
I can't tell you how this affected me...but it did. Greatly. To me, this act of unselfish behavior on behalf of the parents (which is practiced EVERY day here) was such a sign of love.
So...on this Valentine's day...I say this. The greatest sign of love is knowing that someone is there to give you a hug, a kiss, and to make sure you're warm. It's so much better than any gift you could buy in a store.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Fear and apprehension in Madrid
February 13, 2012
I have a weird life. My "family" consists of my parents. I have no siblings so it's basically the three of us. And, while they love me and somewhat understand me, I always long for my extended family.
So, here I am, preparing to board a train that will take me to visit my cousin, his family, and my aunt in Spain.
And reality is setting in. We have such different lives. Between language (although I am generally proficient in Spanish...I don't always have the vocabulary to express myself properly) and lifestyle...I'm actually wondering if this was a good idea. Trying to form relationships like this is hard.
The hardest part is sometimes I feel as if I'm the one that's always trying. I do wonder if having a relationship is something we both want...or if it's just me.
I'm sure these feelings will go away when I am reunited with my family...but I have to be honest about how I feel today. Building relationships is scary.
But sometimes the scariest things become the things that, moving forward, I'll be most proud of.
Here goes whatever...
I have a weird life. My "family" consists of my parents. I have no siblings so it's basically the three of us. And, while they love me and somewhat understand me, I always long for my extended family.
So, here I am, preparing to board a train that will take me to visit my cousin, his family, and my aunt in Spain.
And reality is setting in. We have such different lives. Between language (although I am generally proficient in Spanish...I don't always have the vocabulary to express myself properly) and lifestyle...I'm actually wondering if this was a good idea. Trying to form relationships like this is hard.
The hardest part is sometimes I feel as if I'm the one that's always trying. I do wonder if having a relationship is something we both want...or if it's just me.
I'm sure these feelings will go away when I am reunited with my family...but I have to be honest about how I feel today. Building relationships is scary.
But sometimes the scariest things become the things that, moving forward, I'll be most proud of.
Here goes whatever...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Lessons, more lessons, and tea (Part 3)
February 12, 2012
OK...no more sangria. Have to try to get ready for bed. It's 11:30PM and I would love to get my body onto Madrid time. This will be the night....I hope.
So today started much like yesterday...I got ready and took the metro into town. I found new streets to walk, new buildings to see, more Starbucks to frequent.
Wandering the streets, and getting lost, was really the best part of the day. Lost in the city, lost in my imagination. Falling in love with life a little bit more.
The one thing I experienced today (and yesterday) is how different men are here. They still pursue women. They'll smile, flirt, and even will be forward. Things are so weird in the states. Somewhere along the line, men forgot to "show their feathers" and women forgot to appreciate the men for actually being men. The old art of mating, of flirting...is alive and well in the streets of Madrid. And I must admit, it was really nice to see. It makes me wonder what happened back home...are all the women really that crazy?? Are the men just inundated with sexual images that "real" women hold little appeal?? And will this trend continue?? I wonder. It was just really nice to see a city of men still being men.
In the last few days...in the midst of wandering these great cities...I remembered stories of young women who would say things to me like they would rather die than be 30 and unmarried without kids. Well...good thing I never thought like that. I would have made some choices that might have made other people, as well as me, unhappy. Finding the right person (not any person) is so important. Unless someone had the same sense of adventure...life would have been a series of many compromises that wouldn't have allowed either party to be all that they could have been independently.
There are so many topics for stories that I can find in this great city...
Somehow, after watching lots of people wearing really edgy unique fashions...I found myself back in Corte Ingles and in a moment of temporary insanity...found myself shopping...and shopping...and shopping. 2 long beautiful coats, a hoodie, star scarf, and black mini skirt later...I'm done. Please G*d, I'm done (yes, I found religion again).
So that was it. February 12, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. A beautiful day in a wondrous city. Tomorrow I head to Cartagena (a beach city filled with many architectural ruins) and to see my family.
The thing I've missed is Facebook, texting, and calling my friends. I miss the people back home. I miss my dog. I miss my parents. But...it's a good thing to take a bit of a break from my social media addiction and to actually spend some time doing other things.
So...in this hotel lobby I say goodnight.
Onto the next adventure....
