FUN-photos: Amazing Africa
August 26, 2019 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Amazing Africa
- We started in Durban, South Africa for 4 days with high hopes of catching the Sardine Run…the Greatest Shoal on Earth…but no such luck as they were 5+ hours south…and a whole day at sea.
- Then flew to Tanzania for animal viewing in the Ngorongoro Crater. And from there a bush plan to the Northern Serengeti for two days to experience The Great Migration up close and personal.
- Hit the jackpot! Tens of thousands roaming and running as far as the eye could see…and totally epic seeing majestic Mara River crossings!
FUN-Travel: Spectacular Scotland – Edinburgh Wrap Up
August 26, 2019 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-Travel: Spectacular Scotland – Edinburgh Wrap Up
- Spent last day wandering around…
…taking in more Fringe…
…juggling…singing…miming…
“50 Shades of Shakespeare” actor
…& catching two comedy acts.
- Then delightful dinner…
…of sumptuous sushi.
Kanpai
FUN-fact – Every evening serenaded by soothing sounds of bagpipes with grand fireworks finale!
Trip Recap – Exceptionally Epic! But not without some avoidable disappointments…
…and one’s out of our control…like British Airways computers being down…
…the day we flew back…at least we had the lounge…and we didn’t miss our flight home!
New Travel Motto: When it’s no longer FUN, we’re done! Thank God our international bucket runneth over!
FUN-travel: Spectacular Scotland – North Berwick
August 26, 2019 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Spectacular Scotland – North Berwick
- Cinzia & Fabio planned taking off today…to tour more towns…
…but talked them into going to yet another…
…quaint coastal town…for lunch of fresh North Sea lobster…
…so tender you could cut it with a plastic fork! YUMMY!
- Air thick with smell of salt…a few scattered sprinkles…
…and nice stroll down High Street…rounded out the day.
FUN-fact – North Berwick Golf Club is the 13th oldest golf club in the world and has hosted Final Qualifying for The Open Championship.
More FF – Met Brianna Do, from Long Beach, while walking on High Street who was in for the LPGA Championship that week.
FUN-travel: Spectacular Scotland – St. Andrews & Fife
August 24, 2019 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Spectacular Scotland – St. Andrews & Fife
- 1st stop – Anstruther (known as ‘Ainster’ locally)…
…quaint cobbled streets…with seafront harbour.
- 2nd Stop – St. Andrews…home to third oldest university in Britain…
…with beautiful ruined castle perched on cliff…
…& known worldwide as the “home of golf.”
The Old Course
- 3rd stop – Falkland – the Royal Palace dominates old village…
…with array of old cottages…on narrow winding streets…
…Johnny Cash…commemorative plaque on bench at Brunton Green…
…his ancestors came from the Falkland area.
Brunton Green
FUN-fact – The popular series Outlander is filmed in Fife and Falkland was portrayed as the city of Inverness.
More FF – Used up all British Air miles for our tour! Our international bucket runneth over!
Word-Of-the-Week #785: Uptight
August 22, 2019 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #785: Uptight
Uptight – what you become when you don’t take time for relaxation!
So, how did you do relaxing last week? Were you able to reduce your stress by deep breathing? Did you take time to plan your next vacation? Did you connect with your friends? How much time did you devote to being “unplugged?”
This week I will share the other four ways on how to relax and reduce your stress that was featured in the Time Magazine article titled, “Six Ways to Handle Stress.”
- Exercise Regularly. It protects the heart, which is often the first to feel the effects of stress. Studies show exercise also helps maintain the brain’s ability to change focus quickly from one situation to another.
One of the things I love to do is walk. I don’t listen to head phones; I use it as my creative quiet time. Also, Pilates has been a life saver. I breathe completely differently as a result.
- Eat Plenty of Fruits & Vegetables. The antioxidants and other ingredients they contain counter-balance the inflammatory proteins the body produces under stress.
This is very easy for us. You’ve heard about Meatless Mondays? Well we don’t eat meat (but lots of wild fish) during the week and may splurge on the weekends. But even then it’s usually no more than 3 to 4 ounces. It’s very hard to gain weight, and easy to lose weight if you eat only whole foods.
- Don’t Stay Up Late. Irregular sleep increases the effects of stress on your body, setting you up for metabolic imbalances that increase your risk of heart disease.
This is only a challenge when we travel and have to deal with a lot of time zones.
- Do What You Love. Having a sense of mission about your job makes it easier to deal with inevitable setbacks. (You will still need to take those regular breaks from work.) And if you can’t find meaning in your job, look for it in a hobby or through participation in religious or community organizations.
Fortunately, we both loved our jobs and it never felt like “work.” I am still working part time (if the group is FUN) and both Chris and I have lots of things to do that keep us busy.
This week’s focus is how uptight you are. Do you exercise at least three days a week? If not, could you start by just walking? Are your eating a healthy diet of vegetables and fruits? Are you on a regular sleep pattern? Do you love your work? Do you have a hobby or an organization that supports your life mission?
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