Ciao Rome

355 Rome, Packed Bus, Nikon D-80, Automatic,

9-30-09

It's been 23 hours of travel to get back home. Did you read that...home! Whoo hoo. As fun as it is to travel the world over, there is nothing better than returning to the family you love, the land you adore and a bed that holds its covers open to you like a long lost lover.

I'd love to type more, but my eye lashes are too heavy. Goodnight from Paradise Valley, Arizona...:)

When in Rome...

356 The Vatican, Rome, Nikon D-80, Automatic

9-29-09

Ahhhh Roma! After all these years of wanting desperately to be here, to see the country and visit The Cistine Chapel...We made it. We came, we saw, we conquered!

See the picture of the foot? Are you asking why? And no it isn't a self potrait, although if I did take a picture of my foot after this day, it would have looked identical!!!

While my feet were hurting and throbbing from all the walking we were doing, I couldn't help but photograph the statues feet. They were drawing me in as if to say, "You could be photographing Michael Angelo's work or the Cathedrals or the Forum in ruins or the Colleseum...but, you know my feet are worthy of blog space"! They were right! So, while I have countless pictures of the others...the photo that represents our day is above and showcased!

We leave today already...homeward bound. :( It was beautiful, breathtaking and worthy of another visit for sure. More time and a skinnier body to absorb all the bread and wine consumed here! Ciao Roma...Bella!

Spontaneous Travel

357 Athens, Greece, Olympiad Ruins, Nikon D-80, Automatic 9-28-09

"Do you want to just get on a bus and head to Athens instead of waiting here at the airport all day"? The question was posed by someone celebrating his 51st birthday and clearly I shouldn't have had a say in any of the plans for his special day...But, I did and we did and it was the best day ever!!!

He proposed we take a bus ride instead of taking the million dollar limo/taxi ride into town and I agreed. Being on the city bus offers the best views as you come into town not to mention Athens must pay their people a stipend to keep their cars and buses clean because not one vehicle is dirty! I swear! Our bus was "eat off the floor" clean and the people surrounding us gave us a true treat to understand and mesh with the Greek culture. Those that we were exposed to seem to be hard working and serious. Their voices are strong so it appears they are angry, but in reality, they are just very passionate.

We exited off the bus and headed for all the touristy things and found great shopping at the plaka, ate more bread, drank more beer (mythos, yummy Greek beer) and took a thousand pictures. Scott turned 51, looked 35, and I admired the man I've been married to for 25 years. Our spontaneous movement was favorite part of our trip so far! Tomorrow Rome!

So Long Santorini

358 Santorini Sunset, Picture Taken By Peter Schuloff, 9-27-09

I fear I have lost a day due to travel and lack of internet, but I will try to make up for it with this spectacular picture taken by Peter on the first night he arrived in Santorini. Scott and I arrived later and missed this incredible sight otherwise I just know my camera would have captured the same sight. Hee hee....

In any respect it's a beautiful picture and I had to post it because today I'm feeling a bonding spirit with this photograph. There is movement to the sky and serenity to the forefront. We traveled by ferry from Santorini back to Athens enroute to Rome. The ferry was presented as being a room with hanging hammocks when in actuality it was just like a cruise line, two beds, a bathroom and closet to boot!!! The purser who helped us with the room was more than delighted when I let out the most amazing "whoooo hoooo" when the door opened. (I must remember to thank Neil Balter for setting me up for the worst of the worst and being absolutely ecstatic to find and be appreciative for the humble surroundings that were far beyond my "Neil" preset expectations).

Three things I miss already about Santorini: The friends we gathered with, the crepes & the cave bed that Scott and I snuggled for hours in...Talk to you later.

Donkey Run

359 Santorini Island, Nikon D-80 Automatic,

9-26-09

Oooompah! Common phrase around here as you hold a cocktail in the air and celebrate good times with friends....Or as you throw a plate in the middle of a dance floor...Or as your leg is being scraped off your torso because your furry friend you've boarded to take you to the top of a mountain has decided to run you and the side of your body against a cement fence. :)

ATV's around the island, cable car down the mountain and little donkey friends up the hill. Ahhhh...what a good day! Reflective moment came when at lunch over gyros and french fries, I looked around at the circle gathered and realized 3 out of the 16 people were battling illnesses and might not make it to another vacation gathering. Absorbing these moments and understanding the power of NOW was unbelievably poignant! God bless, Ron, Phil and Lynn.

