New confidence, New eyes, New prospective.

Paris was everything I had anticipated and more, whether it was strolling along the Champs Elysees, drifting down the the Seine river on an evening cruise or standing under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, I realized that this is a city that everyone should see. The beauty, the history and the people were all wonderful. Nothing was a disappointment. On this trip I learned so much not only about this city but about myself.  I learned that I am a self-reliant woman, confident, and strong,  and I am actually following my passion. The more places I visit, the more I want to send other people to witnesses what I have witnessed. I never felt this confident before, I always played it safe, stayed in my comfort zone and told myself that this is all there was for me, now I know different, and if I can figure this out about myself then anyone can.  You can step out of your comfort zone and learn more about yourself, it only takes one step and a huge desire.  

There has been something that has really been weighing on mind.  When I was in France, I would look at things with such wonder. No matter whether it was a huge museum or the small flower shop on the corner, everything I looked at, I saw beauty and amazement. Now that I am home, I wish that I should have that same feeling with things in my own backyard.  I think we all get into a rut; we look at the same things, whether it’s our Mountains or our Skyline, every day and we become complacent and unappreciative.  It’s not until we see things through a new prospective that we can once again appreciate its beauty.  Those mountains that I look at every day and sometime don’t even notice anymore are the same mountains that fill a newcomer with amazement and awe.  So I am on a mission.  I am going to try to look at everything as if it was the first time I was seeing it. Even when I look into the eyes of my husband, sons, family and friends, I want to feel that joy and amazement, I first felt.   I’m tired of feeling like I am missing out on something, when I have such beauty in my backyard and in my life. I hope that as you look at your surroundings, family and friends this Holiday season, you will take in every aspect of it, whether it is the same Christmas ornament that has been hanging on your tree for years, the beautiful stars in the sky, the sunset over the mountains, the sunrise over the skyline, or the smiles on your family and friends face, notice the beauty and think to yourself, how would someone that never saw this before view it and feel.  I hope that you all have a wonderful New Year’s filled with new prospective, new sites and lots of love.   Thanks for your support , for the prayers for my Father (he is doing great), and for reading my blog for the past year. 

 I love your comments and look forward to more interaction in 2013. See you next year.

God Bless
Happy and Safe Travels.

A lot has happened since I completed part 2 of my France adventure

I am sorry to keep you hanging.  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and before I get on with my recent events let me finish my adventure to the South of France. 

Day 4 was a filling of such mixed emotion, I new my father was going to have surgery but hey I was in FRANCE and my father would want me to enjoy myself, right.  Those feelings were very conflicting, I wanted to be happy and excited buy I was very frightened about my father.  We started the day going to Uzès a little village that was the first duchy of France we then proceeded to the Pont Du Gard.  A UNESCO World Heritage site and words cannot describe this amazing site.  It is a huge aqueduct that now has 3 levels.  We where accompanied by a tour guide through the top level. (a tour that you can only get with special access through your travel agent)  It was amazing, and what was more amazing is while I’m on the top of this world heritage site, I get a Skype call from my niece and was able to see and talk to my father before he went into surgery.  It was very healing to my heart and allowed me to enjoy myself and my surrounding.  We departed from there to visit my one of my favorite towns on the trip Nimes. It was here I again was able to Skype with my father after surgery and I new everything was going to be okay. It was a lovely little town; wonderful shops a beautiful church and still home to bullfights in a miniature Roman Coliseum.  Here we spent a wonderful evening in a little sidewalk café.  Day 5 we visited a “Town of art and History” Pezenas.  This little town is a place I could retire to someday.  It was clean, quaint, friendly and beautiful, also about 20 minutes from the Mediterranean.  Then we returned to Montpellier where it all began.  We had a short tour of the town and a visited the Fabre Museum. My dad was doing well and the trip was almost completed and I had made many, many memories. All that was left in the South of France was to catch the TGV (high speed train) to Paris for my next adventure. 

So that ends my adventure in the South of France.  My next entry will follow me to Paris and continue to update you on my father. 

As I said in the beginning a lot has happened.  I attended my first travel sale and training meeting in Las Vegas,  over 1100 agent from all over came together to learn about travel.  It was very overwhelming the amount of knowledge filled my head.  Then one of most amazing things happened to me.  At the end of the meeting I won the opportunity of a lifetime.  I will be traveling around the world with my husband.  Yes a paid trip for 2 around the world courtesy of Ker & Downey.  We will visiting New Zealand, Hong Kong, Saigon, Dubai, Mauritius, Johannesburg and Buenos Aries, and it will be taking place in March of 2013.  I can wait. 

