My Adventures

Well, after working on my 100 Things to Do Before I Die list, I decided to go back in time and revisit all the great places and wonderful adventures I've already been on. Here are some of the things I've enjoyed so far (at least the ones I can remember):

1. snokeling in Cozumel, Mexico

2. cruising in the Bahamas

3. honeymooning in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

4. celebrating my divorce in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

5. boating around Venice, Italy

6. shopping in France

7. bartering in Kusadasi,Turkey

8. walking atop the wall around Dubrovnik, Croatia

9. wine & cheese in Santori, Greece

10. sipping Limoncello in Capri, Italy

11. standing in awe at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City/Rome, Italy

12. wandering around the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

13. feeling small under the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy

14. climbing the Statue of Liberty

15. visiting the Acropolis and the Parthenon in Athens, Greece

16. filming monkeys & crocodiles in Costa Rica

17. feeling the beauty of Big Sur, California

18. drinking wine at the vineyards of Temecula

19. watching the street performers in Barcelona, Spain

20. catching some great bands at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado

100 Things to Do Before You Die

Dave Freeman, co-author of "100 Things to Do Before You Die," sadly passed away at age 47 after he fell and hit his head at his home in Venice, CA. Freeman finished about half of his adventures before he died.

This unfortunate incident, however, prompted me to create my own "Bucket List," so to speak. I'm not trying to be morbid, but living life to the fullest is what this blog is all about-bringing to the forefront all of your favorite things, loves in life and most sought after adventures to pursue. As I was recently reminded, "it's what's between the dots that counts!" So here it is so far, my 100 Things to Do Before I Die. Keep in mind that I only have about 53 (roughly) so far. I'll add more as they come to mind.

1. Running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain (not too sure I actually want to run with them, though...maybe just watch the running.)

2. Cannabis Cup in the Netherlands

3. Carnaval in Brazil

4. Oktoberfest in Munich

5. Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans

6. Learn to crochet

7. Make a full set of pottery plates

8. Try volunteer traveling

9. Have my portrait painted in Italy

10. Brew my own beer

11. Buy an "around the world" ticket and run away for awhile

12. Ride the Trans Siberian Express across Asia

13. Write a novel

14. Learn to play my bongos (well)

15. Bake and decorate an elaborate cake

16. Experience weightlessness

17. Learn to juggle

18. Buy and remodel "my own" house

19. Grow a vegetable garden

20. Kiss the Blarney Stone

21. Go deep sea fishing

22. Run a marathon

23. Do a past life regression

24. Ride in a gondola in Venice (didn't quite make it to the gondola)

25. Learn to sail

26. Ride in a hot air balloon

27. Visit the Great Barrier Reef

28. See the Northern Lights

29. Visit Austria where the Sound of Music was filmed

30. Travel to Belize, Honduras, Guatemala & Nicaragua in one long trip

31. See the Great Wall of China

32. See Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica

33. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica

34. Stand beside Big Ben and visit the House of Parliment in England

35. Take a tour of Bob Marley's home in Nine Mile, Jamacia

36. See the Dutch windmills in the Netherlands

37. Dance all night in Argentina

38. Photograph the Alaskan glaciers

39. Visit the village of Kathmandu, Nepal

40. Snowboard in Switzerland

41. Swim in the largest swimming pool in the world (Chile/San Alfonso del Mar Resort at Algarrobo)

42. Go on safari

43. Learn to play chess

44. Make a stained glass window

45. Learn how to make wine

46. Donate blood

47. Learn yoga

48. Swim with a dolphin

49. Hold a baby koala

50. Go to Fashion Week in New York

51. Meet the Dalai Lama

52. Go to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

53. Try ice fishing

(to be continued as i think up more...this should keep me busy for awhile.)

"Do Dead People Watch You Shower?" by Concetta Bertoldi

Even growing up Catholic with 12 years of Catholic school under my belt, I never particularly considered myself to be an exceptionally "religious" person. But I am a "spiritual" person.

When we think of death and dying, I believe we all get a little scared of the unknown. Just the feeling that you have no control over your ultimate destiny is a bit rattling, even to the most devout Catholics, Protestants, Episcopalians, etc.

