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Join The Fight
Cancer.
It’s a scary word, made even more frightening when coming from the lips of your doctor. But the diagnosis is only the beginning. What follows are overwhelming statistics, painful surgeries, poisonous treatments, and a life changed forever. A person can do everything right in their life and a tumor shows up on a scan, forcing them to confront a terrifying new world of IVs and head scarves.
It’s rare to find someone who hasn’t lost someone from cancer. My grandmother bravely fought and conquered colon cancer, only to have it return ten years later, ultimately claiming her life. My healthy uncle succumbed to squamous cell carcinoma within a year of his diagnosis. Just two years ago, I attended my grandfather’s funeral on the same day as William and Kate’s royal wedding. I’ve lost two co-workers to various cancers in the five years since I’ve been at my job. After a while, it all makes you feel powerless.
But you’re not. There’s a lot that you can do to help.
Spring Fever Strikes Again
I have a particular sense when it comes to detecting the arrival of spring. For some, it is the arrival of Spring Break or Easter. For others, it is the spring fashion lines just hitting the department stores. But for me, it all comes down to my nose. Despite what Punxsutawney Phil says about the arrival of longer days and warmer weather, I don’t believe the season has really come until I can smell it in the air. It’s the aroma of jasmine and orange blossoms, with a slight hint of freshness. This is a certain scent that is around only during these few months of year and it makes me long for other spring delights.
A Time To Celebrate
When life has swapped out your lemons and given you a free pass to all things fun and exciting, it’s hard to keep the happiness inside when all you want to do is scream from the rooftops, “Life is awesome!” And the best part is, you can. It seems that as we get older we often forget to celebrate ourselves. It’s completely normal to attend a birthday or graduation party, but outside of bridal or baby showers, when did we lose the art of celebration?
I’m here to tell you all to go ahead and celebrate. There is nothing wrong with cracking open a bottle of wine you’ve been saving for a special occasion or treating yourself to a hot stone massage when the boss tells you what a great job you’ve been doing or you reach a particular milestone in your blogging journey (Happy blogiversary shout outs to Laura, Rian, Tobi, and Jules!). Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate.
One Hundred Wonders Later
I have two announcements to make.
- Today, I am headed to the Boston for what has become my annual pilgrimage to visit with family and sample what a real winter feels like just as Southern California is expecting 80-degree weather. I know, I know, it seems like I spend most of my time on vacation, but I really do hold a full-time job (one that may see me getting even more time off).
- This is Defining Wonderland‘s 100th post! I can’t believe how quickly it took to reach triple digits and I am so grateful to the Wonderlings who have been around for the last year and the new ones who have joined this blogging adventure. To the next hundred!
The Improvement Process
I now interrupt this travel series to bring you a monthly update. With January almost over, some people may be slipping on their resolutions or goals for the year. It’s all fun in the beginning, but when the novelty starts to wear off, it can become even more difficult to continue to improve ourselves. Whether or not you made a resolution, I would love to hear how you work towards making the best you that there can be. Here are some of the things that help me reach my goals.
Another Year Almost Gone
I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve posted. Granted, it feels like it’s been forever since I’ve done anything normal. With my pre-holidays vacation, the actual holidays, and then being completely out of it with a nasty sinus infection, my days have been anything but ordinary. Now that the fog has lifted and I am this.close to feeling like my ol’ cheery and healthy self again, I can’t believe the end of the month—and year—is only days away.
It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
No really, it is.
Despite my desire to celebrate one holiday at a time, the Christmas season is my favorite time of year. Everything is bright, shiny, and covered with sparkles. And what kind of girl doesn’t like sparkles? I love the movies, the TV specials, the photo cards from friends and family, the sense of togetherness, everything. It’s just a magical time. And it’s only just begun.
No Trick, It’s Time For A Treat
As Hurricane Sandy harasses the East Coast and we are still experiencing warm temperatures here in Southern California, Halloween is almost here and Election Day is soon to follow. But before the ghouls and politicians, there are indulgences to be had.
Summer Fades To Fall
Fall has finally come to Southern California and by fall I mean there was one day this week that was below 70°F for a significant portion of the day. Yeah, we’re not much for actual seasons around here. And darn it if I know what I’m missing.
The autumn colors of New England
I would love to have jumped into a giant pile of crispy red and orange leaves when I was a child or had the need to wear scarves for function not fashion. However, I live in the land of the Indian summer where the heat lasts until the end of October. Nevertheless, since Mother Nature is a tad confused about the nature of autumn in Southern California, I must find things to make it more fall-y around here.
Back To School Cool
Summer is officially winding down. Vacations are coming to an end and the new school year is starting. The weather is finally beginning to cool off and people race to enjoy those last few days of sunny skies before the chill of fall sets in for good.
I, for one, love this time of year.
When I was a kid (and an adult), there was nothing better than getting a new outfit for the first day of school or the excitement of new classes with new teachers, subjects, and peers. It was a fun time and now that I’m no longer in school, I miss those anxious little butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.
So, to stir up memories of pep rallies and blue book exams, I present a list of all of the things that remind me of a scholastic new start.
