“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” ~Buddha Dear Universe, I am not a fan of cemeteries. Well, I don’t know anyone who is. So it doesn’t surprise me that I never really noticed that right near my work is a sprawling cemetery I drive by almost every day. But the other day, as I stopped at the …
Arrivederci, Almalfi
arrivederci: until we see each other again “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” ~Anita Desai Dear Universe, There are certain places in the world you will never forget no matter how much time passes or how far you go. For me, the Almalfi Coast is one of these places. Beautiful doesn’t even begin to cover it. …
Buon Giorno
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt Dear Universe, For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to travel to Italy. I often joke that I must have been Italian in a past life with my proclivity …
Near or Far: Go, See and Do
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ~Terry Pratchett Dear Universe, It’s been a couple of busy weeks. It …
Letter on Lemons: Roll With It
“The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.” Dear Universe, As the saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” If that doesn’t suit you there’s always the other saying, “When life gives you lemons, make margaritas.” I’m not one for tequila, but I like the sentiment. Lately, I just …
Sending to Soldiers
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” ~Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama Dear Universe, The other day I was rushing from point A to point B. I had just finished class at one school and was zooming to get to my next one. I looked at my watch, calculating, thinking. Was there time for me to pick up a …
Arrival
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” ~Lao Tzu Dear Universe, Well, here I am. In London. Again. How I am this lucky, I don’t know, but I am grateful to be here, in this city I really do love and enjoy so much, once more. It’s funny. Usually when I arrive in a …
Freebies
Dear Universe, I like free things. Well really, who doesn’t? I like the free beauty samples that the friendly checkout girl at my drugstore always includes when she’s packing my items. These last couple of months I’ve scored shampoo, conditioner, hair treatments, toothpaste and lotion. I like when you place an online order and the package arrives with perfume or …