So as we enter this holiday season and even though I may be struggling financially trying to build a business is a very slow process, I still have so much to be thankful for.  Everyone says that winning this trip and being able to experience France as I did, is a sure sign that choosing to follow my passion, even with the financial burdens was the right choice.  Thank you all for your support.

Please comment, I like to know who's reading this.

God Bless

Happy and Safe travels

My France Adventure Part 2

So here I am a mature woman seeing things I never anticipated, seeing and having a feeling of total amazement of the beauty that is surrounding me.  Day 2 we departed Mountpellier for the Mediterranean Pyrenees, we will visit 4 towns today, each one with its own special character.  We stop in Rivesaltes for a wine tasting experience I never expected.  This beautiful region is dedicated to producing outstanding wines.  The product of their grapes are so diverse, there is a wine created there for every taste my favorite the Muscat di Rivesalte.  After a wonderful lunch at La Table d’Ayme Restaurant we ventured on to Perpignan, a beautiful little town, where we had a tour through the center of the city, so many historical sites to see you could spend days here, including the beautiful Saint Jean Cathedral.  We then boarded the bus for one of my favorite town, Collioure, a breathtaking town, colorful, charming, clean and right on the Mediterranean. Yes, I actually put my feet in the Mediterranean. After a short tour, we had some free time to walk around the little shops and enjoy the wonderful weather and scenery.  Here I definitely could have stay a few days, but not this time, back on the bus to Banyuls for a seaside dinner and back to the hotel in Perpignan for a little rest.  Day 3 took me to a fairly land we stopped first in Narbonne, where we were greeted with a wonderful City tour and then to an historical Abby, where peace and serenity surrounded you. They had a beautiful rose garden that even in the fall was beautiful, after a wonderful lunch, we departed to Carcassonne and a 2 hour boat tour in the Cana du Midi a tree lined canal that I expect is breathtaking in the spring and summer.  We were then taken to Carcassonne’s’ medieval City a grand castle that was once a medieval fortress.  This castle was like being in a fairy tale.  Our hotel was inside the castle walls and the room, made me feel like a princess. We dined on local cuisine in a small restaurant inside the castle. I was having a magical time when I received news from home, my father had a brain hemorrhage and was going to have surgery in the morning.  Every feeling ran through me, should I leave, should I stay, I knew that God wouldn’t take my father from me while I was on the wonderful trip.  I spoke with my family and settled into a bed knowing that my father was in good hands. As I said in part one this trip was filled will every feeling imaginable. On one hand It’s sad to think how much of this world and the beauty God created lies hidden and if we get to view it it’s through a television screen, computer screen or magazine, on the other hand if it wasn’t for the magic of technology I wouldn’t have been able to speak with my family.  I will sign off for now, but will continue the story of my journey later.  Make sure to follow me, comment and share my adventure with your friend.  Also, within the next few days I hope to post  video of my trip on my website. For now

God Bless and Happy and Safe travels.

Wow what a couple of weeks

October 8^th started me on journey of a lifetime.  I Gina Kemper, this 52 year old woman ventured out solo to a foreign country to try and learn as much as I could about the south of France and that I did.  My first FAM trip was amazing.  Day 1 and 2 was a mixture of emotions, excitement, anxiety, happiness and trepidation.  After 17 hours, 3 connections and experience customs in a foreign country I arrived safe and sound and luggage in tack.  Majority of fear has passed as getting there was causing the majority of my stress. I did learn that I have the ability to go without talking, which if you know me is very hard because I very seldom stop talking, but traveling solo you learn the ability listen and observe.  I got settled in the Pullman hotel, highly recommend, went for a swim and then went for a walk in the beautiful city of Montpellier. I took so many pictures; there was something that took my breath away around every corner.  Later that evening, I met up with the other agents, 27 wonderful ladies all waiting to experience this magical land of the Langodoc-Rousiollon region of France.  We went on a short walking tour of this quaint town and met the head of the Baudon de Mauny family which has owned this hotel since the 1700s. It’s hard to imagine so much history that pasted through those walls.  When you really think about it the United States is still a baby compared to the European countries.  We also me one the most highly regarded Violin makers in the world.  At 32 years old he has such a talent and passion that I not witnesses before, imagine taking 30 days to produce a musical instrument and then have it gone and have to start all over again., then we got to experience some tastes of the region not only in a little bodega but at a beautiful welcome dinner. These are all things that not everyone that travels to South of France can enjoy but I found out that I can arrange for my clients through our destination specialists.  I really had to step out of my box. When eating in a foreign country, I had Octopus pie, lamb appetizers and so much more.  Within 48 hours I learned to have confidence in being me, in my ability to talk to strangers, to try and speak a new language and to enjoy the company of ME.  Instead of writing a book I will post a little for the next few days,  so keep coming back to hear about the Mediterranean, an amazing castle, river cruises, high speed trains and exceptional experience in Paris.  Not to mention I will add some drama from home regarding the family.  Sounds kind of like a James bond movie.  I look forward to sharing my experiences with you and I am sorry I wasn’t able to post as it happened.  Still have some technology issues to work through while traveling.  Please send me your comments, share my blogg with your friend and watch for my pictures and video to be posted on Facebook, pinterest and my website GLKDreamtravel.com.

