The Effect of Travel

There is something about travel that makes me feel more me than usual. It has an effect that is hard to explain. 

Being far and away is trying. I feel stretched because the signs are different, the language is different, the customs are different, and the way of life is different. There is an internal struggle of wanting to maintain my ways and wanting to try a new way while remaining true to myself. 

Being far and away is liberating. There is something about wandering around the streets of a new place that allows me to breathe more deeply. 

Being far and away is adventurous. Hiking a mountain, swimming in the sea, eating new foods, attempting to communicate in a different language, shopping in the marketplace. There is a sense of risk that gets the adrenaline going. It leaves an imprint in my mind that forever marks my experience.

There is nothing else like travel. 

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page." ~Saint Augustine

How Far I'll Go

I love Disney movies, particularly the princess-animated variety. I enjoy them for the fairy tale and good versus evil plot. 

Recently, I watched Moana. What a fantastic story! I felt as though I was watching myself on screen. This young girl has a desire to leave the confines of her hometown and explore. 

I remember from an early age how I had this same desire. Most everyone in my family is from the same area. They marry someone from that very area. They build a house in that area. They live their whole lives in that area. 

I knew at 13 or 14 years old that I could not follow suit. I had to see what else was out there. As I watched Moana, I felt as though I knew exactly what this girl was all about. 

Here is the song that Moana sings about blazing her own trail: 

Frozen Fruit Pops

The weather is warming up which means our air conditioning bill will also go up. Life in Florida. 

Part of the strategy of keeping cool is light fabrics, trips to the beach, afternoons poolside, and cold food. 

One item I discovered at Publix is the Organic Whole Fruit Tubes. These are tasty!

Normally priced at $3.89 a box, this week they are on sale for 2 for $3.89. That's a BOGO! In addition, there is a coupon for $1 off one box. 

Here's the breakdown: 

   $3.89 for 2 boxes

-  $1 manufacturer coupon (I only have 1)

= $2.89 or $1.45 per box

Pudding Dessert

I posted a few months ago about a great deal on Simply Jell-O pudding (read more here).  

I finally made the pudding. That's the nice part about non-perishable items in the pantry. I rarely have milk in the house so that was another challenge. 

Once I made the pudding, I let it set overnight. I was about to dish it for dessert and felt blasé about the pudding. I decided to added bananas and almonds. 

It was delicious! 

Tasty + quick prep + cheap = winning!

Mosaic

I am not an artist. Stick figure drawings are a challenge for me (see one such project here).

When I was in college, I took an art appreciation course to satisfy the arts and humanities requirement. I really enjoyed that course and learned so much about art history.

Shortly after taking that course, I was studying abroad in France. One of the perks of being a French major!

While in France, I had the opportunity to visit the Louvre Museum with an expert who worked there. This expert is also the mother of my first French friend who is my age and stayed with my family for a summer abroad program.

I was able to see paintings and sculptures I had heard about and learned about in the art course in college. It was also the first time I had seen a mosaic. From that point, I had a new appreciation for mosaics.

In most mosaics, stones, tiles, or glass are used to create colorful images. They are such a creative display of putting unlike pieces together and making a colorful work of art.

Our world is a mosaic. Combinations of races, genders, religions, cultures, ages, talents, and abilities. In the end, we're all people forming a priceless work of art. Each one adding beauty to the world.

Even you. Especially you. You are essential. Let your light shine for it enhances the beauty of the mosaic.

Taken in the Orlando airport

Couponing: Vitamins

Vitamins were not a part of my life growing up but is part of my adulting. 

There was a manufacturer coupon for Centrum MultiGummies and a Publix coupon. Time to stock up! 

 Here's the breakdown:

  $8.59 retail for 1 bottle
- $4 manufacturer coupon
=$4.59
- $2 Publix coupon
=$2.59 out of pocket ($6 savings)

Higher Perspective

We went to Rochester, NY recently to visit family. While in an airplane, I had the window seat (my favorite). As I was looking out seeing clouds and landscape, I noticed something. 

The clouds were casting shadows on the ground. It occurred to me that when you're on the ground that cloud over head brings darkness, depression, oppression, and despair. 

Seeing the cloud and shadow from above didn't have the same effect. I could see the bigger picture. I could see the end of the cloud and the beginning of light, joy, freedom, hope. 

Sometimes we need to be confident that the end of the cloud exists and is closer than it was before.