Airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars...

Last weekend I flew home for Sarah's high school graduation....it was even more important because the whole family was going to be together....and who knows when that will happen again with all of us dispersing all over the country! Three days in SW FL in June made me remember all over again why I am not a fan of the state... especially in summer...phewww was it hot!!! It was a great few days though....catching up with everyone and celebrating Sarah's big day. My favorite part of the weekend was when Jules and Chris told us about their adventure to Africa....although I stayed in touch via email the whole time with Jules, its different hearing the stories firsthand....and oooo the pictures were incredible! Just seeing those unbelievable shots on their safari, their hike through the Impenetrable Forest (with fuzzy baby gorillas), the view from the hotel in Serengeti.....makes me want to travel there even more.

On Monday when Sarah and I were about to leave for Bar Harbor we all went to grab coffee 9and of course tea)....together and sitting there looking at my family I just couldn't believe how far we had come. My little sisters were turning into these beautiful young woman, Julie is married and writing her own adventure, Mom is about to enter the quietest time of her life ;) I am so blessed to be apart of these women.....my sisters and I..although VERY different have formed a bond over the years that I can;t imagine my life without them.

We are all definitely entering a new chapter in our lives and within our family....but the prospects of whats in our stories is extremely exciting!

~Wine~

I've been thinking it would be fun to only drink wines that have funky names.....like 'Cupcake' and 'Fat Bastard' (those are legitimate wines by the way) ....who knows I might just find my favorite one that way...which of course is vitally important to life

thats all :)

Bar Harbor...Round 2

Back To Paradise!

Im here!! Bar Harbor that is....and after six months away Im absolutely thrilled to be back. Its crazy to think that a year ago I was just arriving here and not knowing what my experience would be like. A year later, this place and these people have become apart of me. This year I was given a new posistion working as the assistant to Human Resources and Accounting....which is a far cry from what I have been doing for the past 4 1/2 years. The past two weeks that I've been back have flown by, trying to learn my new job and being at the start of another season....but there is never a dull moment, which is probably part of the reason I enjoy being here so much. Beside's being in one of the most beautiful places in the country, I get to work with awesome individuals everyday.

Being back for a second season...in a way felt like coming home. I guess its safe to say that I sort of fell in love with Maine :)

The restaraunts are incredible.....the nature is out of this world....and there is something so fundamentally down to earth about this place thats its like a breath of fresh air. It may sound cliche but its how life should be....

In a month, my sister Sarah is coming to spend two months working up here. To say the least...I CANT WAIT :) Having family here for a bit will make my season here even more phenominal. Two of my best friends are coming in July ( which Ive already starting planning our Iteniary)

I know most people in my life are a little tired of hearing how much I love being in Bar Harbor....but to you people....I think you should just come visit :)

<3 <3

Tequila & Salt

Have you ever had one of those just wonderful days alone? A day when nothing seems too overwhelming and all there is just you and whatever you choose to do with the minutes that compose it? That was my day :) Lately I have had so much on my mind, which in turn is affecting my much loved time of sleep (which never happens....i LOVE sleep) When I woke up today my mind, although still processing a thousand things, was peaceful and in turn I was able to just take a deep breath. The past few weeks I have just realized every day how incredibly blessed I am in this life. I look at the intricate parts of my life and see how loved I am....all the pieces (people) that make me who I am are simply....phenomenal. ( I realize too that I dont tell those people often enough) For whatever reason God just continues to put fantastic people in my path...I love when precious new people enter your life..ones that you have the feeling will be around for a long time. I have always been blessed...even during hard times...and Ive just been reminded how many truly wonderful people I have been given to share this life with

Today I started reading the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert...and Im a 1/4 of the way into it and its a stellar book. Ive always been able to immediately immerse myself into a good book....to lose myself in whatever the story is and fly through it...while still getting the full experience. This is the first book Ive ever read...that I want to slow it down. It is a self biography about a woman who spent a year in Indonesia, India and Italy in order to find the perfect balance of life for herself. After heartbreak and loss....to really spend the time finding her sense of the divine and what life's purpose is. I have really connected to the book and am loving taking it slow so I can process the different things that come up by reading it.

I'm COUNTING DOWN the weeks I have left till I have another season in Bar Harbor... Although there will be a lot of work and time away from my family.....I fell in love with BH...and the NE last year. Going in this time I have a list of places to go and see....and for the first time ever I will have a pretty set schedule so I can plan my mini adventures.(Itin is back) The biggest highlight is my sister Sarah is supposed to be coming after her graduation to work up there.... I get her for two whole months!

