Miami

Sunday May 11
I am really sick and weazing when laying down and with any exercion. I am so disappointed I had to leave China without finishing my tour. Today is Mother's Day and luckily my son David is taking me out for dinner tonight, after which I will be going to a 'going away for 6 months' party for one of my best friends.
Thursday May 15
I had worked as a Real Estate Broker for 2, luxury pre-construction condo projects in Downtown Denver prior to beginning my travels last year, and had planned to be in Denver from August to Dec for my 17 closings. However, I just confirmed that we have been asked not to participate in the final walk throughs or to be at the closings. Now I have to re-think through my options, including where I want to live, and employment opportunities.
I remind myself not to stress about it because part of my journey is to be in the present. In considering possible choices, I would likely live in Miami, Denver, or Aspen. I have asked the people renting my townhome in Denver if they would be interested in continuing to rent or even to purchase my home. They responded that they were not sure of there plans at this time, and to contact them in August.
Unfortunately, I am having another Leep procedure this morning due to another abnormal pap smear.
My sister Rhonda is in town for one day, and her friends and family have been invited by my sister Diana for a gathering at her house. It was great to see everybody since I am by myself so much.
Friday May 16
I take an early walk on Key Biscayne beach with my sister, Linda. After visiting with her and my twin infant niece and nephew, I return home and for 6 hours help my mother go through her personal and business papers and organize her files. This will require 100's of hours since my mother insists on going through every tiny piece of paper. Hanging out with my dearest and oldest friend Laurie (since 5th grade) for a few hours, and then meeting my son David and his girl friend for dinner is my reward for my hard work.
Wed May 21 and Thurs May 22
My sister Linda is thinking about moving to Jupiter, Fl, and asked me to join her to see houses and give her my opinion about the community. We stayed in a hotel on the ocean, and went to 3 popular bar/resturaunts she had heard about. She says she is ready to 'Divorce' her house on Key Biscayne, and I think she will be happy here. The down side is that, with her twins, she will be 2 hours drive from support from family members.

The beach is so beautiful, that I decided to try and run on the beach, which was my first run since Oct. 2007 when I tore my miniscus (knee surgery was March 17, 2008). It felt good to be able to do a slow 30 minute run (and to breathe since I am recovering from bronchitis). Pouring rain follows us back to Miami.
Friday May 23
My ankle hurts from running on the beach barefoot. After exercising (every morning), I continue working with my mom organizing her office ( I have spent at least 40 hrs so far, and she has spent twice that, and we now see the white of her desk). There are at least 15 more boxes to go through! I hope to assist her in completing as much of it as possible before I leave for S Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and then Aspen, Co. for 2 months.

I started working on my resume and emailed the draft to my sisters and sons for feedback. David gave me his suggestions when I met him at his office on Key Biscayne, then took me out to dinner. I met my friends, Pete (my High School boyfriend) and Heather on South Beach at their favorite bar, and then to a private club for dancing. I am embaressed to wake my parents up at 2:30am since I can't find my house keys. At 5am I finally go to bed after making the suggested changes to my resume.
Sat May 24
After waking up late, exercising, and BBQing fish, tofu, and vegetables, I work for 5 hours with my mother. Exhausted, I take a 1 hr rest.
Pete and Heather (she is a Chinese Jamaican) graciously invite me to a dinner party hosted by a Black Jamaican friend and his girlfriend. Walking into a spectacular ocean facing condo, with many shades of black Jamaicans, catches my attention. The crowd is mostly couples, yet I want to meet these people of diverse and mixed, race and backgrounds, and proceed to introduce myself to almost everyone. During a discussion with to 2 obviously highly educated black Jamaican men, I learn a few things about the history of the black population of Cuba.