God Bless

Happy and Safe Travels. 

my first public vendor experience

Well I Am learning to put myself out there. I have never had a problem talking to people I know, but talking to complete strangers is something new to me.  I have always like to be in the background, learning to promote myself feels very strange but I guess its a challengeI Am going to have to overcome.  selfconfidence something I have to learn

So what’s new with me?

Well I’m alive and well and have been very busy.  I am enjoying this new career choice immensely.  I am still learning a lot but feeling a lot more confident.

I have a big event this weekend.  I will be vendor at the Good Sam Bike Jam on September 16^th.  I have my own banner and will be handing out all kinds of travel information.  If you are in the Lafayette area, stop by my booth and see me.  The event is across the street from the Good Sam Hospital.  I hope to get a lot of inquiries and hopefully will book some biking trips.

I will be leaving for France in a few weeks and I am soooo excited.  I will try to blog each day from there as I expect to have an adventure each day. I will be visiting the South of France as well as Paris.

Lastly, I am still working on becoming a Hawaii specialist this is a very hard course I think because there are so many vowels and I can’t remember all the words. 

Personally, I don’t know if I will ever get used to not having my boys in the house on a regular basis but It is sure nice when they come home to visit.  I miss the way they make me laugh.   I have been working out and trying to loose these last few pounds before I venture to France.   It seems like I have reached this stubborn plateau and I’m not quite sure what else to do.  If you have any suggestions would love to hear them.

Lastly, I would like to give my sympathy to all men who have had to deal with a woman in menopause.  I HATE IT, no one ever really told me how terrible it is, Hot then Cold, Happy then Sad (all in 15minutes). I would hate being my husband.   Hopefully it won’t last too much longer.  I would rather go through 9 months of pregnancy because at least you can see the end and you have something to hold in the end.  Menopause is just a long dark tunnel with curves that you can’t see and you run into walls consistently and never can see the light at the end.  I guess it’s all a part of being a woman which I would never want to change that. 

I hope that you enjoy my updates, I would love to hear your comments and feedback.  Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Linkedin. 

God Bless

Happy and safe Travels

I am learning how to fly

Well I got pushed out of the nest and actually I love it. I’m not flying yet but I am flapping my wings very hard and I haven’t hit the ground yet. I still have a lot of anxiety but the confidence is building.  I am learning all the little ins and outs of the travel business, a lot of rules and regulations but I’m sure they will become second nature as time goes on.  I think I have decided to specialize in Europe and the Mediterranean.   I am going on a trip to France in October, when I finished my France Expert and South of France Expert classes they gave me the opportunity to go over and see firsthand what I was learning about.  So now I am brushing up on my French, it’s been a long time since I use the French I learned in high school.  I am going to be taking classes on river cruising through Europe and classes on the different cultures and countries, so that I will someday be able to answer questions to any travel in Europe.  

Being my own boss has also allowed me time to start exercising and concentrate more on my health.  It’s amazing how those things get passed over when you are working 9 to 5 or longer.  So all in all I think this has been a very good move for me.

I am also becoming more educated in social marketing. So you will be seeing a lot more writing on my blog and info for you to follow on Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and twitter.  If you haven’t received my newsletter let me know so that I can get you on my mailing list, it provides a lot of destination information, promotions and travel tips that I am learning. 

I have to thank my family and friends for giving me the strength to make this move, as it is helping me grow in so many ways.  They have empowered me to pursue this dream I never thought I could reach. I hope that I can motivate everyone, no matter where you are in your life, whatever your age, whatever your economic situation is to fly. Find your passion, follow your heart and have faith in the good Lord.   

Thank you for following me, and don’t forget to comment.  I will try not to disappoint you all.

