DivaSpin

Wordle!

2012-01-28T08:45:00.001-08:00

I Must Be Getting Old: When Wonder Woman hits the Fifties!

2011-10-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

Let me start off saying that the act of maturing is to be greatly desired. Why? Well, simply put, it means you earn the right to boast about the wisdom you've gained from jumping over all those "hurdles" life throws your way. Yes, turning fifty was indeed a great accomplishment. Now as I near the mid-way mark of my five-o series, my mind is in great shape, however, I cannot say the same for my body.

On an average day, I easily lose count of the number of aches, kinks, pulls and pain jolts that strike me throughout the day. In light of the pain, the comical sense of it is that each time one occurs; I have mini-flashback to the days when I would re-organize my entire house in a single day. Sure enough there were many Saturdays when I awoke, looked at the living room and decided that every piece of furniture needed to shift to a new direction. Wonder Woman, move the sofa with one hand while pushing the TV towards the wall with the left hand.

Other pain jolts take me to those days when I would work in the yard, construct a book case, and move garage "storage" boxes in a single blink. Nowhere in my brain did I consider that all of my Wonder Woman antics would eventually catch up and overpower my physical strength, so soon! So here I sit, surrounded by Ben-Gay, Arthritis formula Tylenol, Epson Salt and a host of Multi-vitamins, and an occasional “medicinal” shot of Tequila, hoping to restore some of my former "super-woman" powers.

Alas, I am just happing to feel the pain, because it reminds me that I am still alive!

Permettez-moi de commencer de dire que l'acte de maturation est fortement souhaitable. Pourquoi ? Bien, tout simplement, cela signifie que vous gagnez le droit de se vanter de la sagesse que vous avez acquise de sauter par-dessus tous ces « obstacles » vie lève votre chemin. Oui, tournant cinquante était en effet une grande réussite. Maintenant, comme je l'ai près de la marque à mi-chemin de ma série de cinq-o, mon esprit est en grande forme, cependant, je ne peux même pour mon corps.

Sur une journée moyenne, je perds facilement le nombre de maux, kinks, tirants et des soubresauts de la douleur qui me paraît tout au long de la journée. À la lumière de la douleur, le sens comique qui est à chaque fois un se produit ; J'ai mini-flashback les jours où je serait réorganiser ma maison tout en une seule journée. Il y a certes assez plusieurs samedis quand je s'est réveillé, a regardé la salle de séjour et a décidé que chaque pièce de mobilier nécessaires pour passer à une nouvelle direction. Wonder Woman, déplacez le canapé d'une main tout en poussant la TV vers le mur de la main gauche.

Autres secousses douleur take me de ces jours où je travaillerais dans la Cour de triage, construire une affaire de livre et déplacer des boîtes de garage « stockage » en un clin unique. Nulle part dans mon cerveau a fait je considère que tous mes bouffonneries de Wonder Woman seraient finalement rattraper et maîtriser ma force physique, si peu de temps ! Voici donc que m'asseoir, entouré de Ben-Gay, l'arthrite formule Tylenol, Epson sel et une foule de 02152894 et une photo de « médicament » occasionnelle de Tequila, dans l'espoir de restaurer certains de mes pouvoirs de l'ancien « super-woman ».

Hélas, je suis juste happing à ressentir la douleur, car cela me rappelle que je suis toujours en vie!

I'm Alive

2011-09-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it has been a year or two since I last posted. Its safe to say that I will need a few days to gather my thoughts about how much I want to share of the life adventures of the past 12 months. Be patient, I will be back, with all the details.

Urbandictionary.com- Who is Cassandra?

2010-02-03T10:17:00.001-08:00

Okay, the rant on Facebook these days is to find the meaning of your name by doing a search at Urbandictionay. So I searched for my name here are the results. (funny and interesting)

Cassandra

The prophetess Cassandra (kuh-san-drah), also known as Alexandra, was a Trojan princess. The daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, she was also renowned as the second most beautiful woman in the world at the time, Helen being the foremost. She made many correct prophecies, such as the downfall of Troy because of Paris' abduction of Helen, but she was never believed and her visions were disregarded and ignored.
"Where are you going? You will bring conflagration back with you. How great the flames are that you are seeking over these waters, you do not know." (Cassandra to Paris. Ovid, Heroides 16,120)
There are two versions to how she received her prophetic powers. In the first, she was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo after agreeing to lie with him. She then later rejected his lustful advances so he added a curse, making it so her prophecies would never be believed. The second version states that as small children, Cassandra and her twin brother Helenus fell asleep in the temple of Apollo after a feast in honor of their birthdays. When Hecuba came looking for them, she found temple serpents (considered sacred to Apollo and symbols of prophecy and wisdom) on them that were biting their 'organs of sense', meaning the brain.