Rockin' The Boat

360 Santorini Boating, Nikon D80, Automatic,

9-25-09

Hello Cyber Space World where probably not one person is or will be reading this blog...I'm here! I mean I'm here in Santorini, but, I'm ready to come home now...

The day was spent on a boat with all the comforts of home including a gourmet meal prepared by the two man crew! Even as I type, the room still feels like we are moving. Sounds like a perfect day, why on earth would you want to leave that to return back to the normalcy & routine of home? Bingo...that's it! I want to come home now. I want to see my kids, sleep in my bed and walk the everyday, ho hum, boring life I was living before we left?

Or maybe after a day on the boat and a husband who chose to partake in a little too much of the spirits, I'm ready to come home and be a Mommy to my real child. The saying, "No one likes a drunk person when you are sober and no one likes a sober person when you are drunk" was never more apparent than on this gorgeous day upon the ocean blue.

He's sleeping off his stupor now so when he wakes, I will remind him of our scorching conversation and shenanigans in the tiny town of Fira where the taxis dropped us after the 5 hour boat excursion....Isn't he the lucky one to have a memory keeper? :)

One more day, then off to Rome. I can hardly wait. Three things I won't miss about Santorini: The steps to and from EVERY WHERE, the hot showers with 3 second intervals of icy cold blasts of water and the mattress which feels as old and hard as the stone doorways I've been photographing! Ugh...

Peace

361 Peaceful Moments, Santorini Jen, Nikon D-80, Automatic, 9-24-09

Have you ever thought about the circle of friends you have? What is that saying, "You are who you hang with" or "Birds of a feather flock together" ... This is a picture of my bestest friend and part of my flock, Jennifer. Or is it, I'm a part of her flock? We are here in Greece with her friends that she and her husband have had for several hundred years. Okay, that is a slight exaggeration, but I think you get my drift...These are her peeps and they know each other so well that they honestly finish each others sentences.

Surround yourself with positive, motivating and exciting friends because "Life is for living and love is forgiving"... Breathe deep and relax.

Essentials

362 Ammoudi Wharf, Santorini Island, Nikon D80, Automatic, 9/23/09

When you visit Greece, remember to bring your camera, money and friends...The tiny island of Santorini just can't be experienced without any of those things.

Your camera will love the postcard pictures that are attainable every 10 feet you walk. Cobblestone pathways, light baby blue and white homes that scatter themselves on the mountainside and ocean shorelines that take your breath away. Yes, if you love photography, you will feel like a drug addict with your arm roped above the elbow and ready for the next hit.

Money is as important as the camera, however. Today we visited the most amazing wharf and were offered by the owner of a little restaurant, Dimitris Tavern, the opportunity to share a Red Snapper between the four of us who were stumbling over what to order. We heartily agreed and were not disappointed when to our table appeared a turkey platter overflowing with one giant sized red fish. There was a frenzied movement of lemon sauce, forks flying and oohing and awing as the entire fish was gobbled in one fell swoop. All gooey lipped smiles were instantly wiped from the faces of the happy eaters though when the bill came and the fish was a mere $210.00 US!!! Can't help but reflect on the story of how Jesus fed 5,000 with 2 fish, 3 loaves of bread and no money?

And friends, because when you lean over to the person next to you to acknowledge the water, the church, the couple holding hands...There is an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that you could share these moments with people you love. Being here, being in the now...

Circle of Travel

363 Santorini Island, Greece Nikon D-80, Automatic, 9-22-09

Everyone speaks of the beauty, the breath taking views and the people of the Greek Isles...But, I will tell you, when you travel standby, it's not about any of those things, it's really ALL about the experience of getting here!

