Child's Walk

Hello!

Its ironic sometimes how life has a way of surprising you. I was having one of those rare days where I felt the need to organize the clutter I call my desk , including my desk drawers. Fussing over selecting proper places for all my pack rat treasures I happen across a poem Id writen after seeing a family at the mall several years ago. They seemed so loving and close and I began to ponder the many roles represented. How many roles we play in the course of one lifetime.

I have myself, been a Daughter, a girlfriend, a wife, a mother, *with motherhood we all know comes every profession under the sun * well okay not EVERY profession I cant picture most moms on the corner swinging their dishtowels and heckling Hey baby wanna time out!! *wink wink* but I digress... * Ive been a friend.. and not by my own choice Ive been viewed in the role of a foe. Ive been a trendsetter, and a follower, a office aid, librarian, tutor,the list I'm sure with a bit more thought could go on and on. With each role my life grew, and with that growth I did as well

As I reread this poem, I found it interesting , even though Id myself written it so long ago , I took away new meaning from the words and that I thought was kinda cool!

So here for you to read or scroll down and end the misery *lol* is the poem I wrote so long ago. I hope your lifes roles provide you with as much joy and growth as mine have and wish you all the best as you continue to "role" on in life.

Bear in mind I wrote it long ago .. before i was ummm rhyming better .. .*blush* ..
also it has kind of a 'deep" theme in that steps = time not literal steps.. ok enough rambles..

Todays Poem:

Childs Walk

I started to walk with my child today
he's wee small yet,not much to say
his feet are just shy of touching the ground
and he stops every few seconds to smell all the flowers around

A few steps later, to my surprise and delight
my child has shot up great in his height
A little ways further up the path we go
since he's been in school just see how fast he grows

I'm full of joy and pride when my child speaks my name
as with enthusiasm he rambles on about how he won the baseball game
Our feet together strong and steady as we travel on our way
He's full of smiles as he tells me of the date he had the other day

I look up at him and my how much he's grown
So proud that he's finished school, sad that he's going off on his own.
The next few steps are faster, he tries not to get too far ahead
He wishes he could visit more, but things are busy since he's wed.

And as we continue walking, he sees my head hang down
He tells me of a wee new babe that turns my frown upside down
A few steps more and with my steps growing slow
my older age is starting to show

Were nearly at the end of our walk, when my child proudly says he's a Dad!
A beautiful precious healthy boy, is what he and his wife have had.
as we round the last bend of this walk my child and I
I realize how fast time passed and I fight the urge to cry

I have to tell my child I can walk with him no more
My body is so tired and weak and sitting in this chair,
my feet are just shy of touching the floor
uncertain now what my path has in store

My child smiles and puts his son upon my knee
and begins to push my chair around as my eyes weep with glee
when we've stopped to smell the flowers growing all around
With eyes we express our grattitude, speaking not a sound.

So when I thought my walking days, with my child at an end
how blessed I found my life, when I see my child... had grown into my friend!

Thank you for reading.

Birthdays :)

Hello!!

Birthdays, one day out of the whole year... to recognize your length of existance on the planet, in the universe, your presence in humanity, the blessing of your life. Some like to let this one day pass like just any other day.. prefering no fuss and even quietly wishing the day over and the next day begun.

Still there are some, and I fall into this catagory, that like to recognize the day as special no matter what the age of the birthday guy or gal. I think birthdays are blessings! Milestones of achievement perhaps, one year that you've had more with those you love in life, one year more that you've been given to grow in personal exploration and growth, how could you not want to celebrate that blessing! Birthdays are to be fussed over from 1 to 100 and up in my opinion.

Granted you dont want to make a overly big deal each birthday and especially if its for one of the "dont make a fuss" types.. respect is respect of course.. but something different for the day .. a card quietly sent in the mail, a cupcake placed on the desk of a coworker, taking a friend out to lunch :) I think birthdays should be fussed on, now having said that I dont always handle that so well when I am the one on the receiving end. I am much more content to be the one fussing than the one fussed over.