Cassandra Syndrome

1) The condition of speaking the truth and having no one believe you.
2) The condition of being able to predict the future, be it the outcome of a particular event, or the reactions of others to the same event, and having no one believe your prophecy until it transpires.
3) Being able to see or understand things long before others, often resulting in them coming to the same conclusions long after your own initial analysis.
(All definitions come from Cassandra, the queen in Greek mythology who was appointed by Apollo with an inability to lie, yet cursed by having no one believe her prophecies.)

Handbook 2010

2010-02-03T09:58:00.001-08:00

I received this very great e-mail this morning from a really great person and I thought it would great to share this on my blog. Certainly their are some items here that I plan to heavily invest into like, make time to pray and don’t over do.

HANDBOOK 2010
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously.. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change...
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come...
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

Back In The Swing

2009-12-31T08:59:00.001-08:00

Marvelous Monday

2009-11-17T00:03:00.001-08:00

Today was my first full day out and about and I do mean a full day. Since life does not stop when you are recovering I had to get up and get some real world activities completed. My dear Husband/Nurse/Chef/Driver took me all over town to do some banking, light shopping and some car repairs. Yes, I was pretty tired when we returned home but I really feel like I gave the knee a good workout. Oddly it was not as sore or stiff as I anticipated by time I hit my resting spot this evening. I truly thank God for today’s strength. So I am ending another day and hope that I don’t have that 4 AM pain wake up call but we’ll see.

So today I became an expert at using those little mobile carts they have in stores. It’s funny how before my knee problems I would see those carts and the people using them and never gave it a second thought. My adventure today really exposed me to what handicapped people must deal with. The cart at Wal-Mart really worked great and was powered up when I entered the store and had enough battery life for my entire 40 minute shopping trip. Then I headed over to Target where I selected one their carts and had to have George push me to the cashier line after using the cart for about a good 10 minutes. Wow, imagine being in a mobile cart loaded with items in your basket and it dies on you in aisle 16 in the back of the store! Do you call AAA? Or pray and hope that a sales associate makes their way down the aisle to rescue you. This was like the second time this happened to me at Target. The first time I used a cart was prior to my surgery when my young cousin David decided that I need to know how to operate them since my surgery was coming soon. Well he did a good job on showing me how to use the steering tools and so forth, but he too had to push me to the cashier because the store policy is that the only people who can use the carts are adults and those who of course are handicapped. I think it might be time to mention to the Target store manager about getting some carts that have a battery life that can support at least a 45 minute shopping trip. Oh well I guess you learn something new everyday.

Good night all and have a blessed evening!

The Knee Chronicles

2009-11-14T23:22:00.001-08:00

Okay today was pretty decent, I did get a chance to go outside and see the beauty of God’s creation. So I am trying to read my homework assignments for Sociology. Yes I have online classes during my recovery period and it’s been quite amazing to read some of the assignments I have submitted under the influence of codeine (LOL.) Yes this full time pain is tasking but I re-motivate myself by visualizing me riding that brand new bicycle Santa brought me last Christmas and being able to start walking 4 miles to boost my goal to lose weight and rid myself of Diabetes. I laughed at the thought in my head that this pain is far more tortuous than childbirth. I know some may disagree, but wait until you have experienced both events and you’ll understand the comparison.

I am so thankful for my wonderful best friend and all my family and neighbors that have been so kind in dropping by meals and well wishes. I live in a relatively new area and have been fortunate to meet some really nice people. These past two weeks I have seen how community unity looks in 2009.

And so another day ends, I begin my nightly routine, read while listening to the “Spa” channel on SIRIUS, gulp down those two pain relievers so I can get at least 3 hours of sleep before the 4:00 AM pain session begins. It feels odd not having been to church for the past three Sundays but thank goodness for Itunes which has some great Podcast from my favorites inspirational leaders like Bishop T.D. Jake, Joyce Meyers, Creflo Dollar and Greg Laurie. I love God and the life that he has given me even during the hard, bumpy parts of the journey, I can truly look back and see the growth and be grateful for the woman I am today.

Ciao!

Nightmare on Knee Street

2009-11-13T18:54:00.001-08:00

Somehow word got to my knee that today is Friday the 13th because it has been screaming with pain all day long! Today is a certified “bad” recovery day. At the very least all I can do is chug down two pain pills and head back to sleep. I’ve checked my wound and it looks good so no concerns about infections. It is not swollen but feels like a hard rock that is stuck at an L-shaped angle. I tell you this is one angry knee! It’s as if it the anesthesia finally wore off and it looked around and saw the big cut and just went raving mad! Oh well off to get the ice pack and some warm tea. I can see this will be a long night

Oh well, it's Hump Day!

