Wednesday, July 17, 2019
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: A Summer of Adventure
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: A Summer of Adventure: I know, I know. It's been awhile since I've written. I'm overdue. If you've been following me, then you know that I've...
A Summer of Adventure
I know, I know. It's been awhile since I've written. I'm overdue.
If you've been following me, then you know that I've had not one, but a series of adventures this year. I've been bouncing from one thing to the next all summer long, from going to Spain, to concerts with friends, to completing my first 5K, and visiting another castle.
Along the way, I've been learning things about myself, the world, and the people around me.
I guess if we're going to get through this post, we should start with Spain. Not everyone knew the true purpose of going to Spain was. Many people just assumed that I was off on another grand adventure, because I'm in love with the country and wine.
This trip was special though. On this trip, we got to meet family. My grandmother had a tragic life, and because of that, I've never known her story. On this trip, we got to meet her family, my family, and I hope she was looking down smiling as her sister hugged me.
My cousins, Pilar (Pilar explained that she is more like an Aunt in Spanish culture, and now I call her Tia) and Antonio and Maria surprised us at the train station, and of course I cried. There was a bit of a language barrier. but that barrier didn't stop us from communicating(thanks mostly to my cousin Brandon) . In two days time, we met Pilar, and Lluis, and Santi, and Antonio, and Tia Aurora; and MORE! So much family!
Tia Aurora is where I will focus for this blogpost, even though I keep in contact with the others. Tia Aurora is my grandmother's sister. She told us about their childhood, and their family. She talked about how my grandmother (Encarna is what she was called) was also the sophisticated one.
Through a day of eating, and talking, and laughing and tears, we learned about Tia's own life. She made croquettes, even after we all insisted we couldn't eat anymore. She showed us postcards she had kept from my grandmother, and I cried as she put my grandmother's necklace on me.
Tia Aurora is - sophisticated and lively herself. She told me that I smile like my grandmother. That's something I never knew.
See, I always knew the Cannons. I was always chasing after the older cousins; trying to keep up. I met the Kruses's when I was 13. I guess, Twice in my life I've been blessed to find family.
The rest of Barcelona is a blur. From getting lost in the city- and meeting a Spanish math teacher who helped me find my way back to a populated area to make sure I didn't get lost or robbed; to climbing Mount Montjuic. There were museums, and food, and I know in my heart that I will go back.
Here's a tiny fact. I added a St. George to my necklace. St. George is the patron St. of Catelonia; legend says he slayed a dragon to save a princess; and he's the saint of strength and valor. I guess this way I always have a piece of Spain with me.
Honestly, coming back was so hard, but there were lessons I needed to learn myself in that.
Something I needed to finally learn from Spain, is that I am beautiful, and resilient; even on my worst days. See, something we learned about my grandmother, she was a model in her earlier life. She was beautiful. How can I say that I'm not beautiful, and yet say I look like her. It doesn't equate.
I'm resilient, in that, even when I got lost, I kept pushing. I found a way. Yes, I had help from a stranger, but I was brave enough to approach that stranger with a limited vocabulary. Before Spain, I didn't know I could do that.
Since I've been back, I've hit my goal weight; and keep setting new fitness goals for myself.
It's strange, but an awesome feeling to look back to where I was a year ago, and say "SEE WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED". It isn't just the weight, it's the eating healthier. It's that most days I am ready to see what record I can break from the week before.
Fitness isn't an all or nothing thing. I've had to learn to embrace the bad days, the days when i don't have the energy to run full bore. Sometimes I can lift 25 pounds, and some days I'm back at 15. The thing is, you just have to keep pushing.
I've been to a concert with friends since I got back. Cari knows how badly I miss her most days. (I tell her often enough). It wasn't really about the concert.
In life- we need each other. We need our tribe of cheerleaders. We need that core group that we go back to when things are going great; or that we need to call to cry with. When I became friends with Cari, I didn't realize I was also inheriting Jennifer and Jessica. I'm glad I did.
Really, I've been very blessed in the group of friends I have. I have some amazing people in my life that have been there for me during good and bad. Sometimes it's hard to remember to thank them all.