This week, I was thrilled to fuss over two special birthdays! First my youngest son, my "baby" turned 16 years old. He being a teenager preferred to spend the day amongst his friends and his girlfriend, home only a brief time I still couldnt resist making the day special by a cake and singing Happy Birthday after all it was "sweet 16" *tucks away gray hair *. The second Birthday was for my dear and wonderful friend Braddie, my virtual brother and one Im elated to see daily again back in the world of Second Life. We put together a surprise party for Braddie!!

I could not have done any of this without the tremendous help of many great friends! Jaycatt! Patrick!! Rysidian!! and Bashiri!! your help was both invaluable and greatly appreciated thank you!! Braddie is a big sci fi fan so we themed his party to be so as well, decorating the venu of Amphibicatt Gardens in banners, balloons, and a silent mock spaceship battle I enjoyed creating the decorations and found it all well worthwhile when Braddie commented so positively upon them.

It was great fun to see so many friends attend and to do so in such unique costumes.. Jaycatt was excellent in a MechaCatt avatar, blue in color with purple trim :) FireEyes and Reina looked stunning in his green goblin skin and suit and her beautiful purple dress and deeley boppers :) Patrick looked awesome in his avarian troll skin and "scotty" star trek uniform lol it was a great look but I could be biased due to his purple hair :D, Rysidian donned his blue star trek uniform to make the "cast of characters" quite a special group to behold. Eric in his "marvin" avatar and Sumar as Gir made such a cute pair! Even Sporked and Bashiri rocked out in mechabot fashions to make it a wonderful night!

A most special treat of the night, rather icing on the cake to braddies surprise celebration was the live music performed during this party. I was so elated to have been a part of this and hope more such occasions will be repeated again soon! Patrick started things off with several minutes of his own solo show entertaining us with such musical delights as Running down a dream, Authority song, Save Tonight , and his awesome rendition of Shot through the heart to name a few.. then a very special treat, Jaycatt joins Patrick on the virtual stage and through the wonders of modern technology.. both of them performed together on such hits as 29 ways, Heard it through the grapevine, fever, start it up and more,I particularly enjoyed their duet of "Happy Birthday". It was most excellent show given Patrick could not hear Jaycatt for the world, to hear the show you quite literally believe them to be in the same room playing. Isnt technology amazing!! Following the duet portion of the show, Jaycatt continued to wow the group with a solo performance of his own, treating us all to such tunes as Seasons (yay I love this song ), Journey of the Sorccer, Madworld, and much more! I had a blast! and hope Braddie enjoyed his special celebration of his day!

Whats your best birthday memory? I didnt have many party celebrations for my birthdays in real life, I suppose the lack of occurance in that I'd have to say my best birthday memory would be the massive party given for me in Second Life a few years back by Braddie and Rysidian and many more I'm sure . They filled an entire volcano with purple lava, and sacrificed me to it hahaha only to find out I wasnt worthy! 'Twas great fun! All the guests came donned in purple and that it was a well kept surprise made it all the better!! I think a very close second would have been the party Jaycatt threw for me the last birthday I had, he and Frogg both performing live music it was definitely one of the best birthdays ever!! Frogg even played my all time favorite of his songs Josie's Smiling, sadly due to tuning circumstances a song rarely performed in Second Life. I was greatly appreciative of the gifts of such wonderful friends. What are some of your birthday memories ??

Todays Poem:

A long ago tribute to Braddie on his birthday, seems appropriate on this post to post it now.

Gentle, kind, wit and style
Brad he always makes me smile

Heart of gold, and hair of blue
How blessed I am being friends with you

You have that special something
that everyone must see

Whatever I may do
your always there for me

My eyes sparkle brightly
my heart fills with glee

When I think of you my friend
and what you mean to me

So Happy Birthday Braddie my your days joy never end
On a day we bring you presents,you gave the best gift just being my friend!

Thanks for reading :)

More Journal Rambles

Yep, you guessed it .. yes another entry from my trip.. hopefully those of you reading this blog find it enjoyable series of posts and those of you who dont.. know where the "X" button is :D thanks for checking out the blog *hugs*

- Three more hours to go to SYDNEY!! Hooray!
It does not pay to be THAT exhuberent over the arrival it seems as those three small hours passed the slowest of any I think I've ever lived in my life. I've listened to all 52 songs on my small mp3 player, I did word search puzzles,, I drew pictures, finally I dozed off waking up short while later to check the time and find .. 15 minutes had passed ... Sigh Not that I'm excited or anything.

