Miss Susies Summer Adventures...

2012

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Miss Susies Summer Adventures

Sardinia, Italy

Sicily, Italy

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

PLACES I VISITED: HAWAII, (Honolulu) CROATIA(Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Havar, Zagreb) BOSNIA(Border) TURKEY(Istanbul, Kusadasi) GREECE(Santorini, Athens) MALTA ITALY(Sicily,Sorrento, Sardinia) CONTINENTS:(Europe and Asia(Istanbul) Not-to-Mention the spiritual places your mind and heart visit and miles of growth attained when traveling... Hello Friends, Many of you have kept up with my adventures through Social Media and such but I am recapping my summer in this note in case youd like a look. STAR-DATE: END-OF-SCHOOL May 25, 2012 I am NOT good with endings. I get attached very fast to most things that I am involved in and especially to students that I teach 6 hours a day for 175 or so (depending on furloughs!) days a year. Not to mention their incredible parents and families. It is always evident to me that the best part of my job is forming bonds with kids and their families. There is nothing better than being around 4, 5 and 6 yearolds! It was an especially difficult transition because while I will see most of my former Kindergartners in the grades to come, I was also saying goodbye somewhat more permanently to the 5th-grade class at Yick Wo with whom I had become particularly close---since that was the class that EXPERIENCED my PRICE IS RIGHT Debut and having snack with then Mayor Gavin Newsom in our classroom. We bonded and the parents in that class were some I will miss terribly. So after my Kindergarten Graduation which was very emotional to me, I basically crashed for 2 weeks straight. I just couldnt move...

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

heartsick? SICK? Tired? filled with the dread of cleaning my classroom out for summer school....probably a mix of all of the above. It is common for me by the last days of the school year just to feel like the blood has been sucked out of my body that I have given all that I could give. I am sort of like that with most things I am passionate about. I receive so much more than I possibly give but nevertheless I was WIPED!!! My theme for this years graduation in my classroom was Mama Casss Make Your Own Kind of Music. I want the kids to know that adults and others may pressure them to be a part of the machine or the pack but sometimes they need to go against the grain to do what they believe in....we all sang this together(families and kids) MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC SING YOUR OWN SPECIAL SONG MAKE YOUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC EVEN IF NOBODY ELSE SINGS ALONG... I love that. Youtube it. STAR DATE: About June 9 or so, I felt more like Susie again and the transition from Miss Susie to Susie had begun! It is amazing how stressful work can get and sometimes I cant see straight then I get a few weeks, let alone MONTHS off and I am like: This is the BEST JOB ON EARTH---especially when I get SO MUCH TIME OFF! I think about most jobs where one is lucky to get 2 weeks off. Even when that is the case while one is away business is still open so he/she still has to worry in some respects. In teaching, typically the kids are off for summer and there is a true respite before it starts up again. So I am well aware of my good fortune, really I am.

STAR DATE: June 10 or So Summer cleaning! It felt good to have lots of time to get rid...I spent time

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

giving bags to Goodwill, Selling a few things and realizing if I can live out of a backpack and be happy for 6 weeks, why do I have so much stuff I am not using? Felt good to commence my travels with a purge. STAR DATE June 16- June 30 2 Weeks back in Hawaii! I liked Hawaii the moment I set foot in Maui many years ago and felt a special bond with it having run my first and ONLY full marathon there in 2005---one of the best days of my life was the day I ran that marathon(just a few months after the worst day of my life when my dad died) Having been back to Hawaii (Maui, Kauai) a few times after that, I had never done the whole Honolulu, WAIKIKI thing until March when I went there on my spring break.

