It's hard to believe it has been almost 8 months since I posted here. A lot has happened since then, the most major thing is that in less than two weeks, I will be marrying again. What a whirlwind of activity that has been!
From the proposal on October 31, to June 13, in just a very short time, we have this wedding planned, almost ready to go, and no matter whether we get it all done or not, it WILL happen soon! It's been hectic, and yet, it's also been fun.
In 10 days, my family will be here from Colorado. I can't wait to see them and am so thankful that they are able to come.
Our wedding will be a real mixing of two very diverse cultures and we are looking forward to a real celebration with friends. I hope you are there! And I will try to get pictures posted as soon as possible after the big event!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A New Beginning
113 new medical transcriptionists graduated from their program last week in a ceremony held at Kensington Oval in Barbados. What a great celebration. For these folks, it's about so much more than a simple graduation. It is about the beginning of a new profession and a brand new industry in their country. We are proud of them at TRS Institute and I am particularly looking forward to seeing these new eagles in the profession soar.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Happy for No Reason
Things have settled with my move and I am now full time in Barbados, working on becoming a true Bajan. Yesterday as I drove to work, I realized that I am truly happy. As I thought about that, I tried to figure out why that was. Imagine! We think we need a reason to be happy in life. I was driving toward the school, with the view of the sea and the trees in front of me, a cool sea breeze blowing. I realized then that I simply AM. It is a feeling like no other.
I've had some great adventures in the last two months. First, I love the people here. Our students are engaged and excited about the future. They are the trailblazers in establishing a new industry in their country and that's pretty fun to be involved with and to watch! The people I have met socially are wonderful.
I find the lifestyle quite contagious. In the US, we almost live and breathe by our clock. Here, while accomplishing things IS important, the clock does not rule the world. There is a saying, "Bajan time." It really means 9 could mean 10, 7 could mean 8 or 9, and so on, AND nobody stresses about that. An adjustment? You bet. A GOOD adjustment? Absolutely!
I am learning the value of true balance in life. There is no push or need to work 7 days a week. Work hard, get a lot done, and then walk away and get refreshed. That has an interesting result. I guess I always felt the more I worked, the more I would get done. I find myself getting more accomplished here and feeling more engaged in what I do. I believe this directly relates to this balance concept. When you are balanced and rested, you CAN accomplish more.
I have tried things I never thought I would do. I've been to a real live fish market and purchased fresh fish (yep, I even learned to cook some of it!). I took a couple of jet ski rides (okay, that one was GREAT and yet I now know it can kill one's back if the ride is rough!), and I've tried foods I never thought I would care for. I've found the beauty of simple relaxation, sitting close to the water, looking out at the clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, and appreciating what nature has to offer, with absolutely nothing on my mind and is wonderful.
Life is good. There is no need to have a "reason" to be happy. Yesterday my realization is that it would be really hard for someone to be unhappy here. It's beautiful, the people are awesome, and life is simply good. I am blessed to have the opportunity.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
A New Adventure!
I write this note today from Colorado, where I am visiting family for a month. It's been a cold week, with snow on the ground, and yet it makes things so pretty. I had forgotten how pretty a Colorado snow is and for that I am grateful.
Three months ago, part of my job was to begin a project in Barbados. What a beautiful country. And yet, even before the beauty of the country, I found myself falling in love with the people there. They are so friendly, so committed to achieving goals, and driven, and yet, they seem to have found a way to truly balance their lives and understand that life is about more than just what we do to make a living. I have been fortunate to spend time there every month since September. And I realized I have learned from them in that short time. I feel at peace, I am more balanced, and life is just good.
After some discussion, I am on the way to a new adventure! January 6, I leave here and am relocating to Barbados to work with this project. The beauty of my profession is that it can be done from anywhere, something I have always been grateful for. The house in North Carolina is packed and stored, I drove here with my dog a week ago, and life is about to change. Turbo will live here in Colorado with family, and he's in the process of adjusting to that. I believe he will do well here, although I will miss that sweet face every day. And yet, with him here and my Jeep here, I will have both when I return for vacations.
Barbados will indeed be a new adventure. It is one I am looking forward to with a lot of excitement. I am thankful that the opportunity exists for me to be able to "take my job on the road" and operate from there and I will look forward to sharing lessons learned along the way!
Three months ago, part of my job was to begin a project in Barbados. What a beautiful country. And yet, even before the beauty of the country, I found myself falling in love with the people there. They are so friendly, so committed to achieving goals, and driven, and yet, they seem to have found a way to truly balance their lives and understand that life is about more than just what we do to make a living. I have been fortunate to spend time there every month since September. And I realized I have learned from them in that short time. I feel at peace, I am more balanced, and life is just good.
After some discussion, I am on the way to a new adventure! January 6, I leave here and am relocating to Barbados to work with this project. The beauty of my profession is that it can be done from anywhere, something I have always been grateful for. The house in North Carolina is packed and stored, I drove here with my dog a week ago, and life is about to change. Turbo will live here in Colorado with family, and he's in the process of adjusting to that. I believe he will do well here, although I will miss that sweet face every day. And yet, with him here and my Jeep here, I will have both when I return for vacations.
