You dropped a bomb on me, baby.
You dropped a bomb on me.
A SugarBomb that is. And that’s exactly what happened this week when I was asked by the TopTooth at CitySearch to contribute to their site and carry the title of Dictator. Who was I to say ‘no’?
After a couple of years of plugging away at this blog and trying to decide recently which path it should take…it was a welcomed surprise to hear someone say (other than my family and friends) that they actually liked what I have been doing.
A brief history lesson:
Pizzelles (pronounced pit-sells) are Italian waffle-like cookies, originating in the Abruzzo region of South-Central Italy (just east of Rome). The word itself translates loosely to “small, flat, and round.” Made from the most basic ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, oil or butter, and flavored with anise. They could be found at most Italian celebrations/feasts and are believed to be the oldest known cookie dating back to the 8th century. Originally, they were made using irons over an open fire. Many of the which were embossed with family crests and passed down from generation to generation.
My inbox delivered some sad news to me this morning. My lovely friends and former colleagues at Amai Tea & Bake House (also known as Lovescool) have decided to close up shop…this weekend. It is with a heavy heart that I write that.
This came as a heartbreaking surprise, leaving me to feel a bit dazed and confused. If the effects of this economic disaster hadn’t been evident enough, then this just made it crystal clear. What else does a small business owner have to do to survive? In it’s young life, Kelli and Andrew have managed to make quite a name for Amai, with loads of adorers, followers and regulars from all over the world to solidify their efforts. Add to that many awards and accolades from their peers that they have accumulated. It just doesn’t make sense, except for the fact that we are living in uncertain times.
Mamma Mia! My grandfather likes to say when something excites him. And tonight was one of those nights. Because it was pizza night around here. Which has pretty much become a weekly tradition.
After several years of experimenting, I think I have managed to come as close to perfection as possible. As I have let my pickiest critic be the judge – my father. And now my grandfather, as well. Which for me are the hardest people to please, having come from an Italian background.
Yet, even though I make this almost every week, I just realized that I have never bothered to take any pictures of this process or even the finished product. So, today was the day I finally remembered. And thought I would share.
One Sweet World can now be found on twitter under the name larasweetworld, since the obvious was already taken.
I created an account many, many months ago at the urging of my friend clicktyclack. But like most, once I did I had absolutely no idea what to do next. And until yesterday, I hadn’t even bothered to get back on. Actually had to reset my username and password because I had already forgotten them. After doing so, I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon/evening familiarizing myself with this phenomena.
A couple of months ago I finally succumbed to the never-ending meme being passed around Facebook. And since it was a way to find out more about each other, I figure I would share it here for those of you who either missed it or are non-facers. The idea was to list 25 random things that people may not know about you. On any given day, I could probably come up with 25 different ones but here is what came to me on that specific day.
I’ve spent alot of time stuck in this state of mind. Waiting. Waiting for whatever is next. Whether it be a job, relationship, new city, etc. Thinking that it will be the beginning of my (so-called) real life. But what does that really mean? If what I’m living isn’t real, than what is it exactly?
Over the past few months, I have had more than enough time to reflect on this. When I arrived at my parents’ house in November, I anticipated only staying through the holidays as I prepared for my extended travels. However, as I mentioned in earlier posts, life took a different course. Now having been here for over four months (the longest since I was 17), my perspective on life has somewhat changed.
Please excuse the numerous changes and alterations being made to One Sweet World. I feel like we’ve been in much need of a face lift. So, in lieu of writing a post, I’ve been spending most of my time researching and experimenting with a new look. This is still a work in process, so please bare with me. I’m trying to have everything completed before I set-off on my (post-poned) travels. In hopes that the new format will be a better canvas in which to display my upcoming adventures. Please check back regularly…I promise to have an update real soon!
When I stated earlier that I hoped to post on a weekly basis, with exception for limited connectivity, I was picturing exotic places I would be experiencing; therefore, too consumed by my surroundings to be worried about the internet and this blog. I wasn’t, however, factoring in other possible variables. Say, my grandfather gets sick, and I would be taking care of him for a few weeks. Which equals no internet connection, except for time spent at the doctor’s office and hospital.