2009-11-11T21:57:00.001-08:00

I am tiredddddddddddddddd. Two session of therapy, three ice packs, six pain pills and I tell you I am really going to sleep well this evening. I feel good, lots of pain but I feel like I made some milestones in therapy because I see where my kinks are and I am focusing on working those out ASAP! Today the bandages came off for good to allow the incision are to get air. It looks a little rugged but it really is not too bad. So next week I being therapy at an outpatient facility and of course I am curious as to what type of therapy they will have me undergo (translation what method of patient torture is coming!) It is starting to pay off now as I can feel my leg getting stronger and how much more flexible it’s becoming as I tackled new exercises each day. Yes, the pain is brutal but today I decided that the only thing that could really resolved my pain was a nice bowl of Hagen Daz Rum Raisin ice cream!!!
Okay, well I am heading for the pillow and out until tomorrow. Have a great evening.

You live and you learn

2009-11-10T18:04:00.001-08:00

Yes, that is what both my mother and grandmother used to always say and inevitable their comes a time when that very say rings true. During this down time of disability for me I have come to appreciate some things that I have previously taken for granted. Case in point: cheap blankets! It has never crossed my mind during the numerous times I purchased bed blankets or throws from Bed Bath and Beyond or other stores for that fact, the significance in getting a quality blanket. Not until this morning when I woke up looking like a red speckled bunny rabbit full of lint balls from head to toe. It seems I had a severe boxing match with the nice red blanket I purchased a while back from Target. It seemed like a good price at $10.00 and after all it was for one of the spare bedrooms that would hardly see many guest. Surely their must have been a warning on the label of the package that I did not see because that blanket likes to leave lots of itself on you! Normally this would not have been quite a dilemma but right now I can not step foot into a shower until this six inch wound on the front of my knee heals. Therefore I spent most of the morning with the hairbrush, vacuum and several face towels trying to removed the 6,000 or so red lint balls from my hair and body.

So today was my first day outside of the house and I have to say I did pretty well. George was kind enough to chauffeur me to my dentist appointment and I did quite well in getting around. The leg is still tender and has a way to go but I can certainly see and feel the results of the therapy. Okay, well I am ending Tuesday on a high note. Peace to all!

Sunday Knees!

2009-11-08T21:40:00.001-08:00

Okay, wrapping up this week of challenge and pain. This weekend was not too brutal but I am mentally preparing myself for what is in store for Therapy next week. I can see some progress in my knee. It is not as swollen as it was earlier this week but there is some large bruised areas that I hope will go away over time. I am able to get around with the aid of a walker, at least enough to sneak into the kitchen to grab some cookies

Alas my trusty caretaker made sure he stocked the pantry with all “sugar free” items which is just as well because my sugar levels are peaking at 300 which is scary for me. Much of that is due to the stress of the surgery and the constant pain in my knee. So I guess it would not make since for me to be swiping Oreo’s to aggravate my diabetic challenges.

If you want to keep something on the straight and narrow then George is certainly the man for the job. Goodnight and God Bless to all.

Exhale

2009-11-07T05:49:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was tough in more ways than one. I started off with my daily PT which actually turned out pretty good. In spite of the pain I was able to add four additional exercises. I know that recovery is all on my head. Later that afternoon things started to take a downhill turn. Perhaps I tried to do too much, like lie on the sofa and watch a movie. Nope this feat is just not possible yet as the only thing my body can stand at this point is the full firm support of a medical mattress! So I end today with a plan to make tomorrow a much better day,

When Pain is a Blessing

2009-11-06T02:32:00.001-08:00

I had this astounding thought while brushing my teeth. Most of yesterday was another painful reminder of my recent knee surgery. Bear with me as I doze off while writing this piece. Yes, the very surgery that I prayed for three months ago. You see like most of us, I asked for something and forgot to consider the accessories (smile,) As I end another day I realized that the something great that happened to me six days ago was the miracle I had repeatedly asked for over the past eight months. At first it was the “God, can you heal my leg: prayer followed by the “God please give the doctor a solution to cure the pain in my leg.” Next up was “God, please let them understand that I need a new knee” all the way down the list of things that I wanted. I had prayed for pain, not realizing it and that I should have easily prayed for and extra dose of patience and strength.

Someone will see past my pain and look straight at a beautiful blessing. He has renewed my temple, reconstructing it for his good and will. Surely I am happy to receive all that he is delivering.So it is off to sleep and I know that he will provide me with the rest that I need to sustain tomorrow.

On The Road To Recovery

2009-11-04T15:20:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am again....recovering from another surgery. The last time I blogged, I believe I was recovering from podiatry surgery. Well I have taken a big leap and this time underwent a Total Knee Replacement surgery. Last Friday was "cut and sew" day and I came home on Monday to begin the journey of getting my new knee to full functioning capability! Up until yesterday I had no idea the intensity of pain I would endure. Well after the assessment interview with my physical therapist I have discovered firsthand the meaning of self inflicted torture.

Yes, any Diva pride or dignity I had shriveled up and melted away after the fifth ice pack. Did you know that it's not advisable to "chew" pain pills? So many lessons, so much pain just so I can rejoin the rat race of walking and working.