SYDNEY!! SYDNEY!! SYDNEY!! SYDNEY!! SYDNEY!! SYDNEY!! SYDNEY!!!

OMG! I'm here!! Thank you Lord! I arrived in Sydney home to the famous Opera House
the beautiful darling harbor , the popular Tarrongo Zoo, and best of all for me, home to Braddie Pendragon, and Rysidian Rubio my wonderful friends!!

I was feeling more than nervous to disembark knowing I yet had customs to pass through before, the sight of Brad and Rys. I ask a member of the flight crew what the procedure was and explained it was my first time. He told me ....
1) Immigration
2) Baggage Claim
3) Customs
4) Exit
So encouraged by his instructions and the kind pep talk he rather nicely added I disembarked the Qantas aircraft. Entering a corridor the walls white and the carpte blue, I made my way down, stopping briefly at a large picture window to grab a picture of my plane. From here I continued down the corridor and turned left, following signs for baggage claim and customs and hoping immigration was there too.
traveling down the corridor some twists and turns later I walk by a conveyor belt you could just stand on it and be carried down the corridor but after 14 hours sitting in upright position I was glad for the excercise.

At the end of the corridor was a "duty free" shop you could browse or another corridor , I stuck with the signs for customs, at the end of this corridor was a friendly elderly man in a gold blazer he was saying G'day to all the incoming pasengers he had a very heavy Australian accent I found it very cool!! I took the chance to ask him , where is immigration? as the crew member had told me to go there first and he answered.... "No no no, heres what you do " ...
1) Customs
2) Baggage claim
3) Immigration
4) exit
Nodding confidantly I walked on, more confused that ever what I had to do first. two helpful pieces of advice which to follow.

MORE LATER;)

Todays poem:
Ring:
It starts when the bells begin their chimes
sometimes they'll go a couple of times
then in a flash the connection complete
pleasant exchanges to each other we treat

Our voice is carried for many great miles
Just so we can catch up for a while
we inform on our progress, both old and the new
we unload our sadness and share happy times too

what a marvel technology
can to us truly bring
how small the world has gotten
with but the start of a telephones ring

THanks for reading!

More Journey.. Are we there YET??

Hello again! As it would seem I find another opportunity to lodge another entry of the trip I took to Australia, at my current rate of entries, I expect you'll read my arrival there about Christmastime lol! Okay perhaps nothing as dramatic as all that but here is more to the journey.. last chance to click the back button...now.

- 12 a.m. LA time and we were taking off!! Thats 3 a.m. for me! I had the window seat but at 12 a.m. there was nothing much to view but darkness. My seat is comfy, it reclines thats a plus.. but im concious not to lay back too far and cause annoyance to the passanger behind me. I am settling in.. trying to relax for the long hours ahead.. it had been about an hour since take off when imagine my surprise they begin to serve us Supper! HAHA! this cracks me up! Supper at 4 a.m. est time!
I'm not in America anymore Toto! The choice was Lime Chicken or Penne in Mushroom Sauce- I picked the pasta in mushroom sauce it also came with a cold bean salad but I passed on that. With 12 plus more hours to go ..beans was the last thing I should eat! *blush*

I kicked off my shoes * hope thats allowed* and curled up best as possible in my seat and drifted off to a shallow slumber .. about 4 1/2 - 5 hours I woke up later with a nasty crick in my neck. This might annoy most folks but I found myself laughing as usual my warped sense of humor.. all I could think of was .. how I wanted to say "oh "Crick"ey !! " hahaha ok I forewarned you it was lame humor.

There was a little video showing us some excercises to do in our seats, to prevent blood clots in the legs. The encourage the ratio 3-4 min every hour. Excercises such as rotating the ankles, pulling knees up like your stepping, etc. There's not much to see out the window as yet, its still too dark out but I can see the wing and each glance I am just awe struck at its size!

Its now midnight Aussie time * whee heee Im going by aussie time haha* and the flight crew just gave us a snack pack! This consisted of Bottle of water, Roll of peppermints, bag of potato chips, and COOKIES!!! The water was much welcomed as the air is very dry on plane.