Since I've been back, I lost a great aunt; a mother figure. Aunt B lived a good full life. Each of her "children" knew she loved us. I say that, because in some way, we all belonged to Aunt B.
Since I've been back, I've finally got to see another castle. I had to drive a bit further out for this one, as this one was in Pennsylvania. I had great adventure partners however; in Mercy and her children, as they appreciated the history and culture of Buhl Mansion, that was built in the Richardson Romanesque style in 1891 (like how I threw in the history).
It wasn't a day with a super strict schedule; and we wandered from Castle, to church, to chocolate store; and even made a pit stop on the way home. I need friends like Mercy too; to remind me that not everything has to be structured all the time.
Speaking of structure, guess who applied for and got into grad school? I start in September.
Here's another adventure; just a different kind of adventure.
For five years; I've thought and hesitated about whether now is the time to go back or not. Should I or shouldn't I? Finally, with the running of the 5K in June; I realized, I had met my 2019 goals, and it was time to start focusing on new ones.
So, for the next two years; I will be stressed, and laughing about papers, and schedules. I truly believe I'm ready to crush this goal too.
My word for this year was "evolving." I have been evolving since the year began. I have been learning about accepting myself, and the people around me. I've been learning a lot about who I am; and who I want to be.
I hope that I'm constantly evolving to be the best version of myself.
I will try to do better about writing about my adventures; but as you can see; my life is still full of them.
If you've been following me, then you know that I've had not one, but a series of adventures this year. I've been bouncing from one thing to the next all summer long, from going to Spain, to concerts with friends, to completing my first 5K, and visiting another castle.
Along the way, I've been learning things about myself, the world, and the people around me.
I guess if we're going to get through this post, we should start with Spain. Not everyone knew the true purpose of going to Spain was. Many people just assumed that I was off on another grand adventure, because I'm in love with the country and wine.
This trip was special though. On this trip, we got to meet family. My grandmother had a tragic life, and because of that, I've never known her story. On this trip, we got to meet her family, my family, and I hope she was looking down smiling as her sister hugged me.
My cousins, Pilar (Pilar explained that she is more like an Aunt in Spanish culture, and now I call her Tia) and Antonio and Maria surprised us at the train station, and of course I cried. There was a bit of a language barrier. but that barrier didn't stop us from communicating(thanks mostly to my cousin Brandon) . In two days time, we met Pilar, and Lluis, and Santi, and Antonio, and Tia Aurora; and MORE! So much family!
Tia Aurora is where I will focus for this blogpost, even though I keep in contact with the others. Tia Aurora is my grandmother's sister. She told us about their childhood, and their family. She talked about how my grandmother (Encarna is what she was called) was also the sophisticated one.
Through a day of eating, and talking, and laughing and tears, we learned about Tia's own life. She made croquettes, even after we all insisted we couldn't eat anymore. She showed us postcards she had kept from my grandmother, and I cried as she put my grandmother's necklace on me.
Tia Aurora is - sophisticated and lively herself. She told me that I smile like my grandmother. That's something I never knew.
See, I always knew the Cannons. I was always chasing after the older cousins; trying to keep up. I met the Kruses's when I was 13. I guess, Twice in my life I've been blessed to find family.
The rest of Barcelona is a blur. From getting lost in the city- and meeting a Spanish math teacher who helped me find my way back to a populated area to make sure I didn't get lost or robbed; to climbing Mount Montjuic. There were museums, and food, and I know in my heart that I will go back.
Here's a tiny fact. I added a St. George to my necklace. St. George is the patron St. of Catelonia; legend says he slayed a dragon to save a princess; and he's the saint of strength and valor. I guess this way I always have a piece of Spain with me.
Honestly, coming back was so hard, but there were lessons I needed to learn myself in that.
Something I needed to finally learn from Spain, is that I am beautiful, and resilient; even on my worst days. See, something we learned about my grandmother, she was a model in her earlier life. She was beautiful. How can I say that I'm not beautiful, and yet say I look like her. It doesn't equate.