I LOVED the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. My kind of place where you can be in a remote area or a sea of blue gentle waters and in 5 minutes be fixing your iPhone at the Apple store. I find the climate ideal and the casual carefree pace my style. I also appreciate that its people are very diverse and come from all over the world. People are generally relaxed and friendly.(Whats there to be upset about with that gorgeous blue sea, sunshine skies and Maitais that abound?!) I returned for 2 more weeks of absolute FUN IN THE SUN in June---Surfing, Hiking, Contemplating, Reading, Soul-searching, Mingling, Observing, Photographing, Singing, and my favorite thing to do--which was to float in the $3.99 inner-tube that I bought at the ABC store. Anyone of you who has been in Hawaii knows

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

that ABC stores are on like every street and they have ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING You could ever want for cheap. But you still have to go inside EVERY ONE just to see what you may have missed or what might be slightly different than the last store. One of my favorite evenings in Hawaii was when I was walking down the street and I heard some incredible singing of popular tunes--Billy Joel at that moment and I was like that is some powerful singing! I could hear it 2 blocks away...I was drawn to two boys singing as were hundreds of passersby. Turns out these kids were sons of two musicians who had been homeschooled because the principal and staff said they were too smart even to be in their school or something like that. You could tell they were self-taught geniuses! They learned to play keyboard and harmonica. Both had beautiful voices but also had a dynamic mix charisma, charm and kindness to add to their talent. The father could see I was quite taken with the whole thing and he told me the story of how he met his wife singing at the Sheraton Waikiki some 20 years ago and who was in their gig as a baby? Bruno Mars! They have remained good friends with him and of course some of their songs are part of their repertoire. They dedicated a Beach Boys Song to me and I listened to them for hours. I asked if they had auditioned for American Idol they had gotten pretty far... I told them that the next time that I would listen to them I am sure I will be purchasing a concert ticket. AMAZING...There names are River and Tiger...look them up on YOUTUBE and you will see what I am talking about... I just have a hunch... Had My first Shave Ice

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Hawaii is paradise to me in every way...oh and P.S. I had that sort of fairytaleesque Meg Ryan ONLY IN THE MOVIES thing going on there from the get-go that added to my story... I was SMITTEN! STAR DATE July 8-July 18 CROATIA I had long wanted to go to Croatia and was excited to visit. Realized the night before I was leaving that I better get a plan. I was super impressed that I whipped up a plan which ended up working out absolutely with out a HITCH. Many people asked me who was my travel agent? I said, That would be Miss Susie! I had read a book about letting the universe work out some of the things we worry about and it really does work if you keep an open attitude. I made a decision while traveling in 100 degree weather in the middle of SUMMER TOURISM in EUROPE that I would incorporate the following random guidelines for myself: 1. Be Kind 2. Be Understanding 3. Be Patient 4. Be Present It absolutely paid off People were SO accommodating, helpful and kind and I know most of it was due to keeping this open attitude. I knew my trip was off to a great start when I flew on Lufthansa and the plane was brand new! While I was in Economy Class it just had the feel of a plush plane. What a difference that makes---you could feel that the flight attendants were happy, thus that trickled to the passengers. Doesnt respect beget respect? I also couldnt believe there were down pillows in Economy class. These touches make it all bearable...

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Transfer in Frankfurt---had to go to a McCafe as it was all there was and even though it was owned by McDonalds I must admit it tasted like World-class Coffee!!! or was i just THAT Tired? On to Dubrovnik which is a walled city on the Adriatic Coast. I cant really tell you how amazing it was to see those ancient walls standing strong over the BLUEST of waters---a deep blue very different than the turquoise blues of Waikiki... I made a decision to stay a few minutes outside of Dubrovnik as I knew it would be cheaper and less crowded...what a great choice! My view from the room was of the harbor and the boats and the pool and I had my own little oasis. Not to mention this town Lapad was gorgeous along the coastline! I especially enjoyed climbing up the hill jumping for a swim in the Adriatic and then having a drink in the CAVE BAR---like nothing I had ever been in. There arent a lot of sandy beaches around here, you just have to wear some water shoes and go for it. The water is crystal clear blue, refreshing and dreamy. It really is so hot that swimming frequently is a must. Other Highlights Included: 1. A 7.5 kilometer Kayaking trip around the walled city of Dubrovnik 2. Eating Freshly caught fish 3. Clean Clean Waters 4. A cable Car ride above the whole city at dusk 5. Walking on top of the walls 2 miles around the city 6. Meeting friendly people 7. Learning about the devastation of the war that was really only19 short years ago when Croatia was part of Yugoslavia OFF IT WAS TO SPLIT by bus along the coast with breathtaking views... There I stayed in another walled city but the difference was that instead of it being now filled only with tourists---it was an authentic village still filled with people going on with their every day lives among the ruins of what was once a palace built by a Roman Emperor Diocletian and it was called: Diocletians

Palace

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

There I actually slept in part of his palace! From Split I took a tour with a small group of people to a place called Plitvice Lakes a National Forest located on the border of Croatia and Bosnia that is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. It is an UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SIGHT. The national park is world famous for its lakes arranged in

cascades. Currently, 16 lakes can be seen from the surface.