Happy and Safe Travels

God Bless

Fear and a new way of thinking

I have been facing a fear over the last couple of weeks and wasn’t sure how to address it.  Since I am now a full-fledged Independent contractor and within a month will have to rely on this career to help pay the bills, I have been in a slight panic.  I now feel like a bird that has been pushed out of the nest and it’s either learning to fly or face the many dangers below.  Well, I want to fly, I want to soar, but deep inside I am so afraid, I am stuck on the edge of the nest.  Should I or Shouldn’t I, and the big one Can I or Can’t I.  Failure is not an option since at 52 this will probably be my last shot at a career and an income that will help me and my husband reach our dreams.  I have a great community of support around me and a wonderful mentor to advise me.  It’s this little voice in me that I wasn’t able shake.   I received some advice from my son Anthony this last week and for only 22 years old he has a pretty good insight.  First, he told me not to procrastinate, (it has always been a bad habit of mine and apparently he could see it) then he said Mom you will only get out of it what you put into it.  After discussing this with him, a few other people, my husband and the Lord, I’ve realized one thing I have to do is change my frame of mind.  I am a business owner, I am not an employee and I have to start thinking like a business owner.  This is very unusual for me and one hurdle I have to get over.  I am on my own to succeed.  Self-confidence, although a lot of people think I have it, is something I lack.  So my new mantra is, “I am a strong, intelligent, competent women”  I have the ability, (physically and mentally), I have the skills,(and what I am lacking in I am taking the steps to acquire), and I have the passion.  So with a lot of faith and a little luck and help from friends and family I am stepping out of the nest.  I may bump into a few branches but I am not going to hit the ground.  I HAVE TO DO THIS, I CAN DO THIS.  Thank you all for your support, referring me to your friends, and for listening.  I look forward to being the best travel agent possible.  Please write your comments and let me know how you overcome your fears, or found a way to motivate yourself into a change.  Watch for notification on my website, glkdreamtravel.com, I am going to update it and make it more useful.  Email me at gina.kemper@frosch.com for any travel questions/quotes.  Keep following my blog and see if I reach the clouds. 

God Bless and Happy and Safe Travels

The road to change.

So much has been happening in my mid-life change of career.  I received my first commission check yeah!!!!  It helped me to realize I can do this. I went to a seminar for travel consultants and when I told people that I was just entering the travel business they looked at me like I was crazy, (which is nothing new, I have put that expression on many peoples’ faces), but I said yes.  I decided that even if I wasn’t able to  become a successful travel agent, I might be an inspiration to someone else in their 50’s (or at any age as far as that goes) that has a desire to go for something different.  I mean if you’re not feeling like your accomplishing anything in your life, or starting to feel stagnant and unhappy then maybe you need to make change.  Most of you know that I’m not very adventurous, and I have a tendency to get set in my ways, this only shows you that if I can step out of the box anyone can.  You just have to find your passion.  This last week I have enhanced my French specialist certification, by becoming Languedoc-Roussillon Certified a beautiful region of France.  I am also half way through becoming a Hawaiian Specialist.  These classes are extending my bucket list immensely.  I also learned a lot in writing about the Amalfi Coast for my newsletter.  If I wasn’t adventurous before I sure am excited now to visit new places and enjoy new experiences. I pray that God blesses me with the ability and time in my life to continue to follow my dreams and share them with my husband and family.  Speaking of family, I am still working on the Family and Friends Cruise for April 2013, please call or email me so that we can get your cabin reserved. April 2013 is going to be great, and I hope I can share it with you. 

Well I will close this blog with a special thought for all the graduates out there.  Never let anyone tell you “you can’t do something” and always follow your dream.  If for some reason blockades get put in your way, medical, physical, emotional, or you fall off the path you should be on. Look deep into your heart, trust in God and you will find the right road back to where you are supposed to be.  He won’t close a door without opening another one for you, but it’s up to you.  You can stay in one place and stare at the closed door or have the strength and faith to step through the new one.  There may be something spectacular waiting for you on the other side.

Thanks to all of you who have been reading and commenting on my thoughts.  Keep reading, keep commenting and share with your family and friends. 

Happy and Safe Travel (start saving for April)

God Bless

Where has the time gone

Well another birthday has come and gone.  I look in the mirror and think where did the time go?  52 years of experience, knowledge, frustration, friendships, memories, and love they have gone by in a flash.  It’s been 8 months since I decided to make some improvements in myself and my life. I have learned so much in those 8 months and despite the curve balls I’ve been thrown, I’m still at the plate.  I’ve decided that if those curves balls keep coming, I’ll keep fouling them off, until I get a hit.  (For those of you that are still getting to know me I like baseball).  I have been booking trips, trying to grow my client base and filling my brain with a wealth of information.  I recently read a quote that said “There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results”. Well I want you all to know I am committed to growing my business, bettering myself and becoming the best travel advisor/agent that God will allow me to be.  My goal is to try and help everyone I can to make some wonderful memories.  I hope that in the process I will also be an example for anyone that says they are too old or set in their ways to make a change (you know you don’t have to be old to be set in your ways).  As long as you have a desire, a passion, your health and support from the people that love you, you can accomplish anything.  So please bear with me as I try to market myself, (I’m really not nagging you), I will try to save trees and use the Internet as much as possible.  Please read my newsletters and emails. Visit my website http://www.glkdreamtravel.com/ Send me comments on my blog, help me to start conversations regarding travel on my social marketing sites and forward my information to everyone you know, individuals and or businesses.  I could really use all the advice and support you can give me.  I still have availability on the Friends and Family Cruise I am arranging for next year and would love to have you join me for one big party.  Thanks to you all for your encouragement, love and support.  There’s still time for this old dog to learn some new tricks.

