The tapestry of life

Well Folks, the weary traveler has reached an end of her journey, for a little while anyways. I am sorry I haven't posted anything recently. I was talking to a friend last night who chastised me for this. I told her that even though I am back in the States I haven't really considered myself "home" yet. As long as Sorina and Marian were here I still had a part of Romania very present and so I didn't have to face reality. And for some reason, writing would have intruded on that somehow.

But I suppose I can't hide any longer. Sorina and Marian left last Thursday and I am now officially home. We have a wonderful whirlwind trip. It seems like I have had more story worthy adventures in the past three weeks than I have the whole past year. Highlights include everything from a limousine ride, a hot air balloon ride, a more eating at different restaurants with various cuisines than I've thought was possible, hanging out at my parents cabin, seeing the Grand Canyon, going on the "Screamin' California" roller coaster four times in a row at Disneyland, body surfing, getting the sunburn of my life, seen "Wicked" on Broadway, seen "Les Miserables" at Tuacan in Saint George Utah, gambled in Las Vegas, (I entered a quarter in a slot machine, it counts) and last but certainly not least, shopped 'til I dropped.

With all of that, its hard to imagine that there would be room for anything. But another aspect of this whole adventure has been witnessing people around me and what they took from each of these adventures. My little sister Katelyn went with us around the States. It was amazing to see how she has grown and matured. I had no idea how much she had changed while I was gone. She was so patient and kind through everything. My mom was having as much fun as I did showing Sorina and Marian new things they had never experienced before. She would wake up as early as two hours before the rest of us, even though we had all been up late the night before, looking online and calling around to find out neat places to take us and get all the facts so we could make a well informed decision. You'd think I would know this already, but come to find out my mom can live on three hours of sleep. Of course it was great to watch Sorina and Marian on this trip. I hope they had a good time, but more than that, I hope it somehow adds to their life once they get back home. Perspective is a tricky thing, its usually gained with some distance. Poor Marian. Two weeks in a car with four females. The guy deserves a medal for surviving it.

When we took them to the airport two days ago, it was really hard to say goodbye. Not only because it meant I had to say goodbye to some dear dear friends for a really long time, but also because it meant the vacation was over.

So now what you ask? Well, I don't know. I don't have a job yet, I don't have a car. I am by all accounts a bum and a mooch. (Thank heavens for generous parents.) I'm trying to slowing work my way back into the stride of things. I'd love to see everyone. I've spent the last two days going through things I had put in storage and throwing most of it away. That was actually pretty nice. I feel like its helped me connect a little bit.

And that my dear friends is where its at. I want everyone to know that I really appreciate the support and love everyone has shown me through everything I have been through. I don't want to get to mushy here, but there have been many times in my life now where I just know I could not have made it were it not for the friends I've made. So here is a big fat universal thank you with all my love. For now, feel free to call, stop by, I'd love to see you.
-M

Closing time

On the eve before my departure from Europe I am strangely detached. It feels like I am finally reaching a definite end to something and about to start something else new. Even though I will still be traveling for the next three to four weeks, it will be in my native country, the country of my birth, the country of my native tongue, the country with which I am most familiar; and that in and of itself feels strange.My family went on a week long cruise through the Mediterranean sea which was amazing. It was the first cruise for my sisters and myself and the second for my parents. I had already been to several of the cities that we stopped in, however I really enjoyed going back for a second visit. And I don't know if I am just out of the loop, but the actual cruise ship was unbelievable. The ship itself had a full sized movie theater, an ice-skating rink, multiple pools and hot tubs, a solarium, huge dining rooms with sweeping views with ceiling to floor windows; and then on top of that, you could ice cream ANY time you wanted! It was incredible! ;) I really do recommend cruising for anyone who hasn't done it yet. And yet, for all that, I think the most memorable part of the cruise was meeting people and making friends. I met several people who I hope to be in contact with for a long time. It just proves the point, "It isn't where you are at the matters, it is who you are with that counts."
Moving on, we finished the cruise in Rome Italy, where we are now. We leave tomorrow morning for New York on a afternoon flight and arrive into New York in the early evening. (Go figure that one out.) I am extremely excited to be meeting up with my dear friends Sorina and Marian who are from Romania. I will be bringing them back to Utah with me and then we will be traveling around quite a bit; Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Disneyland; as many of the big tourist points in that area as we can hit.
I am looking forward to going back to the States, but I have to confess, I'm terrified to go home. I think once I get to Utah I will actually have to face reality and stop living in this fantasy world where I travel around from city to city and have no responsibilities or obligations. I'll have to face those big issues like getting a job, making new friends (Because all my friend up and got married while I was gone if they weren't already married before. Ya big fat lot of traitors! Up and abandon me like that! ;) finding a permanent place to live and the like. The job thing is a big one because I really don't want to get just "a job." I'm ready for something I could really sink my teeth into and be passionate about, the problem is I have no idea what that is. (Consider this notice for carte blanch for suggestions. I am wide open.) At this point though, I still have the attitude that everything is going to work itself out.
For now, I'm looking forward to New York, and showing the splendors of home to Sorina and Marian and seeing people I haven't seen in two years. Don't be afraid to drop a line and pester me about getting together. I can't wait to see everyone again.
On that note, I am signing off. Here's hugs and kisses to the whole universe!
Marie

