Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an an enormous reward. You will have created something.

— Kurt Vonnegut 

Spreading the love

So, I have this notebook that I keep, and in this  notebook, all the people who matter to me have a page with their name written on the very top, and on their page, I write all the wonderful things that I think and love about that person but never tell them.  

Its a little project I started in order to force myself to really examine the thoughts I have about the people in my life, and my relationship with them. As I sat there looking at the names of all these people, who mean so much to me in various ways, I started to wonder how often I actually say any of these nice things to them.  Its so easy to insult someone, or make a snide comment, or just get lost in the negativity of the small things that bother you day in and day out about a person, that I think we lose sight of the fact that people need to hear the nice things too.  Even if we think them and truly feel them, if its only negative/sarcastic comments that roll off the tongue, I think we're cheating ourselves and them of feeling that happiness and security that comes with knowing you are valued.  I'm not saying profess your undying love, but that so often we just assume ' they know', and maybe they do, on a level, know that we love them, but whats the harm in saying it?  If you've ever been involved in a program, think of it this way:  Have you ever had a coach or instructor that ONLY told you what you were doing wrong, and eventually it felt so exhausting and tiring, and as if you weren't doing anything right at all? This is what its like in all your daily interactions. It comes in all those sighs of exhaustion, the eye rolls, the small moments of annoyance because we're familiar and things that we'd perhaps over look with another person, we allow to bother us.  Those sarcastic comments add up when they're the only things that come out of your mouth, and slowly but surely will beat a person down.

sayinggoodbye.org

Perhaps its a bit too early and i'm a bit too tired to try to phrase these thoughts properly, but I was thinking back on how from the very beginning, we're kind of groomed by society to not show affection as openly as we do negativity.  Brass, loud actions of aggression are supported ( think how sports/athletics are celebrated, for a general example) whereas things that involve expression are often cut out of programs, slashed in the budget, and just not as celebrated (art, theater, music programs)...  from as early as elementary school, a classic form of teasing is "ooOoooOoo, you like so and so!", as if finding someone enjoyable is a bad thing.  Again, i'm perhaps too groggy to try to really explain how these are all connected but i'm hoping that me getting these thoughts out are at least getting it rolling in other peoples heads.  Imagine how different a nation we would be if we valued the arts just as much (at least!) as we do our sports programs. 

So...yeah. I don't have a nice little bow to tie this up with, just some thoughts.  I'm trying to actively work on this though...sharing my thoughts with those that matter to me.  So far its really weirding people out, which is both amusing and just going to show that my thoughts are correct on this, starting with family.

In which I climb the peak and am on top of the (very tiny) world

So, recently I got to go back to Antelope Island,
which is easily one of my favorite places that we've discovered on these business trips.

While driving along the Island.

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If you're ever in the Salt Lake City region of Utah, I highly recommend taking the short drive out to Antelope Island.  It's a state park about 30 - 40  minutes out, depending on traffic and how well you listen to your GPS.  

Photo from up near Buffalo Point. 

Some quick information for those of you unfamiliar with the spot; its an island out in the middle of a lake, accessible only by driving down a narrow, two lane causeway that spans the gap between the mainland and the island.  During low tide, you'll see tons and tons of birds just scattered along the shore line on both sides, however, and this is a personal favorite, if you get there early in the morning, there will be a thick layer of fog that blankets the road, lending itself to the spirit of adventure that drives so many down this road to begin with.  Once out there, you will have the option to hike, bike, ride horseback, boat, view wildlife and visit the one of 'the best places' to experience the Great Salt Lake on the beach side.  All of that is amazing in and of itself, but here's the real catch: The Island is populated by a herd of Bison ranging anywhere between 400 and 600 strong, depending on what time of the year you visit.  On top of that, there are the more elusive Antelope, for which the island is named, as well as Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, and a variety of birds and reptiles. For a fee, you can book a morning of horseback riding at the Fielding Garr Ranch where they'll take you out around the island, climbing the mountain, looking for buffalo, and seeing some amazing sites as you ride side by side. 

This Bison decided to linger for quite a while.

