50 Already? Well folks, it seems surreal but today I celebrate my entrance into the world fifty years ago. My feelings are a combination of relief and shock. Thank goodness, that in 2014, fifty is the new thirty (or at least I keep telling myself that!). Hitting a half century gives one pause for thought. Reflecting back on each decade of my life, there is a helluva lot I have to be grateful about in all aspects of my life.  Baby Elisa - (circa 1965)  With Mommy - (great outfit, Mom!) (circa 1965) Considering that it's Throwback Thursday, I thought it would be fun to post a timeline of photos of the birthday girl...ME!  Kindergarden school picture Age 5 PS 148 Jackson Heights (circa 1970)  3rd grade with little sis Danielle - Age 8 - (circa 1973)  College Graduation, Age 21 Class of '86 Fordham University So, here's to the next fifty and the new chapter that has started - a few months before my 49th birthday last year, I reunited with my dear cousin Tanya and her family. Never in a million years would I have guessed that I would be writing a travel blog, traveling even more than ever and have such a special and close relationship with the little cousin I was estranged from more than 30 years ago.  Barbados with my sister Danielle Age 26- (circa 1990)  Hong Kong - Age 25 - (circa 1991)  New York City - with Shari Lewis - Age 27 - (circa 1992) Life really does take you on a wonderful journey if you let it. So, today, I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many people I love and that love me!!! Ok, so as you know, today is also Throwback Thursday and I know Tanya has a story to share with you about one of her old school travel adventures!
 Dec. 20, 1997 - My Wedding Day - Age 33
 Aladdin on Broadway - July 2014 - Age 49 Today, I had my usual coffee klatch with Denise at Starbucks, which will be followed by some serious relaxation! (It's raining here on Long Island, so having a "nothing to do" day is a great way for me to spend my birthday!) Tonight I'll have a relaxing birthday dinner celebration with my family! We are also thrilled about the numerous requests we have gotten in recent weeks, from followers inquiring about contributing articles to Travelin' Cousins. This is very exciting stuff! So, in an effort to provide immediate information to anyone interested in submitting an article to us, we have added a new Contribute page. This link can also be accessed on the footer of our site page. We welcome you to send us your travel story(s) for publishing consideration.  At Starbucks with Denise this morning (ordered my favorite: Hot Chocolate!!)  A dozen Birthday Roses from Tedd  Wishing you a happy day!!! See you back here tomorrow for Foodie Friday!! -E | I Luv Birthdays!Welcome to another Throwback Thursday here at Travelin' Cousins! I'll be adding a short story for your entertainment a bit later today. So please be sure to check back! For now, I'd like us to focus on Elisa's side on the page, enjoy her wonderful timeline of photos that span over the last 50 years!!! And for us all to wish her a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  Birthdays are so special and the perfect time to reflect on all of your blessings and to celebrate YOU! Take the time to appreciate all the wonderful things about yourself, and to enjoy yourself! I've been in the "business" of celebrating extraordinary birthdays for as far back as I can remember. Don't just sit at home (unless that's what floats your boat), make BIG plans, do things that make you happy, try something new, go on a birthday trip (that's my favorite), make the day/week/month a memorable one, spend time and surround yourself with loved ones! Whatever you do...DO NOT spend the day at work! How awfully dreadful! Love yourself enough to BE HAPPY!!! You can measure the impeccability of your word by your level of self-love. How much you love yourself and how you feel about yourself are directly proportionate to the quality and integrity of your word. When you are impeccable with your word, you feel good; you feel happy and at peace. You can transcend the dream of hell just by making the agreement to be impeccable with your word. Right now I am planting that seed in your mind. Whether or not the seed grows depends upon how fertile your mind is for the seeds of love. It is up to you to make this agreement with yourself: I am impeccable with my word. Nurture this seed, and as it grows in your mind, it will generate more seeds of love to replace the seeds of fear. This first agreement will change the kind of seeds your mind is fertile for. -Don Miguel Ruiz ( From the book The Four Agreements - which I highly recommend!) On a side note - if you choose to buy this book, or any others, or if you do any online shopping at all... Why don't you reward yourself with a few rebates? I always do my shopping using EBATES.  Just to catch you up on things, yesterday was quite productive. I had lots to catch up on, and I got plenty done! I also got to chatting with my friend Priscilla, and she wanted to know if I can squeeze in a trip to the Azores in my hectic traveling schedule with her! Looks amazing & I'm gonna definitely look into it!     I met Priscilla around 7 years ago, and she was a travel/vacation dreamer. But those dreams were never fulfilled. Definitely made me sad. She was amazed and enamored by my traveling lifestyle. After a few trips together she realized that it doesn't have to only be a dream - you can and should live your dreams...if and only if you really want to! Since then, this girl has been all over the place!!! From never stepping foot outside of her own backyard to becoming a world wanderer! I sometimes wonder who travels more (me or her)!  I'll catch you back here a bit later today with a new Throwback Thursday Story and lots of fun pictures!! Until then, don't forget to love yourself and make your dreams a reality! -T |