Omg...It takes soooo long from Phoenix, there is question as to why anyone would want to visit from so far away. This much time on an airplane and in an airport makes me think of my son and his Grandpa traveling by vehicle to see 7 states and numerous National Parks this past summer...Ugh. And to think he did that at the ripe old age of 80. Today marks his 81st birthday (Happy Birthday Day)! But, enough about that, my feet and calves were so swollen from airplane travel, it looked like I had stuffed a burlap bag with salt pellets and was dragging them from my knees. With the greatest of effort, I pressed forward, careful not to complain too much as we were going to Greek paradise, you know? And then as if elephant cankles wasn't enough, I'm pretty sure I had been bitten by small mites as I had also developed red bite marks all up and down my entire legs. How could I have thought that despite all the personal body suffering, my "monthly friend" would decide to kick in at just the moment of exiting hotel to travel yet again for final leg to arrive in Santorini. Small mutterings of cranky hatefulness is what Scott listened to right before we boarded tiny aircraft bound for Island. Is it any wonder that my point of view might be a bit skewed?

But cranky or not, grotesquely lower torso puffy or not, once here at our hotel and the calm of the environment washed over me, the amazing pictures were never ending. Like a frenzied coke addict, shot after shot...there wasn't enough battery or disc space to hold and capture the true beauty of this little piece of heaven a bazillion miles away from Arizona. Ahhhh Santorini, mui fabulouso'!!!

Athens

364, Cyclades The Statue, Sony Cyber-Shot, 9-21-09

We've arrived. Phoenix to Dulles, Dulles to Rome, Rome to Athens...A simple 24 hours of plane travel and we are almost to our real destination of Santorini. But, for now, we've taken a room at the airport hotel, Sofitel. For a mere $300.00 US we have a small room, queen sized bed and a hot shower. Praise be to God. After all this travel, the only thing I feel is smelly, cold and tired. Isn't it ironic that this statue was in the lobby to greet us woeful travelers? Felt like someone had miraculously carved stone within minutes after seeing me waiting for Scott to check in. Hello Athens, good night...

48 Today!

365 "Travel Shoes" Sony Cyber-Shot 9-20-09

There is an art to traveling when you are an employee of an airline. It's a skill that you acquire through the years...What to wear, how to pack and what flights you will be able to get on as a non-revenue passenger.

Having all your clothes and personal items with you has it's advantages...really? Like today for instance as we make our first ever jaunt to Greece, we've followed protocol and have all our possessions with us. Nevermind that we look like we are going camping and have practically everything hanging off of us except a coleman stove. We are ready for what ever curve ball is thrown at us, i.e. ready to run to any gate that our poor souls will be able to smuggle our bodies and bags on.

This picture is of my travel shoes! I bought them yesterday in honor of my birthday. As I was leaving the house at 5:45 a.m. I tripped in our driveway and fell completely on my face. Scrapped my knee and if I had any time before rushing to the airport, they would have been exchanged out for a far more practical pair of travel shoes, but that would have been smart? I chose to walk thru Phx airport as if on ballet point shoes and am now in Washington D.C. airport wishing I could kill myself. I could list at least 48 birthday wishes that would all involve throwing my brand new birthday shoes away...But, our flight to Athens is leaving in 5 minutes and I have to run, er um, stumble, break an ankle, and hurry to catch the flight.

Happy birthday me!

Yesterdays Dreams

366 Sony Cyber-shot, 9/19/09 Taken by The Waiter.

When you were younger, do you remember thinking about and obsessing over what you were going to be when you grew up. Who you would marry and how many children you would have? Oh, sorry that was me? You might have thought about the cars you would own or the business you would run, i.e. work for, work your way up from...But, what ever the thoughts, dreams or visions you had for yourself, how close did you come?

Of all the pictures gathered from today to mark another moment in the life of...I kept coming back to this photo of my family taken at dinner tonight. It was a pre-birthday celebration at ZTejas restaurant in the Fashion Square Mall. (If you scroll down to the other pictures before this when I talked about my "soul tribe", that picture was taken a year ago on my birthday too). This is what I wanted...A husband, two children, this life. Now that it's here, I've barely given it any credit as to appreciating the fact that I had envisioned this world long before it arrived.

