I like the mix of the protesters and tents and the tourists and their busses, living in harmony.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Photo of the Week: Barcleona
I like the mix of the protesters and tents and the tourists and their busses, living in harmony.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
When things go awry at home...
Last week I came home from my NCL cruise to a not so pleasant surprise, my mom got an infection in her hip replacement and had the hip removed. My family did not call me while I was away. There was nothing I could do anyway, except spend my vacation worrying. I'm fine with their decision. They did call me the night before I flew home to let me know, though they did down play my mother's condition.
My family was in a tough spot. My Mom's condition was pretty serious, but what was I going to do about it? Worry? Instead I was just a little anxious to get home that last night and on the 8 hour flight home.
When I got home I found out how bad she was. She'll be on IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks then she can have her hip replaced. She will only be walking enough to get herself to the bathroom and in and out of a wheel chair. The only upside is that they say when you get the hip replaced you heal and get moving very fast.
As for me, my first stop after landing at home was the hospital, I didn't stay too long, but it was good to see Mom with my own eyes. And although physically she's not doing well, her spirits are quite high. I spent the next two days at the hospital helping her. I'm slowly getting everything put away from my trip, going through my mail, but the grocery store is a challenge and even my nephews are wondering where the food was. You know things are bad when going to work feels good, feels like you're getting back into your old routine.
The experience with my Mom has made me really appreciate the little things. That's helped me feel more relaxed during this stressful time. Although I'm glad my family did not call me when Mom got sick. I am glad they called me before I came home. I couldn't even imagine if I had gotten off the plane expecting to go to get some food and discuss my trip with my family, but was instead ushered to the hospital.
Keep my Mom in your prayers and don't be upset if I miss a post.
Oh, and don't forget June 18th is the last day to enter for my book giveaway.
My family was in a tough spot. My Mom's condition was pretty serious, but what was I going to do about it? Worry? Instead I was just a little anxious to get home that last night and on the 8 hour flight home.
When I got home I found out how bad she was. She'll be on IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks then she can have her hip replaced. She will only be walking enough to get herself to the bathroom and in and out of a wheel chair. The only upside is that they say when you get the hip replaced you heal and get moving very fast.
As for me, my first stop after landing at home was the hospital, I didn't stay too long, but it was good to see Mom with my own eyes. And although physically she's not doing well, her spirits are quite high. I spent the next two days at the hospital helping her. I'm slowly getting everything put away from my trip, going through my mail, but the grocery store is a challenge and even my nephews are wondering where the food was. You know things are bad when going to work feels good, feels like you're getting back into your old routine.
The experience with my Mom has made me really appreciate the little things. That's helped me feel more relaxed during this stressful time. Although I'm glad my family did not call me when Mom got sick. I am glad they called me before I came home. I couldn't even imagine if I had gotten off the plane expecting to go to get some food and discuss my trip with my family, but was instead ushered to the hospital.
Keep my Mom in your prayers and don't be upset if I miss a post.
Oh, and don't forget June 18th is the last day to enter for my book giveaway.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Book Review and a Giveaway - The Art of Travel
I recently read the book The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton. This is national best seller, well rated, everyone loves it - except me. Ok, I'm sure there are some others.
The book is extremely well written, and explores some different countries from different angles. I think reading the book made my own writting better. But, the book bored me to tears, it's one of the few books that I didn't bother finishing. I would read a page and then 3 pages later find my mind wandering to my grocery list. How sad is that?
But instead of writing a long post bashing the book and then giving it away as a failure, I decided to make it an opportunity. I've decided to give the book away to one of my readers, free. I'm hoping the lucky recipient will actually enjoy the book as many others have.
Here is how to enter:
email me with your name and email address at thetravelinggiraffe(at)gmail(dot)com by 2PM on June 18, 2011
Once all the entries have been received I will assign each person a number and then use Random.com to pick a number. I will then contact the winner via email to get their mailing address and ship the book out the following week using the US Postal Service.
Rules (I'm making this up as I go):
If you aren't willing to give me your address, that's fine. But, I can't ship to you if you don't give me your address.
I would love to hear back from the winner about what they thought of the book, but if I don't that's ok. I promise I wont become a stalker.
I will ship Internationally, but it will be the cheapest method possible, probably a snail in a row boat.
The book is extremely well written, and explores some different countries from different angles. I think reading the book made my own writting better. But, the book bored me to tears, it's one of the few books that I didn't bother finishing. I would read a page and then 3 pages later find my mind wandering to my grocery list. How sad is that?
But instead of writing a long post bashing the book and then giving it away as a failure, I decided to make it an opportunity. I've decided to give the book away to one of my readers, free. I'm hoping the lucky recipient will actually enjoy the book as many others have.
Here is how to enter:
email me with your name and email address at thetravelinggiraffe(at)gmail(dot)com by 2PM on June 18, 2011
Once all the entries have been received I will assign each person a number and then use Random.com to pick a number. I will then contact the winner via email to get their mailing address and ship the book out the following week using the US Postal Service.
Rules (I'm making this up as I go):
If you aren't willing to give me your address, that's fine. But, I can't ship to you if you don't give me your address.
I would love to hear back from the winner about what they thought of the book, but if I don't that's ok. I promise I wont become a stalker.
I will ship Internationally, but it will be the cheapest method possible, probably a snail in a row boat.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
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