Happy and Safe Travels

God Bless

Old Friends and regaining perspective

It’s funny how we forget the importance of the people of our past.  Whether it’s an only friend you grew up with, a co-worker that you haven’t seen in years, or a family member that you don’t see very often the memories we shared still link us together.  This last week I saw some faces from that past and had some wonderful conversations with people that who I had lost touch with, because we decided to follow different paths in life that brought a warmth to my heart.  The fact that when we saw each other we could hug, smile, laugh and pick up right where we left off, was amazing.  They really made me feel like I was an important part of their life, and the fact that I hadn’t been involved in their present lives didn’t matter.  I felt how much they cared about me and where glad to see me and it was like there was no distance at all.  Friendships are something that once created can never be dissolved.  Oh yes, they can be broken, or injured by words or actions, but once someone is embedded in your heart and mind, you cannot remove them.  No surgeon in the world is that good.  I am thankful that I don’t have any past friendships that are broken or injured.  I am grateful that I have the ability to say I love and miss you in my life, to the people who have touched my past.  I am presently struggling with some inner emotions and some physical changes (got to love menopause) that I don’t like. I am trying to keep in perspective what brings me happiness and how to prioritize my life so that I can enjoy that happiness and what I have realized is all the people of my past and present care about my happiness and are willing to be there for me. So I would like to tell you all, that I love you and I am thankful for you all, whether I met you yesterday or 50 years ago. I thank God that you are and always will be embedded in my heart.

God Bless

A big step into the world of Gina, Don’t go through life FINE.

  I’m sure some of you are wondering what had happened to me.  Well I did too.  This fun loving, social, outgoing person most of you know, kind of took a detour.  Over the last few months I learned that I am really good at hiding what is going on inside, but I finally had to face reality and take off the smiling mask and talk to someone.  I learned why you go to a therapist and how they can help.  I learned that depression is not just something that you can HANDLE. I learned that saying everything is FINE, or I am FINE, or I DON’T CARE alot, is not okay.  FINE is now a four letter word.  You should never just be FINE, you should be good, or great and yes there are times where you are going to a bad day but when those happen say today sucked, but do not go through life FINE.  I learned that you can go through all kinds of chemical imbalances, especially with other things happening in your life like menopause and empty nest syndrome and not even know  it until your husband (God love him) and your friends tell you “you’re not yourself” and you need to do something.  So I did.  I took a few weeks and made some baby steps, started some medication, therapy and took a much needed vacation.   I feel better but understand that it is something that takes time and with these baby steps I am beginning another new journey into Gina. 

I am continuing to grow my travel business, as most of you know I am busy arranging a group cruise for next year (hope you will join me). I am continuing to work full time, (got to pay the bills), but I am taking time for Gina.  I understand now that becoming overwhelmed with life’s struggles is not a weakness, and actually being able to admit that you need to lean on those closest to you is a sign of strength. 

So as Easter approaches and we celebrate new life with Jesus, take a minute and celebrate your own life.  Look at the beauty around you even in the midst of everyday chaos and ugliness and you will find a sense of peace.  Step back breath and say life is good, look in the mirror and smile.  I want to thank all of you for your support and love and I hope you all have a blessed Easter and I hope each and every one of you are having GREAT day. 

Please remember to share this and comment, I would love to know your thoughts. 