Well, here are some shots of the infamous knee and the infirmary know as Madison Medical Center (MMC) where most of the employees literally sit around waiting to be called to help patients.

The fuzzy white creature believes this rest stop was created for his benefit but after a few bumps on the noggin from a walker, he was able to comprehend that this was truly the "torture chamber."

Love to all.......

Redundant Monday

2009-05-11T20:32:00.001-07:00

Oh well here it is another day and another dollar…oh well I have not earned that dollar but what the heck. It's Monday and I am doing my usual telephone shuffle phone calls to see if anyone has any consulting jobs that might hold my interest. Not that I am not earnestly looking, it is just that when I read all those stories about how hard it is for the "older" (aka over 50) job seekers to get jobs. I have a feeling this is when somewhere there is a staff meeting going how discussing how they will get some desperate over 50 folks to come and work for 10-15.00 an hour. Not that this is a bad thing, but when you have over 20 years of education and experience, it is sometimes a hard pill to swallow especially since you know that you'll be giving more than you'll be receiving out of the relationship.

I try not to be critical of big business but often times they spend so much energy and time focused on striping people of their time and talents that is difficult to create a sense of loyalty to ones company. Unlike our folks who may have loved the company, they worked for and clung to that death until the mortuary limousine drive up to the corporate office to retrieve the remains.

Early on in my career, I promised myself that unlike my love relationship, the job would only get about a good five years out of me and then it was time to move on to a new experience and perhaps a totally new career. Of course, you can imagine all the sermons I have heard from recruiters and HR people….wow, you have so much experience in many areas. You really should stick to one thing. Funny though when they hire you…they manage to find tasks that suck the life out of each area of experience that you brought along!

Well I suppose that is all the rambling my brain can stand for today. After a little more bible study, I am heading to bed!

Y2KDiva!

Faith or Felon-Making A Choice

2009-05-05T14:07:00.001-07:00

Just when I think God has forgotten about me and might be punishing me for such little Faith….he shows up to remind me that all things are possible through him.

It is sad how my faith wavers from moment to moment but God never wavers on his care for me. I presume it is just part of the human mind that when we can‘t physically see something or someone performing an act for our good, we just naturally presume that the something or someone has forgotten or is just too busy to deal with us. With God, it is never that way.
Nevertheless, getting that through my thick head seems to be an ongoing problem.

Rather than have me become a felon for not showing up for Jury Duty, God saw fit to drag my big behind up this morning and send me off to Murrieta to the courthouse. To my amazement, they released me right before lunch. Now the back-story is that I was supposed to show up for JD on April 27. Well I did wake up to my chronic knee pain (I am saving that story for my “over 52” series.) so it was just fitting that I “call in sick”. Well the kind clerk told me that you actually have a two week grace period to report for duty before they issued that oh so ridiculous bench warrant! Well this Diva took it to the max and just did not bother to show up the entire week. So bright Monday morning, I intended to go to perform my civic duty. Sadly, once again my knee pain kicked in.

Last night I decided that time in jail and county issued jumpsuits would not fit into my life now. Alas, I arose and went to JD. So ya see Diva, God really does work miracles.
Y2KDiva

Stormy Monday~

2009-05-04T23:10:00.001-07:00

The truth is that I just cannot get my feet from dragging t he ground! On with the day, training JellyBean, looking at the mail, wondering if the next bill will be higher than last, even though we are using less.

It is just odd how when you start conserving your utility bills seem to creep higher and higher. Do they listen to the weather forecast and determine that since its 80 degrees outside that you will just crank up the air conditioner? Honestly, if I had the patience of Job I would be courtside at my electric meter and matching every number up to the number of units they claim we use on the monthly bill!

Sometimes nothing seems to make sense. The budget crises, the housing crash, the financial dilemma people are suffering through and the wave of emotional sadness that comes each time you hear a news story of someone taking the lives of their entire family.

My e-mail inbox is full of ads, coupons and other "buy it" items. Where did I go wrong? Just when I got the snail mail circulars down to literally one a week, now my e-tronics is riddle with ways to get me to spend money! Oh well at least JellyBean is happy so is there really anything else to be concerned with?

Ciao'

A day at Stanford University

2009-03-15T22:41:00.000-07:00

Well Jellybean and I safely arrived and settled into our 3 week home in Mountain View, California! It was a tough week for me getting back into the swing of work but I survived. It was also a tough week for Jellybean learning that most of his days will be spent entertaining himself while we’re at work but he is adapting.

We have a comfy little studio at the Marriot Residence Inn and the staff and services are really very, very good. For you animal lovers, this location is pet friendly for a nominal fee. In addition to be able to prepare your own food, they also offer a great daily breakfast and dinner buffet and the property is very green and has a nice relaxing setting.

