Fight On!

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Moments

I can honestly say... life is busy...
and sometimes we may forget about the MOMENTS that happen in our life.

I hope that you will be able to step aside the chaos and just BE in the MOMENT.
I know I will try. xoxoxxo Doreen

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What a Weekend! Birthdays, Egg Hunts, Easter...

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The Mobile Gods Have Answered My Prayers

I love Skype for many reasons... now especially because my phone carrier and Skype have collaborated and NOW I can Skype mobile my peeps! I suggest that if you don't Skype... start skype-ing! It is AWESOME!!!

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It has been a week and I am still reminiscing...

It has been a week since I have returned and yet, I still think very much about the sights and sounds of London! I stumbled upon this song by Buble and LOOOOOVE it. Ya; know everyone keeps asking me, "So...how was it...?" My response is the same, "Ahhh-mazing!" So this week I have been trying to play catch up and am really behind with things but do not regret for a second that I left my daily grind for a getaway.

Anyway, I wanted to share a few links because I am commonly asked, "So what is your favorite thing.. how are the people... the weather.... the food..?" I realize that words can not exactly describe and articulate the beauty of things. Sure, the pictures may capture a glimpse of it. But even then it does not capture the panaromic beauty of it all.
So here are a few links that I thought I'd share:

• Overview of the sights in London
• London by Foot
• Guided Tour
• St. Paul's Cathedral (Our Favorite)
• British Museum and the Tate Museum
• London Tower
• The Underground
• Traveling via the Tube or Cab?
• London Parks
• London's Theater District
• Cultural Tour

 

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Pictures from trip...

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17 Time Zones in 10 Days...

If we talked before my “Week Adventure in London,” you would know that I was filled with anxiety. You would know that the burden of the Master’s program, running a full house with three kids and a dog while hubby is away to prepare for the departure was a bit much. In the days leading up to the trip, my typical routine was managed by the minute incorporating research and analyzing education journals and formatting “Authorization to Treat a Minor” and “Temporary Custody “Forms. I wanted to make sure that everything would be ready for THOSE unplanned, unforeseen moments. Ava’s nebulizer- CHECK! Kylie and Alexa’s homework- CHECK! Dog food and supplies- CHECK! Clothes for ANY possible weather- CHECK! Really, you name it- I packed it! I thought of every possible event that could occur and I was prepared! Or at least I thought I did…What I didn’t realize is that things WILL occur no matter how much planning I put in for those unlikely and "just in case" moments. What I learned is that whether I plan for those "unforeseen" moments, things will either happen or they won't. The stress of hoping they don't happen, or preventing things from happening is not as big as when it actually occurs. Most importantly I was not going to let the stressors of preparing for the trip define my trip. So I let it go... everything has been handled as best as they could. It was now time for me to give myself an experience that I will not forget!

Day 1: Heading to Henderson
I pulled the kids out of school in hopes that we would beat Sunset. Doesn’t it sound so "Lewis and Clark"? But I would not take ANY chances driving across the desert with three kids and a dog. Ironically, I prepared for EVERYTHING except that EVERYTHING doesn't fit in 1 car. Fortunately, my girlfriend was over and we literally re-packed everything... in the driveway (Imagine what the neighbors were thinking). After the ‘minor’ diversion, we were off! We encountered a bit of traffic leaving LA but after all the little hiccups, we arrived safely at my parents’ home. I love it there! It is in a serene part of the desert with views to die for. There is a sense of calmness at my parents’ home which after all the stress leading up to it, I needed some tranquility.

So as I reviewed the contents of my suitcase (AGAIN); I began to cross off things realizing, "I am prepared... I think". I kept asking myself,“What am I forgetting?” It was odd... sorta like what people with OCD go through. But I think much of that feeling is because I felt a sense of uneasiness leaving the kids. It has nothing to do with my parents. My parents are remarkable caretakers and I trust them wholeheartedly. But it felt unnatural to leave the kids behind as I leave half way around the world to accompany my husband on a business trip. At one point, I thought.. "Maybe I should just back out". It was definitely an irrational thought. So I was at peace with leaving for a few days. But when night came, I could not help but peak in and cuddle with each child a bit to absorb their smells and watch them rest peacefully.

Day 2: London is Calling My Name

I awoke with a bitter sweet feeling of excitement and sadness. I could not escape the thought that I was leaving the kids or if I was not prepared. Yes, it was a bit irrational but at the same time, my world revolves around the safety and assurance of my children and their health. So to leave them was not innate for me. However, I had to to a lot still to go so with the help of my parents, I was able to take care of the last minute items. When I returned, I realized, "This is it! I am off! WOAH!" With only a few hours left to spare, I reviewed my contents (again). But this time I needed a mental picture of where I placed my booklight or iPod. At this point, I am wondering if I have OCD. When the time came and I said my good-byes, a sense of rationale came over me. Unlike the erratic OCD traits I developed a few days prior. I realized with a sense of affirmation that everything is going to be ok. The girls were supportive and happy for me so if they felt sad, it wasn’t apparent. My mom and dad were excited to spend this time with the girls and already managed the typical details of our scheduled routines. I was packed and ready to depart (and knew EXACTLY where everything is). Then came "Me" time. It is funny how a mother of three filled with enourmous amounts of responsilbility was able to release that and redirect all that into something far greater than the stress and anxiety I had leading up to the day. I realized that it is not selfish, that my kids are ok, that my husband needs me, and that nothing is worth all the cynical behavior I had prior. When I went through security, I realized this is where my personal journey begins. I could either fill my expedition with worries of things that are beyond my control or just realize that everything that is in my control has been handled and resolved. It is amazing what being in an airport can do for the soul ;) So I was off… London, here I come!

