This is where I am…snapshots of The Fairmont Kea Lani

Aloha everyone. It’s me, checking in from our little corner of the island world.

Honestly, I feel so grateful every day I wake up in these beautiful surroundings. The Fairmont Kea Lani, in Maui is our family’s favorite vacation spot and today I thought I would share a few photos with you, in case you’re still undecided about your next vacation.

In Hawaiian, Kea Lani means “heavenly white,” and visually, this hotel stands out on the horizon like a gorgeous white light. Here is the view from our balcony this morning at dawn. (Yes, my body is still on California time and I’m waking up way too early)

The resort opened in December 1991, and was designed by Jose Luis Ezquerra, an expert on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean architecture and archaeology.

 

The arches. The dome-shaped ceilings. There’s an exotic, eastern feel about this tropical setting that I absolutely love. In this photo, you can see the arches all the way down this hallway. This is the path we take each morning to get to the elevator.

When we enter the sprawling lobby the first thing we hear is the soothing sound of rushing water that comes from two fountains and a waterfall. The lobby is filled with natural light and the atmosphere feels bright and airy.

It’s impossible to capture the expansive lobby in one shot. The photo above shows the main fountain.

And this is the other side of the lobby. There’s a garden overflowing with tropical flowers and bamboo, a garden statue and bench. A waterfall is on the other side.

We walk past this area everyday to get to the pools. A touch of serenity, don’t you think?

In the lobby, you can’t miss the large murals on the walls; the artwork is by renowned artist Herb Kawainui Kane and his paintings depict scenes from the Discovery of Hawaii by Spanish navigator Juan Gaetano, the first known European to visit Hawaii and chart the islands in 1555. 

Each painting tells a piece of the Hawaiian islands story and I love the colors and beauty of his art.

Wide arches, round shapes, and Mediterranean light fixtures are everywhere I look.

But as magnificent as the hotel is, the 22 acres of tropical landscape are even more breathtaking. The paths all lead directly to the beach. I wish I could show you all the meandering walkways, lush with greenery.

But the best news? We were thrilled to discover that our room had such an amazing view. The sound of the ocean is everywhere.

And we can’t get enough of it. In fact, Michael slept out on the balcony last night because he loves listening to the waves.

What is it about the sea… that is so comforting?

 

 

Aloha from Maui,

Leslie

 

(all photos taken by L. Harris)

 

Technorati Tags: Maui,Fairmont Kea Lani

 

things the ocean tells me…(after it wakes me)

There are many reasons why people travel across the ocean to visit the lush, tropical beauty of the Hawaiian islands. There is a magic here, in this island world.

On my first night in Maui, I’m awakened at 4:30 in the morning because our windows are wide open and I hear the thrashing roar of the ocean in my ears. The ocean rouses my senses. It jolts me with its sheer majestic presence; and I am captivated by the slow, rumbling loudness that is everywhere.

This is what I see from our fifth floor balcony. Inky black water beneath a luminous moon, peeking out from gauzy, white clouds. It’s the kind of sky that promises a deeper existence, far away from our daily life.

But the ocean is mesmerizing. And as I stand in the pre-dawn darkness, I’m captivated by this breathtaking scene, made more dramatic because everyone else is asleep. It’s just me and the sea. Alone.

I hear the sounds of eternity in the ebb and flow of the waves, and I’m comforted by this. My ears hear it before my mind does. It is ocean speak; the mysterious language of the earth, and I can sense that there are lessons to be found, from this churning, wild, crashing body of water that has always been here. Forever.

The ocean reminds me that Life is always moving. Mine. Yours. Everyone’s.

Embrace it, or else.

My life is certainly changing, and it’s as palatable as the salty ocean air that I’m breathing. My kids are my joy, but my boys are now seventeen and nineteen, and today I’m a mother on the verge of having an empty nest. So I’m adapting. Although my mothering role has been constantly changing, now there is more. I sense it, new and scary challenges that are yet to be discovered.

Letting go and loss, once foreign thoughts in the back of my mind are now here, in large screen Technicolor, everywhere I look. Somebody is sick. Somebody is dying. Somebody is saying good-bye. And why not? This is the journey of life.

I think of these things when I listen to the ocean. I remember all sorts of truths that become muddled and lost in our hurried lives. The crashing waves tell me so; they remind me that nothing stays the same.

Beautiful things will happen to you.

And the painful, difficult times will always pass. Because Life goes on, no matter what. This is the promise of an ocean that has no end.