This year when I went, it was much warmer than it has been in the past, but still quite enjoyable.  In the past we have hiked much of the Island, in one case even getting stuck on a rock for a while when part of the herd we were watching decided to stop on the path down.  

Waiting out some Bison in the morning fog.

The herd will also get relatively close to the cars, which is pretty awesome when you're wanting to see them.  Naturally, and this should go without saying and yet I find so often that people surprise you when it comes down to 'common sense', the Bison are still wild animals, and just like any other living thing deserve to be treated with respect, so don't honk your horn or shout and holler at them.  I for one don't believe in 'unprovoked animal attacks', so be aware of how close you are and what the animals around you are doing.  That being said, its a pretty awesome thing that you can observe these amazing animals so close, and in a setting that brings you back to a pioneer feel (as much as paved roads and cars can manage.)

There is a small fee for accessing the park, and the horse back riding is an extra expense should you choose to do that, but for the most part, everything else is free.  There is a food option out there, over by the guest center (which includes a museum with information about the island's past and the animals you can encounter there), where you can also get some pretty fun souvenirs.  In fact, one of my favorite posters in my room comes from there.

There are tons of areas to stop and go hiking for those of you who like to wander around by foot.  I myself recently sprinted up to the top of Buffalo Point, where I had a solo view of the island and lake around me.  From the various spots that i'd wandered, the incline tends to be pretty steady, so I don't recommend it for people with knee issues or unsteady footing.  I do recommend proper shoes (perhaps even ones that go up your ankles, given the terrain) and having a sweater on hand, as you'd be surprised at the temperature changes throughout the day.

While coming down from my solo throne on Buffalo Point.

Utah has constantly impressed me each time i've gone out there, and while I hope to keep adding more 'dots to my map', Antelope Island will remain a constant for me as one of my favorite places to visit

when in the area.

While on the ride, we stopped to enjoy the view for a spell.

In which I volunteer at Camp Boggy Creek

Hello again!  It has been a while since i've last posted on here, things have been incredibly busy, but I wanted to share with you a little about my experience volunteering again with 

Camp Boggy Creek.  

In case you didn't know, Camp Boggy Creek is an amazing camp located in Eustis, Florida, that is free for children with serious illnesses to attend.  They host both camps throughout the Summer weeks, as well as " Family Day Weekends", which are 3 day weekend events where the whole family can come and participate in activities.  For the Summer Camp weeks, the weeks are split into specific groups, so that they can provide and meet all the medical needs for those children.  

The session I have volunteered with for the past two years has been the Blended Camp, where children with Asthma, Spina Bifida, Kidney, Transplant and Craniofacial attended.  The camp is split into age groups, which are divided by 4 colors (Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow) and then divided into 4 cabins per color (2 for boys, 2 for girls.)  The detail and care put into these sessions are truly incredible, allowing children the place and opportunity to behave as children, and not worry about their illness or what others might think of it.  

For the past two years, I have been in the Blue group.  Each cabin has its own theme, something that the counselors and the camp play up and support site wide.  

This year, my cabin were called

 The Fireflies~

Chalk art I drew to welcome the girls to the cabin on arrival day.

The Blue Cabin  this year (and last, so maybe its consistent) were the youngest group, so our age group ranged between 7 and 9 years old.  It was fantastic.  The thing with young groups (and to be honest, this camp in general)  is that they just get so into the spirit and will buy what you sell them, so we were all about The Fireflies, and the idea that you shine solo, but as a group and a team, you shine the brightest.  We really emphasized team work.

A shot of the camper side before arrival.

 Some of the basic activities that we did throughout the week included Archery, Horseback Riding, Cooking, Arts and Crafts, Woodburning, Nature Barn, Boating and Fishing, Swimming, Theater, and more.  The kids all rotated through these activities as the week went, and got to select them for special projects and time frames.  Then there were camp activities with things like Aquatic Activity (some might call it a water fight, but they would be wrong, as there is no fighting at camp), a Banquet, a Dance, and what is called the Silly Olympics (or Silly Os.) 