Day 3: London

Thank goodness for a night flight to Europe. I had great seats, sat by a really nice man, and watched movies that I have been wanting to see like the “Blind Side” & “Up in the Air” and slept peacefully the remaining part of the way. Once the plane landed in Heathrow, I was concerned the British Airways would lose my baggage as they did with hubby's. According to him, Heathrow is the largest airport in the world. So whether it is the largest or not, it certainly was big! We had to take an underground tram from one part of terminal 5 to the other. Baggage claim was in another section. So by the time I reached customs, I was pooped from all the walking. Hubby arranged for car service and as soon as I exited the doors, there was a kind man that greeted me to take me to the hotel. The driver was so kind and provided a mini tour of the city. We drove through a rural area passed many terrace homes and bare trees. Shortly, we arrived in Central London and passed through the Kensington area and through Hyde Park…..BEAUTIFUL!!!! When we pulled up to the hotel, my hubby was there (pitter patter)waiting for me downstairs and it was such a neat feeling to see him- in a different country after a week apart. I just kept thinking, “Wow, we are in London!”  He brought up my suitcase and we were so excited to each other. The hotel was amazing! The area was beautiful! So he wanted to grab a cup of coffee so we can share what happened since we last talked before I boarded the plane. It was mid-afternoon in London, but for me it was early in the morning! So it did seem odd that we were getting ready for dinner when in LA I would be getting ready for breakfast. Anyway, we met up with some of his colleagues for drinks at the Mandarin Hotel and dinner in Kensington at a {yummy} Indian Restaurant, Chutney Mary. Fabulous people…amazing curry… extraordinary wine… was such a nice evening! We came home at 12:30 but it felt like it was 5pm… yup- good -old jet lag! So falling asleep was defintiely HARD!

Day 4-Touring London with Hubby

Jet lag=reason why I was not able to fully enjoy the amazing sights…. We walked all of Central London and my feet paid the price. The architecture was beautiful and aesthetically pleasing but when fatigue sets in.. nothing had the power to amaze me. After hubby's walking tour, we had a quick lunch at a restaurant that reminded me of California Pizza Kitchen with a bistro feel. After lunch I felt recharged to continue on a bit more. On part 2 of our walking expedition I noticed a man ran in front of us to take a picture. I thought that was odd, then I heard a guy behind us say, “F*%$o off”. I turned around and realized it was the paps trying to capture a celebrity…Tilda Swinton! So there might be some paparazzi rag with us walking in Leicester Square and Tilda Swinton with her young beau. But the amazing part was the St. Patrick’s Day festivities that shut down much of Trafalgar Square. There were parades along the Thames and back to Trafalgar. It was intense! There were all sorts of costumes, green boas, and St. Patty’s Days regalia to commemorate the festivities. It was definitely a festive occasion. I just wish I wasn’t so tired so that I could enjoy it. I just could not hang so we headed back to the room. We walked from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace, across St. James Park and up Mayfair District to the room. It was nice to catch a few Zzzzz but I did not have the energy to resume sightseeing. We ordered in and it was comforting to cozy up in the hotel’s robe and slippers.

Day 5- Yeah JP and Grace are coming

Before hubs went to work, we had an amazing breakfast at the hotel. It was such a quaint restaurant. Outside the restaurant you can watch people head out to work and kids off to school. Oh, I could have sat there for hours. Hubs went off to work and I wanted to take a little walk around the neighborhood and shop for shoes and a purse. Shortly after I returned from my rendezvous with the streets of London, Grace and JP arrived! YEAH! We had so much fun the entire day! I was so excited to see them! We did so much in one day it was awesome! We had a yummy lunch in a pub, visited the British Museum, rode the Underground, went shopping, met up with Jamie at the hotel, had an amazing dinner in Chinatown, it was fun filled!

Day 6- Hubs took the day off

We were excited to hear that Hubs took the day off to refresh his thoughts. Work has been intense. Anyway, we had a great breakfast and off to visit the streets and sights of London we go. We ate at EAT a fabulous little eatery (that I think should be established here in the states). We headed off to Leicester Square via the Underground, then off to the infamous St. Paul’s Cathedral. I was overwhelmed with its beauty. Words cannot express the amount of detail and history in such an amazing cathedral. Hubs and I agree this was the highlight of the trip. Grace, hubs, and I headed up the top to the Whispering Galley. It was GORGEOUS! Grace ventured even higher and was able to capture amazing views all across London. We spent a good chunk of the day there and went to lunch. Since our day was limited, we parted ways. Hubs and I sought after the Tower of London via a Red Double Decker Bus. WOW! It was captivating! It was a bit of an oxymoron to see something so historical amidst London’s Financial District. But once you enter the grounds, you can’t help but feel the history within the walls. The Jewels… the cells… the view of the Thames… the location where many have lost their lives, AMAZING! We headed back to the room to join his colleagues for dinner. Such great company and good food made for a great evening.