Both my son and daughter are busy creating in their minds what they want to be when they grow up...Alexa a Physicians Assistant, Bo, a Military Pilot. They both want to get married and have children and be extremely rich! :) I want to see them reach their goals and snuggle their babies. Uh oh, did you read that? I am envisioning the future again...

Maybe tomorrow I will actually showcase the picture that is artistic and represents a day in the life of me (And actually take the picture), but today...this day...I want to reflect and say thank you for the incredible blessings of having a husband and two angels I get to hold and call my children. May it be as blessed for you...good night.

Happy Day

367 Nikon D-80, Automatic, with Flash 09/18/09 (No touch up)

This is my best friend, Kathleen. She asks me for help, looks to me for wisdom, calls me on my crap and loves me for me. Today we had a talk about people that bully us, enable us and our futures with our families and husbands. It was a good day! She craves love and being chosen first as much as I do...maybe, just maybe that's why we are best friends!

Today marked mature movement with love, sincere appreciation for steady and true buddies and hope for clear paths in the future. It was one of those days where when the night comes and your pillow beckons, you lay your head down and know all is right with the world!

Inspiration

368 Picture taken by Bo Vogtritter with Sony Cybershot 09/17/09

Have you ever just without thought started roaming through cyber space in search of nothing? I just did and guess what...It happened, that something that only comes around every now and then and it's not a fluke...It's pure, energy driven and without sin. It is inspiration in its most organic form...An idea! Someone out there taking a picture a day to learn more about his camera...

This blog was supposed to chronicle Life's Lessons for a woman knocking on 50's door and what better way for a photographer (me) to do that than to snap daily pictures of real life moments during her 48th year on this earth? My birthday is 3 days from now and this blogging event will now be a photo journal of how life is when your 18 year old daughter is in her first year of college, your sixteen year old son gets his drivers license and your 51 year old husband, pilot, undergoes a surgery to repair a rotator cuff on his left arm.

Exciting to say the least, right? But, no it gets better...throw in a few crazy family stories, some international travels and key photo shoots/art work and you will see, feel and understand the true life lesson of being present in the moment.

Here we go...368 days of photographing my world, my life!

Reinvent

Is it wrong to stare and stay transfixed in front of a cloth covered human who is devoid of anything except occasional pose variations? Faceless, ergo emotional less, the poetic form of a woman held my attention for far too long.

I couldn't get over her white figure translucent against the black back drop. The only discernible, identifying marker was the lighted floor panel that created a moon beam behind her and shone across her and created the most magical shadows.

She was amazing, graceful and artistically beautiful. This woman with not one piece of skin showing was teaching me the true meaning of reinventing yourself.

The simple message of evolving to a new shape was relatable and loudly playing on the tape recorder of my psyche. Gentle moves without emotional consequence.

Today, I will make new movements...quietly, changing shape and giving way for something other than what has been seen before...I am ready. Shedding the old & blindly dancing into a new form.

Tribeless

Beyond the family you have and the family you acquire through common interest groups, there is one other desired circle you seek...That is your "tribe".

Those are the people who you relate to, think alike, gravitate towards and adore because they get you. They love you for you!

As of two hours ago, I had a tribe! Sadly, I don't now:( I must have been mistaken on my choice of tribe? It's all so confusing and hurting right now, but it goes like this...I'm weird. Maybe I thought my tribe was weird like me, but apparently I was wrong. I thought they had a background that was dysfunctional and goofy like mine, but again...I was wrong. I thought we had attractions and interests that were in sync with one another...but, what, oh that's right...WRONG. Turns out that the appointed Tribe Master deemed me not worthy of friendship. I was even more psychotic than him? More double personality, freakily stranger and idiotic than he was, ergo...Dead to the tribe!

So, when you seek the people you want to spend time with, want to give your heart to...make sure they love your true genius, extra quirky weirdness. That they support and encourage growth in your past emotional pain. Embrace who you are and when you lose a tribe, find another. I know I will...

