Anywhere But Here

Whenever I come home from a trip, I always get a case of the "Post Trip Blues". You get off the plane, jump in the car and drive back into reality. Monday morning comes and it's time to go back to work. But instead of getting up and starting my day with my usual routine, I sit up in bed and think to myself..."This time yesterday I was laying on the beach sun tanning". Then lunch time rolls around and you think "This time a couple days ago I was swimming in the ocean or having a drink poolside". This usually lasts for about a week, and then I am finally settled and ready to accept that this is infact, my real life... no more paradise. This time around though, has proven to be a bit different. I cannot seem to shake these blues. I want to be where the sun is almost always shining, I want to wake up and look out my window and see the ocean. I want to stand outside and feel the warmth from the sun kiss my cheeks. I want to live in a place where flip flops can be worn no matter what time of year it is. I want to walk to the ocean in the evening, with a cool breeze and just sit and listen to the waves crashing. Paradise does not have to be a once a year thing... why can't it become my every day life? The travel bug has bitten, and this time, the itch won't go away.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

"Don't judge a book by its cover". How many times have we heard this? More importantly, how many times have we heard this, but ignore the importance behind what it truly means? I myself can admit that I am guilty on numberous accounts of judging before getting to know someone, judging what someone is wearing, what someone says. I have told myself many times that I am going to work on my judgmental ways.. and even up until last night I sat there and commented on a person's haircut and choice of clothing. Every person is unique and beautiful in their own way, so I am in no position to judge that.

I recently returned home from a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. What an amazing place, filled with beautiful people. I had the best time. Not only are the staff outstanding, but the friends I met along the way made my vacation that much better. The reason that I write this entry is because of 2 people I met at my resort. Both from Chile, these guys were great. To make a long story short, a friend I was traveling with nick named one of my new friends by his appearance. And another did the same because of a movie they saw with Chilean guys as the villians. Stereo types SUCK. I was the only person in my group of 14 to have the great joy of talking with these guys, hanging out and learning Spanish (a true love of mine BTW). So when my friends from home would make comments and say things, it not only offended me, but I instantly became defensive because it bothered me a lot that they had formed an opinion about these guys without talking to them, and basing their opinions on a story that was overheard. The point behind this whole "Don't judge a book by its cover" is that forming an opinion, or believing in a stereo type before actually getting to know a person is simple... Don't do it. People deserve the benefit of the doubt and from here on out, I am going to be mindfull of my rejudgments against people. Jesus loves us all no matter what, so I am going to take a pointer from him and try my best to love others as he does.

I am left with the feeling of missing these great guys, and I only had 6 days with them. Carpe Diem was a phrase that I taught one of them... and on the last night, we did exactly just that, we ceased the night and well into the morning sunrise and it was one of the greatest nights I have had.

What is meant to be will be???

I can't help but wonder why certain people come and go in our lives... and will we ever find out why?

 

There are some people, like your close friends that you have grown up with that you know where placed in your life to help you grow, to have your back, to wipe your tears and share your laughter. These people I believe God placed in my life to make me a better person, to show me what real love for another person is like, to know compassion and true happiness. The same goes for family, they are the automatic support system in every way, the people that will never turn and walk away from you. But then there are other people, like a boyfriend who you think you will spend forever with, but then out of nowhere, that person is just a memory. Or someone that you meet for a brief moment, maybe just in passing, or maybe someone you only get to know for a short while. In that time, they make an impact on your life... and before you know it, its time to say goodbye, and they too just become a memory. So how is it that God decides who remains in our lives and who doesn't? I understand and want to believe that God has a plan for my life... but sometimes it's just so confusing. I wish I could read his mind every once and a while, it would definitely help to clarify a few things. How do you know when to just let it be... or to take things into your own hands and see what happens.

A New Place To Call Home??

One Tree Hill, Dawson's Creek, The Notebook, Dear John and The Last Song, not only some of my favorites, but all of these TV shows and movies were filmed in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The lush green landscape and cozy moss lined oaks just call my name. Some part of me, a large part of me can see myself spending a summer working at a horse stable, living the most simple life possible. Waking up with the sun, running along a long gravel road, or even better, the ocean. Drinking ice tea on a porch swing at night enjoying a good novel, with nothing but the sounds of crickets and the wind blowing through the leaves as my playlist. Walking to the market to pick up my fresh produce, attending a local state fair or festival. All these things make my heart sing.

I have lived in the same city for 24 years, minus the 6 months I moved to Ontario, but that hardly counts. What a refreshing change it would be to escape the hustle and bustle of a loud, dirty and crowded city, and trade it in for warm evening breezes, afternoon naps in a hammock and good ole southern hospitality. As I was watching the movie "The Lucky One" the other night, I found myself with the desire to have a big country home, equipped with wooden stairs, a cozy living room with a fireplace, a porch that wraps around the entire house, and a swinging door, got to have the swinging door. Rather than watching TV in the evenings, I would go on a nice long walk or find an oak tree to claim as my writing spot and journal. Instead of waking up and getting dressed up for the office, I would wash my face, throw on a t-shirt, cut offs and rubber boots and be out the door. Instead of going out for expensive dinner's, I would invite friends over for a BBQ and drink cold beer. That to me is simplicity at it's best, and what a dream come true it would be for this to become my life, even it if just for a summer.