It's all about balance

I think we all know that life is short.  Those sort of trite expressions are things we say all of the time, and these expressions would not be around if they weren't true.  However, keeping perspective and balance in this crazy, needy and always pressing world can be hard.  I'm a stereotypical extrovert, and not the best at balancing life with R&R sometimes.  As a student (and former worker bee) even when I'm not doing what I "need" to be doing, I'm thinking about it.  I've tried to strike works like need, should and ought from my vocabulary over the past few years, but I think they still lie dormant in my head and come alive at inopportune times -- like when I take time off.  That's why I need more weekends like the one I just had.

Melinda I took off last Thursday afternoon in the convertible with nothing but a road trip and visiting our friend, Tammy, in our heads.  Melinda arrived with a scarf wrapped around her head and sporting a look that only a 50's movie star could rival.  We drove, sang and immediately were relaxed.  Our weekend with Tammy was perfect.  There was an afternoon in Tammy's back yard where we listened to music, drank margaritas and slathered on sunscreen.  It will be forever known as the Isle of Tammy.  Saturday, although overcast, was delightful.  They shared Indochine with me.  This incredible Thai restaurant hosted a new hair style for Tammy -- the modern day Princess Lea -- a reunion with Britt Rabe, fantastic Thai food, and many, many cocktails.   After a nap and ordering pizza, Plan F was enacted.  We left our untouched Brooklyn Brothers pizza, rallied, and went to K38 for a Tower 7 and brew.  We met friends of Melinda's who were fabulous.  These wonderful folks hosted us on Sunday for boat day.  We met Rick, DeAnn and her friend, Yvonne, Sunday for the most fabulous day on the water.  Nothing is really more relaxing than that.  There we met new people and were serenaded by the band on the boat next to us.  We came back to the dock with a little sun, lots of fun, and, for me, a broken toe.  Hey, it's about the balance.


Today was sad.  I always want to cry when a vacation is over.  However, I know times like this may be rare, but shall not be forgotten.  My goal when I get home is always to try to fit in little weekends away whenever I can.  I'm hoping this is the start of weekend excursions.  Life is about shared memories.  Tammy, Melinda and I rang in New Year's together this year and managed to do it all this weekend.  We had fun, relaxed, napped, giggled and had many a cocktail.  Here's to trying to find some fun with your friends everyday, because life is short.

Summer Break -- Brief and Shining

 

Well, it's the close of a few short weeks off.  It's been wonderful -- filled with family and friends.  I started my respite from school with a fabulous dinner made by friend and fabulous cook, Lynn.  We toasted her new blog, Cackalackyfoodie, along with the close of my semester and Walt's birthday.  Fun and yummy food were had by all.  

The next few days were catch up and prep for my trip to Jacksonville for Mother's Day.  What a wonderful trip.  I read, walked by the St. Johns River, ate lots of tabbouleh from Whiteway, went to yoga and bought incredible new glasses.  They are fabulously French and Italian.  But the best times I had in Jax were drinks and meals with old friends.  The icing on the cake was a wonderful Mother's Day meal I made for my mom and Hila, one of my oldest and bestest friends.  We commenced with Mojito's, which were a crowd pleaser and really got the party started.  We feasted on fillet, roasted potatoes, salad, summer squash and homemade strawberry shortcake.  What more could we ask for?  The best part was that my mom had a wonderful time.  

Since coming back to Raleigh, I've run around and relaxed.  This seems to be a theme for my vacations -- getting stuff done and trying to do fun things.  Big things have happened in a few short days.  I've been out and about in downtown, bought some fabulous new art at Artsplosure and changed my name back to Charbonnet -- a bureaucratic nightmare.  Fortunately, I've balanced the crazy, well some of the crazy, with R&R.  My pool is always tonic for my soul.  Each day I floated and read my book, "Eat Pray Love", which I sadly finished yesterday after the sun went away.  After this vacation, I only hope that no one gives me the nickname of "Groceries."

So after two weeks, my hope is to incorporate parts of the last few weeks throughout my schooling.  Well, maybe I should lay off the food and start hitting the gym some.  It's been fast and furious -- but I wouldn't change a thing.