I'm resilient, in that, even when I got lost, I kept pushing. I found a way. Yes, I had help from a stranger, but I was brave enough to approach that stranger with a limited vocabulary. Before Spain, I didn't know I could do that.
Since I've been back, I've hit my goal weight; and keep setting new fitness goals for myself.
It's strange, but an awesome feeling to look back to where I was a year ago, and say "SEE WHAT I ACCOMPLISHED". It isn't just the weight, it's the eating healthier. It's that most days I am ready to see what record I can break from the week before.
Fitness isn't an all or nothing thing. I've had to learn to embrace the bad days, the days when i don't have the energy to run full bore. Sometimes I can lift 25 pounds, and some days I'm back at 15. The thing is, you just have to keep pushing.
I've been to a concert with friends since I got back. Cari knows how badly I miss her most days. (I tell her often enough). It wasn't really about the concert.
In life- we need each other. We need our tribe of cheerleaders. We need that core group that we go back to when things are going great; or that we need to call to cry with. When I became friends with Cari, I didn't realize I was also inheriting Jennifer and Jessica. I'm glad I did.
Really, I've been very blessed in the group of friends I have. I have some amazing people in my life that have been there for me during good and bad. Sometimes it's hard to remember to thank them all.
Since I've been back, I lost a great aunt; a mother figure. Aunt B lived a good full life. Each of her "children" knew she loved us. I say that, because in some way, we all belonged to Aunt B.
Since I've been back, I've finally got to see another castle. I had to drive a bit further out for this one, as this one was in Pennsylvania. I had great adventure partners however; in Mercy and her children, as they appreciated the history and culture of Buhl Mansion, that was built in the Richardson Romanesque style in 1891 (like how I threw in the history).
It wasn't a day with a super strict schedule; and we wandered from Castle, to church, to chocolate store; and even made a pit stop on the way home. I need friends like Mercy too; to remind me that not everything has to be structured all the time.
Speaking of structure, guess who applied for and got into grad school? I start in September.
Here's another adventure; just a different kind of adventure.
For five years; I've thought and hesitated about whether now is the time to go back or not. Should I or shouldn't I? Finally, with the running of the 5K in June; I realized, I had met my 2019 goals, and it was time to start focusing on new ones.
So, for the next two years; I will be stressed, and laughing about papers, and schedules. I truly believe I'm ready to crush this goal too.
My word for this year was "evolving." I have been evolving since the year began. I have been learning about accepting myself, and the people around me. I've been learning a lot about who I am; and who I want to be.
I hope that I'm constantly evolving to be the best version of myself.
I will try to do better about writing about my adventures; but as you can see; my life is still full of them.
 |
| I actually think Lluis took this picture. I didn't know. But this was taken when Tia Aurora gave me my grandmother's necklace. She had saved it for more than 50 years, hoping to see her sister again. I will cherish it always. |
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| Just strolling through Barcelona with La familia. That's Tia Pila, and prima Maria on the sides of me. I'm rescado in this picture! (look it up, you'll get a laugh. Also, special shout to Antonio for the pictures- and for sharing history with me ) |
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| Wasn't my grandmother gorgeous? Which grandparent do you think I look like? |
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| Familia Lazaro!! |
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| Lost in Barcelona. |
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| Really, with this view, do you blame me for not wanting to come back? |
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| Shout out to these ladies for being awesome! Tina is running another race with me in August. |
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| Buh Mansion, Pennsylvania. I will always find "castles" |
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| Sometimes, It's about the company you're with, more than the even you do! Love you ladies. (and Jennifer too) |
Sunday, December 9, 2018
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: Do you believe in Magic?
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: Do you believe in Magic?: Do you ever just wake up with a smile on your face, and think that maybe someone finally sprinkled a little magic in your life? This wri...
Do you believe in Magic?
Do you ever just wake up with a smile on your face, and
think that maybe someone finally sprinkled a little magic in your life?
This writing isn’t about some big adventure. This writing is
an evaluation of my last 12 months, with some goal setting thrown in. It’s my
typical December post.