Oh, by the way, when all goes awry like my day & my night...fall back on your core. Those that REALLY love you for you. Your family (Above picture-My son, Bo. me. My daughter, Alexa. My husband, Scott)...The "Soul Tribe" of my life!

God made you good, never forget that even when sadness is all you feel.

Hormone Me

I have a friend who I'd like to think is as concerned for me as I am for him? But, truth be told, I doubt it...He is a boy, ya know? Anyway, this friend is adorable and possessed when it comes to what he wants and when he wants it. Whether we are talking about making money, religion, women or exercise...which brings me to the reason for this entry.

My friend has been weight lifting training consistently for the last two years and has transformed his boy/man body from just "average" to muscle man cutie patootie. He is an avid reader and came across a book which touts the use of these natural adrenal hormones that support and promote a balanced hormone level. Hello...Sign me up, right? I mean, anything that says balance in it has my seal of approval!

So, of course, after a quick trip to 'google' where I do a minimal amount of research, I too, am convinced that DHEA is absolutely essential to a maturing woman's body! That's me! Keep in mind that I went to a Lypogenics Doctor who drew blood and determined I was low in testosterone and prescribed melt-a-way testosterone, chocolate/mint flavored. (Not as yummy tasting as it sounds). And I also went to my OB/GYN who prescribed bio-identical estrogen patches (no blood drawn for this prescription). But, between the two of them, my body was seriously messed up. Noticeable weight gain in breasts and abdomen...possibly because hunger was increased and appetite was insatiable...but, really what does that matter for a now older, now plumper, moody woman?

Dare I type on...Oh, I shall. So, long story short...testosterone melt-a-ways are crap! Bio-identical patch is even more crap. Third Doctor, Internal Specialist, says off of everything for 2-4 weeks, will retest blood work and then at that time will see to a new dosage of DHEA. (He likes product, but wants to confirm right amount)!

Three days later, 3 pounds of water weight gone, according to the scale. Bra size back to normal according to fit and hooks! Still older, little less plumper and counting the days for the body to be cleansed of all the other crap and to get exclusively on DHEA and monitor it's true effects.

My friend is good...I like his advice. Will he notice or care that I have positioned myself locked and loaded for the book read, book recommended DHEA? Doubtful...he is a boy, ya know.

Begin Again...

Throwing a ball over the home plate requires a center point and guided maneuver from the person throwing the laced leather object.

This blog is my guided maneuver to throw my life across an internet home plate, just as my childhood is my centering point. The accompanied photo, (Mother in the background and little brother in front) will provide proof that there was a childhood and by all accounts, happiness was always free flowing and easy.

So, I shall not dwell in a negative history where I claim to have been beaten, drugged or mentally abused...But, on the contrary, my world was dysfunctional & functional resulting in awesome "family" stories and experiences that could be relatable, but not designed or manipulated for the sake of this entry.

Simply put, I have issues, but I won't be blaming any family members because of them. The results of my personal psychotic behavior is all mine. I have always tried to observe and learn and somewhere in that process I have experienced good as well as crap, but I am accountable for all.

Why talk about any of this? Just viewing the past to understand the future...And so it is as I move on with the moments of today...Beginning again.

The Plunge

Having a blog is a little like having a journal with the possibility that a few or a lot of people will read your entries. Yikes...scary, at best! But, here is what I propose to follow through with...Honesty!

I imagine the beginning of this journey to be a lot like the first time I went with my friends to the local pool and decided on my own that I wanted to dive off the high board. The climb up the ladder, hands wet and slippery, but still able to hold suction to make it to the top. The look down after the climb, the measuring of how many skips to the end of the board and finally the thought of actually executing the swan dive of my dreams creating marginal water rising off pool surface. Yes, this is identical to the emotional and physical nausea I self induced on that day in childhood past.

How was that actual dive? The same as this will be...Not pretty and not with the tiniest of splashes. Oh no, as I prepare myself to make these hopeful, pithy words come to life, I want you all to know that I intend to purposely go in body and arms flailing wildly, weaving my spastic torso through the air like a freak who has never learned how to swim! In other words, water will cover all the nearby swimmers and onlookers!

Oh, it's on...Taking the plunge!!!