But that’s exactly what has happened and why over two weeks have passed without an update.
For many weeks and months, I had been imagining what this post would read like. Since I had intended on being in Maui at this point, I figured it would include something with lots of ewwws and aahhhs. Going on and on about the incredible beauty of this magical place, and how I couldn’t believe I had finally made it here. I also figured I’d have an interesting travel story to tell about the 25 hour trek across the country and Pacific to reach this magnificent island.
However, as I sit here in what is probably the exact opposite of Hawaii, looking out the window of a hospital, watching the snow fall, I’m left thinking about my previous post. Aahhh, the art of planning. That thing we do in order to feel some sense of control in our lives. That thing I’m not at all that good at. And as luck would have it, or maybe that Higher Power I believe in had something to do with it, but the one and only plan that I had made (in the form of a flight reservation, which would have taken me to Kahului on Feb. 7), fell through. So, as the story goes, plans change. Life happens.
This is why the art of flexibility has become more of a strength. I’ve learned to embrace the journey, trusting that I’m exactly where I’m suppose to be. Even if that place happens to look more like Ohio than Hawaii, at this moment. That’s not to say I wasn’t a bit disappointed. Sure I was. I’ve been thinking, preparing and anxiously waiting for some time now to leave. Only for that to be put on hold.
What I’ve found is that flexibility has to be paired with patience and optimism. As I sit here waiting – to see what happens to my grandfather and for my travels to begin – I can’t help but recognize the ironies of life. My grandfather is dying, as are all of us, unfortunately, he’s planning for a shorter period of time. Where as, I’m looking forward to all of the endless opportunities and possibilities that lay ahead of me. And even though it would be easy to feel frustrated by this slight delay in plans, I can’t help but feel more sure that every, single detail of our life has a reason and a purpose. This was an unforeseen start to my year of adventure, but there is absolutely no place I’d rather be at this very moment…not even Hawaii.
“Man makes plans, and God just laughs.”
I am much better at one than the other. Planning has never been my forte. Procrastination and indecisiveness, however, are two of my stronger points. Yet, I wonder if the two even have much correlation.
Lots of you have asked about my plans for this trip, and, at times, I wish I could come up with something more specific. Truth is, I don’t really have any. I have ideas about places I want to see and things I want to do. Nothing more than that.
I’ve never been a planner. I didn’t plan to be a gymnast or cheerleader. Never thought too much about college or what I would do after. I would have never guessed I would be an accountant, baker or personal trainer and live a nomadic lifestyle. I’ve also never thought much about a 5, 10, or 20 year plan. All I have managed to do is arm myself with the tools necessary to take life as it comes and try to make the most of it.
It’s not to say that I haven’t thought alot about any of those or this upcoming world tour, of sorts. This whole idea has actually been years in the making. Just thinking about venturing out into this big world of unknowns – alone – is definitely enough to cause most a mild case of anxiety. Therefore, our initial reaction would be to make plans, which gives us the illusion of control. However, I have chosen to trust more and worry less. Leaving the details up to a higher power. Anyway, in my analytical mind, it’s hard to make constants out of so many variables.
Yet, with all of that said, I do have a tentative outline in my head, just with no specific timelines or exactness. Again, I will start in Maui and continue west after that. Setting my sights on Australia and New Zealand. And if all goes well, I want to make my way through parts of Asia, Europe and beyond. Keeping an open mind and not marking anything off. There are endless options…we’ll just have to wait and see where I’ll end up!
Until then, here are a few sites/links that have been invaluable resources:
BootsnAll- Excellent source for preparing, especially for round-the-world (RTW) trips
Matador – A community of travellers
Lonely Planet – Everything travel, best known for travel guidebooks
Kayak – Great site for cheap airfare
NY Times Travel – Travel ideas, especially their annual Places to Go
“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” – John Lennon
