Travel Writing

My latest travel articles on Barbados and Las Vegas have been published on TheSavvyExplorer.com. Check 'em out:

Barbados: http://bit.ly/iiiqG

Las Vegas: http://bit.ly/Cpz94

In case you missed some of my other adventures, here are the links to my Oslo article and my piece on Bergen and the Fjords. Enjoy!

Oslo: http://bit.ly/AjeVv

Bergen/Fjords: http://bit.ly/wR67q

My First 5k

I've always wanted to run a 5k. It's one of those pesky little things that's been on my life's list of things to do for years now and every time I'm in my car and I see a race in progress I think, that should be me out there. Well, thanks to my step-sister in-law, Amanda, who invited me to the YWCA's Race Against Racism, my husband, Dave, who kept me company (and provided ample motivation along the way) and a beautiful weather forecast...today it was me out there!

Over the past few weeks I've been anticipating - and, ok, regretting - agreeing to do the race. Even though I run on the treadmill a few times a week, I was worried that an actual race with "real" runners might be more of a challenge than I could handle (and what about the hills?). You see, even though I run, I totally don't consider myself in the same category as those graceful runners who just seem to glide along the pavement effortlessly. For me, it feels like every step requires a ton of effort. But I'm happy to report that I completed the entire race without stopping - or complaining - in just under 31 minutes! I heard the winner finished in something like 17 minutes. 17 minutes! He was obviously one of those graceful types :)

Boxing

I LOVE trying new things and last night, for the first time ever, I tried boxing. I have to admit, I was a bit of a skeptic when I walked into Boxx LV. They promised I'd burn 1,000 calories in an hour - not since my days of spinning has anyone made such a bold promise! I was so skeptical, in fact, that I got up early yesterday morning and squeezed in some intervals on the treadmill. Big mistake. I was beat after the warm-up. The WARM-UP! Needless to say, an hour of drills, punching, jabbing, hooking and floor exercises left my muscles convulsing to the point that I could barely spoon dinner into my mouth when I got home. As for today...let's just say I'm avoiding staircases and any unnecessary walking.

Overall, my boxing adventure was a great experience, one that opened my eyes to a different area of fitness and gave me a new-found respect for all the men and women who seriously train for this sport - it's no joke. And while you won't see me on UFC anytime soon, I will definitely return every now and then just for the challenge of it (and, of course, the calorie burn!).

Barbados sunsets

My favorite part about our recent trip to Barbados wasn't the white sandy beaches or the turquoise blue waters. It wasn't the eighty degree weather or our beloved morning walks on the beach. It wasn't the delicious meals down at St. Lawrence Gap or even the rum - although that came in a close second. My favorite part of our trip was the sunsets. Each day as the sun dipped low in the sky, the beach emptied and every last person made their way back to the hotel to change for dinner or catch the evening news, completely missing out on the most beautiful part of the day. It was as if the sun waited for everyone else to leave before hiding behind the clouds and exploding into golden rays that stretched all the way across the sky and embraced us with its warmth. It was one of those moments I will take with me forever and return to whenever I close my eyes. 

Wordle

If you've gotten even a sliver of enjoyment from one of those magnetic word poems, then you should check out Wordle (www.wordle.net).

Click on the link to visit my word cloud about the things I love: http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/553111/Things_I_Love

Charleston

We celebrated my birthday in Charleston this year and I have to admit, it was so refreshing to be in a new place as I embarked upon a new year of my life. It's amazing how a simple change of scenery allows you to breathe a little bit slower, take in your world more carefully, and regain your center.

Wishes

There's something magical about the fountain in Prospect Garden. Surrounded by tall trees and abundant gardens, you're hidden from the world. It's the kind of place you stumble upon by accident and then never want to leave. It's where Dave and I first kissed and talked about our dreams. It's a place to be in love; to make wishes on pennies and watch them float to the bottom. Though the years pass quickly we visit our fountain from time to time and sit where we once sat and share a kiss. We visited our fountain a couple months ago, right as the leaves were beginning to turn magnificent shades of red and yellow. And as we sat on its concrete ledge and shared a kiss a little girl approached with a penny clutched tightly in her palm. She knelt near the edge and closed her eyes, silently mouthing her wish to the fountain gods. She held the penny so tightly her hand shook and her lips moved rapidly as she made her wish. Finally, after some time of this, she tossed her penny in the fountain and ran away. I've never seen anyone wish that hard for anything. Whatever it was, I hope her wish comes true.

Greatness

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." - Coco Chanel

Did you have a chance to catch the Lifetime special on Coco Chanel?  I'm always intrigued by stories like her's...people who achieve greatness even though the odds are stacked against them. Coco Chanel, for example, was once nothing more than a poor seamstress with a knack for how to pull an outfit together. It makes you look inside yourself and wonder...what am I capable of?

Precious Things

There are few things more precious than a newborn's first smile at his great grandfather.

True Love

Sunday; a sixtieth wedding anniversary.  The following Saturday; a wedding. Contrast as stark as a black and white photograph balanced by the sanctity of their vows. The older couple holds hands, sixty years of marriage embracing them.  The younger couple holds hands, the promise of forever unfolding before them. Everyone around them holds hands, humbled by the power of true love.