Family Vacations

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. You may not agree with all of them and they may not work for everybody, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 44 Enjoy your family vacations... One day you will cherish them.

When I was five we started going to Gatlinburg, TN for our summer family vacations. My dad had gone the summer before with the youth group from our church and he loved it. We stayed in the Windchimes Chalet. It was wonderful. We were in the woods and the surroundings were lovely. There is a place called Cades Coves with old log cabins and trails and hikes and waterfalls. We had picnics and hiked. Then during the evenings we went into town and played skeeball and mini golf. We rode the ski lifts and the cable car. We ate dinner at all the touristy spots like the Hard Rock Cafe. We went to the Mountain Mall and bought homemade fudge and tons of souvenirs like airbrushed t-shirts and key chains. We went to Dollywood and learned all about her life and rode the roller coaster. We went in door sky diving. We went to the Ghost Town in the sky in Maggie Valley. We drove to the Roaring Fork and took more pictures than anyone ever needed to take. We did Gatlinburg right and we all got the t-shirts to prove it.

Then the next summer mom and dad decided that we would go back to Gatlinburg. I was only six so I was still excited about it. We went back to Gatlinburg and did it all over again. The third summer, my sister who HATES the outdoors, opted out and stayed home. Then we continued to go back to Gatlinburg.... every summer. We hiked the same trails and played the same Skeeball games, and ate the same fudge and bought the same t-shirts... We saw the same waterfalls and streams and bears and dear and picnicked in the same spots... over and over and over.
My parents could never get enough. They had found their place in the world. Gatlinburg, TN. It was their dream vacation every year. Eventually my brother, who had been my only vacation ali for years, moved away and stopped coming on vacation with us. Then I was forced to do what my sister had done all those years ago. Opt out. It took a really long time. I went from the time I was 5 until I was about 14 religiously without complaint. Then I began my graceful opting out. Mom and Dad didn't mind. They loved it there so much that they eventually began going in the fall too, just to see the leaves change. I went a few more times over the years and then after college I also moved away and it became difficult to go on family vacations. 
Now, more than anything, I wish we could all pile into our Beige Ford LTD and drive the eight hour trip to Gatlinburg. Dad and my brother Erik in the front, because he had the longest legs, Mom, me my sister Stacey and the dog in the back seat. Those were the days when anything could be solved with ice cream and doughnuts. When we were on family vacations no one seemed to have a care in the world. I finally realized that it didn't matter if my parents were taking pictures of the same things every summer, because they were having the time of their lives. Oh, what I would give to be able to go on another family vacation with all of us. The original five plus my brother-in-law, my nieces, and anyone else that wanted to come.
Cherish those moments because one day they might not be so available.

Recommended travel guides: Gatlinburg: With Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Smokies & 100 Secrets of the Smokies

Save! Save! Save!

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them I learned from my aunts. Now I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. You may not agree with all of them and they may not work for everybody, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

#42 Get a savings account!

When I was five years old I went with my dad to the bank and we opened me up a savings account. He put five dollars from every one of his paychecks into my savings account until I was old enough to get a job and start putting my own money in there. I would love to say that I still have this flourishing savings account and that not only am I not in debt, but I will be able to eventually pay for my kids college educations. I would love to say these things... but I can't.
Life eventually began happening and that original savings account began disappearing. Times got tough. I wanted to see the world. I moved to New York City. I moved to Maui. I moved back home. I moved back to New York City. I saw Mexico. I went to Scotland and England to see a band play. I had a lot of fun, but in the process of gaining a lot of really great life experiences, I also depleted my savings account.
I recently opened a new one. I now am not only a grown up, but I also have a savings account. I was a smoker, which is a whole different topic of conversation. Cigarettes in NYC went up to $13 a pack. I quit buying cigarettes. Now, I stick the $10 that I was originally spending five times a week directly into my savings account. It was amazing how quickly it added up.
I work in an industry where there is no guaranteed money. We recently just escaped from one of our slowest months of the year, SEPTEMBER! Slow season was upon me and I was struggling to make money, but I stuck that $10 into my savings account religiously every time I worked. When it came time to pay the bills on October 1st, I was ready. I didn't have it all in my checking account so I just transferred some over from savings and everything was fine and dandy. I certainly don't recommend relying on this every month, or saving more that you can afford to just to say you saved it. There has to be a nice balance and a method to the way you save.
We save for lots of reasons. Backup plans, vacations, houses, college funds, etc. Whatever the reason, don't be afraid to tap into it if necessary. That's why it's there. To eventually be used.
Recommended Reading: You're Broke Because You Want to Be by Larry Winget

The Sun Also Rises...