I hope this finds you in a place where you feel loved and life is full of happiness...if so treasure it....if this finds you a little blue remember there is always someone in this world that thinks of you at the end of their day...and someone you don't even know exists...already loves you

<3 <3 <3

p.s. if your wondering about my title....I heard this neat saying i now love.."if life gives you lemons...ask for tequila & salt" ...sounds good to me

Set Fire To The Third Bar

Today I am feeling very humbled....my sister Julie is volunteering in Uganda with Doctor's for Global Health. Reading her updates of what she is doing over there...really gives you a reality check.
Hospitals with little or no medicine, staff and supplies....parents who dont understand or dont have the ability to properly care for their children. A viscous cycle that can never really be ended until the world steps into countries like Uganda and makes a difference. We are so clueless in our little bubble of reality...we (myself included) think about what else we can get for ourselves. How to make our life more fun or comfortable. Not in a selfish way, just in the way that our society perpetuates us to think. For example since the devastation in Haiti Ive heard people refuse flat out to not give to Haiti because ..."why should we help them?" ....even if your poor in America you are still a man of riches in a country like Uganda or Haiti. Our way of thinking of is so distorted....and it is something I know as a person I want to work on. Maybe I wont be able to fly around the world and make a huge difference...but I can everyday in small ways....it just takes a conscious effort....



If your in FL ...enjoy the beautiful cool weather :)

love,
S

"I Gotta A Feeling...."

Its almost 2010! I can barely even believe that....how quickly time flies! As 2009 ends I am so thankful for this past year, the friends I made, the adventures I had and the amazing memories that will forever be mine. The highlight of this past year was spending my first season in Bar Harbor, Maine...I absolutely fell in love with Mt. Desert Island and Maine itself. There is something truly magical about that part of the country, the people are so down to earth and kind. I miss Bar Harbor already and cant wait to go back this May (T minus 4 months!) My adventure to D.C. for the inauguration was pretty spectacular itself. Now that was a day that I'm so glad I realized there was no reason for me to not be there....then all I had to do was talk a few easy targets into going with me (aka my sister Sarah, and my up for any adventure friend Kate)...literally and historically it was obviously a once in a lifetime experience

I have this feeling that this next year is going to be a remarkable one; my sister Julie is going to Uganda, Africa till late spring ( I cant wait to hear about her experience) One thing that I truly admire about my sister is that when she has a dream....at some point in her life she has followed through with it....having her in my life gives me the courage to dream, dream, dream!

My sister Sarah is turning eighteen (jeez!!)...graduating highschool...and starting that ever terrifying journey into adulthood.... She has turned out to be one of the neatest people I know and I am so excited to see where life takes her.

Annie is starting a new chapter in her life too, just getting back from some time in the NW, she is working hard( both at life and finding herself) ...and creating her own adventure...she always see's the world with a perspective that I sometimes wish I could tap into..

and of course Gina...my precious Gina... She's turning sixteen which makes me fully realize how much things are changing! She's the most incredible little person....seeing her evolve, learning new words and understanding more its just quite spectacular. She's starting high school this upcoming fall, which will be fulfilling her "life-long" dream of having a locker and being all grown up. As she told me other day on the phone "she is no longer a child....she is a young woman"....I can hear my heart silently breaking a little bit...my little sister who I just want to stay ten forever ( because she was so darn cute!) is a full-fledged teenager! uhh...

I have lots of adventures planned (in my head) for this next year....when I head back to Maine for six months in between that I want to tour the NE...I want to see the White Mountains in fall, go to Philly, Boston etc... I fell in love with NYC last May and cant wait to go explore it again. The best part is going to be Bar Harbor itself! I now have a tent thanks to Julie and Chris and their awesome Christmas present....so that means...camping trips.... Im only minutes from Acadia Nat'l Park.

This next year Im going to really focus on creating my best life....although it sounds like something from Oprah...I really mean it... I have an incredibly blessed life...although at times my big crazy family overwhelms me, or money stresses me out, or I underestimate myself...I live a fantastic life. Im healthy, have amazing friends and family, am able to travel and create beautiful memories, and most importantly have control over my future. But this next year I want to laugh more, push myself farther, be braver, be more honest with myself, say what I really mean when its important, and do everything I can to bring happiness to other peoples lives.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful New Years, I truly wish all of you the most incredible, blessed year!

<3 Sue