Day 7- Last Full Day in London {Bittersweet}

Unfortunately, my feet were hurting so bad that I wasn’t able to join Grace and JP on a tour through Kensington. I was so bummed. But my heels were so torn up that it hurt to stand. However, they returned with the most delicious French macaroons that I had ever tasted. One of the macaroons literally tasted like a rose! It was the most flavorful thing I had in a looooooong time! We took one last stroll to Regent Street for last minute shopping. We returned to the room for a little rest before they returned home. It was such an amazing couple of days that we spent together and we had such a memorable time. Words cannot express how appreciative I was for them to come and spend this time with hubby and I! xoxoxxo

After they left, hubs and I took a cab to Harrods- PHENOMENAL! I have never in my life seen such extravagant things in a department store. There were maps (true cartography circa 1500), glass pieces made from rare stones found in the Amazon Forest, small area rugs that cost more than my car, just amazing! On one of the landings, there was a memorial tribute to Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. Harrod’s showcased her engagement ring and a champagne glass. It was remarkable. We then decided to commemorate our last evening together in London at this really quaint Italian restaurant near our hotel. So good.... and so romantic! It reminds me much of those bistros that are depicted in artwork and in movies. We were seated by the window. There were people walking along the streets to the vairous eateries near by. The ambiance, the food, everything made it a night to remember. After dinner we strolled back to the hotel and joined his coworker for cocktails. After awhile, hubby and I headed back up to the room so that I can gather my belongings for the journey home. I had difficulty falling asleep because all the moments, sounds, and experiences I had of this exciting adventure kept rushing through my head. Part of me did not want it to end but I missed the girls so much!

Day 8- The departure…

Hubby and I wanted to enjoy our last moment together at a french bistro for breakfast. It was so yummy. But he had to return to work and I had to gather my things for the flight.

The thought of the last day was momentous… and to describe the details of the day would remind me of how exhausting traveling can be. I think the journey home can easily be summed up as delays caused for an 18 hour travel experience, due to storms- we landed in Phoenix for a moment and after it cleared headed back to McCarran, turbulence, but the highlight of the journey were my new friends. I met two interesting gentlemen with (one from Australia and Vice President of the National Board of Lymphoma Society) and another English man from the UK who is attending a ‘stag’ party in Vegas for his brother’s wedding (yes, Hangover was their inspiration). Anyway, the three of us from completely opposite ends of the earth had the most interesting conversations about culture, music, and history. It definitely made the tedious journey bearable. We parted ways but I think our conversations will resonate with each other for a long time. After passing through customs, I felt relieved to be in the ‘homeland.’ I was greeted with my daughters  and their "Welcome Home" signs and tears of joy overwhelmed me. When we returned to my parents, I was so exhausted that my body felt toxic. I had a complete night’s rest.

Day 9- Jet Lagged

Trying to balance out my circadian rhythm was a challenge but fortunately I was able to coordinate my sleep with PST. With the help of my parents, I re-packed and prepared for our journey back to LA.

Day 10- LA… We are coming home!

We left early and returned home, unloaded our belongings and headed to LAX to pick up Hubby. Phew! After the past 2 weeks of craziness- we are once more a Party of 5!

I am still experiencing jet-lag (very very very exhausted), I have to do my best to resume typical activity. However, a new sense of calmness is veiling my spirit. Before I left, I was filled with anxiety with all the things that could possibly occur . Of course stress and motherhood is somewhat a symbiotic occurrence, I can say this with great affirmation that the thought of things actually occurring is not worth the stress of it when it occurs. Before the trip, I joked with my neighbor in a sarcastic tone, “As long as an earthquake won’t happen…” well guess what, an earthquake did happen. I jokingly said to my parents “Just in case Ava has an asthma attack…” guess what, she had an asthma attack. I sarcastically said to Hubs, “Hah, like our plane is going to encounter difficulties,” guess what, it did. So the lesson learned is that I may have had a temporary debilitating anxiety a few days prior to London thinking that these things will happen. And when they did, it was handled. Sure I can look at it like... because of my “mental preparation” for these things I was able to address them a bit easier. But what I really took with me is to enjoy the experience of moments and not to feel stressed about events that are beyond my control and that is OK for a mom, a USC grad-student, and wife to “check-out” for a few days. My feet are still on the mend, I am still exhausted, but as I load the laundry with clothes from the trip; I can’t help but think about the people I met along the journey, the time I spent with Grace and JP, that at this moment there are vendors along Regent Street selling eccentric items, the cabs are bravely weaving in and out of traffic, and that London is a place that I would like to visit again.



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Happy Birthday to our Buddy!

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Meet Sluggy Patterson the creator of PunchDub the game

Road Trip!

Jamie and I were able to have a little mini- getaway... and BOY did our brains need it with all that has been going on in our scheds!

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