Walking into 2018, I knew I would be making a few life
changes. I knew there was a possibility I would change careers, I knew that
wonderful little convertible I had would eventually die. I knew I would have
grand adventures.
At midnight, I ran around in my fabulous self-made ballgown,
giving hugs to friends, and strangers alike. I felt like there was magic in
those moments, and I wasn’t wrong.
Within the month, I changed careers, and got a new car. The
two biggest goals of 2018 were almost accomplished.
My adventures this year have been plenty, from a weekend
trip to Chicago – with a side trip and tears cried as I walked into Hemingway’s
birth home, a day spent in D.C. with men and women that know what “sacrifice”
really means, and finally finishing off my Ohio castles list.
I’ve had mini-adventures too. I’ve watched a best friend get
married, gone to concerts, and taken road trips to new restaurants. I’ve danced
in new places, and made friends.
This year has been good to me.
The lessons I have learned this year have been plenty. One
of those lessons being, that yes, I am all too often my own harshest critic,
and sometimes that carries over to people I love. I have learned, and am
learning, that their decisions and reactions are their own. We cannot live each
other’s lives, but at the end of the day, I couldn’t make it through without
them to fall back on, to love and to give and take advice from. They’re my biggest
cheerleaders and supporters. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful to them
for loving and believing in me.
This year, my novel was finally finished, editing and all.
It will be published in early spring. As a writer, I thought I knew that my
next novel would be about PTSD. That’s what I want to write about, the subject
of my life keeps popping up though; and as it was said last night, maybe my
story should be told if it would help one person fight to the next day.
The truth is, sometimes I’m astounded by the things I’ve
been through, and how far I’ve come. I came back fighting from the depths of
hell. I want other people to know the fight is worth it.
As everyone knows, because they’ve seen a billion and half
pictures, I’ve lost 32 pounds this year. I finally have a healthy way of
eating, working out every day, and feel (and look) a lot like I used to in my 20s.
I’ve added some volunteer responsibilities to my already
busy schedule, and now in addition to being a literacy tutor, I sit on the
board of Project H.O.P.E., expect to hear more about that in 2019.
I have had moments of sadness this year, but I didn’t let
them break me. I let myself cry real tears, instead of trying to hold in
emotions.
Mostly, I’ve learned this year that it is ok to take some
solitary “me” time. It’s ok to take time to refresh myself. I’m an empath, so
that has been something I never did before this year, just take time to myself
to not absorb other people’s emotions, and just sit in mine. That self-time-
allows me to be better when I am around people, because it helps me to center
and figure out what I’m feeling.
The question as I write this, is what are my goals for 2019?
As always, my number one goal is to have adventures and see
something new, that I haven’t seen before.
In 2018, I started taking a few free online classes, and
listening to podcasts about everything from mythology to psychology. The need
to continue learning still burns, and I may at some point decide to further my
education, and get my Masters. I just don’t know if 2019 is that year.
There will be book signings in 2019, and I hope my audience
takes the right message from “Spoons and Needles- the story of how addiction
impacts a family.”
I will have a new niece born in 2019, and I hope to be a
good role model to all my nieces.
I will let myself be creative in 2019, and revisit my love
for crafts, sewing and all things glitter.
One of the things I’m still working on learning, is that when
things are going well in your life, you can’t always be looking for the other
shoe to drop. That may be a lesson I’m always learning and re-learning.
This year, the smiles have finally been real again, and not coerced and forced for pictures. I think one of the biggest things I am trying to learn in
2019, is to let myself believe in magic again.
Saturday, September 29, 2018
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: The end of an Era
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: The end of an Era: I didn't have a big epiphany. That's what I always thought would happen when I finally laid my eyes on the last of the Ohio castles....
The end of an Era
I didn't have a big epiphany. That's what I always thought would happen when I finally laid my eyes on the last of the Ohio castles.
Today, I finally ventured forth to the last of the Ohio Castles. This one was a slightly longer drive. I felt it was appropriate that I ended this one as a lone road trip, since the castle adventures began as a lone trip.