Barbados will indeed be a new adventure. It is one I am looking forward to with a lot of excitement. I am thankful that the opportunity exists for me to be able to "take my job on the road" and operate from there and I will look forward to sharing lessons learned along the way!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Salute to our Veterans
I have found myself today spending some time in thought about those who gave of themselves, many the ultimate sacrifice, for our country. Today a dear friend buried his mother, right next to his father, who was a great hero of the military. It was fitting, he said, to have his mother buried right next to his father on Veteran's Day. That day has always been special to him, as it was to his father.
I am always in awe of those who give these sacrifices for us and our country. I was talking to another friend today about how I wish we took better care of our military and their families. We seem to have so much to give as a country, for every disaster that comes along, for those less fortunate, etc., and yet sometimes it seems we forget those who give the ultimate sacrifice for us. I wish that were different.
I have been so very blessed to have been able to give just a small portion of myself to some of our deployed military, whether in writing letters or sending care packages. And when someone says, "wow, that's a great thing you do," I am quick to tell them that no, it's not me who does something great. It is those who serve, both at home and abroad. THEY are what it's all about and I get back more than I could ever give in that support.
And so, for today, I salute those folks who have served our country. Without them, I wouldn't have the freedom and safety I have today. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
I am always in awe of those who give these sacrifices for us and our country. I was talking to another friend today about how I wish we took better care of our military and their families. We seem to have so much to give as a country, for every disaster that comes along, for those less fortunate, etc., and yet sometimes it seems we forget those who give the ultimate sacrifice for us. I wish that were different.
I have been so very blessed to have been able to give just a small portion of myself to some of our deployed military, whether in writing letters or sending care packages. And when someone says, "wow, that's a great thing you do," I am quick to tell them that no, it's not me who does something great. It is those who serve, both at home and abroad. THEY are what it's all about and I get back more than I could ever give in that support.
And so, for today, I salute those folks who have served our country. Without them, I wouldn't have the freedom and safety I have today. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
My Materials Have Arrived!
When I returned from a recent trip, I found a packet from the National Speakers Association. It was so exciting to open that and see how another association welcomes ao new member. And it was exciting to realize that this new venture toward becoming a true professional speaker has begun for me! I have lots of homework to do now, CDs to review, a workbook to get started, and a new venture to begin. I look forward to sharing it with you here as I travel on this journey we all call life.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Quality of Life
I have had the opportunity the past two weeks to spend my time in Barbados on a project for my job. What a great experience. The last time I was there, I stayed two weeks in a hotel, and really was ready to come home because I don't like always being on the road and having to eat in restaurants. There isn't a lot of "relaxation" to living that way. This time, however, we had secured an apartment and so life was a bit different. We have a training project beginning there and it is going to be an awesome one.
The country, as you can imagine, is gorgeous. With daily views of the sea and the cool breeze off the water, it creates a sense of peace and well being that is hard to find elsewhere. The people absolutely amaze me and have captured my heart. This trip there were no hotel stays, but a chance to really be able to spend some time getting to know the people.
After the first week there, I found myself on a Saturday night, totally relaxed, looking at the clock and realizing it was 9:00 and, other than checking my email once or twice, I really hadn't spent the entire day working. Those who know me know what a change that is. And I was totally at peace with that. I have to say this past two weeks I worked hard, accomplished a LOT, and relaxed more than I have in ages. And I found myself wondering how those three things could actually happen all at the same time.
More than once I heard "you Americans are always on the go," and isn't that so very true of our culture? We have a mindset that says if you want to be successful it requires you to work nonstop, to always be at the top of your game, and to never stop "doing." How many times do you hear "yes, I work too much, but it's what has to be done to get the job done," or "it's just how things have to be to move up in life and in my profession." And then we find ourselves realizing that life has passed us by, we haven't stopped to create and nurture those relationships that are truly important to us, and you know what? We are exhausted!
Not too long ago, at a manager's retreat, we had a consultant who spoke about focusing on doing impactful things. He talked about how 40% of what we do isn't relevant. Now, I can hear you all saying "He hasn't seen MY to do list!" And that was my first reaction to that as well. Until lately....
I found myself the last two weeks up with the sun. That's different because I have not generally been a morning person at all. I tend to be a night owl. And yet, by 5:30 or 6 every day, I was up, awake, and energized for the day. And by the way, that was without an alarm clock as my apartment doesn't have one and I couldn't find a place to buy one just yet! I have begun to keep a "gratitude journal" and in it I daily record things about the day, including those things I am thankful for that day. It has become my morning routine and changed how I view my days.
Bajans have a keen sense of family. I loved seeing that. If you are out and about early in the morning on the island, you may see people out for their morning walks, exercising on the beach, or even in the water for their morning routines. I see students who are juggling the importance of getting this new education for a better future with taking care of family and children because it's so important. And I realized that sometimes I haven't done so well at that. My niece is a great reminder for me that the children I wrote about in my last blog need their aunt and it's important to make that time.