Taking it easy, finally, in Florence

Well I know how cliche this is, but I haven't blogged nearly as much about this trip as I wanted to. The first probelm has been internet access. It hasn't been availiable in wi-fi at every location like I thought it would. The second problem is simply time. Boy has this been a whirl-wind vacation. In talking with my family, I decided that trying to see over fifteen cities in more than six countries within a single month is not a good idea. I think if we had to do it over again, we would probably see fewer cities and stay more than a day and half in each of them. Oh well, you live and you learn. Right now we are staying in Florence for a whole three nights! It seems like we have been here forever, but it is a nice change of pace.
In the mean time, we have been having fun and seen a lot of amazing things. Mom is an old pro at the train station now. And Dad has learned that his "excellent sense of direction" might be more based on having the gargantuam Rocky Mountains close by than the compass in his nose. :) Really we've all learned just a little bit about ourselves through all this.
We leave tomorrow on a cruise ship from Rome for a week. We are all looking forward to that. And then after that, we head back to New York. Holy Cow! I'm going to be back in the States for the first time in over two years!
Look out! Here I come! :)

Through Vienna and Prague

Greetings all,

well the trip is proceeding nicely. I nearly got my sister and I thrown into jail and mom and dad have now spent countless nights not sleeping in the same bed. Oh the joys of traveling. ;)
Seriously, things are going well and I feel very lucky to be able to take this kind of vacation with my family.
Due to the fact that I have run out of space on my account, we posted all the vacation pictures on my sisters account. So anyone that wants to look at all the pictures can find them here.
Our Family Vacation Picture Album
Thanx for your comments and your emails. I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond. My internet time is severely limited. I promise to do better as soon as I have a steady connection.
Until then, hugs and kisses for all,
Marie

The Saga from Budapest

Unfortunately, same thing. I simply do not have the time to fill in the blanks. Hopefully the pictures will mean something.

The Saga from Romania

Why hello all!!!

First and foremost let me tell you, trying to find an internet connection has not been easy! For a while my laptop was giving me issues so there you have it.

To say our family trip has been interesting so far would be an understatement. But I won´t go into the details. For now I will just post some pictures and let them say the thousands of words I do not have time to write.

Wahoo!

My family is here! I am leaving Galati! I am traveling Europe for a month. Talk about a crazy life!
Last Thursday I went to the airport in Bucuresti and met my family and brought them back here. For the past few days we've met a lot of the people who have been in my life for these past two years and eat a lot of really good food. Tomorrow morning our official trip begins at 5 am as we head to Bucuresti and I will no longer be a Peace Corps Volunteer. I'm feeling so many different emotions right now, I can't even begin to sort them out myself. I'm sure you can imagine. For now, I'm just concentrating on enjoying being with my family and seeing the various sites we'll be seeing.
In the meantime, my internet connection has been kaput ever since last week. Combined with the craziness of getting ready for everything, I want to throw out a universal apology to all who have emailed me and I haven't had time to respond. I promise, it wasn't intentional, I'm not ignoring anyone intentionally, and I'm sorry. I will respond as soon as I am able.
I hope to be able to keep this up and post pictures so you can see some of the places my family and I have been. Enjoy!
M