Day 201: Wading in the Gulf

 Our destination this morning was the gulf.  Our feet were in need of some sand, so we waded and walked the beach for awhile.  It is a cooler day and the water feels refreshing.  After wading we shopped for some t-shirts an then found a place for lunch.  I wanted to eat on the beach, so we found a restaurant that swayed with the water.  The storm began to come in and what a storm it was.  We saw a supercell with a wall cloud that had rotation.  Luckily we did not see a tornado, but we tried.  It was another low key evening due to the rain and us wearing out.

Day 191: Driving in the Alps

Best Moments
1. Early morning walk in the Cinque Terre
2. Watching the men comb the beach and get ready for another day
3. Wondering if our bus was going to go off the cliff or not
4. Enjoying the view out the windows on our way to Switzerland
5. Excited about planning our paragliding adventure
6. Realizing that the Euro is not such a bad deal compared to expenses in Switzerland
7. Skipping the bathroom break to take pictures of the Alps
8. Picking up snow after being in the Mediterranean
9. Welcome drink(s)
10. Hotel room view
11. Fondue demonstration (and eating)
12. Getting in trouble (again)
13. Amazing mashed potatoes
14. Watching the cows parade down the street in the rain
15. Evening walk down to the next town and back
16. Seeing the waterfalls

Flickr Set of Images

Day 190: Hiking Through the Hills

Best Moments:
1. Having friends to share the journey with
2. Getting up early to go for a hike
3. Being kissed on the lips by an old Italian man walking by and wondering what just happened
4. Realizing that the hike was more than I anticipated, but so happy that I went
5. Getting done with the most challenging part of the hike in the beginning, and then going downhill afterwards
6. Listening to other travelers on the trail
7. Photographing the colorful villages
8. Enjoying pesto in the best place for it
9. Seeing a pug and getting to pet him even though the owner didn't speak English, I think there was an understanding
10. Taking the train and boat to see the villages
11. Gazing into the unreal, blue Mediterranean
12. Meeting on the beach with friends to have wine, focaccia, and an amazing pesto lasagna
13. Making the most of the evening by going to a concert in the old town
13. Watching people in their windows as they looked down on the concert

Flickr Set of Images

Day 71: Sping Forward

Today has been the most beautiful day of 2012 so far.  With the temperature in the mid 60s and the sun shining, it was a great day to get out.  I ventured up to Evanston and made my way down to Chicago.  I walked on the beach and watched the dogs play.  I think this could be used as therapy.  It is so lifting to see dogs so free and having fun playing with their friends.  I do not know how anyone can stay stressed for long with such happiness around.  
 
It seemed like everyone was out today.  Along the lake you could see many families and people running.  I walked a mile or two along the path and just took in the warm air and sights.  I feel so much more alive in the spring when the weather improves.  I needed to be outside.

I took a few minutes to find a rock and plant myself.  I want to make sure I take more time to sit, take in, and reflect like this more often.  For some reason, reflection comes a lot easier around a lively, beautiful place.  I reflect about work about 20 times a day, but I need to take more time to reflect about other ideas.  Part of me feels almost guilty about not making teaching my life because so many great teachers I know do this, but I truly feel that if I am happier, then my teaching will be better.  Life really is all about balance, especially for me.  

As I was walking back to my car, I saw benches with dedications.  I've seen this before, but I found the plaques to be more personal than what I'd seen before.  One was about a woman and it said she loved walking and talking with you.  It made me wish I could have walked and talked with her.  Another was about a man that was a windsurfer and a harley man on his last ride.  How wonderful to think about death as another adventure.  I'm not there yet, but I hope as I age and my time comes, I will be up for the challenge.

It also made me wonder what someone would put on my plaque.  Last night I couldn't help but realize that I am getting older.  Now, I'm not saying old, just older.  In my mind I still perceive myself as young.  There is still so much I have not figured out and still so much that I need to do.  Right now I feel like I'm in the more selfish part of my life, but I know that this will change eventually.  I hope that it does before I'm old, wrinkly, and nobody wants me anymore.  As I look in the mirror I see an aging face with dark circles.  I hope I can always hold onto my youth.