This weekend from our Dad-in-Chief fly up to check on us and so off we went to tour the Stanford University Campus (although I work at the hospital during the week, I rarely have time to walk over to the school.) What a large and beautiful campus! It is home to a lot of great artwork and interesting architecture. I imagine it takes a full two days to walk the entire campus.

We saw plenty of people walking, sightseeing as well as a lot of potential high school-college tours. And, yes George and Jellybean did wear their USC gear on campus (smile).

Mountain View is a nice, laid-back city nestled at the foot of the mountains between San Jose and Palo Alto. I thought Lake Elsinore was cold but 37 degrees surely beats any weather we get at home!

So here are some photos that George took so please enjoy!

Mr. JellyBean

2009-02-23T12:01:00.001-08:00

Wow, it's been a while since I posted and a lot has happened in my life. First, I am taking a breather from Corporate life for a minute. Enjoying my time rejuvenating an preparing for life's next adventures. In the meantime, I acquired a pet companion to pass time with me. Here is the adorable, active, have-it-his-way Mr. Jellybean Benitez Madison. Of course he is a big Dallas Cowboys fan like his Mom!! He's started his obedience classes at the local PetSmart and has already met and fell in love with a cute litle pup named Sushi!

Jellybean at 4 months!

It's A Boy!

2009-01-05T17:43:00.001-08:00

Yes, Jellybean Madison has arrived and is home with his proud owners! Born October 25, 2008, he is weighing in at 6 lbs. He is really a active pup! So far he is doing pretty good with the puppy pad house training (he occassionally misses the pad and leaves an oops!) and he learned how to climb our 13 stairs. Although he is not as good going down as he is up, I think he will be okay as he matures.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

2007-09-13T04:24:00.001-07:00

Okay, we are down in a little town called Calvi today. We are looking for properties for my uncle and hopefully a vehicle that he can use permanently. The town is beautiful and the food is great. It is very quiet in the mountains and yesterday I had a wonderful trip to the forest. I can see why many of the people that live in the mountain villages love their closeness to nature and the silence from the rest of life.

We'll hang out in town long enough to use our 1 hour of Wi-Fi service and make some phone calls then it is back to sheer solitude!

Love and miss you all!

Sunday, September 9 2007

2007-09-13T04:20:00.000-07:00

Il Rousse is a very simple and uncomplicated city. The markets are closed on Sunday and the time goes by so slow that it is almost painful. We head down to town where there is a small farmer’s market. I purchase some fruit, bread, cheese, olives and sausage. I laugh at the thought that this is basically all that I will be eating over the next few days. Just as I had given up all hope, we had down another street and stop and enter a building where out in the front a small oven has roasted whole chickens (ala Bastia KFC?) At this point I again ask myself: “Why am I on this journey?”

Next we head off to the mountains where we will stay for the duration of our trip. As we are leaving they are explaining to me in French that there is no cell service in the mountains but that some people do have Internet access. However the house where we are staying has neither. I did not quite understand what they were saying until just as we pulled up in the driveway of the village.

NOTE TO SELF: Next time learn some French. Okay folks well no daily blogs until I came back down to the village!

Au Revoir!

Saturday, September 8, 2007

2007-09-13T04:11:00.000-07:00

It is not my typical Saturday morning. When I awake there is a large open window and through it I can here the sound of conversations from the hotel courtyard three stories below. I finally feel as though I have caught up with time. Although I find that at from 5:00-9:00 PM it is drop dead sleep time for me. This morning I woke at 7:00 ready to call everybody in California! I can imagine the conversation I would meet calling somebody at 11:00 PM:

ME: Hey it Cassie, Oh my god the air is so fresh this morning in Paris
YOU: WHAT!! Huh who the hell is this? Do you have any idea what time it is? Are you drinking? Cut that wine and cheese loose, set your dammed watch and call me back at a decent time! CLICK (dial tone)
ME: Hater and Bonsoir to you too!!!

I spent most of the day in the hotel lounge killing time until the train ride to Orly Airport. The transit station is PACKED with people. Oh my goodness, so many people going to many different parts of the city. I discovered that many Parisians do not own cars because of the expense so they take the train. I could swear there were at least 50,000 people in the station. The ride to the south part of France was much different, less graffiti, better looking housing and less smelly bodies. Note to self: MAKE SURE WE NEVER RUN OUT OF SOAP, WATER AND RIGHT GUARD!

We arrive at Orly Airport only to be greeted with another surprise. As we checked in for our flight we are told that the ticket we purchased was only for people who are married! Supposedly (and you know I am launching a full-fledge investigation) the price represents a discount for those who are married and traveling from Orly Paris to Bastia. The reservation counselor says that the information is on the website under conditions (as thorough as I am I sure did not SEE that one) nor did it print out on my ticket. Well it cost an additional $122,000 Euro (about $166.00) so we paid and boarded the plane. I figured out that it was not a good time to transform into “stupid” while standing in an airport so far away from George and home. Note to self: Plan a special event for Hubby!

