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I am continuing the 30 Day Thankfulness Challenge...if you missed the last 4 days were posted here. This has turned into a very deep and personal challenge, as I share my gratitude with you. Shall we do a few more days, before I call it quits? Day 5: A family member: My niece Layla.. You see pictures sometimes on here of her. She is a very sweet and kind little girl who lights up a room when she walks in. She will be 4 this month! Not only is she super smart, kind and loving, she has a wonderful sense of humor! We have so much fun when we visit her. I am grateful for the time I get to spend with her and her family. Just a few weeks ago she welcomed home a baby brother! I can’t wait to start spoiling him! Warning: There will be more baby and baby related items on here in the future, lol! Day: 6 The town/countryside you call home: This is a tough one. I am often asked where I’m from and I usually hesitate. In the last week I have had 3 people ask me if I was English (I'm pretty sure I do not have an English accent) and a few more in Texas ask me where I was from. WTF?! I looked at them blankly because I was born in Texas. See this past post about this very topic in Las Vegas. So I think I’M from Texas (I was born there) and I love Texas very much. It is as large as France, used to be its own country and is full of wildness. (No, not wilderness, there is that too.) Texas has a wild “Anything can happen” sense about it. There are so many different things from Austin being the Live Music Capital of the World, to the Gulf Coast to the cowboys to NASA, and the list goes on and on. Texas has a pride you don’t find in other states, it also has a rich diversity in people. I love that. I love all the adventures you can have there and all the cool people you can meet. Texas will always be home and I am grateful I was born there. BUT.... I also call the south of France home and I am very grateful for that. I love Paris very much, but I spend most of my time in a sleepy little village just across the Pyrenees from Spain. The weather is amazing, the food is fresh and fabulous and the people are kind. There is no crime, no hustle and bustle and life is slow and calm there. I love it and am grateful for every opportunity I have to be there. But... I am currently living in New Mexico and I am immensely grateful for this! While I love Texas it was time to leave. I love the mountains too much to stay in central Texas and I dislike all the high prices due to the oil boom. Plus with everything else going on in my life I really needed a change. We have a lovely house in a quiet area that suits us well and I am grateful for this more than I can express! I have a great office, wonderful clients and amazing new friends here! I really do have so much to be thankful for! Life is good and actually getting better everyday.
Why don't you do the challenge too and tag me so I can read your answers? I'd love to learn more about you. See you at the airport and I promise more of the challenge tomorrow! Yes, I'm gonna get all "preachy" today. As you know mostly I'm all about rainbows, unicorns, love and wanderlust. But all my life I have heard, "Why the Hell would you want to do that?" When I make the mistake of telling someone that I was going somewhere, trying something new or thinking of learning something. In the beginning I let it stop me, I can admit that now. I CARED what people thought and doubted my ability to make a good decision. WHY? I haven't a CLUE! I think mostly because the idiots are LOUD! They are the first people to pipe up and declare their opinions and find fault. They Love to shoot down people's dreams. It's a favorite past time of the bitter, ignorant and frightened. If you read my blog, then you know I stopped listening (and caring) about what people thought a long time ago. I realized that their world view and mine are totally and completely different. My world is HUGE and their world is very small. So bless them and move on....I don't judge them, (Okay sometimes I do, but I try not to, even when they are all up in my business.) The point I'm trying to make is: If you dream of traveling, starting your own business or living somewhere other than the town you were born in, DO IT. The people who will try and shoot down your plans are more than likely coming from a place of fear, not facts. So when they tell you how over priced healthcare, drugs, crime and corruption is the same everywhere, ask them how they know. When did they last travel or experience life elsewhere? Who do they know in those far off places? Or what have they accomplished that makes them an expert on such topics? Usually you will get a half assed answer regarding something they saw on the TV or Facebook. Both totally reliable references for world facts. (She says rolling here eyes.) So do NOT listen to them! Do your own research! Ask people, read forums, news reports, buy books, etc. And then GO SEE FOR YOURSELF!
I can only share MY experience, but for me the world is a HUGE and Varied place! Its full of adventure, great people and interesting places to explore. So why are you still inside? Go explore and do not let frightened people stop you from living your dreams. Okay rant over--- See you at the airport! Bon Jour~ I have been going back forth from the states to Europe for a decade. I have been fortunate enough to have lived in both France and England. And as you know, I just recently moving back to the United States. Here are ten things I learned from living in France: 1. The French people do NOT Hate Americans. It's a common misconception in the US and I think gives us grounds to in turn hate other countries. Which is total merde. 2. French people are both kind and very polite. If you use good manners and common sense, you will do fine there. Do your best to not be a living, breathing caricature of a rude American, okay? 3. People in Paris will NOT laugh at your accent. Also another misconception from the US. We are told not to go to Paris because our accent will be so awful people will stop in the streets and laugh at you and point. (Rolls eyes - never happen.) 4. People really do walk around with loaves of bread sticking out of sacks. That bread is fresh made and cost about one euro and you will LOVE IT! 5. The air and the sunlight really are different in France. Even if you were not an artist, you will become one after spending time in France. Pack that sketch pad now. 6. Higher Education is Free in France. (No student loans if you are a resident.) My French friends have asked me several times why we do not all get together in America and just pay a teacher to teach our children? I had to explain in America its all about that piece of paper.
