Another Year - Filed Away

Is it just me, or are the years flying by? It seems that I just started a new section in my file cabinet to make way for 2011. And now, here I am clearing space for 2012.

As I was rubber banding my old records, it occurred to me that I could stuff a year of life into a few inches of folders. All the routine recordings of life. Repairs made to the cars (and ourselves).  The rejection letters, the acceptance letters, the bad news, the thrilling travel plans, the financial ups and downs.  Post cards from friends, a graduation program, my dad’s obituary. Evidence of the days gone by. Proof of passing time.

All those rubber-banded bundles remind me that life is so short.  Why not have a say in making 2012 a better year?  Surround yourself with positive people.  Eat better. Rise to a challenge. Exercise more. Vow to forgive. Travel. Take a chance. Give someone a hand. Question what doesn’t make sense. Stay true to who you are. Do something for yourself that others may consider foolish. Love your family and friends.  And believe in the infinite possibilities of what can be.

When I Say Zip, You Say Line

That was the chant of our tour guide, Patrice Jean, who would guide us through the jungle and up the muddy Anamuya Mountains of the Dominican Republic for our zip line adventure.

This all sounded so fun and carefree when I first mentioned it to my kids a month ago.  Sure, mom will zip line with you! Did I forget that I was terrified of heights?

Patrice Jean told us that we were his “fam il lee” and that he was our poppa.  He would pull coffee bean plants from the open bus and describe how they are harvested.  He would tell us tales of his childhood in Haiti. Twice we got stuck on huge rocks up the slippery mountain, but poppa told us not to worry and we didn’t.

Then we arrived at the top of the mountain and poppa turned us over to the zip line crew. I began to shake as they outfitted me in my harness. I guess there was no way to back out and save face at the same time.  I went over in my mind to keep my elbow pointed, my knees up, my ankles crossed and to only pull down on my brake glove if they signaled me to do so.  If you brake too soon, you have to turn around and manually hoist yourself to the platform. Plus they called you a loser. Before I could psych myself out, I was on the first of 12 platforms and they sent me on my way soaring through the treetops.

I don’t think there’s a word that describes the mixture of fear, exhilaration, elation, and sheer terror that was coursing through my body. The worst (or best) was platform 11, which was one of the longest lines in the world. For a full minute and 17 seconds, I tried not to look down, instead focusing on the sky and the big black bird that circled nearby. Apparently, I missed a beautiful river and amazing views, but all in all, I was happy that I took on the challenge.

I hope poppa was proud.

One Morning in Punta Cana

Even though I’m the type to stay on the beaten path, I’m drawn to things that are a little offbeat.

For instance, I wonder if these ducks are constantly ducking the security guys at the pool.

This little hut on the beach just seemed so iconic.  The word cana is a name for the type of palm tree and leaves that are commonly used for roofing.  Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone had a cana roof over their head?

Speaking of the cana, I loved seeing this boy climb a particularly beautiful bent palm tree. 

These oars seemed like little soldiers lined up and waiting for action.

And finally, our shadows were just too funny to ignore.

All in all, a nice morning stroll.