I have always felt that there is more out there after we die, like there is some sort of after life, so to speak. Recently, I caught a segment on Good Morning, America which featured a prominent medium named Concetta Bertoldi.

Just her presence (even on tv) was comforting to me. She was promoting her new book, "Do Dead People Watch You Shower?". I felt compelled to buy it right then and there.

Bertoldi has a proven track record as a reliable, respected medium. Her book aims to comfort and show you that your loved ones are at peace. She speaks of the energy forces and how once we pass over to the Other side, all of our actions and those consequences will be known to us. We will have a complete understanding or "knowing", almost like a fast-forward of our lives, of why we were here in the first place and what our mission is life was.

As she communicates with the spirits, she explains how she has been told that there is no room over there (on the Other side) for negativity or regret. There is only love and perfect harmony. She says that our memories are never lost and our love for others remains in tact.

She explains that we are sent here so that our spirits will learn more lessons and thus move on to a higher spiritual level. She speaks with the spirits of our loved ones on the Other side to learn more about the process of dying and life after death.

As humans, I believe she is right when she says that we cannot fully comprehend the spiritual world at this point. Our minds do not have the capacity to completely "get" how things work on the Other side because we have not been there yet. It is all unknown to us here on earth.

All I can say is that if you have ever lost anyone dear to you, you may want to pick up a copy of this book or even get it as an e-book, as I did. It is sure to warm your soul and maybe, just maybe, comfort you in times of doubt and sadness. Remember that love is eternal.

New Find! Beautiful, Handmade Pottery Jewelry by Lily Pottery

I just happened to stumble upon this Web site yesterday and can't help but to share. Lily Pottery has got to be my new favorite site for beautiful, handmade pottery jewelry.

Check out her wonderful pieces at Lily Pottery:

http://www.lilypottery.com/index.php?page_id=3

The owner, Lily Wikoff, has captured the pure essence of the earth with these feel-good pieces. She handmakes each one-of-a-kind stamp and uses customized glazes to bring out the beauty of the clay.

If you are in the area, stop by her studio and show some love. The studio is located at 1207 Pendleton Street Greenville, South Carolina and is open to the public on the first Friday of every month and the first and second Saturday of each month.

The 'Ex-List'

Ocean Beach, CA has a wave of commotion surrounding the small, mom & pop beach community. The 'Ex-List' is a new sitcom set to air in the fall on CBS Friday nights at 9pm. The show is being taped on-location in Ocean Beach, giving much needed employment to over 150 locals, including a local cast.

The show features 30-something, Bella Bloom (Elizabeth Reaser of Grey's Anatomy) as she learns from a psychic that she will marry IF she finds her love within the next year. But, there's a catch: she's already dated her future husband! She's also told that if she doesn't find him within the next year, she will be alone FOREVER.

Bound and determined to marry, she searches through her mind's rolodex to figure out which man, among the many in her past, is to be her future husband.

This is good news to us Ocean Beach locals or "Obceans", as we are sometimes called. The show's popularity puts OB in the spotlight, bringing local businesses added revenue.

Since they're filming on my street, mostly on Wednesdays, I've observed, I get to see first-hand what goes into the making of a film. Looks like a lot of work, but we are all anxious to catch the first episode, airing on October 3rd on CBS.

How to Survive a Rip Current

Writing sample from eHow.com May 14, 2008:

How to Survive a Rip Current
By jackiepanda

What do you do if you get sucked into a rip current? Here are a few tips on how to survive a powerful rip current:

Things You’ll Need:

A calm head

Patience

Swimming knowledge

Step1: The first thing you want to do if you find yourself being pulled further and further from the shoreline is to stay calm. If you panic, you will undoubtedly wear yourself down and become exhausted.

Step 2: Calmly, allow yourself to flow with the rip current. Don't fight it. A rip current is a jet of water swiftly flowing away from the shoreline, perpendicular. A rip current may pull you sideways before it pulls you outward.

Step3: Once you get out past the sandbar and the current stops pulling, start swimming sideways until you get out of the current stream. You should be able to swim in towards the shoreline at this point. Allow the waves to help push you to shore.

