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[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DDuff

Sandy - I hope you have a great trip. On my 30th birthday trip to WDW, I actually had one day alone and I loved it. I hit all my favorites and enjoyed meeting and talking to lots of different people. I wouldn't think twice about Disney alone.

Thank you! You are so sweet to wish me a good trip. I am just now turning my attention toward the trip, and I am getting SO excited! I am actually looking at it as an "Eat, Pray, Love" adventure, so I'll be doing my book club homework.

1 day til Disney for me!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Today is the day, book club!

See you real soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stretch2864]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Today is the day, book club!

See you real soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great trip, Sandy!

[DDuff]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Today is the day, book club!

See you real soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to hear how your trip goes. I'm hungry just thinking of all the great eating at Disney.

[DDuff]

Reflections on beads 21 - 28:

Bead 21: All I can really say is Amen and Amen! I think the American experience is so work oriented that we sometimes miss out on even the smallest of life's pleasures. This bead reminded me so much of my workaholic DH who even on a beach vacation can't just enjoy the sun. If there is any pool volleyball game, he's in on it. Bocce Ball - yep he's there. I found this bead so funny I love the comparisions between US and Italian ideals. You deserve a break today - Yeah, no duh. It reminds me of why as American women we have such a hard time telling someone No. We always feel like we have to qualify it with a reason. I'm guessing that in Italy that isn't the case. You don't want to help with the bake sale - you just say no - not I'm so sorry I can't right now I have to provide snack for the soccer time and chaperone the junior class lock-in.

Bead 22: I love her exploration of the use of sexual relationships as a type of emotional avoidance. I do think it is possible to have a period of self exploration while having sex but not in her case. Her discussion of her boundary issues makes that pretty clear.

Bead 23: I was actually reading this while my son was watching the Euro Cup. I know nothing about futbol but she does an excellent job of describing the fans. I'm always amazed at the sheer masses of spectators at these events. She is just like any kid - some of the best parts of learning a foreign language are learning some really good swear words.

Bead 24 - I found myself wishing I had this book on tape so that I could actually hear how the words are pronounced.

Bead 25: This is the bead that really started me thinking - Hey, I think I'd like to visit Italy.

Bead 26: I got a laugh out of this one because after we moved to Canada - it was their postal service that used to really bug me. I really never got over it the whole time we lived there.

Bead 27: MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!! PIZZA!!!!!!!!! Sorry, if you asked me the one food that I honestly could never live without it is probably pizza. I love it love it love it. Another reason to visit Italy.

Bead 28: I guess this bead just made me very proud of Liz. I said good for you Liz. She did an excellent job of describing the fall out of her decision.

[BelmontBelle]

I missed commenting on the last segment and I just have to say that I particularly loved bead 20. Her opening lines...."I needed to make some friends. So I got busy with it....." Being a painfully shy person myself I loved her attitude!

Bead 21 - A sad reminder as to the state our minds here in the U.S. I wish that we could experience pleasure the way the Italians do. How awesome that one of her happiest days was such a simple one. I need to try and remember this bead when I find myself in the midst of way to much busy-ness.

Bead 22 - Danell made some good points above, I don't have much to add. I'm just really glad that she recognized her issues and dealt with them.

Bead 23 - Hilarious!

Bead 24 - Made me wonder if I have a favorite word or phrase? Really the hardest thing about learning a foriegn language (I don't know one) must be learning the meaning behind slang words and phrases that we make up that don't really mean what they say.

Bead 25 - I love the mini tour/history lesson. Made me long to be in Italy too!

Bead 26 - Nothing much to say about this bead.

Bead 27 - How fun it would be to hop a train and go to Naples to eat some pizza! Love her descriptions and it made me happy when she commented at the end of the bead about seeing her "bright eyed, clear skinned, happy and healthy face."

Bead 28 - I was glad that she finally let David go. For me it was hard to accept that it was true love, when it happened so quickly after her divorce, it seemed more like infatuation. However, it was heart wrenching reading about how she felt after getting his reply, I was glad that Giovanni was there for her.