We finally arrive at Bastia and then we must take an hour ride by car to the town where the family lives. It is dark and not much can be seen but you can smell the freshness of the air and a hint of the trees. The roads are dark but well maintained. There are no bumps, lumps or even potholes in the long climb up the winding road to the village. About every 10 -15 miles on the road there is a well lit restaurant which leads me to believe that they are the places the residents congregate for nightly meals and entertainment.

Tonight we are staying with Marusia and Pascal and their lovely daughters Oceana, Luna and Jade. I have the pleasure of bunking up in Jades room and it is here that I realize how simply life starts out.

Friday, September 7, 2007 - The Whole Day!

2007-09-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

Bonjour! We are up and off to Arrondissement 5 and 6 to the center of town where all the sites and activities take place.

Back on the subway and across town we go I can't help but think how similiar some of these places look:

Okay, I know the beautiful part is coming soon!
Note to self: Is a refund possible...where is the consulate?

We exit the subway and I find myself on the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées! Ok, click, click, click. Next stop the American Embassy! I realize that this is the first time in my 50 years that I have entered an embassy. Hmmmm a new experience.

Well there is definately no photo taking inside the Embassy in fact they take that and your cell phone at the security desk (well we can't have folks snapping photos and calling for help if they are trying to ship you back home!) LOL.

As I look at the architecture I realize that we (Americans) like our stuff shiny, new and clean. Paris truly embraces it historic culture as seen by the many original buildings. Although one has to admit that old dirt is not a good thing.

Okay so today I won't bore you with a long drawn out story. We had lunch at Le Mimotavre a greek resturant where the salad was truly off the chart! They had this vegatable soup that was pureed, yea....first time for everything!

We hit a few of those shopping alley's (nope have not purchased any thing yet!) and I caught a glimpse of the resturant that my hubby seems to have purchased unbeknowst to me!

Please enjoy the photos I have uploaded to Flickr (it's just far too many to post here)but brace yourself for a lot of street shots.

Click here to see all the photos from today!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/y2kdiva/

Pam Henderson....see you got me all wound up with this digital camera stuff! Okay how many pictures of the street and buildings can one take before you become delirious!!! And in this town most of the building look alike so I just gave up on trying to add captions to the photos!

RECAP:
Went to the Louve, Embassy, saw the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame
Walked 8 miles around Paris!
Did a lot of window shopping
Saw some interesting art galleries.
Oh bought a phone (To my work family...if you have to(LOL)call me)06 4234 58 28.

I can only tell you that I returned to the hotel at about 5:00 PM and I never saw or heard a thing until Saturday morning.

Me and my Keds put in an honest day of exercise!

Thursday, September 6, 2007- Evening

2007-09-08T01:18:00.001-07:00

It's now time for dinner and quite honestly Arrondissement 18 is not the place you might find 5 star restaurants. HINT: McDonalds'

However, the hotel did recommend this quaint place nearby. "La Cocotte" (The Casserole?)had great food and the ambiance was nice. The only thing I had to prepare myself for was this great big Boxer dog that sat at the table next to us. I understand the French are real animal lovers so it is permissible to bring dog's in the restaurant. So I eye my steak carefully to ensure that I have not received "Le Kibble N Bits Dans la sauce"

(I can just see my husbands expression as he reads this: Hey Garcon...Oh hell NO! Fifi must go!)

Most of you that know me well, know that I will eat just about anything so I have not had any surprises or challenges with meals so far. Except, I did think I was ordering a fish dish off the menu but it turned out to be steak and potatoes (LOL). Okay it read: "blah, blah, blah fillet." Hmmm okay, the light bulb just went on.

The hostess and waitress were very nice and the owner (as it is custom to do) came out to greet diners.

After dinner we enjoy the walk (where is the scooter rental place?) back to hotel. At that point fatigue is attacking fast and I can't deal with much more than a shower and cool sheets. Alas I am already behind in my blog posting. Well if I never have another adventure in life I will remember this day Thursday, September 6 2007!

Bonsoir

Thursday, September 6, 2007 - Day

2007-09-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

Well if you want a nice clean room while you are in the Paris area then Hotel Ibis is a good choice. The rooms are simple and practical and best of all...there is a bathroom inside the room!

The staff here is very nice and extremely patient, especially when my first request is "where is the wireless and how do I get a phone?" When in reality I should have asked" "where is the shower?" It is very hot and somewhat humid here in Paris. Not the kind of weather I expected, but then again I really did not know what to expect.

Yes, this is the infamous bathroom. (okay so I am lame and posting pictures of the hotel bathroom but hey...it's my vacation!)I am told that some hotels have a shared toilet in the hallways as opposed to one in each room. Small but efficient!

