GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

Reflections from the SisterGirlfriend MeetUp 2016 in St. Maarten

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The tagline for this blog site is “Learning from YOU to empower ME.” The appropriateness of this tagline became evident during the recent SisterGirlfriend MeetUp 2016. Six women gathered together on the beautiful island of St. Maarten for a week away from their everyday lives. It has been almost 2 months since we returned and I am just now posting about it. I was delayed because I stepped back into my busy life and it became even busier. However, the time I spent rejuvenating on that tropical island helped prepare me. You see, that’s what the trip is primarily all about – rejuvenating and recharging – to step back refreshed into your daily life.
The Resort Experience
My first impression of our resort was not a good one. I must admit that I was disappointed because there was no “WOW” factor when I stepped into the lobby. After I settled in later, I determined the resort was comfortable, clean, and cozy with complete amenities. The food and drinks were good, the overall service was excellent, the nightly entertainment provided good music and great singers, and the other guests were very participative when I invited them all up on the dance floor with me each night.

Sonesta Great Bay Resort

Our beach view was fantastic. If we were in our room, on the patio, by the pool or on the beach, we had a fabulous view of the pristine ocean and green mountains across Great Bay where the cruise ships parked on the pier. On some evenings, we enjoyed good conversation relaxing in front of the large opened windows where we enjoyed the cool breeze and full moon hanging over the ocean.

Morning View -St Maarten Evening View from ResortCarousing Around the Island

We did venture out as a group to enjoy the island. Our first adventure was a history tour of the island. We wanted to learn about this small island and the mixture of the cultures – Natives, Dutch, French and African. We were impressed that the tour guide included so much information about the contributions of the African slaves to the economy and culture of St. Maarten.   The statues of these two women of African descent were impressive.  There is one on the French side of the island that is reminiscent of our great lady in New York Harbor.   The other one on the Dutch side of the island has a missing breast which was her punishment for attempting to escape to freedom on the French side of the island as they abolished slavery first.

St Maarten Statute of Liberty Woman in St Maarten

Our next adventure involved hanging out on the beach. We spent the day on the famous Orient Bay Beach. Since 1994, I wanted to return to this beach and stroll nude across it but that was only a dream. Instead we enjoyed cool drinks served by hot, sexy French guys while we people-watched on the beach. It is nothing like an ice-cold Heineken on the beach. We also enjoyed mouth-watering burgers at the beach side restaurant that hosted our excursion.

Orient Bay Beach

On our last outing, we decided to visit the other Sonesta resort near the airport. Now, this resort had the WOW factor and was a newer resort. It was beautiful but it did not have the fantastic ocean view that we enjoyed at the other resort plus it was too close to the airport with all of the noise of incoming/departing flights.

SisterGirlfriend Discussions
The highlight of the SisterGirlfriend MeetUp is the discussions we have throughout the rejuvenating week. Some of them occur via a planned activity where we choose a topic card and respond to the surprising question on the card. Other times our discussions are impromptu and we flow from one topic to another with the ease of longtime friends even though some of us have just met. We share, we laugh, and sometimes we cry. It is liberating, enlightening and empowering. Whatever happens, it is always in a very caring and healing way. The openness of these moments forges bonds among the group as we listen to one another in a non-judgmental way. We all leave from these discussions enriched and inspired.

St Maarten Tree

Overall, we all enjoyed our time in paradise. The ingredients of sun, moon, ocean, mountains, palm trees, and gentle breezes will always ensure a successful SisterGirlfriend Meetup.

The Best Thing In Life #14 – Wanderlust

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Woman with travel cases.I am afflicted with wanderlust.  It is a malady I embrace with all of the passion within me.   Merriam-Webster defines wanderlust as “a strong longing for or impulse towards wandering” which adequately describes my affliction.

It started when I was young and read about beautiful faraway places.    I dreamed of those places and placed myself there mentally.   I soon realized I had inherited this affliction from my father who always talked about his life in Baltimore while in the army, his travels to New York and to sunny southern California.    This was an extraordinary achievement for a country boy who grew up in east Texas and traveled to these places when African-Americans were not welcomed everywhere.

Our family vacations consisted of road trips to visit relatives in Dallas which is an adventure driving through east Texas where the trees are so thick you have to “pump in daylight” as my father described it.  We also had a road trip to Los Angeles once before the interstate (I-10) was enhanced and that required driving across Texas (Houston to El Paso) which is still a notable feat.   As kids, we loved taking these steps out of our everyday lives to enjoy something different.  My father’s favorite statement to us was, “See the world!”   His command gave my wanderlust power even though my rational mind sometimes thought it was impossible.

Then life happened.   Responsibility grabbed me.   The pursuit of material things engulfed me.  Life, responsibility, and pursuit became the antidote to my beloved affliction.   I was able to subdue wanderlust and navigate apathetically through the daily grind.   It all blew up when my father died.

Believe it or not, sometimes losing a person you truly love motivates you.   The physical removal of that person from your presence can make your dreams leap from your pillow into reality.   I decided to incorporate those things I loved about my Dad into my life.  I allowed wanderlust to explode within me.   The impossible became possible.