7. French Food is Delicious! But we really already knew that, didn't we? 8. Most French words we use in American English do not mean the same thing. So tread carefully and do not take offense when someone say them to you in a totally different context. 9. Starbucks is for the tourists, because not very many, (if any French people) would pay $5 for a cup of coffee. Most often when I have coffee at my friends homes it is instant Nescafe. Sorry to spoil your fantasy. 10. Wine is very, very affordable. (If you live in the South especially.) Make friends with the locals and you will learn to save your wine bottles. You take these back to the vineyard on certain days to be refilled for almost nothing. France felt like home to me the first time I stepped off the plane. I could do a list of 100 things I learned in France or maybe more. I learned so much about the French people, culture and also about myself. At times it was frightening to be living in a country where I knew no one, had a limited vocabulary and no cell phone, but I'm so glad I did it! I did purchase a phone (you have to show Id), made friends and learned some French. Then I learned more and met more people, went to more places and have so many wonderful memories! If you are wondering if you should go soon or wait to visit...I would advise you NOT to wait. Learn as much French as you can and do not be afraid to address people, order food in a cafe or visit the landmarks. Just be polite and have an open mind. Pack light and go already! So hello again, As I set to write more on this blog I laugh to myself about what (or how little I actually write here) for example, this is what I want to write: "Suddenly bewitched by an errant butterfly, (or something about as bizarre), the bewildered athlete made a wrong turn and left the race course. Without warning he was in the middle of speeding, angry autos and oncoming traffic. Somehow, and rather miraculously, I might add, he made a narrow escape around two Peugeot into a medieval, crooked alley way. It was apparent he used all his training to defy gravity and escape the traffic; stunned in to open mouthed silence, we watched from the side walk cafe, not more than a few feet away. I was so discouraged by his near death that I could hardly finish my cappuccino.." But instead I will just take a shy picture of my drink and write how delicious it was. #Fail
I ask myself why? Is it because I fear judgement? Will you judge my writing and find it puerile and gauche? So instead I write nothing? The stories are after all what make the trips so much more than just airline miles. But I find I usually do not share them. Again I ask myself why? Odd, no? Maybe it's just France that makes me behave this way, I don't know.. Bonne nuit~ I have been suffering from a most severe case of Wanderlust lately. *Whines to anyone that will listen, "I never go anywhere." Sob ~ Sob ~ Sob There are so many good travel deals currently passing through my mail box and don't even get me started on cruise specials! OMG! I feel like just picking a direction and leaving today. Did I mention my bag is already packed? Have luggage and passport, what else do you need? Oh right, time off from work! 2016 was the year I had planned to go to Asia, but that's all up in the air right now. Who knows where I will be by this time next year? :( #MightSettle4Vegas So where are you going in 2016? Do you have a "bucket list" goal coming up or is it just time to splurge and take a real vacation for a change? I don't have a bucket list, but I do have a few places I seem to miss when I travel, so maybe 2016 will be the year to finally visit them. IDK. maybe I should just shut up crying and go back to France and just stay there? I always seem the happiest in France. What about you? What's the number one place on your "must visit list" or do you have a spot that just make you super happy to visit?
See you at the airport- This time last year I was packing up my house in the south of France. I was so so sad that I was leaving. I'm not going to talk about what is happening in Paris right now. It breaks my heart. Plus I do not think we need to give it any more energy or power. We need to stay positive. So if you have never been to Paris before, I suggest you do not wait, book your trip in 2016. You will fall in love with the beautiful city and lovely people. We do every time we visit. But this trip was more about England. So my son and I left #France and flew to #England. We flew into London and stayed there a few days to sort my sons passport problems. Meaning we spent quality time at the US Embassy. Here is a post from that adventure. We left London, went to BATH (One of my favorite English cities) and then BACK to London for another round of passport fun. Looking at these posts from last year the picture are so gray. :( The weather was bleak, raining and cold, but it is winter. We stayed warm and dry in this lovely holiday house in Bath! It was super nice and even had 2 Christmas trees! I would definitely stay there again. From there we went on to Blackpool till after the New Year. It seemed like just a typical (except for the passport hassle) trip but looking back on it - #WTF?! We were busy as HELL. Blackpool Tower.