Well now it is off to the Police department to file a report.
The police department turns out to be about five blocks away (translation = walking, cardio...oxygen in that order please.) They are friendly and ready to help. As officers arrive for work they greet the receptionist with a kiss to both cheeks and a big bonjour! Just watching them makes you wonder if they are all having one big affair but you soon realize that is just how they greet.

While Rene chats with an officer about his incident, I head over to the Post Office out of curiosity to see how much it resembles what we call a post office. Yep, same thing as at home, confused, disgruntled postal employees too pissed to help you out!

Me: Pardon….uh how do I purchase stamps
Clerk: faites vous parlez le français
Me: Je parle l'anglais
Clerk: then you must wait!

DAMMMMMM!

Of course there is a wait at the PD but once we are inside and in the report booth it is not as painful as what I perceived would be a evening long adventure. Finally we get the report completed and leave with it in hand.

On the way back I see many interesting shops and stores. Yes some nail and hair salons. Speaking of hair!!! Note to self: Burn every beauty supply store at home that sells human hair package as synthetic hair!

Note to Elisha: The next time I come up with a bright hair idea that involves a curly weave, slap me and slap me hard!

Now a some of you will not understand that last quote but take a look at the picture of me from on departure day and then fast forward to day 3 (Saturday)you'll see the difference. Now for those who know: I feel like an expanding sponge that went WRONG, or Bozo the clown minus the red coloring. "Pardon...eh scissors?"

Okay back to the hotel to rest....!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

2007-09-06T16:10:00.001-07:00

Bonjour. Today was a REAL adventure. After arriving at Charles De Gaulle Airpot I have a greater appreciation for Los Angeles International Airport!

Charles DeGaulle (from my eyes) is this great big, bland gray looking incubator where zillions of people from everywhere cross each others path! So many people, so many nationalities that it is hard to know who comes from where. Everyone is in a hurry, bumping, pushing. Move out of the way if you don't where you are going. The Diva is at a loss for words...Ouch, le pardon deviez-vous vraiment diriger mon pied sur monsieur ?

Note to self: Online translation programs are a beautiful thing!

About that flight! Oh my goodness, Lord Jesus, Hay Dios Mio. American Airline-Coach 10 hours. Note to self for flights over 3 hours: Can you say "FIRST CLASS" No jet lag but a HUGE case of "lost mind." Wow, I can't remember how many times I wanted to grab the folks in the exit row and just drop-kick the door open. Oh I saw how the folks in first class looked exiting the plane. Un-cramped toes, body parts in the same position as when they boarded, hair all neat and for god's sake...not one drop of runny mascara or day old lipstick!

Next we must take the train to the arrondissement (I am told these are equivalents to districts). Well interesting enough we must load all our baggage with us on the train (thank god for luggage with wheels!) and that in itself is a challenge. However the train ride across town was very interesting and enlightening. The Train! Think Blue Line (Southern California) Bart (Northern California) or how about ahh...smelly, crowded, graffiti laden..public transportation. Like most transit systems it has it's good and bad. The stations are old and obviously home to transients at some time or another (hmmm sounds like the US!)

I did enjoy these musicians who were on the train singing and playing their instruments. It did make the trip somewhat more pleasant.

BUT

A few more transfers and as we are nearing our station exit some very cleaver pickpockets decided to relive Rene' of his passport and cash (which we had just changed into Euro!) Where was my pepper-spray when I needed it! At home, lying in the nightstand! So we re-group and decide it is best to head to the hotel and relieve ourselves of the luggage, then go to the Police. (George, can you help us?) Somehow I knew I would have a brush with the law one way or another on this trip!

More to follow.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

2007-09-05T07:32:00.001-07:00

Okay well my day started at 3:30 (you know that was very painful for me) to get ready for the shuttle and on to the airport. Luckily there is not much beauty involved with preparing for a 12 hour flight (I can see George cringing...aggh she wore no make-up!)

So off we head to SFO and after the usual round of questions: Who packed your bag? Did you leave your bags in a strange area, blah, blah, blah then it's dead woman walking down to the hall of security shame.

TSA: Mame, can you please step through the detector.
Me: Sure no problem.
TSA: Mame, would you mind stepping to the side so we can inspect your hair?
Me: Call security!

Okay so after passing clearance we head off to find a fortified breakfast from yet another airport food court. My uncle ask why I am not excited yet. Mostly because we are still in the U.S. and I don't think my excitement will activate until it is actually time to hit the air towards Paris.

Did I mention that my uncle Rene' is an "interesting character"

I keep thinking that I packed too much but that fear is dissolved at check-in. My uncle says I packed too much but hey, just one of those contains make-up and shoes!

Ah here is the part I don't like...time to synchronize all of my clocks. First from LA to Chicago to Paris. Wow, that is a bit much, will my Timex withstand these timezones. Yes, of course it is a Timex and unlike me "it takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

Well there is the boarding call so it is time to head down the tunnel of cramped seats and gourmet microwave food and the library of books and magazines that I am carrying in my bag.