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 39 Every now and then... see the sun rise.

Sunsets, as I have mentioned before are a lot easier to catch than a sunrise. Sunrises are a bit more mysterious and vague. Though we get one everyday, we are all usually tucked safely in our beds when it happens.  A sunset can be a serendipitous occurrence that we just happen to stop and watch. A view of the sunrise, however, usually requires a plan.

Here, in New York City, the city that never sleeps, I sometimes don't get home until the sun is making her first appearance of the morning. I work late, so I hang out late. Sometimes, if I'm really lucky, I get to ride across the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn just as the sun is beginning to rise over the East River. Brooklyn to one side and The Empire State to the other. Trust me, the East River has never looked as beautiful as it does at sunrise on the bridge after a night out. Most of the time that harbor just has the appearance of filth, but at sunrise, everything has terrific gleam about it.
As much as I love this sunrise, it is not, however, my favorite sunrise. My favorite sunrise of all time was at the top of Haleakala, the highest point in Maui, Hawaii. It stands at 10,025 feet. You have to get up at 2am, and drive the hour and a half drive from Lahaina to the top of the mountain. You start out at sea level wearing shorts and tank tops and you end up at 10,000 plus feet wearing coats, hats, and scarves. The elevation causes the temperature to drop drastically. You get out of the car and go with your friends to huddle by the railing and wait for the sun to rise. You are standing above the clouds and it feels as if you are on top of the world. All of a sudden, the sky below you begins to turn the slightest shade of pink and then before you know it you are surrounded by the most majestic collection of colors that ever existed on earth.
Religious or not, which I happen to be, you stand on top of that mountain at sunrise and at least for a moment know that God exists.

I encourage everyone to make date with the sunrise. It may require rearranging your sleep schedule for one or two nights, but its worth it. If you have roof access, go see it from there. If you live near a big hill, go sit and watch the night turn into day.

Recommended read: The Sun Also Rises    By Ernest Hemingway

On Live Music

Shanna, Betty, Moira, Annie, with RCPM in the UK

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not    agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 38 Find a band that you love

I love live music. I have been to many concerts in my life. Country, rock and roll, Christian, Punk, Alternative, Funk, and even a UK American Heavy Metal cover band called Trigger. There is one band that I will follow for as long as they let me. (Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers ) I have seen them in New York; Nashville; New Jersey; Baltimore; Chicago; Falls Church, VA; Philly; Madison; WI; Jacksonville, Fl; Orlando, Tampa, Dallas, and also in Mexico and The UK (Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Nottingham, Barton-on Humbar.) I guess I am what you might call a groupie. Like the lovely Penny Lane in Almost Famous, I prefer band aid.

Now don't go getting the wrong idea. I happen to adore these guys. I have been following them for so long that they know me. We actually have conversations. I have met some of my very closest friends at their shows and now there is a group of us who travel around together to see them. Not only does it make for great road trips with your friends, but it also is a terrific way to travel.  I have purchased all of their music and put them on mixed Cd's for my friends, just so I can introduce more people to them. My friends and I bake them cookies and bring them presents, and occasionally they play the songs we request.

The main reason that their fans love them as much as they do, besides the music of course, is the fact that they are so grateful for us. They will stand outside after a show and talk to every single person who wants to talk to them or have their picture made or have one more thing signed.
I'm not saying that you have to go to the extremes that I do because I love a band, but I do think that you should find a band whose music inspires you. These guys get me through hard times, cheer me on in good times, comfort me when I need a good cry, and they always give me a good excuse for a road trip. I encourage you to find your own Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, or mine, I'm willing to share. Find a band that can help you get through whatever life throws your way.
Recommended watch: Almost Famous, Recommended Listen: Americano

Sunsets are God's watercolors

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say that everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I think that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned from living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 32 Enjoy sunsets