Lists, Lists and more Lists, From time management to your dreams

There is never enough time in our lives for everything we feel has to be done.  I thought I was really good at this skill so it never crossed my mind that it might be something I would have to rethink, but now I have come to the conclusion that I just might have to refine my time management skills.  Now that my travel agent business has started to grow, and I still have a regular job. I have learned that balancing things like trying to educate myself in the travel business, learning Italian, working on my physical and mental health, (I do know that I need ME time) can be very stressful.   I don’t care whether you 20 or 80 learning to organize your time is an invaluable skill especially, if you want to be successful.  So here is what I am doing, LISTS, LISTS and more LISTS.  Lists of things I have to do like, my job that pays the bills, (unless we decide to live on the street then I won’t need any lists). Then I have had to prioritize everything else in my life.  For years the next thing was my sons and their needs, now that they are on they are on their own, except for a little motherly chat every once in a while, it was very hard to define what comes next.   My new career I decided comes next and with that comes more lists - client meetings, phone calls, emails, marketing, education (WOW can’t wait till this is my only job).  Next my health, a whole other set of categories - exercise, food journals, meditation, this blog (as it is very cathartic), then I still have housework, family, friends and most important, my husband.  I understand now why people have smart phones that talk to them and tell them what to do and when it needs to done.  Finally, after all my lists are created, I look at it and say there is no way in hell, I have enough time to do it all,  that’s when the stress kicks in, the adrenaline kicks in and I have to kick myself in the ass and say breath and JUST DO IT (yes like the commercial).  Physically I have the ability, (Mentally not too sure), but I close my eyes, re-adjust my focus, think of the future when I will attain my dreams (my bucket list) and realize to will be worth it.   God won’t give you more than you can handle and since he gave me the desire to reach for this new career along with everything else in my life He must believe I am stronger than I think I am.  So this week I encourage you to make your lists, daily lists, weekly lists, monthly lists, yearly lists and yes even your bucket list.  Whether is what you have to do, or want to do.  Seeing it on paper makes it real and as you cross off your lists you will see just what an amazing person you are and that you can accomplish much more that you think.  One thing to remember there are times and I mean many times that you won’t get those list completed, do not think of this a failure, think of this as an opportunity to re-prioritize what is really important and lastly the first thing that should be on top of every list should be your faith, no matter what you believe in, or what religion you are, without having your faith to guide you, your list will never be complete. 

God Bless

Influential Women and Right decisions

These last 2 weeks have been a whirl wind of emotions.  First, I lost a wonderful influence in my life, my Aunt Sue. My Aunt Sue was in the restaurant business with my Uncle for a long time. When I was in my teens, I would work side by side with her every day.  She was amazingly strong.  I have been very lucky to have had some very strong women in my life as role models. My Grandmother, who was a wonderful business woman, she started Canino’s Sausage when she was a young woman and ran it until she had to retire. These influential women in my life weren’t all business owners, such as my mother  who worked hard all her life, they have shown me  the amount of resilience and determination you  need  to be successful, and they also showed me success isn’t necessarily  measured in dollar signs.   It’s measured in the people you touch and the mark you leave in this world.  As my Aunt was dying,  I sat and prayed for God to take her, which is a very hard thing to do, and no matter how hard we prayed, he took her in his own time, which showed me know matter how bad we want something to happen it will not happen faster that it is supposed to.  During this time, my phone was ringing off the hook with travel requests.  This was my sign that I made the right decision to start a new career at 52.  I will continue to look to the future, let things progress at the rate of speed God wants and I will continue to educate myself so that when this business allows me the luxury of doing it full time, I will have the knowledge to provide you my friends, family and clients the best possible service available.  I know I will make mistakes, so please bear with me, as this process progresses, and I hope that my resilience and determination will influence someone else into pursuing a dream.  So, please look back at the influences in your life and learn from them what to do and what not to do, (I know that not all influences are good ones).  Never give up on a passion, even if you are driven off of your path, find or create a new trail back to that path that leads you to your passion, so that you can continue toward your dreams and a feeling of success.  We are all stronger than we think and with family, friends and God at our side we can accomplish anything.

God Bless

Happy and Safe travels.

Love is in the air and reaching my goals

Well I guess it doesn’t matter how young or old you are, whether you are single or in a relationship, it’s the time of year for love.  It doesn’t necessarily mean romance; you can celebrate the never ending love for family and friends.  I hope that while you are reading this you think of someone that makes your heart smile, it might be your children, your parents, your siblings, your spouse. It might be a new romance, a new friend or a long lost love, no matter whom it is I hope that your heart is smiling right now.  Happy Valentine’s Day

Good news, I have booked a couple more trips, so slowly but surely my new career is building.  I know it’s not as quick as I would like, but to think in 4 months, I’ve started a business, GLK Dream Travel and Events, created a website, started a social marketing campaign on Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter and whatever other venues I  can find, taken numerous travel and marketing courses, started a blog, created a client base, started a newsletter, and  started arraigning a group cruise for family and friends in 2013, (who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks).  I also did all this while working a full time job, handling my empty nest syndrome (not doing that to well), being a wife a mother and continuing to spend some time taking care of myself.   A few posts ago I talked about goals; I continue to strive to reach my goals and looking back at what I have accomplished in such a short time, it gives me hope that I will. Someday I hope to be able to have a goal reaching party and you will all be invited.  I hope that this gives you a desire or a passion to reach for something you may have felt was out of reach.  Remember if I can do this at 51, anyone at any age can accomplish anything they set out to do.