Step4: If you feel that you are too tired to swim back to shore, call for help or signal by waving your arms in the air. If you see someone in the water who needs help, don't immediately rush into the water. It may be too dangerous for you to try and rescue them. The best thing to do is call for a lifeguard or police for assistance.

Tips & Warnings:

Be aware of your surroundings with landmarks

Don't go into the ocean alone

Only swim when there is a lifeguard on duty

Remain calm if you get caught in a rip current

Swim parallel until you are out of the rip

The number one killer on beaches every year is due to drowning from rip currents. Be aware of the location of rip currents and know how to stay calm in order to escape one.

Resources:
Harris, Tom (n.d.). How Rip Currents Work
National Weather Service (2008). Rip Currents: Break the Grip of the Rip

The Power of Fair Trade

Writing Sample:

The Power of Fair Trade written for Conscious Design Magazine, June 2007

http://www.consciousdesignmagazine.com/ar07JuneMoneyShopFairTrade.html

"Before you've finished your breakfast this morning, you'll have relied on half the world" -Martin Luther King

This is an interesting thought. Fair trade is a powerful, growing movement which
ensures that producers receive fair compensation for their products. It means that workers are paid at least that country's minimum wage and in many cases, much
more to cover basic needs such as food, shelter, health care and education for
themselves and their families.

Many times, the profits are reinvested in the community for education, health care projects and leadership training. Cooperatives provide healthy working conditions for the workers, thus eliminating the large manufacturing and sweatshop conditions that have become all too familiar in poorer countries.

Because many small scale farmers and artisans are unable to qualify for affordable financing, fair trade organizations working directly with the producers, often use prepayment or direct loans, allowing producers the means to cover raw materials and basic production costs. Fair trade organizations establish long-term relationships and avoid the middleman by working directly with the producers, thus allowing a reduction of costs and a greater return to the producers themselves.

Fair trade business principles include:

1. Fair wages in the local context: Producers are paid fair compensation for their products.
2. Healthy and safe working conditions: Workers enjoy safe working conditions and forced child labor is prohibited.
3. Direct trade: Fair trade organizations work directly with cooperatives,
democratically-run associations and small businesses to eliminate the middleman and allow producers to compete in the global marketplace.
4. Environmental sustainability: Fair trade organizations work with producers to
develop products based on use of their natural resources, offering communities an reason to preserve their natural environments.
5. Financial and technical support: Fair trade organizations provide prepayment or direct loans to cover raw materials and basic needs during production time. They also offer product feedback and training whenever possible.
6. Public accountability: Fair trade organizations' business practices are open to the public and monitoring by the Fair Trade Federation.
7. Consumer education: By educating consumers about the importance of buying fairly traded products, fair trade organizations enhance mutual cultural respect
between the consumers and the communities in developing countries.

We must remember that there are faces behind the products we use and consume on a daily basis. We can all choose to spend our consumer dollars on fairly traded goods, thus providing fair wages and safe employment practices to those on the other side of the globe.

It is our social responsibility to present and purchase items that are fairly traded and are produced with sustainable use of natural resources; to ensure the preservation of environments for generations to come. We can all do our part to make a difference in the lives of people around the world and help them to remain true to their cultural diversity.

Jackie Panebaker
Soltrip Naturals
SolTrip Naturals chooses to walk softly on the earth by promoting sustainability for both the human and natural environments.
http://www.shop.soltripnaturals.com
Conscious Design Magazine -June 07 CD TIp

Writing Sample from eHow.com May 12, 2008:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2285437_raise-child-alone.html

How to Raise a Child Alone
By jackiepanda

Raising a child is undoubtedly one of the most stressful jobs you can have; let alone raising one by yourself. This article will give you a few tips on how to help positively raise your child by yourself and with the help of family and friends.

Raising a child is undoubtedly one of the most stressful jobs you can have; let alone raising one by yourself. This article will give you a few tips on how to help positively raise your child by yourself and with the help of family and friends.

Things You’ll Need:
a warm heart

an open mind

lots of patience

most of all...LOVE

Step1• Teach your child independence and responsibility.
Children who grow up in single parent homes are likely to take on more of the household tasks and are relied upon to take on extra responsibilities. This can help to encourage and foster maturity at an early age. Encourage independence with positive reinforcement and support.