One of my great aunts always told me that sunsets are God's watercolors. They are the art that He gets inspired to paint every single day.  Not only does each day bring a different sunset, but the location of your sunset is also very different from someone else's sunset. The people in New York experience a very different sunset than the people standing on the beaches of Maui. A sunset over the ocean is completely different from a sunset over the dessert or behind a city skyline.
I have witnessed many different sunsets in my day. I have seen the sun set behind the mountains of Maui from an airplane. I have watched the sun sink behind another island while standing on the beach. I have watched the sun fall behind the Empire State Building and the entire skyline seems to stay orange for at least an hour. I have paused in Mexico and seen the desert sky melt into a thousand shades of pink, orange, red, yellow and a thousand other colors that don't even have names. The sunsets in the mountains of Tennessee are beautiful as the sun nestles her head in the valleys before finally disappearing for the night. I have stood in front of the Eiffel Tower and watched the sun paint a backdrop of an orange colored Sac re Cour as the Eiffel Tower stood tall and proud.
Sunsets are beautiful. The next time that you have the opportunity to enjoy one, please stop where you are and enjoy. Each one you get is like a previously unopened gift. It is new and fresh every time. If God takes the time to paint a thousand different ones for us every day, then the least we can do is take a few moments to enjoy them.

New York City

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 31 SEE NEW YORK CITY

Though I personally think that everyone should live here, I am not going to advise that. There are so many people here as it is. However, I am going to advise you to at least see it. New York City is one of the world's best cities. When someone comes to New York and steps out of the subway into Times Square for the first time, it is like when Alice stepped in Wonderland. You come out from underground and stop. Your jaw drops and you are in a state of complete disbelief. This is probably when I am on my way to work and I run into you from behind, but that is beside the point.

There are so many wonderful things to see and do in NYC. So many wonderful places to eat and drink. Don't worry, the people aren't really as rude as everyone seems to think, just don't ask stupid questions. There are some rules that you should follow though. #1: Tip your servers! #2 Your concierge is there to answer questions for you about restaurants, parks, shops, clubs, etc. Your server in the restaurant you are eating at is there to serve you your food.

Now that's enough about me. Let's talk about you.

There are so many things to do here, so don't be discouraged if you cannot squeeze them all into one trip. Also, depending on the season there are many varieties in the list of things to do. Here are a few major stopping points which incidentally can all be done in one day as long as the stops at each are brief.

Battery Park (Statue of Liberty), China Town, Union Square, Harold Square (AKA Macy's and the Empire State Building), Times Square, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center (PS the view is better from The Top of the Rock than from the top of The Empire State Building) 5th Avenue, and then a nice stroll in Central Park where you should row a boat and see the Alice statue and the Bethezda Fountain. The one day tour is a nice way to get acquainted with our lovely city. Then from there you can decide which places are deserving of your further exploration. Thank you and please come again.
See New York. This is mandatory.
Reccomended Reading: Not For Tourists: New York City

Love away from home

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through expereience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each one is a rule taht I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 16 Fall in love in a foreign country.

I know this may sound silly, but trust me, it's worth it. Some times when we travel, we are given moments where we loose all sense of rationality. There you are in a foreign place, and all of a sudden there is someone standing in front of you, that you know immediately that you will never forget.
It happened to me in Scotland. It also coincidently happened to my roomate there. I was there to do a play, and when we got off the bus, he asked me whihc bag was mine and my heart was handed over on silver platter. We spent every free second together on that trip and I saw him four or five times after that, on visits. We kept in touch for a very long time with cards, letters, emails, gifts, etc. He was my soulmate, and today I still believe that he is, or might be. Most people don't actually marry their "soulmate." Most people don't actually even believe in soul mates, or love at first sight, but both of these things exist.
He and I are not together now, nor will we ever be, but that doesn't mean that everytime I look up and see stars, that I don't think about him or wonder how he's doing. He had my heart from the very first time I saw him. My mom always tells me that I give my heart away too quickly, and that may be true, but it sure is worth it at the time.
Fall in love in a foreign country. Give your heart to someone on a silver platter and challenge them to break it. It will definitely be worth it, but it will be the hardest thing you will ever have to let go of. It will possibly be the worst heartbreak you will ever feel, but every second that you spend with this person will be worth every tear you cry when you find out that they are getting married to someone who isn't you.

Swimming is fun

As a grown up I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them I learned from my mom and dad. Some of them I learned in school and through expereince. Many of them I learned from my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I disagree. I believe that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are lessons that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the nieces and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each one is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 15 Learn to swim.