They tell me that more Jamaicans live outside of Jamaica then in Jamaica. In other words, Jamaicans live in many countries, including Jamaica. When Castro came to Cuba from Mexico, the black Cubans had been repressed by the white people of Spanish decent who owned and controlled the Island. The black Cubans took Castro into their community and hid him. They are still loyal to him today, and many of them have benefited by being able to get a better education which they would not have been able to do under the previous government. Of the approximately 10 mil people in Cuba, approximately 4 mil are black, and many more of mixed races.
When the kind and generous host hears that I am tired and would like to call a taxi for a 4 block ride to my car, he offers to leave the party and drive me to my car. At that moment another couple is leaving and offers to take me. I am thankful for the experience of meeting these interesting and gracious people.
Sunday May 25
I am almost finished packing for my Africa trip, and I start to organize for Aspen trip, since I will only be back for 4 days before going on to Aspen for 2 months.
Tonight I am cooking dinner for a friend who helped me with a computer problem.

Tommorrow, Memorial Day, I will spend the afternoon and evening with a very special man, Salo, who is a close friend of my sister Rhonda, who I knew in college.
Monday May 26
After exercising, I meet my sister Linda with her twins at the outside South Beach style, bar/beach area at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Key Biscayne. I said hello to one of my step daughters best friends and her husband. Later in the afternoon, Salo picked me up from my parents house, and since the Ritz was such a great spot to be, we returned there together. We relaxed on a hammock watching the green palm leaves sway in the wind, and a blue sky scattered with puffiy white clouds, took a long walk on the beach, and had a delicious dinner at my favorite Sushi Siam resturaunt. I enjoyed being in the presence of this happy, sweet man. He told me that he had a crush on me in College.
Wed May 28
My family is taking me out to dinner tonight to my favorite resturaunt for my birthday (I will be in Africa on June 7, my BD). I am so grateful for my family and how they show me their love.
Thurday May 29
At my follow up visit with my doctor I find out that the Leep procedure was successful and the biopsy showed that all the abnormal cells where removed and I have to return for a pap in 4 mo. I continue on to the skin doctor because the area around my left shoulder blade has been numb yet painful, burning and itchy. She doesn't see much, but suggests it might be shingles and takes some cells to test from a little pimple.
Friday May 30
Last night Salo and I walked around Lincoln Road on South Beach after dinner at Sushi Samba. Tonight we watched the sun set sitting outside on the water at the very zen Mandarin hotel on Brickell Key, followed by dinner and dancing at the very exclusive Casa Tua. I like this thoughtful and generous man who is full of love and joy.
Sat May 31
Today my doctor called me to let me know I have Shingles! This is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, and lives dormant in the nervous system until it is reactivated when the immune system is compromised. I must have been run down from the bronchitis, and working hard everyday on helping my mother organize her things. I am feeling fatigued , but will still leave for South Africa on Wed.
My sister Diana and I spent the morning continuing to throw out and sort my mothers papers.
I brought my car to the repair shop to fix the dent my sister Linda made when she backed into my car months ago. She said I should not have parked behind her!
Diana and I sat on the dock where my parents live and watched an exceptionally pink and turquoise sunset.
Tues May 3
I wake up tired and fatiqued from the Shingles and the 1000 mil of Valtrex, 3 times a day, I have to take for it. I do my final packing for S Africa, and organizing of my things for Aspen. David, who is very busy at work, is going to take me out for dinner for my Birthday. The last 2 weekends he attended weddings out of town, with a business trip inbetween. He has 12 weddings to attend this year and 6 batchelor parties.
Wed May 4
S Africa, here I come! My daughter Ashley called from Israel. She is traveling with her boyfriend, Peter. With my son Max, they spent 2 days in Tel Aviv, went flying on the coast to the Golan, and north to Rosh Pina (Max takes flying lessons from Tamars grandfather), and visited Jerusalem. With Peter driving, he and Ashley continued on their journey. They stayed in a bedoiun tent, did a camel ride, 14 mi hike in the desert, hiked up Masada, stayed at Ein Gedi Spa and did the mud bath, floated in the Dead Sea, and drove 4 1/2 hours north to the Sea of Galilea where they camped in a tent, and are now staying on a Kibbutz for 2 days next to a wake boarding shop. The owner is the #1 wake boarding champion of Israel, and taught Ashley all kinds of jumps and tricks. They are having a great time and it is the first time Peter has been to Israel. I miss my precious daughter and look forward to seeing her for a day in Denver on June 29th, on my way to Aspen.