OK...no more sangria. Have to try to get ready for bed. It's 11:30PM and I would love to get my body onto Madrid time. This will be the night....I hope.
So today started much like yesterday...I got ready and took the metro into town. I found new streets to walk, new buildings to see, more Starbucks to frequent.
Wandering the streets, and getting lost, was really the best part of the day. Lost in the city, lost in my imagination. Falling in love with life a little bit more.
The one thing I experienced today (and yesterday) is how different men are here. They still pursue women. They'll smile, flirt, and even will be forward. Things are so weird in the states. Somewhere along the line, men forgot to "show their feathers" and women forgot to appreciate the men for actually being men. The old art of mating, of flirting...is alive and well in the streets of Madrid. And I must admit, it was really nice to see. It makes me wonder what happened back home...are all the women really that crazy?? Are the men just inundated with sexual images that "real" women hold little appeal?? And will this trend continue?? I wonder. It was just really nice to see a city of men still being men.
In the last few days...in the midst of wandering these great cities...I remembered stories of young women who would say things to me like they would rather die than be 30 and unmarried without kids. Well...good thing I never thought like that. I would have made some choices that might have made other people, as well as me, unhappy. Finding the right person (not any person) is so important. Unless someone had the same sense of adventure...life would have been a series of many compromises that wouldn't have allowed either party to be all that they could have been independently.
There are so many topics for stories that I can find in this great city...
Somehow, after watching lots of people wearing really edgy unique fashions...I found myself back in Corte Ingles and in a moment of temporary insanity...found myself shopping...and shopping...and shopping. 2 long beautiful coats, a hoodie, star scarf, and black mini skirt later...I'm done. Please G*d, I'm done (yes, I found religion again).
So that was it. February 12, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. A beautiful day in a wondrous city. Tomorrow I head to Cartagena (a beach city filled with many architectural ruins) and to see my family.
The thing I've missed is Facebook, texting, and calling my friends. I miss the people back home. I miss my dog. I miss my parents. But...it's a good thing to take a bit of a break from my social media addiction and to actually spend some time doing other things.
So...in this hotel lobby I say goodnight.
Onto the next adventure....
Lessons, more lessons, and sangria (rewritten) (Part 2)
A recap of February 11, 2012 (written on February 12, 2012...hotel bar...Sony laptop, glass(es) of sangria, and a nice plate of nuts and crackers).
So I woke up at 2PM...oh well. I guess I missed breakfast. But in California it was 5AM so as far as I'm concerned, I woke up early.
I walked the six blocks in the cold to the Metro and started the adventure to downtown. As soon as I got off the Metro I somehow landed in the world of Corte Ingles. If you don't know what Corte Ingles is, think Macy's or Harrod's on steroids. So the metro drops me off into the land of happy salesmen peddling all their shiny things. No...I don't want it, need it...blah, blah, blah.
I find a travel agency in this materialistic world...and within minutes have train tickets for Monday. Cartagena, here I come.
I quickly find an exit from the department store and find myself directly in front of Puerta del Sol. It's been six years since I've been to this city, and I have forgotten where everything is, but I refused to get a map. If I got lost, I'd talk to people. So much better than opening up maps in the middle of the street. Let the adventure begin.
First thing I found (besides the amazing architecture, street performers, and all the well dressed citizens of Madrid) was a Starbucks. And, yes, sorry, I had to go in. Nonfat latte with cinnamon in a to go cup. No sitting for hours enjoying my coffee....nope, not for me. I've got places to go, things to see.
Somehow I wandered in front of the Prado (no, I didn't go in) and then the Reina Sofia (the museum of modern art). WINNER!! I go into the museum where it was the museums monthly "free" day. SCORE!!
What can I say about modern art in Spain. It's weird, thought provoking, inspiring, bizarre...and most of the time I just wonder what kind of drug inspired someone to create something so out of the ordinary.
The museum houses various forms of artistic expression...literary, cinematic, photographic, sculptural, painted, drawn, and even a few engineering marvels. In this place my love of comic books, or KISS, of costuming and color, and my core comes alive. Wandering the different exhibits...seeing different artists representations of life (real and fantasy) inspired all sorts of wondrous feelings.
