FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Salamanca, Spain
July 25, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Salamanca, Spain
Day 14 – Monday, July 23 – Salamanca, Spain
University of Salamanca
What I LIKE
- another beautiful day – cool in morning
- computer is still working
- 10:30 – 12:30 nice walk through old town
- go to University – the oldest in Spain – built 1230
- McDonalds has coffee for 1 Euro – just off Plaza Mayor (coffee there costs 3 Euro)
- best lunch so far @ Parador – roasted peppers & tuna salad – broad bean & chorizo stew – nice white wine from Duero region
- take siesta
- happy hour on the large veranda overlooking the old city
- dinner @ Parador quite good – large plate of fresh grilled vegetables – grilled tuna on mashed potatoes – more nice wine from Duero region
What I DON’T LIKE
- computer screen reads “no operating system found” – take out battery & restart
- many businesses & tourist attractions are closed on Monday
- too much meat, cheese, bread & mayo for me
FF (FUN-fact) – There are many stores selling Ibérco ham in varying degrees of quality. 18 Euros for 100 grams (4 0z) of the best – acorn only fed pigs.
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #416: Enjoyment
July 25, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #416: Enjoyment
Enjoyment – the pleasure felt when having a good time.
How much enjoyment are you experiencing in your life? Do you have a good time at work? How about at home? Are you able to find enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life?
I was featured in Sarita’s July What do you say Communique‘ monthly e-newsletter. She titled it, “Are You Having FUN Yet?” Since this week is the 8th Anniversary of my WOW’s it seemed only fitting to share it.
Sarita writes, “We sometimes spend lots of energy trying to fix or change negative situations that are really beyond our control. (ie–corporate decisions, the economy)
Instead, it would be a better use of our time to find ways to counteract the negativity by focusing on creating more of ‘what provides amusement or enjoyment’ (Webster Dictionary definition of FUN).
My colleague Susan Clarke, CFO (Chief FUN Officer) of FUN-damentals.com says it best: “Fun is riding the teeter totter on the playground of life. There will always be ups and downs. Hold on and enjoy the ride!”
” Sarita’s 12 Tips for ‘Enjoying the Ride.'”
1. Make peace with your past so it doesn’t spoil all the fun in your future.
2. Don’t try to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
3. Each day do something nice for someone.
4. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what they’ve been through.
5. Develop a network of friends to support you in “enjoying the ride.”
6. Don’t take yourself so seriously…keep a sense of humor.
7. Use your “resiliency resources.” i.e. – spend time doing your favorite activities
8. Smile. Laugh. Play.
9. Create a list of FUN things to do, then start doing them.
10. Don’t take things personally. It’s usually NOT about you.
11. Ask for what you want. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
12. Remember…no one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Copyright 2012 Sarita Maybin. All rights reserved.
This week’s focus is on enjoyment. Are you “enjoying the ride?” What pleasures do you relish? Which of the 12 tips could you start doing to ensure a FUN ride?
Sarita’s book, “If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say? is available on Amazon.com.
Reader Responses
“No. 6 sounds like my “life is too serious to be too serious.” – Ralph
“It is up to us to find that enjoyment – EVERY DAY. If we don’t, it is no one’s fault but our own. So, we have to go for it. It starts with a smile and a good attitude. I know I look forward to seeing my coworkers and finding enjoyment in our conversations. It is important to make the time for enjoyment. In terms of doing something nice for someone, I make an effort to remember what my friends and family members enjoy and then send something. Most times it will be just sending an anniversary card or a birthday card to them or their children. When I do that, I feel a goodness right in the center of my chest. Maybe it is because I am sending out positive vibes to the universe. Especially when it is a birthday wish for children. I’m sure that getting mail in their mailbox is a big deal. I know that it was for me when I was a kid. When our family traveled to Pentwater, MI, last month, I never turned on my cellphone. It was such a good feeling to leave behind the noise and simply relax and find enjoyment in the sand, surf and breeze. I don’t make a list of things that I want to do. That is being too conscious. I try to leave enough room for spontaneity in this area of my life, and then when the opportunity presents itself I try to take advantage of it. The Moody Blues have a song I enjoy entitled “Are You Sitting Comfortably?” which is what I sometimes think of when I am sitting in our backyard with a cup of coffee, simply watching a woodpecker atop the telephone poll in the park. Or a robin calling out for another robin on the telephone wire. It is in these very simple things of life that I find enjoyment. Great word, Susan. Keep up the great work. I will give you a report on the James Taylor concert at Ravinia on Saturday night. Take care.” – “Warrior” Joe
FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Santiago de Compostela to Salamanca, Spain
July 24, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Santiago de Compostela to Salamanca, Spain
Day 13 – Sunday, July 22 – Santiago de Compostela to Salamanca, Spain
Salamanca Cathedral
What I LIKE
Plaza Mayor
- another beautiful sunny day
- turns out this Parador is 5 ***** and the “best address in Santiago”
- get map & directions out of town from reception
- get to Salamanca @ 3:30
- nice warm breeze blowing
- this Parador is new & sits high on the hill with stunning views of the cathedral & old town
- town is only half mile away
- nice walk to get there
- 4 pm happy hour @outdoor cafe
- 5 pm have snack of salad & lentils – yummy! & wine of course!
