The high dive.

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!”
― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
It took me all summer to jump off the high dive at Gladstone Community pool the summer of '93. I finally worked up the courage to climb the steps, hold my noise and jump but I only did it once. After the atomic wedgie I decided I did not need to do that again, EVER. I am not hasty at when it comes to adventurous activities. I need to witness someone else do it, then I have to think about it, after all of this I will commit. Cautious by nature but the need for experiences has always driven my decisions. I have been wanting to make this journey for almost two years. I have been dreaming about this, now it is "go time", be bold, do it.

Pictures of my last Christmas in California. (2009)

"I'm so excited...I'm so excited....I'm so...."

Two Life Lessons: 1. Never drink an espresso on an empty stomach while going through a life change ie. moving, relationship end, death, new job, etc. 2. Target is better than therapy.

On Sunday, I went to yoga and meditation. Next stop: Baby Shower, detour to Latte Land. I decided to bypass any (soy) cream or sugar and go straight for the money maker. I sipped espresso often on my European adventures, so I thought "why not" do as the Europeans do and go for the diesel. Also I am ditching this caffeine habit before my trip to India, so I thought it was a good idea to take the espresso train to crazy town while I am still on the wagon. As well as the espresso buzz I was being cheap by skipping the froth, I saved about $2.50. Three sips later, I was off to the baby party! While sitting at the well organized, cozy, classy and adorable shower I began to have a slight panic attack on the amount of stuff one mini human needs. The gadgets, the towels, the devices, the entertainment trinkets...which then lead me to remember all the items I have to fit in a Taurus. After the baby shower I knew there was only one place I could go to get rid of this anxious feeling, Target! I needed to walk off the caffeine and self reflect. Target is really the best place to do both of these things. Target can make you feel at home, no matter what part of the nation you are in or what is going on in your life. Target is a sanctuary for all. The smell of popcorn, the bright lights, holiday music and the red carts. You know, you will find what you need and something that you don't need and you will spend at least $50 on a half full bag. After leaving Target, I knew I would be OK. The caffeine was leaving my system and I realized that just like Target, Missouri and my friends will always be here and if I can't fit my clothes, two lamps and plants in the Taurus I know there are Targets in California.

(Picture was taken in Paris B.L.I. before lactose intolerance)

Link to Target Finder: http://sites.target.com/site/en/spot/page.jsp?title=store_locator_new

Slainte! Prost! Cheers!

In two days I sold all my furniture and moved in with my best friend (and her husband and cat) then I packed my bags and boarded a plan to France to see Shannon, my friend from college. Also on my European adventure was my favorite travel friend Melissa, I traveled with her two years ago when we went to Paris and London with Shannon. Melissa is a history buff, a killer map reader and fun! This trip turned out to be extra special because we got to celebrate the engagement of Shannon and her boyfriend, Alexis. Shannon studied abroad in Italy and found a sexy French man, Alexis. Who just happened to be her soulmate or "lovaaaa". The trip to Paris was a whirlwind, jet-lag, engagements, mustache parties, museums and of course wine. After four days in Paris we took a plan to Hamburg, German. Hamburg is a port city with not many tourist, although a fine city. We were actually amazed by the lack of tourist. The beer of choice in Hamburg is Astra. This beer is like nothing I have ever tasted. So good, so smooth....If you think you never want to travel abroad, I hope you change your mind, if for nothing else, go to drink this beer. In 1634 (give or take a few years) there was a LAW made in Germany that breweries could only use 4 ingredients in beer Hops, Water, Barley, Malt. Well, that rule doesn't exist anymore but many breweries still adhere to this tradition. Ok, enough about the beer. Basically to sum up Hamburg: Ports, Bridges, the best mustache ever, train to a mall...I mean a Castle, but the mall was nice too. After Hamburg, we took a train to Berlin. Something I should mention about trains in Germany, you buy a ticket but no one ever checks if you really have one. The Germans are such "rule" followers that they just have people occasionally ask if you have a ticket...we honestly were only asked to check our tickets three times and we rode the train over a dozen times. Helpful Tip if you go to Germany on a budget! (wink wink) Last stop Berlin: The wall, check point charlie and graffiti. Berlin is vintage, hipster with a German flare. A thing to know about Berlin: If you find yourself in a dark place with graffiti on the wall, don't panic, despite everything you know from after school specials and basketball movies, you are safe. Berlin is very friendly and full of tall/helpful people. We did a bike tour around Berlin, went to Potsdam to see another castle and a cute little Christmas shops....well actually they were just regular shops but every shop in German looks like it is a Christmas store. :) The trip was amazing:seeing Shannon, celebrating her engagement, traveling with Melissa, everything I learned about German history (the good and the bad), the people we met and the places I saw...I am so lucky to have this experience. I can't wait to share many more. Thanks for the memories Shannon and Melissa.