My favorite exhibit for the day...and one I will never forget...was the room of applause. You walk into a room surrounded by screens. On the screens you are watching people applaud. All around you is applause. The angle in which you are seeing the people is as if you are on a stage. A simple concept...but it made me think about how great it would be do do something actually worthy of such applause. And at that moment...all I wanted to do is figure out something I can do for society or others that would matter.
I left the museum and wandered thru the city...taking in the building, the people, the sounds, the aromas. Everywhere there were symbols of Cervantes and Don Quixote. How I love that story...a crazy man doing crazy honorable things. It makes me want to fight a windmill.
I took the metro back to the hotel and found myself in a bar / restaurant that I frequented on my last journey to Madrid. And would you believe they remembered me. Sangria, chorizo iberico (think salami only SO much better), and cheesecake...along with penning a few postcards. All in all...a great day so far.
I make it back to the hotel...and create my blog on the iPad (first major mistake of the day). I tried to fix my blog and made my second mistake (although I think I like this entry better)...and then tried to sleep. And tried. And tried. And somewhere in the middle of the night Whitney Houston died. And CNN wouldn't stop talking about it. About 6:00AM I fell asleep (although I guess in CA it would have been 9PM so I should be happy my body and mind is somewhat adjusting to the new time zone) and awoke at 1PM on the 12th. Since that is really 4AM in CA...hey, I'm really getting a hang of this time change :-)
Onto the next blog...
So I woke up at 2PM...oh well. I guess I missed breakfast. But in California it was 5AM so as far as I'm concerned, I woke up early.
I walked the six blocks in the cold to the Metro and started the adventure to downtown. As soon as I got off the Metro I somehow landed in the world of Corte Ingles. If you don't know what Corte Ingles is, think Macy's or Harrod's on steroids. So the metro drops me off into the land of happy salesmen peddling all their shiny things. No...I don't want it, need it...blah, blah, blah.
I find a travel agency in this materialistic world...and within minutes have train tickets for Monday. Cartagena, here I come.
I quickly find an exit from the department store and find myself directly in front of Puerta del Sol. It's been six years since I've been to this city, and I have forgotten where everything is, but I refused to get a map. If I got lost, I'd talk to people. So much better than opening up maps in the middle of the street. Let the adventure begin.
First thing I found (besides the amazing architecture, street performers, and all the well dressed citizens of Madrid) was a Starbucks. And, yes, sorry, I had to go in. Nonfat latte with cinnamon in a to go cup. No sitting for hours enjoying my coffee....nope, not for me. I've got places to go, things to see.
Somehow I wandered in front of the Prado (no, I didn't go in) and then the Reina Sofia (the museum of modern art). WINNER!! I go into the museum where it was the museums monthly "free" day. SCORE!!
What can I say about modern art in Spain. It's weird, thought provoking, inspiring, bizarre...and most of the time I just wonder what kind of drug inspired someone to create something so out of the ordinary.
The museum houses various forms of artistic expression...literary, cinematic, photographic, sculptural, painted, drawn, and even a few engineering marvels. In this place my love of comic books, or KISS, of costuming and color, and my core comes alive. Wandering the different exhibits...seeing different artists representations of life (real and fantasy) inspired all sorts of wondrous feelings.
My favorite exhibit for the day...and one I will never forget...was the room of applause. You walk into a room surrounded by screens. On the screens you are watching people applaud. All around you is applause. The angle in which you are seeing the people is as if you are on a stage. A simple concept...but it made me think about how great it would be do do something actually worthy of such applause. And at that moment...all I wanted to do is figure out something I can do for society or others that would matter.
I left the museum and wandered thru the city...taking in the building, the people, the sounds, the aromas. Everywhere there were symbols of Cervantes and Don Quixote. How I love that story...a crazy man doing crazy honorable things. It makes me want to fight a windmill.
I took the metro back to the hotel and found myself in a bar / restaurant that I frequented on my last journey to Madrid. And would you believe they remembered me. Sangria, chorizo iberico (think salami only SO much better), and cheesecake...along with penning a few postcards. All in all...a great day so far.
I make it back to the hotel...and create my blog on the iPad (first major mistake of the day). I tried to fix my blog and made my second mistake (although I think I like this entry better)...and then tried to sleep. And tried. And tried. And somewhere in the middle of the night Whitney Houston died. And CNN wouldn't stop talking about it. About 6:00AM I fell asleep (although I guess in CA it would have been 9PM so I should be happy my body and mind is somewhat adjusting to the new time zone) and awoke at 1PM on the 12th. Since that is really 4AM in CA...hey, I'm really getting a hang of this time change :-)
Onto the next blog...
