Right now, my son James is with friends in Berlin, Germany.
Berlin.
Living the dream. My dream. My husband’s, too.
He’s visiting Berlin, Portugal, and Italy with friends through most of March.
We should’ve gone to Europe when we had the chance…when we were younger. But the world forces you to punch in a time clock asap. Pick a major in high school, pick a job in college, intern, study, work work work. No time for fun.
I was always a good girl.
I took French just so I could visit Paris in my 20s. I also wanted to see England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and maybe Germany if I had time.
My brother even got to go to Europe when he joined the Army straight out of high school (and to straighten him out of a life of crime).
The other issue is common. We always think we have time. After the steady job and health benefits, after the marriage and kids, after Covid dies down (no pun intended), after after after…
By the time we look up, it’s too late.
I did plenty of traveling in my time, though. As an Army brat, I moved around a lot. I came from South Korea and Japan straight to San Francisco, Bridgeport, CT, New York City, Philly for a field trip, Ft. Dix and Trenton, N.J., Ft. Shafter, Aiea, and Honolulu, HI…Florida, Washington state, L.A., cruises in Mexico and the Caribbean, cross country pit stops — Arizona, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio, New Orleans, Houston, even Australia for a split-second.
When I was younger, I never cared to visit Africa (too hot) or Asia (been there, gross). I was too busy running away from my Korean-ness to care.
Just Europe.
I also studied English literature, took Victorian Novel in college. Wandering the same streets as Victorian, Baroque, and Renaissance artists would’ve been mind-bendingly formative.
Maybe there’s still time…who knows.
Until then, G-d willing, I’ll live vicariously and see the rest of the world through my son’s eyes.
How?
I’m psychic/empathic, remember?
In my dreams, I’ve already been there — stowed safely away in his pocket.
Revisiting Kristin
It only took one or two podcasts before I remembered who Kristin Cavallari was to me. Not a threat, but a soul-stirring teacher.
Believe it or not, I’ve always felt a strong kinship with her, as if she were a role model and mentor to me in a previous life. We both share similar outlooks on life and philosophies, outside the superficial differences. She’s as adventurous as I used to be and still am deep inside.
In one of her podcasts, she shared that she believes this world is a dream and the real one is where we go when we pass on. I believe that, too.
Besides, she’s funny as fuck. Listening to her riff is happiness to me…summer in a shot glass.
I have nothing to be ashamed of or insecure about around her.
Check out her new podcast, Let’s Be Honest. I’d be surprised if you didn’t smile in the first two minutes.