Honestly from dawn until dusk I had one of the happiest days of my life. Mostly because of the natural beauty---LUSH GREEN TREES, BLUE DRAGON FLIES, Brisk Waterfalls, Glistening Green/Blue Lakes like no lake Ive ever seen, Tranquil passages but also I was with an amazing group of people I had met. After our hike through the forest we had an authentic dinner out in the country which consisted of Lamb or Chicken made on Spit barbecues---just sooo authentic and delicious.

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

I must remark how friendly and helpful people were in this area---The Dalmation Coast. I had read somewhere that at first Croations may seem unfriendly but if you give them time to warm up, they are super friendly and I found that exactly the case. I couldnt believe when I got back from Plitvice Lakes very late at night--someone had arrived to meet me from my hotel and said that they wanted to walk my suitcase and me over to my hotel because I might be too tired to find them.... Who does this? Actually looks for you after a trip and takes care of you like that....AMAZING....

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

The whole area of Split felt like a small town, with small town niceties...

On To a Catamaran Ride to the posh Island of Hvar---I was captivated and mesmerized by the various views from every vantage point that I barely could move...really a STUNNING small town with gorgeous buildings on an island surrounded by BLUE BLUE waters in close proximity to many other little Islands. Thats the thing, I dont think you can go wrong no matter WHERE you choose to go in Croatia and there are hundreds of islands--Hvar though was one of those places that never sleeps(Sound like Miss Susies kind of place?!) anyway lots going on there and really it is becoming the place for the jet-setters because of its beauty and feeling like you are on the French Riviera. Hvar is also known for its acres of beautiful and fragrant lavender and also for its delicious olive oil which I found(with a little help from a native Croatian) that it could help tame my wild frizzy summer curls! I took a short flight from Split to Zagreb...Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. Here is a random cool experience to share: I was getting ready early in the morning to leave my hotel and I decided to wander to the top floor...It was a little dark and clearly not meant for guests to meander around---looked like conference rooms were on the top floor but I got off and went in one of the rooms to get a picture of the view of the city. Suddenly, I see a man who decides he should take pictures, too. For some reason I decided to ask him why he was up there...(see you just NEVER know) He said that he was a coach for the Tae-kwon do 2012 Olympic Team and that members were on their way up to the conference room for breakfast shortly!!!! He told me that some of the team mates LOVE Croatia and that they wanted to acclimate themselves before reaching London and the Games by touring Croatia. I left him and went to eat breakfast. About an hour later, I was like, I am definitely going back up there.

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

I went up told them how excited and proud I was of them and how random it was that I met them and could I get a picture! There they were representing America as sweet as can be!!!! US Taekwondo Olympic Team!!!

If Croatia was 9 days of on the go see all I can see keep on moving a delight of all the senses... the next chapter was being pampered like a PRINCESS... STAR-DATE July 18 Istanbul Turkey--Highlights Included: 1. Turkish Baths 2. Room with a View 3. Turkish Coffee 4. Turkish Delight Candy 5. The Spice Market---aisles and miles of delicious spices... 6. Lamb chops 7. Incredible Architecture 8. Wonderful People 9. Being in Asia and Europe within 5 minutes by crossing the bridge! On to meeting my mom on a Cruise Ship!