I didn't see any expectation that one should "work 7 days a week," in fact, quite the opposite. I saw a commitment to working very hard when you work and then taking the time to refresh yourself at the end of your work week. And I found myself falling into that quite easily, because it was expected. I am so thankful that I was able to learn that from these folks, it is a lesson I really needed in my life.
I decided to learn to drive while there. Now, of course, I have always driven here at home, but never in a place where one drives on the "other" side of the road. It was an experience and I am happy to report I managed to do it with no major goofs of getting out in the wrong lane! During the last week I was there, I was on the way to the school and came around a curve as I drove down the highway. In front of me was a spectacular view of the sea, the trees, and the sun shining off the water. It was simply breathtaking. All I could think of was how blessed I was to be there and have the opportunity.
On my last day there, I was speaking to someone and sharing that I felt I had worked hard, accomplished much, and yet relaxed more than I have in ages and while that doesn't seem to go together, it simply was. Her answer was such an easy one--"that's called balance." Wow, that elusive balance. That thing that I have chased for five years, trying to figure out how to get there, wondering what it would truly be like to be at peace with one's self, and there it was.
Yes, this venture will make a difference in people's lives, and I can be a part of it. It will provide them with a future that they can't even see in their dreams yet. And yet, the lessons THEY are teaching me is also making a huge difference in my life. Quality of life, we talk about it, we wonder how to get there, and in a small island across the sea, I learned it's simple to find when you have the right focus. For that, I am grateful.
The country, as you can imagine, is gorgeous. With daily views of the sea and the cool breeze off the water, it creates a sense of peace and well being that is hard to find elsewhere. The people absolutely amaze me and have captured my heart. This trip there were no hotel stays, but a chance to really be able to spend some time getting to know the people.
After the first week there, I found myself on a Saturday night, totally relaxed, looking at the clock and realizing it was 9:00 and, other than checking my email once or twice, I really hadn't spent the entire day working. Those who know me know what a change that is. And I was totally at peace with that. I have to say this past two weeks I worked hard, accomplished a LOT, and relaxed more than I have in ages. And I found myself wondering how those three things could actually happen all at the same time.
More than once I heard "you Americans are always on the go," and isn't that so very true of our culture? We have a mindset that says if you want to be successful it requires you to work nonstop, to always be at the top of your game, and to never stop "doing." How many times do you hear "yes, I work too much, but it's what has to be done to get the job done," or "it's just how things have to be to move up in life and in my profession." And then we find ourselves realizing that life has passed us by, we haven't stopped to create and nurture those relationships that are truly important to us, and you know what? We are exhausted!
Not too long ago, at a manager's retreat, we had a consultant who spoke about focusing on doing impactful things. He talked about how 40% of what we do isn't relevant. Now, I can hear you all saying "He hasn't seen MY to do list!" And that was my first reaction to that as well. Until lately....
I found myself the last two weeks up with the sun. That's different because I have not generally been a morning person at all. I tend to be a night owl. And yet, by 5:30 or 6 every day, I was up, awake, and energized for the day. And by the way, that was without an alarm clock as my apartment doesn't have one and I couldn't find a place to buy one just yet! I have begun to keep a "gratitude journal" and in it I daily record things about the day, including those things I am thankful for that day. It has become my morning routine and changed how I view my days.
Bajans have a keen sense of family. I loved seeing that. If you are out and about early in the morning on the island, you may see people out for their morning walks, exercising on the beach, or even in the water for their morning routines. I see students who are juggling the importance of getting this new education for a better future with taking care of family and children because it's so important. And I realized that sometimes I haven't done so well at that. My niece is a great reminder for me that the children I wrote about in my last blog need their aunt and it's important to make that time.
I didn't see any expectation that one should "work 7 days a week," in fact, quite the opposite. I saw a commitment to working very hard when you work and then taking the time to refresh yourself at the end of your work week. And I found myself falling into that quite easily, because it was expected. I am so thankful that I was able to learn that from these folks, it is a lesson I really needed in my life.
I decided to learn to drive while there. Now, of course, I have always driven here at home, but never in a place where one drives on the "other" side of the road. It was an experience and I am happy to report I managed to do it with no major goofs of getting out in the wrong lane! During the last week I was there, I was on the way to the school and came around a curve as I drove down the highway. In front of me was a spectacular view of the sea, the trees, and the sun shining off the water. It was simply breathtaking. All I could think of was how blessed I was to be there and have the opportunity.
On my last day there, I was speaking to someone and sharing that I felt I had worked hard, accomplished much, and yet relaxed more than I have in ages and while that doesn't seem to go together, it simply was. Her answer was such an easy one--"that's called balance." Wow, that elusive balance. That thing that I have chased for five years, trying to figure out how to get there, wondering what it would truly be like to be at peace with one's self, and there it was.
Yes, this venture will make a difference in people's lives, and I can be a part of it. It will provide them with a future that they can't even see in their dreams yet. And yet, the lessons THEY are teaching me is also making a huge difference in my life. Quality of life, we talk about it, we wonder how to get there, and in a small island across the sea, I learned it's simple to find when you have the right focus. For that, I am grateful.
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