 The Silly Olympics are a high light for the kids as its a time where they can paint on their counselors, or put pudding in their hair, or maybe even sling cold oatmeal at them.  They also get to roll through spaghetti on a slip'n'slide sort of set up.  Its all very messy, but very fun, and afterwards the fire department comes out and creates a river of water basically for the kids to run through on their way to the cabins. 

Little Acts of Kindness jars that we had in the girls room
for them to leave messages for each other.

This year, we also had a spectacular firework display take place, where the whole thing was basically like a grand finale.  The kids loved it, to be sure.

Due to the nature of the camp, I can't post photos of the children, obviously, but I had an incredible time there and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to volunteer at an incredible facility.  Everything there is donated, from the pool (Sea World) to the gym (Orlando Magic) to the Theater (Universal Studios), and so much more.  So much care and attention has been put into this camp, so if you know anyone who would benefit from going here, either as a camper or a staff volunteer, please recommend it!  They are always welcoming volunteers, especially male volunteers! 

Something that really meant a lot to me was that every single child I had as a camper last year came up, found me, and gave me a big hug.  I had wondered if they would remember me or not, so it meant a lot to me that they saw me and greeted me so enthusiastically.

The kids are hysterical, and I know, as cliche as it sounds, that you go there expecting to have an impact on them (even if its just making their life easier/more fun) and instead you walk away just as changed yourself for having attended.   No matter what group you end up volunteering with, I promise you you're going to learn just as much from them as they will from you.

“You’ll need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but people more than anything else. You will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else, a living breathing screaming invitation to believe better things.”
Jamie Tworkowski 

Just some things we noted about staying overnight at the Jeju Sauna:

• While i'd recommend leaving electronics at home as its the perfect place to just unplug, I also understand some people have to have their cell phone, computer, or DS with them depending on who you are, so do know that there are plugs around.  I'd suggest bringing an extension though, if you have multiple things to charge, as the availability of the plugs is kind of first come first serve. 
• That being said, there is free wifi should you bring your phone or laptop.
• Hair dryers, shampoo, and conditioner are provided, as are basic things like a razor, tooth brush, lotion, hair spray and 'towels.'  Tampons and bathing suits available for purchase.
• If you plan on sleeping there, bring ear plugs and a sleep mask.  The sleeping room fills up quickly so you may end up looking for a place to sleep within the common room or one of the saunas, and don't think the "Sleep Room" will provide you total peace and quiet.  Some people don't seem to care if their children run in and out between 2 and 3 am while shouting and playing.
• Mats are provided for sleeping, technically speaking only one per person, but i'd recommend bringing your own yoga pad or something for extra cushion.
• Bring a pillow as well, because the ones you use in the sauna are not going to be agreeable for overnight slumber.
• Budget for a massage if you're wanting one.  They're not outrageously priced, but they will catch you off guard if you're not prepared and are watching your money like moi. (Prices are on their website.)
• The fitness room is huge, with bicycles, treadmills, and elliptical provided.  There is a mirror wall along one side, and plenty of room to do Yoga or Pilates.  Bring your own mat and running shoes though.
• While I can't speak for other service providers, Sprint does not get a lot of bars in there, and my phone just seemed to eat up battery trying harder to GET a signal than actually having one.
• There is no special menu for breakfast.  What they serve is what they serve. 
• Lockers are provided, but don't think full body lockers.  These are your basic, gym locker room style lockers, if not just a smidgen smaller in the width department.

Basically, treat it as if you're going to go for a slumber party old school style, just short of rolling up your sleeping bag and onesie.  We brought along a little tote with stuff like clothes, sketchbook/books, hair brushes, etc, but small enough to fit into a locker.  I think my tote was one of those vinyl bags from The Fresh Market if that gives you any idea of size.

In which we partake in a Girls Night Out

May or may not have hit up the children's section first thing at the High.

So, for the past several days I have been staying with my friend and her boyfriend in Atlanta in between business trips.  She has been coming home really really stressed for the past several months from both personal and professional issues, so yesterday, we took advantage of her half day at work...

So done.

In the morning we went to the High Museum of Art, which was pretty cool to go through.  There was a lot of statues, some Monet pieces, a Norman Rockwell painting, and of course, the main exhibit, Vermeer's painting The Girl With the Pearl Earring (along with several other Dutch painters.)

