Life's Whirlwind Adventures

Five Places I want to visit this year I turn 40 this year, 40!!! Of all the milestone birthdays I have had, 25, 30 none of them have hit me like this one, so I have plans to spend this birthday year doing things that I want to do. So here are my plans for travelling through my 40th year! 1. Mexico (or somewhere tropical): this is a mom and daughters trip with my mom and sister.  We'd like to go on the February break but maybe we will just go somewhere together with two of the most important women in my life! I'm so EXCITED!!! 2. The East Coast: this is a trip I want to do with my husband for a week or two this summer. Just us, like a honeymoon or a marrigemoon (is this a thing, it should be).  The boys would be with my mom or sister or in laws and my husband and I would be free to enjoy some time alone without the children. 3. SAN FRANSISCO!! I love this area, for many reasons, because it's beautiful, there is so much to do and I have family there so it's awesom...

Here are my pictures for the Low Light theme.  I took them while I was in Mexico. I hope you enjoy them as well!! Cuernavaca at Sunset Tetela Volcano, you can see the smoke coming from the top

On Saturday, my last day in Mexico, I was struck down by an illness.  I was so sick, I hardly slept at all Friday night, I kept waking up feeling ill then I tossed and turned. I had the chills and it was not a good morning.              I don’t know what it is about me, but I got up, ate breakfast, and went down to the restaurant because I was going to go out to do my work.  I was not going to let the team down, and I was needed out to do some audits and that’s what I was going to do. The people I had travelled with took one look at me and banished me back to my room, where I prayed to the Mexican Toilet Gods.  They answered my prayer and made me feel better.  But I did lay in bed that whole day, and slept off and on, because I was leaving on Sunday to go home.  I ate a bowl of chicken broth soup that was all, and I love food, so this was not a good day. good morning volcano ...

I was able to make it out to one of the areas of Morales where the psychologists are working with families with children with disabilities.  This area was Tetela du Vulcan.  Yes that means Volcano.  I was as close to a volcano as I had ever been, but I had not even got that close, it’s not like I looked down inside the volcano or anything.  But it was cool!!             I was able to see a part of Mexico that most foreigners don’t see, it wasn’t a resort, it wasn’t a huge city, but it was lovely.  The people are so friendly, so grateful and it truly made me appreciate all the luxuries I have in my life.  I think it’s a great experience and it changed my outlook on a lot of things.             I was able to go to two villages that are built on the side of the volcano, which really isn’t as threatening as I pictured it.  ...

I was able to go to Mexico for a work project in the beginning of April.  It was a fantastic experience.  We were doing a project with Stimulo down there and it was funded through CIDA.  Stimulo is an organization much like Parkland CLASS who works to provide and increase the quality of life for people with disabilities.  I can’t even begin to tell you how humbling this experience was.             The first thing I had to get over upon arriving in Mexico was the culture shock.  I don’t even know how to explain in, saying it was interesting or breath taking just doesn’t even seem to do it justice.  So the first culture shock to get past is the driving.  There don’t seem to be a lot of road rules in Mexico, seatbelts seem optional (only the driver has to wear one), helmets were not present, you cross the street at your own will and as you dare, and I don’t think that many...