World Traveller...

So, next year, sometime around the Swedish Midsommar (I hope), Alex and I will be taking off to spend some time in Sweden. I can't wait. I love traveling. I watch travel shows with a passion and shows where people up and move to a new country. It's my dream and one day I hope it will come true. Until then, there are several places on my bucket list. So, there they are in no particular order.

Sweden. What's that, you say? I've already been there? Well, yes, that's true. I have been to Stockholm, Karlstad, and Gotland but there are so many other beautiful areas of Sweden that I have to keep it on my list. Who am I kidding! Sweden is my dream home but I do want to see it all. Goteberg, Uppsala, the great northern Laplands, spend a couple of night in the ice hotel and see the Northern Lights as they are meant to be seen. Beautiful!

Ireland. This is the land of my grandparents and I have friends who have been there and they've reported that it's the greenest, most friendly place in the world. I long to have a pint at the local pub and sing songs with the locals.

Poland. Also the land of my grandparents. I want to walk the historic streets and see where the world took over and tried to kill the Polish spirit. I want to revel in the tenacity of a people so strong in their country and conviction that they survived it all and still have a national pride and quiet soul that cannot be matched.

Russia. As a kid I used to look at travel books and marvel at the surreal beauty of Russian architect from the days of Czar Nicholas. It's all still there and I want to see it for myself. There is a mystery and romance to old Russia, not to mention the political history that once challenged the world.

Japan. As a teen ager I had a pen pal in Tokyo who, for a short time, would send me the most amazing photos of temples and Japanese gardens. So serene. Later, I would see images of modern day Tokyo with it's bustle and lights and all I could think of was I want to see that for myself! My brother was stationed in Japan for a while and I had always hoped to go over to visit him while he was there but I never got the chance. Now, Japan is on my list so one day...

Thailand. My brother was also stationed in Thailand for a time. The photos he would send back showed a land of great beauty, people of deep dignity and views of panoramic proportions that took my breath away. I watched in horror ask the tsunami ravaged Phucket and the coastal areas and tales of death and destruction came daily on the news. Now, it's all coming back. Returning to it's natural beauty and previous stunning glory. I want to see it.

China. My friend Arsh just came back from China and his photos of him standing on the Great Wall are amazing. I have to see it. I just have to!

New Zealand. I've seen views of green tree covered cliffs falling off into waterfalls of crystal blue. Seriously. Who wouldn't want to go there?

Africa. I know, that's an enormous continent and there are so many parts I would love to see. I would love to see the Zinder bush in Niger. I've befriended a fellow blogger who works for an organization there called the Eden Foundation which teaches local indigenous people what can grow and be harvested for good, nutritious meals thereby erasing famine. Want to see that! Also want to see Victoria Falls! Want to go on safari to see wild beasts close up and sleep under the African stars while hearing lions panting just yards away. I want to wash an elephant in a river and see hippos in their natural habitat.

Not to be outdone, the US has some places I have yet to see and they are also on my list.
Hawaii. Again, a nephew was living there and I missed the chance to go visit him. Ah well, Hawaii is still on the list and I have to see it.

Alaska. I want to take one of those Alaskan cruises to see whales beaching and sea lions playing. Alaska is one of our last wild lands in the US and I hope I can see it before it's gone.

Yosemite! I have never been there! I want to see it and camp there and take it all in!

Oh there are so many places I want to see. I wish I was independently wealthy and could just plan these trips and go. Until then I will be reading about them, and watching the Travel Channel and wishing and hoping and dreaming.

30 Letters in 30 Days...Day Five: my dreams...

Dear Dreams,

First of all, I want to thank you for being there for me to get me through the really rough times in my life. I know I have always been a dreamer. Even though some of you will never come true - my chances of winning an Oscar are slim to none - I will always remember you fondly. Honestly though, many of you have come true which has been a really good thing.

For instance, I've always dreamed of traveling and now I can say proudly that I have been to Europe and Scandinavia and will be going back there soon. I've also seen more places in the US than most of my family! I love that I have been able to fulfill that dream.

I've also always dreamed of having someone in my life who loves me for me and makes me feel good about myself every single day. And I have done that too! That particular dream came true in two parts. I can honestly say that my first husband also loved me very much. If we hadn't grown so far apart that might have been good enough. But I needed more than that and now I have exactly what I need. I have a husband who is like me in every way and who keeps me going even when I feel like giving up.

I still have dreams that haven't been realized yet. My dream to live abroad for one. I have a deep feeling that will come true one of these days. I will hold onto that one and never let it go.

So, my dreams, you have been good to me. I know some of you I will never see but just having you at the time kept me going. I can let those go now. On to bigger and better dreams! And one day they will all come true!

With love,
Mary

If I could do anything I wanted to do...

I would buy this really cool old building downtown Kenosha, WI. It used to be Herman's Drug store and Park Liquors. I would put in a real, old fashioned soda fountain with real, old fashioned soda jerks, complete with white uniforms and little paper hats. I would serve real, old fashioned ice cream treats. And the rest of the store would be full of old fashioned candy and new fangled candy. My sister would have her own candy counter for her home-made, hand-dipped chocolates.

I would make one of the big front windows and open air service area so people could just walk right up and order their ice cream.

It would be great! Yup, that's what I would do if I could do anything I wanted.

Me? ...meh

I'm feeling rather "meh" today. You know that ho-hum, middle of the road, boring, Muzak kind of feeling? I got it. I mean, there's work, there's family stuff, there's home, there's just more regular boring stuff going on and on.

It's January. It's cold. I get like this.

I don't know why I can't just feel some kind of satisfaction in that life is as good as it is. Because it is good. I mean, even with my mom being ill and all that, I am doing okay. We are doing okay. Better than most even. Yet...

I feel "meh".

I need something to look forward to. I need a plan. A goal. Some idea that eventually there is something fun and fabulous waiting for me to do. Then maybe the "meh" will go away...just for a little while.

Homesick....

Is it possible to be homesick for a place I've never lived? I'm starting to wonder. This afternoon at work I had a long conversation with a co-worker who was excitedly telling me about her impending vacation plans. She is leaving in a couple of weeks to tour Norway and Sweden. She has family in Norway but she loves Stockholm so she's taking some time away from family to revisit the sights of Stockholm. As she spoke I felt my heart tugging (that green monster again...) and then she shared some photos from the last time she was there.

Afterwards, I spent part of my lunch hour looking at photos of Sweden via Google Images. I want to be there so badly! I saw some photos of places I had been and instantly my memories swept my up.

I know that I am destined to live in Sweden one day. I know there is some time yet before that can happen and MANY exciting things to happen before then. But I do love getting swept up in the dream and the knowledge that one day it will be true.