Chrissy and I at the High.

We kind of side eyed some of the modern art exhibits while enjoying others, but I won't even get into the headache that is so often Modern Art.  Some of it was pretty cool though, and thought provoking, which was nice.  

Don't even get me started on some of this Modern Art.

After the High, we went to Mellow Mushroom to get some pizza.  Did you know that all of their crusts are Vegan unless you order it gluten free?  They also offer Vegan cheese options, so you can have a party there, basically.  I was super happy to get myself some pizza because i'd been smelling it off and on for the past two weeks and after a while, you just kind of want some pizza yourself.

And then! As if the day couldn't get any better, Chrissy and I packed over night bags and headed off to the Jeju Sauna and Well-being Center!

Now, Chrissy and I had come here before on a previous visit, however it was sadly only for a few hours.  After that first trip, we both knew we'd have to make at least, AT LEAST, a day out of this place.

The sauna is open 24/7, all holidays, and for our age range is $25 per 24 hours.  It houses 7 different saunas, multiple spa options including full body scrubs, acupressure, and foot massages; there is a wet spa section (nude area), an Olympic sized salt water swimming pool, a fitness center, and if all that wasn't enough, you also have a nail and hair salon on site.  Add to that a banging Korean style restaurant (with your classic american go-to food options for the less adventurous) and a specially designated sleeping area, and its just one of the best ways to unwind that I can possibly think of.

The view of the main room from the stairs outside the Fitness area.

Certain parts of the spa are sectioned by the sexes, with the wet spa and herb-bath areas located within the locker room areas.  The wet spa is an enforced nude only area, so if you're wanting to enter this area, be prepared to bare all to god-all. One good thing about this, no one seems to care; theres no awkward staring or leering (not that you'd expect it) and the awkardness of nudity lasts for maybe five seconds before you find yourself eyeing that hot tub and no longer caring.   In this area, there are showers (shampoo and conditioner provided in the lovely Honey Almond scent), hot tubs of varying degrees, and some basking lights, which was kind of funny to me.  Towels are provided, but they're kind of tiny, and by kind of I mean they're totally tiny.  They're more like face towels, or maybe hair wraps.  The term 'towel' might actually be pretty generous.

On to the saunas, which were my personal favorites (aside from the eating area.)

Inside each sauna, mats are laid out, with the option of pillows, blankets and sleeping mats available in the common area just prior to entering.  Each room has also been carefully designed, which makes the overall experience pretty wonderful.  

First there is the Jade Room, where we tend to start off at as it is set at the lowest heat setting.  As it says on the sign outside the door, the Jade Room is made from imported Korean jade stone, which, combined with the dry heat and the bags of Chinese herbs hanging around, is said to not only increase metabolism, but also improve circulation as well as help with arthritis.   Along the ceiling, green and red stones ( I say stones because i'm not sure that they're both jade) are arranged to form flowing lines, with the red culminating in the center in the shape of a giant diamond.

After that is the Charcoal Room, which just may be my favorite.  Its a noticeable bit hotter than the Jade Room, but nothing overwhelming.  All around you, the ceiling and walls have been covered in blackened logs of charcoal, which lends a nice scent to the room when combined with the bags of Chinese herbs.  According to the pamphlet (available at the front counter) the charcoal helps absorb toxins, increasing circulation and stimulating the sweat glands to release the build up of toxins within your body.  Now, I don't know about all that, but I sure like to think so, and if nothing else, laying in the room is very relaxing.  

Next room down is the Baked Clay Sauna, which is a degree both hotter and larger.  I look a look at thermostat in there and was amused to see that it was marked at 137 degrees, plus heated tiles. (And yes, I took a picture, because my god.)

The Clay room has an interesting design in the sense that it reminds me of gazing at a lizard, or perhaps the desert floor, except not with the dry cracks of a parched landscape and more with the grace of a potter's hand, where the clay has been overlapped in such a way that the build up of texture carries your eye around the ceiling and into the center.  This room is advertised as a bit of a miracle worker, with the Korean "red baked clay" dilating peripheral blood vessels, bringing relief to tight muscles, increasing circulation, eliminating waste products, and delivering rich blood oxygen to depleted muscles, thus by flushing out impurities and releasing dead skin cells for better looking and more refreshed skin.  I'm not personally sure how much oxygen rich blood got itself coursing while in there, but I can certainly say that after a heavy work out, once properly hydrated this room would feel absolutely amazing to lay in.  Even without the heavy lifting, I could feel my muscles unwinding as I lay there.