Our breakfast came about 4 a.m. Aussie time which a choice of hot of cold was given. Cold being cereal (Raisin Bran ) melon salad, muffin and juice. the Hot which was my choice was vegetable melody * fancy title for omelette * it was a cube of mix moshed ingredients. eggs, green veggie something, tomatoes., it also came with melon salad *musk melon orange and green* lemon poppy seed muffin, orange juice and pork sausage link and a roma tomato stewed and seasoned. I followed it with a cup of hot tea which by the time i was brave enough to drink it , was luke warm. After breakfast we have just three hours to go till we land in SYDNEY!!

More to come later .............thanks for reading:)

Poem:
I was here .. and now im gone
Ive left these lines to carry on
tired of typing in this blog
Ill post more later, but now I'll log. :))

Continued Journey

I have made these entry's about my trip to Australia so few and far between I am taking longer to tell the trips journey than it took to take the journey hahaha! For what its worth, here is another entry in the continuing story. *insert usual disclaimers about it being a ramble here *

- 9:45 p.m. Los Angeles Time
We've landed! I say we meaning the lot of us passengers who arrived on the plane. This is the farthest I think I have been from home in my lifetime, BUT! It's the closest I've ever been to Australia and seeing my dear friends Braddie and Rysie! This is the leg of the journey thats most exciting as I know they will be there on the end of this next flight.
Los Angeles Airport is pretty big. I dont say this for endless walking, the Lord was kind to me and had me enter LAX from my Chicago flight right next to where I will depart for my Sydney flight, but I say it for in Chicago when we landed we seemed to taxi on forever before docking and disembarking and when I landed in LA we seemed to dock and disembark quite promptly.

A long wait in LAX that didnt seem like long at all such a flurry of commings and goings to observe, it was quite fascinating the many walks of life travelers at a busy airport can represent. I stood in line at "check in" for flight 108 Qantas to Sydney, where they exchanged my perfectly good green American Airlines ticket for a red and white Qantas one. Which minutes later they merely ran in and out of a small machine and spit it back out. As I sat and waited for announcement to board I heard this loud hum, shrill, whatever you like to call it and looked out the window and saw it! The Qantas Jet!! OMG it was the biggest airplane I'd ever seen in my life!
It was awesome, massive, why the wing alone was bigger than my house! It was all white and gleeming under the lights and I saw the Kangaroo logo on the tail. I know this will paint me as a bit childish but I was so excited! Wanting to tell the total strangers in the wait area with me " THERE IT IS!!! " but to keep quiet and maintain my illusion of maturity seemed the better decision hahaha.

As I continued to sit there I saw a well dressed *flight uniform* man walk past toting a cute two piece luggage set, it had the Qantas kangaroo logo embossed onto it , and I thought "oh cool, looky that!" then within 10 minutes 9 more staff had arrived and all sat next to me in the wait area. Now perhaps I was feeling jet lagged, after all I was two flights into this three flight trek, perhaps it was the late hour a mere 2 a.m. my time.. whatever the reason I found sitting there with 10 kangaroos *logos* surrounding me in a circle and hearing the staff speak in heavy thick accents ... between seeing the plane, surrounded by kangaroos, and the aussies accents I got such a case of giddyness I couldnt stop giggling and smiling much to the bewlidered ponderments of my fellow travelers haha.

Finally we were boarded, my seat 47K a window seat, and ironically on the wing I'd first seen of this monstrosity. I had worried about the restroom location being such a long flight and climbing over ppl to gain isleway access however as we readied to take off only a man on the isle seat arrived to claim his seat so the middle seat remained empty and my row was just two rows away from the lavatory. Now I didnt use the middle seat or set my junk in it but something about that extra elbow room on a 14 1/2 hour stretch I was indeed blessed by the circumstance.


More trip in later entries.. thanks for reading.. * shakes you gently* You can wake up now :)

Todays Poem:

Bonsai

Small one in the pot
what do your branches see
One of love to care for thee,
or searcher for tranquility

Which description better
to describe the bond we share
You provide me peace and comfort
I provide you loving care

As you grow so strong and green
your life it seems to thrive
to think i felt I couldn't care for you
I am so glad I tried

As I go about my life
whenever I see you I will sigh
Thank you for the gardening fun
my tiny little Bonsai

A Rosa Ramble

Hello!