Learn to swim, learn to swim, learn to SWIM!!!!!!!!
Growing up, we did not have a pool, and not many of my friends did. I remember that some friends of my parents had one and we would go over there occasionally, and one of my aunts also had one. I would always play around in the shallow end, and on a floatie. I never learned to swim. My fourth grade teacher also taught swimming lessons during the summer, so I begged my parents to let me take them. I got a brand new swimsuit and I was ready to go. I finally got to the point where I could swim from one end of the pool to the other, as long as the teacher was in the pool. However, as soon as I graduated from swim lessons, the summer was over and I never practiced. After that I never really did it on my own again.
I am terrified of the water. Drowning, more specifically. It comes from a tragic event at a water park when I almost drowned because of a very large woman. I spent all of high school, not going to pool parties because I was terrified that one of the boys would try to throw me in. When I did go and they tried, I just gripped their necks so tightly that when they tried to throw me in, they came in with me. At water parks, I wouldn't go down the slides, and I would make up some excuse like "oh I have to go to the bathroom,I'll meet you guys in a bit," or "oh, I have to go take my medicine, I'll be right back."
I was too embarassed to tell my friends that I couldn't swim.
In 2008, I moved to Maui for a year. What a great place to conqure a fear of the water... sort of.
While I was there, I snorkled, scuba dived, attempted surfing and even jumped off of a (very tiny) waterfall. I realized that it wasn't necessarily that I couldn't swim. I knew how, it just terrified me. However, once I put that mask on and I could see everything, I could do it. It took a few times of someone else holding my hand, but eventually I did it.
If you don't know how to swim, you can potentially miss out on a lot of fun. Marco Polo is a wonderful game. So are pool volleyball, chicken and all of the others. If you know how to swim, you can go to pool parties and the beach with your friends and actually have fun in the water. And, you won't have to make up excuses as to why you are only going in the water up to your knees.

Buttons.... tons and tons of buttons.

As a grown up, I realize that through the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Others I learned in school and through experience. Many of them were taught to me by my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest neice recently started kindergarten. I know that they say everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten, but I disagree. I believe that there are some things one cannot learn in a classroom. These are things that can only be learned by living. So, here it is. A year's worth of tiny words of wisdom for all of the neices and nephews out there, or really for anyone who will listen. They may not work for everybody and you may not agree with all of them, but each one is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

#6 If you see a button on the ground, pick it up. Collect them.

I can't take full credit for this one, but I firmly stand by it. This one comes from a combination of my grandmother, my lovely roommate, and the boy he met in Scotland.
My grandmother always had a jar or two full of buttons. She grew up in the south, during the Great Depression when everyone was saving everything. If a button popped off of any of her clothes, she would pour out the jars and search until she found one close enough. I was always fascinated by these beautiful buttons. All different colors, shapes, textures. I loved pouring out those buttons and looking at each one as I put it back in the jar.
Last summer, my roommate met a boy in Scotland. This boy told him that he collected buttons. If he sees one on the street, he picks it up. Every button that he has in his jar represents a moment of peace or happiness. Everytime he has a bad day, he pours out his buttons and counts those moment of peace and happiness.
I think this is so beautiful. Since then my roommate and I have adopted this pastime. Now I have a jelly jar full of buttons in my windowseal. If I buy something that comes with an extra button, I drop it in the jar. If I see a button on the street, which happens more often than you would think, I pick it up, bring it home and drop it in the jar.
Buttons are good for lifting spirits and also, you never know when you might need a button.

Always have a valid...

As a grown up, I realize that in the course of life I have learned many valuable lessons. Some of them were taught to me by my mom and dad. Some I learned in school and through experience. Many I learned from my aunts. Now, I am an aunt and my oldest niece recently started kindergarten. I know that they say that everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten. I beleive that there are some things that one cannot learn in a classroom. These are things that can only be learned by living. So, for the next 363 days I plan to give some tiny words of wisdom to all of the nieces and nephews in the world, or really to anyone who will listen. They may not work for everyone, and you may not agree with all of them, but each is a rule that I either try to live by or wish I did.

# 3: Always, always, always have a valid passport.

Traveling is such a wonderful experience. Simply having a valid passport literally opens up the entire world to you. You can go anywhere. You can marvel at Stonehenge, you can spit off the top of the Eiffle Tower, you can follow your favorite band out of the country, you can take a road trip to Mexico, or even get cheaper domestic flights if you are willing to layover in Canada. All because you have a valid passport. If you are under 18, a passport is good for 10 years. If you are over 18, you only have to renew it every 5. Trust me, it is totally worth it. Also, it is always fun to go back and look at all of the stamps your passport has acquired, and ... you never know when you might need to leave the country :)