Note to husband: I accidentally took all the shopping catalogs with me....hmmm I think I can purchase stuff from 100,000 feet above.

Until tomorrow.....Bonne nuit!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

2007-09-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

Well the day started off fairly well. I finished my packing and shrunk it down to two bags. Just hope they don't exceed those crazy weight limits. Of course all my makeup weights about 45 pounds so that leaves about 5 pounds for clothes.

As I sat eating one of the gourmet sandwiches from the Airport sandwich bar I realized that I had not researched international roaming charges. This jolted my brain into realizing that I need to call Sprint. Well to my surprise I found out that Paris operates on a totally different network (why did I not call Aracely before I started my travel?) so I would need to lease a phone that works in Paris. Of course the Sprint representative rolled out of her chair with laughter when I replied that I was leaving the next day, getting a phone by tomorrow would not be an option! But to save day I found out that I can purchase a pay-as-you-go phone that will let me stay in contact with my dear husband. I miss you George!

Tonight I had my favorite dinner in San Francisco with my Uncle.....SUSHI.

He's still packing but he's traveled this journey many times so he is not suffering any anguish about what to bring.

Fatigue is taking over and I am headed to bed in excitement of the 5:00 AM shuttle pickup/ride to the Airport.

Well tomorrows adventure details renting a car, international style. Note to self…spend some time learning to convert from US dollars to Euro!

jusqu'à demain Au revoir

August 25, 2007

2007-08-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

Well after a few "flight change" and "passport application" scares I am full ready and set to go. Okay, okay well no I have not packed or even identified any clothing to pack. Wait yes I have! I brought a great pair of Black Keds (you gotta love em) and a great travel journal and one nice linen blouse. Well as we all tend to do, next week is crash shopping 101! Oh well I am getting my hair styled in a "sleep and go" manner so I won't have to deal with those pesty ceramic curlers!!!!

Living 50: "Catching Up"

2007-08-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

How easy it is to fall behind! One finds themselves in catch up mode. 50 does not require one to subject to catch up because at the point you realize, that moment in time has gone. How embracing....so if I miss it, I don't have to stress over it. If I did not meet the deadline then it is considered done regardless of its final state. 5 0 deems that I do not have to catch up. Finally a freedom that no one dictates to me but one that I can appoint to myself whenever I so choose to.

I can do things that I never thought I could do. I take change and complications in a lower dose and know how to swallow them so that they cause no emotional indigestion.

A stronger, more defined prayer, truly listening for those divine instructions and assurances. He is above all and moves daily in my life!

My Paris Adventure!

2007-07-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

I finally did it! Yes, yes, yes...I purchased my ticket to Paris! I am sooooo dammed excited! It’s had to believe that I am finally, at 50 mind you…taking my first trip out of the United States.

Today I begin my blog to describe the excitment leading up to my first trip to Paris! I can't wait for the adventure to begin. This has been a long journey to this point, but I decided that my year of 50 should be as colorful and adventurous as I could possibly allow it to be. I can only envision my days of walking and seeing the history of France and enduring the peacefulness of our proposed lodging in the countryside of Corsica. Wow that flutter of anticipation has me up late this evening and spilling with joy and pride about this wonderful upcoming journey.

Next up...a little backstory.

Living 50: Counting backwards!

2007-07-04T00:27:00.000-07:00

Ahh for the most part it's easier to start from now to get back to "then." Like most days I experience a range of emotions. From happy to sad to glad to made to positive to negative until it all winds down to one big ball of exhaustion. It's then that I can close my eyes and rest, letting the peace and silence of dark soothe me back to sanity.

Living "50"

2007-07-03T22:50:00.000-07:00

Wow

Imagine thinking and dreaming about what your life would be like when this day came. Most people do that but I didn't. I never had a plan for 50, I just knew that it would come and I would live it as it was. Where do I begin? At the beginning or the end? Piece by piece or just tell the story in one big chunk?

At least I know that the first few times will be a lot of rambling but eventually the story will start to materialize and take shape. Bare with me as we take this journey to 50.

Y2KDIVA

The Honda!

2006-07-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Here it is some five months later but this is our new Honda Ridgeline. It's a great truck but the gas prices make it seem like a guzzler! Gotta get that work-from-home job or business!

My Purpose Driven Life-Making The 40 Day Journey

2006-05-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

Well for the second time I am starting this journey. This time with a group. I find the book and the journaling hard to do but as with anything in life, if you keep at it it soon becomes routine.

My Foot, My Foot, My Foot

2006-04-11T16:41:00.000-07:00

Here it is the foot that has me down for 30 days. Amazing how we can't look at anything that is not "pretty" to the eye. Hence, the need for the colorful beads on my recovery shoe! Poor bracelet, I never liked it as a jewelry accessory but it made for great art decorating. Oh well...more bon bon's please!