I made a bucket list of all the places I had read and dreamed about.    I started traveling to those places to experience a slice of life there.    I encouraged my family and friends to join me.   Sometimes I would go alone.   A sense of satisfaction always filled me when I returned home.   For a few months, the normal routine of life would be bearable – until I did that first internet search on the next place on my bucket list.   My bucket list is a “living” document and I think I will run out of life before I see all of the places that call to my heart.

Wanderlust has fueled many wonderful adventures for me.   Wanderlust has brought me loving friends, beautiful vistas  and memorable experiences.    Wanderlust is a welcomed affliction in my life.

 

QUESTION(S):

Have you ever been affected by wanderlust?

Making History – Doing Her Own Thing – Brenda Johnson

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Today, I want you to meet another good friend in my inner circle, Brenda Johnson.  We met through a mutual friend and share a love of theatre as we attend plays together at our favorite place – The Ensemble Theatre.   We also attend Sunday Brunch with a group of other friends but lately it has been difficult to catch up with Brenda because she is SOOOOOOOOOO busy “doing her own thing”!

A few years ago, after retiring from her corporate job, Brenda combined those corporate skills with a love of travel and started her own business.   Now, she is always on a plane, a ship, a tour bus, or any mode of transportation that gets you to a new place.   If she has not already placed her feet on every continent, then she will probably soon mark that off her bucket list.

Here are her words about her journey to Explosive Travels:

Please describe your business.

Explosive Travels (http://www.explosivetravels.com) is a full service travel agency specializing in travel, tour and cruise vacations. We will custom design the vacation you desire at a price you can afford.

What motivated you to “do your own thing” and start your own business?

My daughter was the person who motivated me into starting my own agency after I retired from Southwestern Bell with over 30 years of service.  She felt since I was the one who always put my family and friend’s vacations and trips together this would be a perfect business for me.

Is your business a result of a formal education or self-taught genius?

My business is a combination of both self taught and formal training.

What is the one thing you enjoy about your type of business?

The one thing I enjoy the most about my business is when a client returns from their trip and tell me how I made it their most memorable vacation.  When I can turn someone’s vacation dream into a reality it gives me great pride and pleasure.

What would you say encouraging to other women who may have a business idea but are reluctant to pursue it?

I was reluctant at first to start my own business, but my daughter kept pushing me.  I will tell anyone if you are passionate about something, pursue it.  You will never know if you are a success unless you try.

Brenda is the travel coordinator for the first Sister-Girlfriend Meetup in St. Lucia.  I am looking forward to that retreat to relax and to have a great time with the other attendees.

Girlfriend on the Road – Dallying in Big “D”

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Recently, I was dallying in Big “D” (that’s Dallas in Texan) for a change of scenery and to spend some “girlfriend” time with my cousin. We started the weekend off with brunch at the Grand Luxe Café (http://www.grandluxcafe.com) munching on those delectable red velvet pancakes and dropped in at the Grand Spa (http://www.grandspa.com) for some pampering and a facial that made my face feel like a baby’s bottom. We viewed and critiqued Whitney Houston’s last movie, “Sparkle” and tried out a new restaurant I heard about which proved to be the greatest adventure of the weekend.
The name of the restaurant had piqued my interest – Twisted Root Burger Company (http://www.twistedrootburgerco.com) – since I absolutely love a big, juicy, Texas-size burger. So, with my eating management plan abandoned for the holiday weekend, my cousin and I decided to visit the restaurant in Arlington, TX near the movie theatre.
The first thing that caught my attention upon entering the restaurant was the rustic and festive atmosphere. There were families and singles sitting at wooden tables, large rolls of paper towels, and squeezable bottles of condiments. In the center of the restaurant was a large white RV decorated with colorful Christmas lights.
We grabbed a menu and got in the line to order our burgers. The offerings were amazing with hamburger names like “The Spicy Goat”, “The Big German”, and “Frito Bandito”. My dilemma at that point was whether I should be adventurous or safe. Then I flipped the menu over and saw the “Build Your Own Burger” option and created my own burger (with bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles) and added an order of straight cut fries. The other great offering at the restaurant are the drinks. You have choices of custard shakes, root beer floats and unique flavors of root beer. The flavor-of-the-day was caramel root beer when I visited but I decided to have the regular root beer.
Instead of giving me an order number, I received a card that named me as Little Red Riding Hood. I heard other famous personas like Jimmy Neutron, Jimmie Hendrix, and Jughead being called to receive their orders as well. It was a hoot and a unique way to identify orders.
The beef and burger size was Texas quality. It was cooked to my specification, the bread and vegetables were fresh…..definitely a homemade burger. The thick cut fries were scrumptious and my cousin loved her fried green tomatoes. I was very satisfied when we finished and will definitely visit again when I am in the Dallas area.
If you are a hamburger lover and are in the Dallas area, you should definitely stop in for a treat.

QUESTION:
Are you a burger lover?
If so, are you adventurous in your burger selections?
If you discovered a unique burger, would you forego your “eating management plan” to try it?