[stretch2864]

I am enjoying this book more and more as we get further into it. This is the perfect book to read slowly and savor over time. Here are my thoughts on the next set of beads:

Bead 23 - I like the Italian tradition of going to the "bakery" after a game. To me it says that drowning your sorrows in alcohol isn't the answer. Rather it is the comraderie with one's friends and the delights in the simple things in life (such as pastries) that really helps one through the good times and bad.

Bead 25 - I enjoyed the following line "perhaps my life has not actually been so chaotic after all. It is merely this world that is chaotic bringing changes to us all that nobody could have anticipated." She continues with "one must always be prepared for...endless waves of transformation." I believe that this takes a big burden off of us thinking that we are always in charge and the masters of our own destiny. If things don't go the way we think they should go, we are too hard on ourselves and see ourselves as failures. Maybe sometimes we just fall victim to our circumstances. If that is the case, then we merely need to pick ourselves up and head off in a new direction.

Bead 26 - I really liked the references to the differences in the ways that people perceive time and their control over it. As Americans we are very time-controlled and time conscious. Her description of Italians is very refreshing in that they perceive time as something that they have no control over-it is the destiny of God. It reminds me of how time is perceived within my family. DD and DM live by the clock. These are two of the most punctual people I've ever met in my life. DD however did not learn this trait from me! If you were to pay me $1 million to show up somewhere on time, I still couldn't do it. I could get up early, and I would still find ways to fill my time which would invariably make me late. In my mind there is no right or wrong when it comes to this concept, but we each have our beliefs regarding the element of time. In my mind, if I'm not following a clock, I can never be late!

Bead 27 - This bead brings to mind the fact that for each of us the traditions of the best food are most often found in those little out-of-the-way places that each of us grew up with in our hometowns. We all know those places, such as the pizzeria in Naples, that make our mouths water and that bring back such delicious memories. What I took from this bead is that you don't necessarily have to travel half way around the world for a slice of pizza. What you do need to do is take the time to go on that spur of the moment outing and enjoy those places that mean the most to you. Once you are there, live in the moment. Don't spend your time rehashing the past or planning every last detail of your future. You don't have to do it all or see it all. Just be!

[DDuff]

Originally Posted by stretch2864

I am enjoying this book more and more as we get further into it. This is the perfect book to read slowly and savor over time. Here are my thoughts on the next set of beads:

Bead 26 - I really liked the references to the differences in the ways that people perceive time and their control over it. As Americans we are very time-controlled and time conscious. Her description of Italians is very refreshing in that they perceive time as something that they have no control over-it is the destiny of God.

I really think sometimes we forgot how young our great country is. I think that there is something to be said about living in a society surrounded by true history - I'm talking many centuries not just a few.

Bead 27 - This bead brings to mind the fact that for each of us the traditions of the best food are most often found in those little out-of-the-way places that each of us grew up with in our hometowns. We all know those places, such as the pizzeria in Naples, that make our mouths water and that bring back such delicious memories.
Absolutely, I'm sure we can all name one dive that has the best .......... we've ever eaten.
What I took from this bead is that you don't necessarily have to travel half way around the world for a slice of pizza. What you do need to do is take the time to go on that spur of the moment outing and enjoy those places that mean the most to you. Once you are there, live in the moment. Don't spend your time rehashing the past or planning every last detail of your future. You don't have to do it all or see it all. Just be!

Great points Vicky.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Hey book club! I'm home! My Eat, Pray, Love Disney visit was awesome!

You guys did a GREAT job keeping up with the reading and posting. This is a great group of thinkers.

I have a million things to catch up with, but wanted to say "hi" and read your postings.

See You Real Soon!

[DDuff]

Sandy - Glad to hear you had an awesome trip. Can't wait to hear more. Danell

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DDuff

Sandy - Glad to hear you had an awesome trip. Can't wait to hear more. Danell

Thanks! It is good to be back, though.

Happy 4th of July, Book Club!!
I got to see the special July 4th fireworks at Magic Kingdom, and they were AWESOME!!!!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Hi All! Trying to get back into the swing of things! Looks like I picked up a nasty sore throat from the trip. I thought it was a reaction to dust from work they were doing on Orlando Airport, but now I'm not so sure.

THis week (starting 6/6) we are up to beads37-44.