This was our 1st trip to Blackpool, but not the last, we were back this August. I wonder where we will be in 2016? I think this year will be a tamer December anyway. Although there are some really nice air prices right now..Have you seen all the sales? Let's get packing! See you at the airport~
You know I miss them all so much. My dear family from France and all the wonderful people I met this last round in England. I never expected to be so "homesick" for them all.
I miss the people more than anything. But I do long to see the sunlight in France again, and feel the way the grass was mossy yet bouncing under my feet in my backyard in England. I yearn for the colorful flower beds, bursting with a riot of impossible color and the food, fresh from the French bakery, affordable and oh so delicious! I miss the sparkling clear water of the lakes, especially with the sun dancing across the surface. The water so still and calm, reflecting golden light back at me as I sat for hours and observed the never ending parade of fish go by, no doubt on important fish business and the ducks that spend all day gliding around, ducklings following. I miss seeing all the many English birds that have "tit" in their names, and of course the ever present English sheep. Also all the many shades of "greens" and the Fells, the constant fluffy clouds, loud contagious laughter of happy children, lazy Saturday afternoons surrounded by plants in the conservatory, investigating the quaint old shops in small out of the way villages, quirky neighbors and learning the true meaning of "tea". #FML I shall see you all again very soon, I think. Another Friend just died.... One minute he was there and the next he was gone. Loosing someone like that always gets me to pondering life. We really don't know how much time we have left and why do we waste so much time on unnecessary crap? WHY? I don't know, do you? We should know better by now, yet life, work and family seem to get in the way of our dreams. He had always wanted to travel and never made the time to actually DO IT. We would wistfully speak about traveling when we were children and the last time I was in the states we shared an evening laughing and speaking about it again...He told me some of the places on his Bucket List and when I challenged him to "just go already" he a laundry list of excuses. Now it's too late. Do you have a bucket List? And is travel on it? I think for most American's it is a BIG part of the List. We work too long and hard to travel much (Err, I'm not speaking about me, but in general. If you are a regular reader here you know I travel my fair share.) BUT most people don't for whatever reason. Is Travel on your Bucket List? If so, why haven't you gone already? Or are you marking things off the list every month? I'd like to hear what you are doing and how. Mine? Well, I had hopped for 2016 to be the year I explored Asia, but I'm not really sure thats going to happen. So in no particular order-- Here is my Dream Travel List: 1. Japan 2. Iceland 3. Russia 4. Vienna 5. Cambodia - The temples and lost cites!! 6. Egypt (Would love to see the ruins, but gonna wait till after the war ends.) 7. Madagascar - One word. LEMURS! 8. Maldives -It looks so pretty! 9. Vancouver - The bits of Canada I have explored are so fabulous! I want to see more. 10. Australia - I think it's going to be a lot like Texas. 11. Budapest - It looks creepy cool! 12. Greece - I can't believe I've never been. How did I miss it? 13. Holland - The tulips - OMG? Have you seen the Tulips? Of Course I also want to RETURN to some familiar places. I love PARIS, New York and Washington State. It goes without saying I must return to London, Scotland, Big Bend, Mesa Verde, Colorado, New Mexico, Norway, Florida, Amsterdam, California, Spain and New Orleans and soon! Plus the entire South of France! Oh and all of Italy! There are so many places that interest me and so much to see and explore. I just found the best place in Paris for Chinese food, I gotta go back soon. Plus there are so many things to see in each country- I try every year to go some place new and also revisit my favorite places. I was thinking how fortunate I am to be able to travel as much as I do. But I also don't WAIT, I make the decision to travel and make it happen. If it's important to you, you will find a way.
See you at the airport~ #travel #Traveling, #USA #England #France #Norway #Japan #Bucketlist I'm attempting to blog via the phone.. still waiting on computer parts. 😰 Please enjoy some Holiday pictures; as I shut up about the laptop already.. They were just beginning to put up the holiday decorations up in our little village (in the south of France) when we had to leave. (Sobs some more. Why? Why leave?? IDK sobs) i don't know if they were delayed due the flooding or if they just don't start as early as other places. It was misty raining when I took these photos..... Am giving up for now. Pictures not loading & text is bogging down. #fml
Cross fingers computer parts arrive (and is correct) Thursday or by Feb? WTF?! I have 1,000s of picts & many stories.. And want to share all the pretty decorations we have seen in the UK! Happy Holidays were ever you are. Catch you later- HI~ Its still not Halloween -nor does it look like it in the village - I consoled myself with a bit of shopping. At 1st it's difficult to understand why anyone would enjoy going to the market every day, but it quickly becomes a past time, not a chore. :D That van was full of stuff & the whole seller left the doors wide open while inside the shop making a delivery! That would never happen in Texas, there would not even be a van left.
There really is little to no crime here. Catch you later~ |
Ms One~🌍 Welcome to My Adventures! 🌱 Foto Friday's
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