Failure Club

I didn't realize it, but I think I am doing this. http://screen.yahoo.com/welcome-to-failure-club-27284740.html

This is it...don't get scared now.

I officially did it! I turned in my resignation to my Corporate Job! Saw this picture from one of my favorite movies and thought it describes how I was feeling this morning. I have made all the plans: sub-leased my place, sold my furniture, bought my plane ticket to India....I just needed to do the final step. Mission accomplished. 4 more weeks in the heart of America.

Peace! (dramatically throw papers in the air)

How to quit a job? I have a meeting set up with HR on Tuesday...I googled how to do this the right way. I am nervous and I have no idea how it will actually go. Visions of sharpie marker and cardboard boxes keep dancing in my head. On a lighter note: Stay tuned for stories and pictures from my trip abroad.

So true...

"There is not right or wrong, only right or left – choices that must be made, different paths to head down towards vastly different results."

Just read this and thought I would share.

It's all coming together

So happy, I could sing. I found a lovely lady to take over my lease! Woohoo. I will be a true gypsy, home base: Fantozzi residents with possible couch hoping/house sitting here and there. Hoping to save some $$$ and get ready for my next adventure. I leave for Paris in two days so I have a lot to do in about 48 hours. Not only furniture and clothes moving, but saying goodbye to my parents and making sure I have everything I need for my trip abroad. I am so glad I donated a bunch of stuff to the disabled a few months ago, making the packing seem LITTLE easier.

Goal: California Christmas, India in January and a perfect event planning job lined up for Feb. (Oh and meet Jason Segal and we fall madly in love) If you dream it, it will come.

A place to lay my head....becoming a gypsy.

I only have three/four more weeks of corporate life, before I pack my belongings and set out on adventure. The thought of not having a bed to call my own and living out of a suitcase excites me. (Ok, it scares me too...I tried to lie to myself and all the blog followers (ha), but I couldn't, I am medium freaking out) Tonight during yoga I thought of all the things I am grateful for, faces of family and friends clicked through my head. The last thing on my list was my yoga practice, it has brought me so much besides just some crazy poses I never thought I could do. Yoga brought me clarity and the ability to take a chance. I don't know now how this chapter of my life will end but I guess we never know. All I know is that being unhappy for a month or even a day is not going to be an option in my life. I have a "foundation of joy" that no situation can steal, but I will not allow myself to be in a place of negativity. I rather sleep on my yoga mat on my parents living room floor. (Which may be a reality in about 30 days....no judgement please.) As I write this "Gypsy, Tramps and Thieves by Cher plays in my head...."Momma use to dance for the money they'd throw"....this could be how this chapter of my life ends...guess you will have to keep reading to find out.

Inspiration

One of my yoga friends posted this on his facebook last week, the day before I made some big decisions. I can honestly say that in about 45 days I will be living this poster. It feels so good. I have always been afraid to fall but falling is a part of living.

Very different place but still the same

It is hard to believe my last post was a year ago. Although I am happy to say that I am still a vegetarian and my yoga practice has stayed true. I am doing yoga poses I never thought would be possible. But more than the poses I am about to embark on a journey I never thought possible. Yoga made me realize I deserve more than a mediocre job in the only city I've ever known. More to come on my new adventure. Now off to work! (For the next few weeks or so, wink wink!)