We left Italy last week and are now in India. WOO HOO!

Just realized I never posted my thoughts on the beads from last week.

Bead 29 made me think of the empowering way we can turn our attention away from negative and toward the positive. She starts the bead saying that the visit from her sister helped nudge her attention away from her sadness over David. I think when we recognize that we can distract ourselves, we can use that to our advantage. What can I keep in my bag of tricks to keep my mind positive?

Bead 30- What struck me with this was how Sheryl looked her in the eye and said "Tell the truth, Tell the truth, Tell the truth". What I thought about that is that sometimes telling the truth seems right in the moment, but it can REALLY backfire later when you wish you'd been more discreet and you can't unring that bell! :-) How can I think ahead so I don't say things that I'll regret later?

I also like where she references the Bhagavad Gita-saying it is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of someone else's life with perfection. It makes me think about well-intended advice that simply can't take everything into account. I'm learning to be more selective with who I listen to. Who's advice is REALLY relevant in my life?

Bead 31- I liked her comment about practicing with people. I can be shy or insecure at times, but I don't want to be that way all the time. I can also be prone to saying STUPID things, but I don't give up and I try to practice daily with good listening skills and not being stupid because, as Forrest Gump says "Stupid is as stupid does."

I liked when it sunk in that she can go wherever she wants and I wondered if I could really go anyplace, where would it be? I also like when she caught herself laughing.

Bead 32-interesting travel info. I liked the thought of the codega, and wondered if I could have a codega, what would I want him/her to protect me from? What would I want the light to reveal to me?

Bead 33- I loved the concept of the personal word and asked myself what would my personal word be? FOr me at this moment, I came up with completion because I have many things in the works that need to be finished up and put to bed.

Bead 34-touched me when she said out loud that she was grateful to be free tonight from depression. I liked that because it is human nature to pay close attention to negative feelings and almost let good feelings go by without noticing. I like that she noticed that she was feeling good that day.

Bead 35- Last Month in Italy Jeans. 'nuff said for me!

Bead 36- I laughed at her pursuit of the piece of paper that has a restaurant on it. Reminds me a little of a time when a friend and I visited every town within driving distance to sample a slice of pizza in search of the perfect pie. Good times of aimless wandering before I owned a home and had massive responsibilities. This bead had be wondering if I were to plan a vacation purely for the pursuit of pleasure, what would it be? I know I go to Disney alot, but a part of that is because I know DIsney so well that it is like visiting my backyard (safe and easy). Where would I go if the sky were the limit? Sometimes I think I'd like to visit Dubai.

THe author leads me out of Italy with the declaration that she's gained weight and that the appreciation of pleasure can be an anchor of one's humanity.

Book Club, welcome to India.

[DDuff]

Great points Sandy - I'm trying to squeeze in a little book club time this week. I'll try to post some thoughts soon. Danell

Just a few angels to take care of your sore throat.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by DDuff

Just a few angels to take care of your sore throat.

Thank you for the angels! Maybe that is why my throat is feeling better now!

Good night, book club!

[DDuff]

Heading out to pick up kids from their sports camps tomorrow but wanted to get this in so that hopefully I can finally get caught up to India:

Bead 29: Loved her relationship with her sister and the description of how are relationships with our siblings really change over the years.

Bead 30: Every woman of child bearing age should read this bead. Amen to Liz for having the courage to discuss with such candid honesty her feelings on having children. We all should keep her points in mind before opening your mouth to a childless friend in her 30s, 40s and beyond.

Bead 31: Kind of disappointed with this bead. I would have liked more but I did enjoy the waking up laughing bit. "I think maybe it had something to do with boats." Huh?????

Bead 32: Like Sandy love the travel info in this bead. My desire to visit Italy is expanding, except no way I'm going to Venice.

Bead 33: I have no idea what my word would be right now. But I will definitely be thinking about this one for awhile.

Bead 34: I'd love to celebrate a birthday like this one. I also found Liz's "Sono Grata...." freedom from depression very touching.

Bead 35: Love that she can celebrate the weight gain.

Bead 36: I don't think I'll be adding Sicily to my spots to see in Italy.

I'm ready for India. Which if I recall the last time I read this book it was my favorite part.