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

I dont get to see my mom very often as she lives in Pennsylvania. My mom loves to travel and she and my dad saw so much of the world--in fact my mom used to be a travel agent. Now it is harder for her to be as mobile as she once was so she likes to take a cruise and once in awhile I am the lucky recipient of a cruise to go with her... We met in Turkey and went each day to a new port-This included: Greece(Santorini, Athens)

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Malta Italy(Sorrento, Sicily and Sardinia) Even though I have been to Italy and Greece before, I hadnt been to some of these parts of Italy and well, who could tire of Santorni--for sure it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I studied Italian for a semester in college and while I am HORRIBLE at languages, I was SO glad to be surrounded by the beautiful language once again--not to mention the Gelato and Pizza :-) HIGHLIGHTS: 1. Santorini and Oia 2. Did I mention Santorni? Well it is just THAT gorgeous! 3. Erice Sicily another Walled city with an authentic feel 4. A looong Cable Car Ride up over the city and beautiful Mediterranean Sea of Trapani to get to Erice...I was SOOO scared so to calm myself down I put my iPhone on to PUCCINI---does it get better than that? 5. The great big rainstorm in Erice when I decided not to worry about not having a hat or umbrella---I just let the rain soak me and I recalled being with a friend years ago in Florence in the rain singing Mi manca Umbrella I miss my umbrella 6. Well really I LOVED everything about Erice and it was another favorite day in my life--7. Meeting the old lady bakers who made Nutella stuffed Genovese 8. Pasta 9. Eating a whole Pizza Margherita at Pizzeria Da Franco 10. Eating Limon Gelato in Sorrento and seeing the 2 acres of lemon trees in a grove where the lemons are picked to make the gelato!--Everything is top of the line fresh in Italy! Aint no frozen food or may freezers!!!!! 11. Did I mention Pizza?! 12. Hitch Hiking with some locals and trying to remember my broken italian and feeling like I was back in college!!!! 13. Going on some booring bus tour through GORGEOUS SARDINIA passing homes of Denzel Washington, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell..etc and deciding with a few others to bust off the bus and jump into the Mediterranean

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

practically in my clothes to swim at one of the most beautiful beaches Id ever seen!!! 14. The Warm, Fiery, Emotional, Friendly Welcoming Italian People 15. Ordering Cappuccino and having it be an event instead of some fast quick Starbucks experience. 16. Exercising, running, walking, whatever I could do so I could eat Gelato! 17. Now to the BOAT--- served 4 course meals breakfast lunch and dinner on china plates and being served on every whim...high teas and steam rooms and 1000 count sheets and Down Duvets and cute and friendly and kind staff and learning about the Multitude of countries everyone was from. 18. Spending lovely time with my mom. 19. Meeting wonderful guests on the boat---favorites included a professor of Early Childhood, A man with his Doctorate in Social Media and a doctor of holistic healing. 20. Listening to the captain who happened to be Croatian, tell of his story of how in 2009 he saved his ship from Pirates off the coast of Somalia. 21. Ernesto the most amazing guide in Plitivice Lakes 22. The views that I captured in every city each morning--23. The view I came home to in San Francisco My Observations about the Europeans I encountered... There is no concept of Lines at all!!! You could get in what you think is a line and really it is just a big MEATBALL of people!!! Whenever I would ask for directions ANYWHERE...Oh yeah, no problem it is only 100 meters away. No matter what the distance---5 miles, 1 mile, 100 meters, everyone would say 100 meters!! I had this really vivid dream toward the end of my trip...that I had landed in a ship right under the Statue of Liberty. Anyone whose been near it knows that it is really breathtaking to be up close to it in New York City, well in the dream I was super excited to be there and when I awoke I assumed that it meant I was ready to go back to America....so weird because that very day out of the blue, someone says to me that the Granite used for the Statue of Liberty came from Sardina the very place I had arrived at while having that dream!

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Overall, I must say I was very emotional and patriotic when I landed in Philadelphia(en route to San Francisco) at the end of my trip. I became very aware that the immigration officials have a lot of Power---they decide if you are to enter America or not... I couldnt help thinking in general(must have been my weary jet-lagged self getting the best of me) that in a heartbeat you could be wrongly accused or falsely imprisoned or whatever and how HORRIBLE that is. I was almost hugging the immigration official when he said, Welcome to America! Traveling opens me up to SO much and I am sure it makes me a better person, and professional and no matter where I journey to, I have the honor of returning to San Francisco a place that has me hook line and sinker! P.S. I would like to say that my GEL nails lasted for 3 weeks straight!!!!!

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012

Miss Susies Summer Adventures...2012