Step2• Take advantage of extra bonding time.
While having two parents is ideal, many times children are stuck in the middle when mom and dad do not get along. Children of single parent households avoid the stigmatism of arguing parents and tend to form stronger bonds with the existing parent. Take advantage of your extra time together.

Step3• Enjoy the benefits of a large support system.
Many times children who are raised by only one parent are fortunate to have an extended support system. Family members and friends will often chip in to lend a helping hand with daycare, errands and mentoring. Rather than trying to take on the world by yourself, allow your family and friends to help out from time to time.

Step4• Deal with financial issues.
Unlike two-parent households, single parents must learn to budget all family and household expenses on one income instead of two. Often, this can create a strain, limiting or eliminating unnecessary luxuries. Teach your child the value of a dollar by setting up a chore-for-reward system. This will be fun for your child and also help you with household tasks.

Step5• Talk openly about dating as a single parent.
Dating is hard enough when you’re single; let alone having a child who will also be affected by your dating decisions. Before you start dating, you may want to sit down with your child and have open and honest conversations about your dating intentions.

Step6• Focus on positive choices.
While not having a partner to argue with can be considered a good thing, not having the support of a partner can also be a challenge. You may feel alone or frustrated. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, stop for a moment, breathe and focus on the positive choices you have made. This can also help to show your child an example of your strength and help them feel safe.


Tips & Warnings
Although you may be confused or overwhelmed with raising a child alone, here are some places you can look for support, not only with childcare but also for your physical, spiritual and mental well being:

• church
• community groups
• family and friends
• family therapists
• daycare
• health clubs
• physicians
• single parent support groups
• social services
• your child’s school.

Remember, you’re not in this alone. Take advantage of your personal power and be proactive in your child’s life to prevent serious problems from arising. You alone have the power of choice to make the best decisions for you and your child.
Resources
Baker, Dan (2003). Adapted from What Happy People Know.
Wolf, Jennifer (2007). How to Get Through the First Year as a Single Parent
Wolf, Jennifer (2007). Positive Effects of Single Parenting

Selling My Jeep

Well, it seems to be that time.

Like everyone else in America, I am feeling the economic sting on my bank accounts.

Although I love this Jeep, I must let her go. I'll be replacing my beloved with a Del Sol that has been given to me..woo hoo...no car payments!

She (no name given) is a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport with approximately 110K miles. She has never given me any mechanical troubles and been a great friend on off-road trails.

Excuse my personal soliciting at the moment, while I give you the nuts and bolts details:

• 6-cylinder engine
• 5 speed manual transmission
• 110,000 miles (approx.)
• Rear seat
• Running boards
• Airbags
• Soft top with glass front windows
• Sound bar
• 4 wheel drive
• Cruise control
• Minor paint chips and a crack in one of the running boards
• Normal wear and tear
• Missing back 2 plastic windows

If anyone out there is looking for a fun summer ride, please give me a shout out. She is located in Ocean Beach, CA (San Diego). Feel free to email to objackie@yahoo.com.

Random Thoughts...

It seems that we never truly appreciate what we have until it's gone. Although I know that sounds cliche, it's the absolute truth. Why is it that we don't recognize the amazing uniqueness of the people in our every day lives until we have to say goodbye?

Is it because we've grown so comfortable with them being there that we silently tell ourselves they'll always be there--that they'll never leave us?

My family has gone through a rough first half of the year trying desperately to hold on to those we love. And throughout all of the tough times, I feel that we have all grown in our appreciation of life itself and all the little things so many people take for granted.

I stop to smell the flowers now, instead of just walking past them. I take an extra few minutes to stop and watch the waves, instead of rushing past to get somewhere inconsequential.

I make an extra effort to call my loved ones, if only just to hear their voices and know they are OK.

I know that no matter how invincible we think we are or how we think we can hold on to people just by loving them, we have no control over dying. It's simply out of our hands. We are helpless. And maybe that's what makes us feel so vulnerable.

Whatever the reason we don't take the time or make the time, it's simply not good enough. If I've learned anything over the past 5 months, it is that I will never take another human for granted. I will never let them sit so comfortably in my life that they don't know how much they are truly LOVED.