 

Have you ever stood in the darkness and listened to the sounds of the sea? I hope so, because then you’ll hear it.

There is a message in the foamy white waves that cover the sand like a smooth blanket. And I hear these cryptic words whenever I see sparkling gems on the shore, after the ocean washes away. And it is this.

Be grateful. Our lives are filled with calm waters that we should stop and relish. Happy, giddy moments are right there, ready to happen. Look!

The wild, thunderous ocean tells me this.

Wake up, Leslie. Don’t miss it.

(I hope you can hear it too.)

 

Aloha from Maui,

Leslie

 

 

Technorati Tags: deeper things,things the ocean tells me,happiness

A little rest and relaxation…Hawaiian style

Well dear friends, it’s official.

At 4:15 am, while you’re happily lost in dreamland, we will toss our suitcases into the car and head to the airport to catch our 6:00 am flight to the glorious, white sands of Wailea, Maui.

For the next week we are there….lounging in the tropical heat, reading, playing, and doing lots of perfectly unplanned things with the boys.

If all goes well with my laptop, and those pesky technical issues are solved, I should be able to blog from the gorgeous, light-filled lobby of the Kea Lani Resort.

Until then,

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Aloha my friends,

Leslie

in case you’re wondering…

 

This past weekend I attended the Sac Area Blogger Meet and Greet, and in case you’re wondering what a bunch of bloggers actually do when they have a chance to meet up, I’ll tell you. They laugh a lot.  And they express utter delight at the chance to finally be talking to the real people behind the blogs.

Tracy from Then I Got To Thinking organized this event and women bloggers traveled from as far as South Lake Tahoe to be there. Here we are, all different ages and from all walks of life, united by this crazy desire to share ourselves on a blog.

This is a picture of Tracy on the far right in her sapphire blue, single shoulder outfit. She was every bit as warm and gracious in person as she looks in this photo. Please check out her blog when you get the chance, you’ll leave feeling uplifted.

 

Tracy transformed these mason jars into goodie bags for each of us.

That’s something else I’ve learned. What do bloggers do?

They pay attention to the small details in life and enjoy transforming common objects into something special. Bloggers are naturally creative souls.

They can “see” things and imagine things that weren’t there before. Ordinary objects become unique.

Look at this. Candies with names such as, Comment Moderation Cinnabears, Log-in Laffy Taffy’s and  HTML Hershey Kisses… these are funny touches that only another blogger would truly appreciate.

Oh, and as you might suspect. Bloggers always bring their cameras.

Here is a picture of me, taking a picture of some of my new blogger friends, taking a picture of Tracey’s party favors.

Bloggers take a lot of pictures.

And there was one more thing that became apparent as I mingled throughout the room at this event.

Bloggers take risks. They put themselves out there in ways that require a certain amount of courage, no matter what kind of blog it is. I’ve had readers tell me that they prefer to email me rather than leave comments on my blog, because they don’t feel comfortable having ‘everyone’ seeing their thoughts and words. Well, can you imagine the feeling of exposure that comes along with blogging?

During this luncheon, this kind of courage poked through several of the conversations.

And afterwards, I thought about Jess, a beautiful young woman who began her blog as a way of sharing her struggles with infertility. Her blog Dreaming of Dimples, has become a place for other women to gain solace and hope, and I was moved when I went to her blog and read about the etiquette of infertility. Every mother should read this.

I also thought a lot about a conversation I had with another blogger. A twenty-something woman who exuded a sensitivity and depth beyond her years, and who shared her struggles to stay “real” in the image-driven world of blogging.

And there were others. Conversations with exuberant women that were so friendly and full of life, who happened to be bloggers.

Afterwards, I was left with so much to think about…But here’s one thing I realized this weekend at the Blogger Meet and Greet. And it’s simple.

I’m a blogger, and even though there are so many time when I hit the “publish’ button and feel butterflies in my stomach, I’m happy to call myself one.

When you get a chance, please check out some of these other blogs. There’s so much to enjoy!

• Shannon at You Me and Baby G
• Ana at A + M
• Hayley at See Hay Fly
• Tiffany at Living Savvy
• Ashley at Domestic Fashionista
• Kimberly at Lush Deez
• Stephanie at The Sweet Life
• Trish at Trying to do it Gracefully
• Amy at Limit Reached
• Kristen - The Happy Hour Queen
• Jane at In the Pink and Green -- Another Tahoe blogger
• Margaret at Nanny Goats In Panties
• Jennifer at West Sac Honey
• Heather at Country Girl's Journey from Ms. to Mrs.
• Jessica at Dreaming of Dimples

 

Thanks for visiting,

Leslie

 

Technorati Tags: Sac Blog Greet and Meet,what do bloggers do?

a scene from my past…anorexia revisited

 

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Today I’m going to bring up a subject that is serious. Deadly, in fact.