All my love to you, please remember to share my blog with your family and friends, and definitely feel free to comment or leave me a question, I need to know that someone is reading, enjoy and maybe getting inspired.

God Bless

Happy and safe travels

Know what you don't know.

This weeks post has 2 parts. First, I got my first booking.  Yeah, I’ve finished a couple more trainings, and I am organizing a group cruise to the Caribbean for all my family and friends, I hope you all look into it here is the link to the event so click on it for more details, I so very excited, I hope you all join me.

Now for the second and most important part “Know what you don’t know” I heard that phrase this last weekend and after the last couple of weeks (which you may have noticed I have been off the grid) it really resonated with me.  After 51 years of life and 32 years as a mother, I thought I knew what I what I didn’t know, like I know I don’t know a lot about the travel industry, but I am seeking that knowledge, I know I don’t know how to speak Italian, I do know that love can be the best and worst thing you ever feel and I do know God is Good.  

What I found out recently was, I now know that no matter how well you know someone, your spouse, your child, your best friend you may never really know what is going on inside. Reality can me masked by an illusion of familiarity, just because you have seen the same thing over and over you believe it’s real and I have recently seen the masked removed and reality is scary, it is a feeling of guilt for being wrong and a feeling of the unknown, because you don’t know what to anticipate.  I’ve learned never to assume to know what the outcome of your life will be, or how a situation will turn out or how a person will react; you may and most likely will be wrong.

I also thought I knew how to listen but I learned that I really didn’t know how to listen, (I mean really listen). I listened to the words people are speaking, and yes I would hear what I thought was being said but what I found out was that sometimes I was not hearing the real meaning, I was hearing what I wanted to hear, because hearing what was really being said was too hard to hear. Lastly, I thought that strength was not being vulnerable, but I was wrong. Even the strongest person can be vulnerable and vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but a tool to use to become stronger.

So when you look into the eyes of someone you think you really know and listen to someone talk.  Look deeper, listen with your heart and open your mind. You might be surprised at just what you’re hearing and seeing.  Don’t let a preconceived idea of who a person is, mute what that person is saying. If you are the one not being heard have the strength to be vulnerable and open your self up to others.  You will be surprised at how much love will shine on you and the warmth that you will feel from that love will make you even stronger.  I now know more of what I didn’t know and I hope this will help you all to understand more of what you don’t know.

Tune in next week to find out more of what I at 51 am learning about life.

God Bless

Happy and Safe Travels

Waiting and Hoping and Happiness

Attesa e Speranza e la Felicità, Waiting and Hoping and Happiness

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”  Joseph Campbell.

This time of year we are all waiting, waiting for the summer, waiting for those pounds to drop that we pledged to lose this year, waiting for that promotion, waiting to find a new job, waiting to get out of school, waiting for that perfect relationship, waiting for that winning lotto tickets or just waiting for happiness. It seems we are all are waiting for something. 

At 51 years old I’ve been waiting for that fairytale dream life for a long time, and the older I get the more I realize that the only way I can hope to attain everything I’ve been waiting on is to change my mind set.  Get rid of the waiting frame of mind and look at what life has already given me.  There is another quote from Joseph Campbell that says “The way to find out about happiness is to keep your mind on those moments when you feel most happy, when you are really happy — not excited, not just thrilled, but deeply happy. This requires a little bit of self-analysis. What is it that makes you happy? Stay with it, no matter what people tell you. This is what is called following your bliss.”  I am happy, I’m happy that I’m healthy, that my sons are independent young men who are following their desire to be happy, I’m happy that I found a wonderful man to love me and I’m happy that I am still able to live the life that is waiting for ME. It may not be the fairy tale life that I‘ve dreamed about when I was young, where you have no problems, all the money in the world, the ability to live out all your passions in life and you ride into the sunset happily ever after?  But the life I’m supposed to have is out there.  Do I have hopes for more absolutely, I would love to be able to travel, not get up every day at 7 and go to work, be able to enjoy more of what this wonderful world has to offer, and live a wonderful retirement with my husband, but I can’t achieve that that unless I stop sitting around waiting and working harder to change my outlook and if this 51 year old women can step back and try to find ways to make something happen, think of what you can do, no matter what your situation.  START NOW.  It’s never too late to make a change, education yourself, get healthy, learn to love yourself and find out what really make you happy, and never stop hoping. I don’t know who said it but I am going to leave you with one last quote.   “Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... 'How did I get through all of that?”