Yes, I know .. *prepares to receive chastizing* its been a while since my last post. Hi my name is Rosa and I am a blog procrastinator... I guess I kept waiting hoping some divine inspiration would hit me and I'd log on to type out something terribly witty and thought provoking... leaving you all with a smile and positive thought for your day.. but today, aint a gonna be that post ;D

In real life its a busy time of year, many milestones are being reached in these few months of spring and summer and I suspect I will emerge in the fall a stronger person for all the events, however at the time of this writing I just feel old. haha

My oldest son is graduating highschool in a few days, my first born, first of all I cannot fathom where all the years went, its cliche' I know but it really does seem like just yesterday he was a little one taking his first steps and now hes on that last step before being a man.. its one of those hallmark moments you just have to stop and take in for a second. Hes was a great kid and has become a good man. I'm excited for him embarking on this new phase of his life.. and yet .. I also find myself enveloped in wistfulness that "my baby" is all grown up. Its a special time.

Add to that my youngest son is about to turn 16 yrs old, another milestone of sorts in life, your sweet 16. Hes going to be taking on drivers training.. 'nuff said. haha
My youngest is 6 feet tall and dwarfs me terribly now.. again.. I look at this milestone of life and cant help but feel a bit wistful at how my life is flying by.

Add still to this that late this summer I will hit the big 40 birthday and Im finding the thought a bit daunting. Now I dont find anyones age important to my finding them a friend or good human being whatsoever, so why is it that I find myself feeling so reluctant to reach this age myself? Am I going to instantly find my parts and bits breaking down like a car so uncannily does just days after the warranty expires?? Will I have some sort of invisible label that all but me will see, a bright flashing tag "SHES 40!!" no.. so it boogles my mind as to why this particular age seems to burden my thoughts. If any of you have any positive advice on letting go of wistfulness on this , by all means send them this way :D

I as Ive mentioned before in this blog am pretty excited about some travels I'll have this summer, the first of which is the long awaited and happily anticipated visit to see Jaycatt. I've known Jaycatt for a couple years now, having met him in the world of Second Life and I think this visit has been in the planning for most of that time.. Im not sure just what we'll do while I'm there, I know Jaycatt's been planning some amazing things to see and enjoy and I look forward to it all in his treasured company. Jaycatt is my best friend and Im so happy to finally get to visit him. I know it will be a blast. It will be great to meet him and Frogg and Maken, Littleturtle, and Nancy.

As if all of this doesnt overload the joy meter, Im blessed to find myself with the opportunity to meet my wonderful friend Patrick LaSalle. Second Life again can be credited for this meeting, having first seen him performing as a live musician, Patrick has been my companion in SL for a while now, sharing all the craziness and seriousness that is found in the virtual world. He has been such a awesome friend to me, I am most definetly a stronger and happier person for the blessing of his friendship. He endures my rambles about my family, friends, crazy ideas, my sense of humor and was quite sweet in tolerating it when I put out butterflies all around his plot. Having only been to the LAX airport as my " claim to west coast travel" fame. Im greatly anticipating seeing his town and its surrounding sights.

Of course like so many of you might also be going I am looking forward to the SLCC convention in Chicago. So much of my time in the game of Second Life is spent at live music shows.. I am quite thrilled to have the opportunity to partake of a real life expierence of hearing so many of my favorite sl musicians play. and meeting many of the sl friends I've made over the years. Its going to be great fun times!

If your still with me and ive not bored you to tears in this post.. let me close with this one quote.. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC),


Todays Poem:

Since Mothers Day has recently passed I'll share a poem I did back in 1995 after
a day Id spent with my oldest child.

Mothers Day-

I'v covered you up and tucked you in
I couldn't help but grin
You said your prayers and kissed me goodnight
then I turned out the light

I thought about the day we'd spent
just you and I alone
how quickly then it dawned on me
just how much you'd grown

You no longer were this tiny babe,
I'd held so close to me
but you've grown into a 'big boy'
and I am so proud you see

I prayed to the Lord in thankfulness
for the blessings of the day
and said a special thank you
for treasured moments along the way

And when my prayer ended
there was only one thing more to say
and that's in being a Mom to a child like you ,
Everyday is "Mothers Day" :)