Only I feel a twinge of discomfort as I begin this dark post. Because everywhere I look there are blogs overflowing with gorgeous eye candy. Fashion blogs, with sharp, edgy images of beautiful women, design blogs with tasteful, perfectly staged homes, and mommy blogs exploding with photos of exuberant, chubby toddlers laughing in front of the camera. And yes, I admit it. It’s so easy to be swept up in this blogger’s land of positive thoughts and perfect images.

Only today’s post is not a cheerful one so I feel compelled to warn you, and like any good hostess, offer you a seat at a happier table. Do you want to read my latest post on My Summer Fashion Style? Click HERE for pretty pictures.

Otherwise, welcome to another reality.

 

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Because today while I was at the gym, a middle-aged anorexic woman stepped up on the treadmill next to me. And in that one moment, my eyes immediately zeroed in this woman’s bony chest, the gaunt curve of her inner thighs, and the jutting cheekbones of her malnourished face, obvious signs of an eating disordered life. And within seconds, I was flooded with old memories.

You see, in my other life I was an eating disorder therapist. And no matter how many years pass and how far away I travel from those days inside the session room…

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I will never forget this world.

When this woman began walking on the treadmill next to me, I immediately thought of an old patient of mine. A young twenty-something woman who looked like a twelve year old during her worst days of anorexia. Her weight had plummeted into the mid-seventies and during this frightening time, I remember her coming to our session room with a sense of utter outrage.

How dare this stranger. Someone had pulled over in their car while she was walking (high-speed walking I’m sure, although she denied this exercise at the time) and offered to pray for her. A stranger offering her prayers. Did it sound dramatic? Of course. At the time, she looked like an animated skeleton.

But of course, my patient didn’t get it. She didn’t understand because she was in the throes of her mind-bending addiction. While she walked around in her emaciated body she experienced this kind of concern to be gawking, and another’s worry, as intrusive and irritating; these were simply reactions that mirrored those of her parents.

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Suddenly in this woman’s presence, these old details seemed fresh and current again.

But even though I felt an overwhelming urge to stop my treadmill, to turn and face this woman, I didn’t. Even though I wanted to ceremoniously lean over, hit the red “stop” button on her treadmill, look into her eyes and say these two words to her: “I know”…

I didn’t.

I wanted to tell her that I knew she was suffering. And that she deserved more. And I wanted to ask her, no-- to insist, “You are in treatment, right?”

Although truthfully, if she was in treatment, I was pretty sure her therapist and her physician didn’t know that at this very minute, she was wildly swinging her arms and sweating away her entire caloric intact of the day. Right here, on the treadmill.

But I didn’t say anything. I just felt incredibly frustrated.

And here’s the surreal thing. When my eyes scanned the sleek, mirrored walls, I saw no one else looking at this anorexic woman. I witnessed no curious, outraged or concerned onlookers. In fact, everyone had their eyes plastered on their own bodies, sculpting and sweating away as they moved one day closer to lean and mean.

What is your opinion? Do you think an employee from the gym had a moral or legal obligation to approach this anorexic woman? And if so, what should they say? Should they offer resources?

Or do you think I was simply overcome with that same helpless emotion all family and friends have when they’re on the sidelines with an eating disordered sufferer? Because it’s true. I wanted to DO something. Right then. Only the truth is, there are no magic words that will penetrate the mind of an anorexic and suddenly make them change.

But I also know this.

Remaining silent in the midst of craziness is never the answer.

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Tell me what you think.

Leslie

For more of my thoughts on the topic of eating disorders,

click: The One Topic You Should Discuss With Your Daughter (part one)

        The One Topic You Should Discuss With Your Daughter (part two)

 

 

Technorati Tags: my other life,anorexia,reactions and thoughts

What’s your personal style for summer?

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Hello friends. It’s been awhile since I did a post on style and since there was so much interest in my fashion confession post, I thought I would raise the topic again. I know very little about the fashion industry.

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But I do know what I like to wear and what I feel comfortable in, and I think that’s what personal style is all about. Don’t you? Right now I’m organizing my clothes for our upcoming trip to Maui next week, and of course, I’m taking white pants.

