Will Plan...For Travel

Here I am, I'm pawning myself out. I have such a need to travel, explore, and research for my upcoming book that I am marketing myself to the general masses.

Have an upcoming trip you'd like help planning? I can do that!
Know of anyone that needs to book a vacation to Disney in the next year? Let me help!

Not even that, but I paint as well...have I mentioned this in the past? I believe I've said it a few times. I've decided that after our trip, when my head is full of information, my notebook full of ideas, and my fingers itching to get to work, I will keep them busy not just with pens but also with brushes. Hopefully the resulting paintings will be worthy of a spot on someone else's wall.

Jeremy and I both work in order to travel (and eat while on these travels!) But in order to explore, we gotta get some funds. Just last night we were discussing the inconvenience of money. Why must a flight cost so much? Isn't there a cheaper way to get across the pond?

If you come up with something creative (such as stowing ourselves on a shrimp boat or working our way across the water as Flamenco dancers on a cruise ship), send the ideas my way! I'm up for just about anything...somewhat ethical that is!

Boredom By Any Other Name...

...Is still boredom.

I contemplated the Shakespeare quote as I sat here trying to think of something to do at work. Juliet's musings of Romeo's name..."A rose by any other name is still a rose," made me realize that call it what you will, my boredom is not going to be resolved by finding something else to copy and file. I've checked out from this job mentally, having moved on to something a bit less tedious. What is that, you ask?

Well right now it's planning a trip to Europe! Shakespeare's words are even more appropriate with the realization that I'll be staying in a hotel next door to his birthplace for a portion of the trip. I can almost believe that with all that history and creativity seeping through the ancient walls, I'll only be able to speak in iambic pentameter and dream in visions of Midsummer Nights. Oh, how I love dwelling on things that revolve around new places, comfy hotel beds, and regional foods I haven't tried!

With less than 30 working days left here at the office, and an entire world awaiting me three days after that last Friday spent in boredom, I simply must research, plan and dream in the meantime!

CountDown to Freedom

Well, I finally did it - I put in my notice at my job! I was very nervous, simply because there's always that nagging feeling that I'm disappointing someone, but I gave them an ample 6 week time frame to find a replacement, so I'd say that it pretty fair! Only 33 working days to go and I'm a free woman - able to write as I please and not listen to the harpies that dwell under these bright, glaring lights.

Maybe that's a bit harsh - either way, I'm excited! I know that God has placed me in this exact moment, with the time left here at the office being spent growing in areas of patience, tolerance, and forgiveness! (Things that I am currently lacking in, anyway). Come on July!

Back From Wonderland

Our vacation in Disney was everything I had hoped it would be, as cliche as that sounds. I don't know if there could be a better traveling partner than Jeremy, who was genuinely excited about all the silly little things that I was...it was even HIS idea to ride It's a Small World! Rides aside (and there was plenty of time spent doing that), we lounged, explored, and ate more than our tummies could possibly endure.

Speaking of food, I'll be doing an in-depth food review on an online Disney forum. I'll post the link when I've gotten it up off the ground - for now, I'll just say that it was the most amazing dining experience I've had to date! And yes, I had those Mickey Waffles more than one morning of our stay - the chef even made them Vegan for me.

A Flood of Emotion, But Maybe Not the Right Kind

Everyone has been talking about the horrible weather, and the effecting results, the entire weekend and on into today. As I look at the photos online of all the wet wreckage, I can only wish there was something that could have been done. Since I live on top of a large hill, and on the third floor no less, I was completely uneffected. However, I think my emotions were effected because of that, as well.

Empathizing with someone means you can literally feel what it would be like to take someone's place. You feel the emotions they have and the pain and hassle they are going through. I honestly haven't experienced that. YES, I sympathize, but empathy is quite another emotion altogether. When natural disasters like this occur, and they turn up in the news at least once a year, I always watch with interest and horror. But it's a detached form of interest. I can't truly know what it feels like to lose something dear, have something I own torn to pieces, or what it's like to rescue what you can of your possessions. And for that I THANK GOD! Thank you Lord for sparing me so that I can be a blessing to others. Help me be a better servant of you and use my health and abilities to aid those that don't have them right now.

There are those of us full of compassion, and those that can organize those compassionate hearts and direct them in the best ways to accomplish something huge. Both are gifts in their own way. I want my chance to organize a change in something!