I started out 2019 with some great goals. I was going to get back into working out. I was going to focus on my career and finding my happy spot. I was going to go on great trips, and including a trip to Bali for my 40th birthday and my first ever solo trip. I…
Regular readers of my blog know of the continuing journey of my father, who has been battling stage 4 oral cancer. After much soul searching, we as a family decided to forgo my salary for three months and let me take a leave of absence from work to care for my dad. Surgery was scheduled…
The whole reason for our two week tour through Bali was as a celebration to me for my 40th birthday. And while the whole trip was fantastic, I could also say that my actual birthday was my favorite birthday ever. And it wasn’t even perfect, but it came pretty close. I woke up with my…
When I turned 30 I was happy. I was pregnant with my first child. I had a job I loved. My life was in a trajectory toward success and fulfillment. I loved turning 30. Fast forward 10 years. Life…is not quite as happy. My career has stalled. I’m not finding fulfillment in my work I…
As my regular readers know, I have been taking some time to take care of my father after he had a 9+ hour maxillectomy surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering to remove a stage 4 tumor. During that time, I spent over a week fairly close to the hospital, spending 12-14 hours a day in the area.…
For the first time in forever, I have no idea how the summer will play out. I have two weeks of camp scheduled and that’s it. I have a one way plan ticket to New Jersey. I have two weeks booked in Bali, but one hand on the travel insurance policy in case it all…
Due to my father’s ongoing cancer battle, I came to Jersey for a week to meet with doctors and deal with some additional affairs. While at my dad’s home, I got the chance to walk around my hometown with my new camera. Having fun with my camera, I decided to do a photo essay of…
It started as a normal day. I was making plans for my dad’s trip to California that upcoming weekend. We were making a plan to get the house clean. Drove to work and excited about an easy and fun Friday with my coworkers. Called dad to ask him if he rented a car yet. “Not…
This is the year that many of my friends hit a big milestone birthday. 40 always seemed like a daunting age to me. It felt like the time when you become “old”. When my mom turned 40, a neighbor put up “Over the Hill” decorations. It seemed like an age I was not excited to…
During my time in Barcelona in early 1999 my mom went on a quest for the mysterious cousin M. This was someone she had been close to when she was younger. Cousin M had moved to Barcelona for a scholarship opportunity. Then…she seemed to disappear. Mom knew a few snippets. She had some kids. She…