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White pants are the perfect blank slate, you can wear them with anything. Personally, I think navy blue and white look so classic and fresh when paired with white. And I just bought a sleeveless polka dot blouse too. Black and white, of course.

I’m a fan of this skinny tangerine colored belt and the leopard flats.

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And what a great reminder about color combinations. This yellow blazer and grey t-shirt compliment each other perfectly, and I love that necklace.

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I would feel so comfortable wearing this outfit.

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This belt looks similar to the one I just bought for our trip. It goes with everything, don’t you think?

Do you like white blazers?  I would wear this outfit anywhere…

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As I get older I’m discovering shoes. I know. What rock have I been under? But I’m loving pumps like these for their statement…

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and jolt of dramatic color…

but I think that nothing looks better with a white blazer than the color of silver. Sigh, it’ so chic.

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And let’s not forget about open-toed shoes. Have you bought any for this summer? Aren’t these wonderful?

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But I think these are my favorite.

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Only orange looks so great in the summer…

During the warm months of summer, I wear colors that I wouldn’t typically wear. There’s a few bright, bold colors that actually feel comfortable in the heat.

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Hot pink is one color that I seem to wear consistently.

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Only I don’t think I’ve ever worn red pants, have you?

And here’s a few summer dresses.

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tiny white daisies

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They’re each so very different…which dress fits your own personal style?

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There’s something about each of these photos that I love. Well, what do you think?

Are we fashion sisters? Do we have similar tastes in summer clothes? I would love to hear your views, please drop me a line and share your opinions.

And did you notice how I left out the entire subject of bathing suits? Sorry, but I’m not ready for that discussion yet.

I need a few cocktails first.

 

xoxo

Leslie

Technorati Tags: summer fashion,women's style

extraordinary kindness from a stranger

Someplace on a sandy walkway in Pismo Beach, California, there was a woman who spotted something distinct and shiny on the ground. Funny thing is, she was jogging and might easily have dismissed this speck of color and kept moving. She might have focused instead, on the soft pounding of her feet that echoed in her eardrums, or been distracted by the ocean air that rushed past her face in cool, salty waves.

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But she didn’t keep going.

Instead, this curious stranger stopped jogging, picked up the object and discovered my son’s face on the front of a California driver’s license.

Of course when she held this plastic object in her hands, she knew nothing about the owner, who happened to be my son, Patrick.

She had never known that his wallet had been stolen out of his back pack while he was studying for his finals at a local coffee shop in San Luis Obispo, California.

Nor did she realize that this culprit had immediately emptied Patrick’s bank account using his ATM and driver’s license and spent his money before Patrick realized what had occurred, leaving him completely broke.

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In fact, as she went searching for a stamp and began carefully copying my son’s name and address onto an envelope, she had no way of knowing about his bout of bad luck that included a broken phone, stolen cash, identity theft and his toughest exams yet to come.

She never heard our late-night phone call, between a mom and a dad and a tired kid. And the heavy sound of discouragement that we heard in his voice.

None of these facts were necessary to this mysterious stranger. Because two days later, and three hundred miles away from this beach, I walked to my mailbox.

Where I discovered this letter addressed to my son.

Which is extraordinary, if you stop and think about it. Not only was the license returned, but it came accompanied by words that were astonishing for their sheer kindness.

“Hope you weren’t too worried…”

“I’m happy I found it and could get it back to you!”

Who is this person, this stranger from miles away who would make time in her bustling day to pen a handwritten note to some random, unknown face?

Because the simple act of giving without ANY expectation of something in return is a powerful act that deserves a pause. Especially when it’s an act that requires a disruption in our day and the inconvenient gathering of items, with a trip to a mailbox.

And what about her note. Would you have taken the extra time to include this? 

Would I?  I’m not sure. Depending on the sheer busyness of my day, it might strike me as quite enough to simply get the license into the mailbox.

photo:kellysartorious.pinterest

Which brings me to this point. You can call me corny. But I believe that acts such as Margie’s never go unseen, no matter how quiet and small the circumstance. And I like to imagine that like the delicate ripples of air that begin from the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings, kindness spreads in ways that we cannot possibly see or understand.

We each have the power to spread kindness.

So today’s post is being written for a thoughtful woman named Margie.

wherever she may be…

 

… may these words be a mere beginning of the ripples of positive feeling that come her way…

 

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Today I am humbled by this question.

When was the last time I did something kind for a stranger?

 

Leslie

 

 

Technorati Tags: kindness by a stranger,butterfly effect