Coincidence?

Everytime I travel, there is someone who catches my eye... slowing me
down, not coping with all the kid stuff, obviously doesn't travel
often... and more often than not, these people show up somewhere else
on the trip... boarding my plane, on the rental car bus... something
like that. It happens almost every time.

Here are the specifics of today's incident:

The man in front of me at the xray did not make the moves to unpack
stuff onto the conveyor. I noticed his backpack, belt, and shoes. He
did not take any bins and he did not make a move to take out a
computer. I got distracted by my own unpacking and undressing, and
went through the security system. I got to the other side, and saw the
man's shoes, still on! Huh?!

Ok, so I don't usually do this, but I caught the eye of the TSA agent
and said "he has his shoes on!"
She looked at me and said - he's with the airline.

Geez!! He was wearing a blue shirt and khakis, I would never have
thought.

Well, here I am on this Southwest flight, and HE is my flight attendent.

I just think this kind of coincidence in the paths of people's lives
you intersect, is fascinating.

Where is "home"?

I'm sure that most people who move countries consider the country of their birth to always be "home".
Since I didn't ever want to actually live there, I don't feel that I can call South Africa "home".

When I moved to America, I moved to Los Angeles. This is where I graduated from high school (South Pas High, thank you very much!), this is where I got my first job, learned to drive, experimented with different religions, and mostly grew up.
My mother lived here for nearly 10 years. When I was in college, and I went "home" it was to my mom's in Pasadena.
Does that make Los Angeles/Pasadena home?

My brother lived in San Fransisco for a long time, we have family friends who lived there, my dad lived there for two years at one point, I have spent most of my time in America going through San Fransisco at some point or another. Usually to visit family.
Does that make San Fransisco home?

I lived in Arizona for nearly 16 years (GOD!), I lived in all the major cities (Flagstaff, Tucson, Phoenix - yip, there are only 3), I owned/own property there.
Does that make Arizona home?

When I drove from Los Angeles to Annandale-on-Hudson for college, I spent my first night in Arizona stopping at the Grand Canyon on the way. I kept a journal on that trip, and in the entry for the second night (which was in Albuquerque) it says "I am glad to be out of Arizona, that state doesn't like me."
Four years later I MOVED there!
yikes!

I have a friend who is moving with her husband and 1 year old. She is moving "home". In talking to me about making choices about a house to build, she is considering her daughter's ENTIRE school career, the friends she will make, the neighborhood she will grow up in. My friend wants to give her daughter "Home".

Sometimes I am envious of friends who's parents still live in the house/town that they grew up in... "home" is clear to them.

Where is "home" for me?

I'm not sure that I can attach that concept to an actual place of my past. I think it has to be the place of my current.

Home is, literally, where my heart is.

BTW

I am happy to report that things have slowed down on their own!

I no longer get work emails all weekend; in fact, they stop after 3pm.

yay!

Turning 40: Part 1

It was my 40th birthday on this past Friday, and I will post some other time about my thoughts on that milestone. But today, I would like to call attention to two very special people who made this the most special of birthdays.

The man I am currently dating, let's call him Mr. R, has spent the past month or two organizing with my best friend, Meg. Here's what they did:

My day started with a plethora of birthday wishes from my friends and family.

Mr. R gave me the gift of a Mala, intended to help you keep your heart and head in sync. Mine is made out of conch shells for my love of the beach, and a light turquoise stone.

All day Friday, Mr. R and I spent out-and-about with a movie, dinner (he ate sushi for the first time), and finally made our way home late in the evening. There were rose petals on the door mat, and two notes stuck on the door. The first told me that I have a scavenger hunt to go on, and the second was the first clue. Here is the progression of clues, and the locations and gifts to which they led.

On the front door:

The first clue







This clue led me to the bed, where I found a pillow and this note.






Clue 2.







This led me to my laptop, where I found a Timex watch and iTunes gift card with this note and Clue 3.






Clue 3.







Must be the macmini filled with music (PantyRaid and MartyParty)… there I found this note and a Putumayo CD.





Clue 4.







Definitely the BATH! Here was the note and a plethora of Lush goodness!






The last clue.







Obviously the outdoors… and that mini Cassiopeia is a clue to what would be waiting for me there.



A little box of treats from Essense Bakery, some big boxes of treats from BluLA, and my best friend Meg.




Now, I had an idea I might find her somewhere after I got that watch, because I had just told her that I wanted a black Timex just like it!
Even so, I cried when I saw her outside... what a nice surprise!

Now, that Mr. R did not stop there! He booked us in for a bunch of treatments at a day spa the next day... and we ended that relaxation with an incredible Brazilian lunch.

It was a relaxing weekend full of fun, laughter, and companionship with two very special people. I cannot imagine having a better way to celebrate such a milestone birthday, and I will surely never forget it.

Thank you, my dear friends!



(postscript: I give up on formatting!)