I told you I would keep you updated on my daily and weekly goal, worked out  4 days, finished 2 more classes, and started a book call “A Summer Affair” (corny romantic novel), so I’m right on track. Oh and I have kissed my husband every day.

God Bless, Love you all.  Please let me know your thoughts and share this with your friends, It might make a difference in someone’s life.

Goals, Dreams, Success and Failure.

 Some of you may say, wow she is late with her blog, others may say her blog came out early this week, and yes my blog usually comes out on Fridays.  Last week was a little crazy, it would be really easy to say I’m not going to do this anymore and spend my time in front of the TV but NO. I’m going to get back on track and doing that is requiring me to set some goals for the next year.  I decided if I was serious about my resolutions, I should start with some goals.  The one thing that’s hard about setting goals. Is the fear of not reaching them, that horrible word FAILURE, but if you don’t set them you have nothing to reach for.  You can’t succeed unless you give it a shot and if you don’t reach your goals, you can still have the pride that you tried, but never give up, just start again.  So I’m starting with some daily, weekly, monthly and finally yearly goals.  Baby steps, with 52 years of life experience under my belt, I’ve learned the first step is the hardest, so my daily goal is to, first kiss my husband there are so many times you just get so busy that the only kiss you give is when you are leaving, coming home, or going to sleep. I want to make sure that I give my husband that kiss that says I love you everyday, I also want to study everyday, thus leading to my knowledge for my new career, and finish my passion to learn Italian.  Weekly I am going to keep up with this blog, I have decided that it is keeping my stress level down and is great therapy, next communicate with everyone I know or have connections with to continue to build my business and I also want to exercise at least 3 times in hope to find that healthy and fit body that has been hiding inside. Monthly I would like to read a book, whether it be a self help book, a how to book, or a romantic novel, (I will keep you up to date on my choices and if any of you have any suggestions let me know), Keep up with my monthly newsletter, monitor my website, and tell at least 3 new people about my new travel business and finally yearly, by the end of the year I would like to be working full time as a travel consultant, and make some money at it. I would like to have taken at least 2 trips and fill my milk jug with quarters. (I was told if you fill a gallon milk jug completely with quarters you will have $1000.00).  So far this week I have completed 2 classes, Austria Expert and a client software class, exercised 2 times, finished my website http://www.glkdreamtravel.com/  and wrote this blog, I think I’m on my way to meeting my daily and weekly goals.  I want you all to hold me to this, I feel it is always a little more motivating to have someone to be accountable to, so with each blog I will give you an update.  There will be times that I don’t reach those goals and I would ask you to comment, yell at me or give me some words of encouragement.  If I continue to meet all my little goals, I will be able to celebrate with you the accomplishment of my yearly goals.  Now those of you that know me know I like being in my comfort zone, so being susceptible to failure is not like me, but at my age I can’t wait any longer to reach for my dreams.  THE TIME IS NOW.   I hope you have dreams in your life and set your own goals to reach them.  Tell me about them and I promise I will help motivate and encourage you too.  Please share this blog with your friends it just might help someone you know achieve their dreams also.  Love you all, live each day to the fullest.

 

God Bless and Happy and Safe Travels.

Ciao, Sunshine vs. Rain

As I was driving to work this morning the sun came up and was shining on the tops of the buildings and it cast a beautiful glow on the mountains, it has been a really hard week and this sign helped me realize that no matter how gray and dark things feel the sun will come out again.  The icy feeling of evil will fade and the warmth of God will beat upon your face. If you don’t know sadness how we can ever know what happiness feels like?  I sat in my car and thought about the good things that did come out of this week; I got to spend some real quality time with my son Anthony, I was reminded of the strength of the love, of my husband and the power of family and friends, that they there to support you, that you can never appreciate their importance, until you really need them, and I also got to spend some time with some good friends and share some tears and laughter. I was also reminded this week that there’s a time in a parent’s life when all you can give is a hug, love, prayers and support, the rest is left to God. Your children have their own path and dreams to follow, to watch them struggle is the worst thing in the world, while knowing that you love them more than life itself, you can only sit back and watch and when they fall and each time they fall, be there to help them up.  I may not be a millionaire (or even a thousandaire, if there is one) but my husband, my sons, my family and my friends make me one of the richest women on earth.  I love you all and would be nothing without you.

Next week I am going to try to focus on my new travel career, I have a website to finish creating, training to complete with the travel institute, my 2^nd newsletter will come out and hopefully you will hear about my first booking.

Thank you all for reading my thoughts each week I hope they touch something inside you.  Please share my blog with your friends, post comments so I will know I’m not alone out here and please follow my blog to get notice of my updates.

May you have just enough rain in your life, so that you appreciate the sunshine.

Ciao, God Bless

Happy and Safe Travels.