Theres an Ice Room, decorated with rocks to resemble snow, complete with penguins.  I personally don't linger for too long in this area, but its a nice little break from all the heat and with the shift in temperatures, causes your skin pores to contract, giving you the look of smaller pores.

Those four are lined up against the far wall, while out in the middle of the common area, these next three exist within individual huts.

The first one, and closest to the wall grouping, is the Gold and Silver Sauna, which is lined and covered in, you guessed it, Gold and Silver.  Its said to have positive effects of nerve stability, poison counteraction, and neurosis.   In here, they've taken the design and formed something of a sun burst on the ceiling, exploding down the curve and onto the walls.  The bits of red stone mixed in always reminded me of arrows.

Me inside the Gold and Silver Room.

Next is the Rock Salt Room, which is the biggest of the three, with a very organic flow to the inside once you enter the little door up front.  The salt is everywhere, from the walls to the ceilings, and you can smell it when you enter.  This room is large enough to warrant little port holes, which are a nice addition, and break up the organic movement of the room.  "Surrounded by pure crystal rock salt, you will relieve stress and tension.  The Rock Salt Room strengthens your cardiovascular system' as well as increases blood circulation, flushing out impurities, and releasing dead skin cells. 

The last room is The Jewel Room, which certainly lives up to its name.  Surrounded by semi-precious stones, crystals, and amethyst, its hard not to feel relaxed and renewed while laying in there.  The stones have been shaped into scenes from nature, with trees growing up the side and a giant amethyst star bursting across the ceiling above you.  These stones are said to have great healing and calming powers, and with the lights sparkling off all the tiny little rivets, i'd be inclined to believe them.

I cannot attest to the body scrubs or massages, as I had not budgeted for those and therefore did not get one ( although you can bet your butt I will be getting one next time), however, let me tell you about the glory that is the Korean Restaurant on the premises there. 

Open entering, you are given this little wrist bracelet (although I wore mine around my ankle) that has your locker number and key on it for storing.  The bracelet also comes with a round little electronic on it, which will more or less function as your credit card while in the spa, to be paid in full upon exit, so think of it as opening a tab at a bar.  So, at the dining area, they have about 20 different Korean dishes available for your eating pleasure, all with pictures and descriptions beneath them.  They're also very filling, and generally large (especially the Korean rice cake one!) so sometimes its worth ordering just one first, and sharing, and then seeing if you're still hungry afterwards.  They also have a small variety of typical American style dishes, which includes cheese sticks, chicken fingers, and salads.

Chrissy and Jenni both agreed that these were more or less the  greatest.

  I encourage you to be adventurous though; the food there is seriously amazing, cooked on the spot, and so so good.  There's also a selection of desserts, including Patbingsu, which I tried for the first time yesterday, sans ice cream.  Again, its huge, but was very good, if not a bit of a treasure hunt, which was kind of exciting.

Patbingsu! Don't be fooled though, there are more layers underneath.

So yeah, the night was amazing.  We met up with a friend, and just relaxxxxxeeeddd.  Time seems to fly while you're in there, and we all slept in the sleeping room (albeit to varying degrees of 'sleep') and enjoyed our time all morning until past noon.  We went swimming, we ate good food and just enjoyed ourselves, with no stress about outside expectations or time crunches.  Even if the saunas didn't do all the amazing things they're said to do, even if there were no massage or body scrub options, just having an area to go and unwind like that as got to be healthy for you, and something I highly recommend for any and everyone.

I'm going to make another post about over night recommendations (things we learned after we got there) but for the time being, this is it.  I had an amazing time just relaxing, being lazy and splashing around with these ladies, and I'm pretty sure Jeju's gonna be some place we've got to hit up every time in in Atlanta from now on.

Yay for wonderful people!