- cathedral & churches look splendid lit up @ night
- download new software update for Garmin
- sit outside sipping nice wine from Duero region before bedtime
Hanging Ham
What I DON’T LIKE
View From Parador
- GPS keeps freezing up
- seeing more & more graffiti
- still have to stop & ask how to get to Parador because streets have no signs
- no TP twice today & had tissues in car
FF (FUN-fact) – Driving across the middle region of Spain looks a lot like Arizona and El Centro. Dry grass and barren hills with small farms sprinkled across the landscape. Lots of sun flowers too.
WOW 8th Anniversary Celebration
July 24, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW 8th Anniversary Celebration
WOW! It is truly amazing how fast the time goes. It’s been eight years since I wrote my first Word-Of-the-Week.
I want to thank everyone for the very positive feedback and input you have all given me and I encourage everyone to keep sending me your thoughts.
CURRENT EVENTS:
We left the US on July 10th headed for Spain to see the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. SEE being the key word here! It was good FUN and the end of August we will be celebrating la Tomatina in Buñol. We also plan on getting to one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, as well as, one of the runner-ups.
One of our travel goals is to see all 21 landmarks that were vying for that title. However, Timbuktu is currently off limits due to radical extremists who are attempting to destroy many of the ancient religious buildings in the city.
You can follow our adventures on my Facebook FUN-damentals Fan Page or on my website at https://fun-damentals.com/category/travel/.
I hope you have FUN & Fabulous summer! Susan
Reader Responses
- “8 years good for you! I think of you often. It always seems to be too early or too late to call. Hope you are having a great time. Love ya.” – Gloria
- “My thoughts are I wish I were doing what you’re doing, a trip. I will settle for fun at Bunco and we will miss you. I congratulate you on your 8th year with WOW. You are amazing. Love to you and Chris. PS Keep having fun!” – Elaine
- “I went to an IAAP meeting in W Covina in 2005 and you spoke to us and it was inspirational. I have been getting our emails since – so I am an old timer. I do enjoy them so keep them coming. Thanks.” Isabelle
- “Sooz it sounds like you are having a blast! Continue on !! Call and let’s meet for lunch when you get back- Hugs to both you and Chris!” – Katie
- “Congratulations Susan! I look forward to 8 more years!!!!” – Linda
- “Have a great time on your trip. It sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Enjoy.” – “Warrior” Joe
- “Congratulations Susan! Enjoy your travels while you are young, we did and have some wonderful memories. Love to you both.” – Pat & Bill
FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Santiago de Compostela, Spain
July 23, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Northern Spain – Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Day 12 – Saturday, July 21 – Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Cathedral
What I LIKE
Altar
- wake up to more sunny skies
- really, really hot coffee finally!
- bigger breakfast spread than yesterday
- 11 am stroll through streets to market
- several blocks long & wide – vendors selling everything
- lady cooking & serving up plates of fresh caught octopus with olive oil, salt & pepper
- cathedral having special service – have to wait until 1:15 to get in
- 2:00 decadent splurge!
- Case Marcelo lunch – Michelin star restaurant – 9 course meal – always wanted to do this!
- eat things I’ve never eaten before like fresh sardines – (too fishy for me)
- mostly fish & small portions – 2 are desserts – finish 4:30
- take a siesta
- 8 pm head out to wander the streets
- 1st stop – wine & tapas @ locals place – Cotolay
- 2nd stop – back to O Biero Vinoteca for more great wine
- wines from Duero vs Rioja region
- printing out google directions for tomorrow on hotel computer
One of Four Courtyards Inside Our Parador
What I DON’T LIKE
- way too much food at lunch!
- beggars @ church working the crowd
FF (FUN-fact) – Santiago wins the gold medal for a UNESCO site that is really cute, easy to get around, & FUN in our Travel Olympics. Plus the weather is typically very rainy here and we’ve had warm sunshine!