Lessons, more lessons, and sangria (rewritten)( Part 1)
February 12, 2012
It's hard remembering all I've done in the past 3 days...but remember I must. And share...well, I have to share. I'll be doing this in 3 parts...for easier reading and, well, to give me a place to pause and ask the nice waiter for another sangria or hot tea.
February 10th was basically a non-day. My flight was rerouted to London which made for an incredibly long day.
I arrived in London around noon on Friday the 10th. There was snow on the ground and the air looked cold. There was a part of me that was so excited to see that white fluff that I wanted to run outside and feel the coldness on my fingers...to make a snowball and find a willing playmate for a snowball fight. I refrained.
In London...the moment I entered the "shopping" area I encountered a piece of home. Starbucks was waiting for me...nonfat latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon. How I smiled when I saw that mermaid surrounded by her circle. At this very Starbucks I had the opportunity to do something I haven't been able to do in a long time...write postcards.
What can I say about postcards....as much as I love receiving them I love writing them. Going to the store and buying the images I want...to finding the right story or sentiment to sending to my friends and loved ones...this makes me incredibly happy. Stamping the cards and sending them off...it's an ancient form of communication which brings me as the sender a sensation of hope.
Back on the plane to Madrid...I was praying that my bags will also be on the same plane (with the cancelled flight I was not guaranteed my bags were accompanying me). Funny the times in life where I find religion. Missing bags seemed to be one of those moments. And...G*d didn't let me down. One KISS Army Vixen bag coming down the conveyor belt...then two. BINGO!!! I'm all set for the rest of the adventure. And just as soon as my bags arrived...my faith dissipated.
At arriving at the hotel...I was exhausted. My muscles ached from tens of hours of sitting in my coach seat. For the first time ever, rather than go sightseeing or go to bed, I found a local gym and worked out for the next hour and a half. Seriously, why did I never think of doing this before? Just because I'm on vacation , doesn't mean I should completely abandon taking care of my needs. This was a great lesson.
Upon returning to the hotel, I was hungry. In looking at the menu, a sandwich with fries just did not sound appealing. All I really wanted was a piece of grilled chicken (sorry Carol) and some salad. My waiter immediately said no. Rather than succumb to my waiter, I kept asking for what I wanted until they accommodated my needs. For me, this was a huge lesson. Asking for what you want is important in this life. If I would have asked a few years ago, and would have heard "no", I would have instantly accepted the "no". The fact that I have enough confidence to ask for what I want, and to not automatically accept a "no" to me shows that I have grown up. And that's a great thing.
First night...after a long day...I fell asleep like a baby at midnight and awoke at 2PM the next day. Sleep is amazing...the best thing for my body. This is definitely another lesson...I need to start sleeping in more often.
And this was Friday the 10th.
It's hard remembering all I've done in the past 3 days...but remember I must. And share...well, I have to share. I'll be doing this in 3 parts...for easier reading and, well, to give me a place to pause and ask the nice waiter for another sangria or hot tea.
February 10th was basically a non-day. My flight was rerouted to London which made for an incredibly long day.
I arrived in London around noon on Friday the 10th. There was snow on the ground and the air looked cold. There was a part of me that was so excited to see that white fluff that I wanted to run outside and feel the coldness on my fingers...to make a snowball and find a willing playmate for a snowball fight. I refrained.
In London...the moment I entered the "shopping" area I encountered a piece of home. Starbucks was waiting for me...nonfat latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon. How I smiled when I saw that mermaid surrounded by her circle. At this very Starbucks I had the opportunity to do something I haven't been able to do in a long time...write postcards.
What can I say about postcards....as much as I love receiving them I love writing them. Going to the store and buying the images I want...to finding the right story or sentiment to sending to my friends and loved ones...this makes me incredibly happy. Stamping the cards and sending them off...it's an ancient form of communication which brings me as the sender a sensation of hope.
Back on the plane to Madrid...I was praying that my bags will also be on the same plane (with the cancelled flight I was not guaranteed my bags were accompanying me). Funny the times in life where I find religion. Missing bags seemed to be one of those moments. And...G*d didn't let me down. One KISS Army Vixen bag coming down the conveyor belt...then two. BINGO!!! I'm all set for the rest of the adventure. And just as soon as my bags arrived...my faith dissipated.