Glamorgan Castle is in Alliance, Ohio. The castle, like many of them, was originally built as a private residence in 1904.
Now, the castle is home of the Alliance City School Board, where they offer weekly tours on Friday, starting at 1 PM.
I know, normally my posts are filled with a little more history. This time however; I didn't have a chance to explore the inside due to my schedule.
The trip was worth it though, even if just to cross it off the list.
Often, trips to the castles were about more than just the adventure.
The castles have been bonding time for family and friends. The castles have made me smile, when things were crazy in my life. They've been side trips, to other destinations and journeys.
Through it all, I have loved the rich history, and the architecture. I've loved sitting on a step, and envisioning myself as one of the original occupants of the home. I've lost touching the bricks, and thinking about the past that still whispers its story.
Most times, on the way back, I knew what life lesson I would discuss, what words of wisdom I hoped to impart along with a bit of history. This time, I had no life wisdom scream at me.
I'm not sure where my next adventure lies, and maybe that is the lesson.
To enjoy the trip, even though we're not sure of the future.
By the time I come back here to sit and write, I will have attended Flag City Honor Flight as a guardian. (Tuesday, which I'm excited about).
By the time I come back to revisit this blog, I will be ready to focus on my 2018 accomplishments, and 2019 goals. I'll be ready to talk about my book being published.
This blog as been cathartic to me. Sometimes, I have poured out my emotions, making dear friends cry. Occasionally, I have made people laugh. Hopefully, I have touched hearts with my imparting wisdom.
I'm sure I won't stop blogging. There may be some blog changes and re-structuring after this.
I hope you have enjoyed the castles. I definitely encourage everyone to visit each castle for yourself.
Always life a live of adventure.
Today, I finally ventured forth to the last of the Ohio Castles. This one was a slightly longer drive. I felt it was appropriate that I ended this one as a lone road trip, since the castle adventures began as a lone trip.
Glamorgan Castle is in Alliance, Ohio. The castle, like many of them, was originally built as a private residence in 1904.
Now, the castle is home of the Alliance City School Board, where they offer weekly tours on Friday, starting at 1 PM.
I know, normally my posts are filled with a little more history. This time however; I didn't have a chance to explore the inside due to my schedule.
The trip was worth it though, even if just to cross it off the list.
Often, trips to the castles were about more than just the adventure.
The castles have been bonding time for family and friends. The castles have made me smile, when things were crazy in my life. They've been side trips, to other destinations and journeys.
Through it all, I have loved the rich history, and the architecture. I've loved sitting on a step, and envisioning myself as one of the original occupants of the home. I've lost touching the bricks, and thinking about the past that still whispers its story.
Most times, on the way back, I knew what life lesson I would discuss, what words of wisdom I hoped to impart along with a bit of history. This time, I had no life wisdom scream at me.
I'm not sure where my next adventure lies, and maybe that is the lesson.
To enjoy the trip, even though we're not sure of the future.
By the time I come back here to sit and write, I will have attended Flag City Honor Flight as a guardian. (Tuesday, which I'm excited about).
By the time I come back to revisit this blog, I will be ready to focus on my 2018 accomplishments, and 2019 goals. I'll be ready to talk about my book being published.
This blog as been cathartic to me. Sometimes, I have poured out my emotions, making dear friends cry. Occasionally, I have made people laugh. Hopefully, I have touched hearts with my imparting wisdom.
I'm sure I won't stop blogging. There may be some blog changes and re-structuring after this.
I hope you have enjoyed the castles. I definitely encourage everyone to visit each castle for yourself.
Always life a live of adventure.
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| I love the details on the tower |
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| Imagine walking up these stairs for a party |
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| There are gardens to walk through! |
Add caption
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| Just chilling, thinking of me in my ballgown, coming up the stairs for a dinner party |
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| Are those marble stairs? |
Sunday, September 2, 2018
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: There's treasure in the journey
adventures and life lessons of a super-woman: There's treasure in the journey: It's starting to be the changing of a season. Soon leaves will change colors, and we're already waking up to crisper mornings. The k...
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