At arriving at the hotel...I was exhausted. My muscles ached from tens of hours of sitting in my coach seat. For the first time ever, rather than go sightseeing or go to bed, I found a local gym and worked out for the next hour and a half. Seriously, why did I never think of doing this before? Just because I'm on vacation , doesn't mean I should completely abandon taking care of my needs. This was a great lesson.
Upon returning to the hotel, I was hungry. In looking at the menu, a sandwich with fries just did not sound appealing. All I really wanted was a piece of grilled chicken (sorry Carol) and some salad. My waiter immediately said no. Rather than succumb to my waiter, I kept asking for what I wanted until they accommodated my needs. For me, this was a huge lesson. Asking for what you want is important in this life. If I would have asked a few years ago, and would have heard "no", I would have instantly accepted the "no". The fact that I have enough confidence to ask for what I want, and to not automatically accept a "no" to me shows that I have grown up. And that's a great thing.
First night...after a long day...I fell asleep like a baby at midnight and awoke at 2PM the next day. Sleep is amazing...the best thing for my body. This is definitely another lesson...I need to start sleeping in more often.
And this was Friday the 10th.
I still haven't learned my lesson...What's my problem??
February 13, 2012
What's my problem?? No, PLEASE don't answer that. I can only imagine what my friends would say...
I tried blogging on the iPad before...I even blogged about how awful it was and yet...I did it again. Yesterday I spent some time blogging on that awful keyboard...to end up with a blog that lacked any style or substance. I hated it. And then, when I tried to edit the entry, the whole blog got deleted.
So, even though I knew the limitations of the Google blogger app for the iPad...I went back and composed my thoughts on it a second time. I thought I was smarter than that.
Well...I guess this taught me that I am destined to repeat certain mistakes until I have enough confidence in my own opinions to not continue make the same damn mistakes.
And now...in a hotel bar in Madrid, Spain...I will re-tell yesterdays tales...and offer new stories from today's adventures.
Onto the next blog...
KISSes XXXX
What's my problem?? No, PLEASE don't answer that. I can only imagine what my friends would say...
I tried blogging on the iPad before...I even blogged about how awful it was and yet...I did it again. Yesterday I spent some time blogging on that awful keyboard...to end up with a blog that lacked any style or substance. I hated it. And then, when I tried to edit the entry, the whole blog got deleted.
So, even though I knew the limitations of the Google blogger app for the iPad...I went back and composed my thoughts on it a second time. I thought I was smarter than that.
Well...I guess this taught me that I am destined to repeat certain mistakes until I have enough confidence in my own opinions to not continue make the same damn mistakes.
And now...in a hotel bar in Madrid, Spain...I will re-tell yesterdays tales...and offer new stories from today's adventures.
Onto the next blog...
KISSes XXXX
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Blogging on an iPhone in Dallas
February 9, 2012
Well...if the iPad wasn't difficult enough to blog on...as I have no free wireless at Dallas International...I'm either not going to blog or use the phone...so here goes something....
Disappointment.
We all get disappointed. Heck, so far today my first flight was spent next to a highly fragrant individual and my second flight has been canceled. There's a lot to be frustrated about...but I'm not all that frustrated. I'm pretty relaxed actually.
And that's when I realize I've grown up...gotten wiser. I mean...what can I do?
So I'm taking the time and learning how to blog on the phone, getting ideas together for future projects, and looking at things from a different perspective.
So...whether I get to have tapas and sangria or shepherds pie and ale later...it's all good :-)
Well...if the iPad wasn't difficult enough to blog on...as I have no free wireless at Dallas International...I'm either not going to blog or use the phone...so here goes something....
Disappointment.
We all get disappointed. Heck, so far today my first flight was spent next to a highly fragrant individual and my second flight has been canceled. There's a lot to be frustrated about...but I'm not all that frustrated. I'm pretty relaxed actually.
And that's when I realize I've grown up...gotten wiser. I mean...what can I do?
So I'm taking the time and learning how to blog on the phone, getting ideas together for future projects, and looking at things from a different perspective.
So...whether I get to have tapas and sangria or shepherds pie and ale later...it's all good :-)
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