Orange You Glad

Somewhere between jumping off boats and indulging in octopus salad, I was reminded what it's like to live again. To have no concept of time and feel fully relaxed, I was once again, truly happy.

Life isn't a vacation- especially in America where we count our days and don't have the European luxury known as "August." But amidst all the hard work and the pardon my French, the office politics and bullish*t that we get caught up in, it's important to step back from it all and enjoy a life away from your cubicle. I was wavering on purchasing a ticket but for me my experiences hold more value than what's hanging in my closet. I figure I'll be shopping less and cooking at home more, hello pasta.

I'm writing this blog post on the flight back to New York. With my friends on another flight, it gives me plenty of alone time and I find myself gazing out the window to a sky full of clouds (and surprisingly no Carebears) reflecting on the week that passed, the adventures we had and how grateful I am to have to have seen the beauty of Dubrovnik.


What I can say to you is that there is no better time than now to travel with friends, to make new ones and to learn about a country outside of your own. So live with little regret. Book that trip, take that plunge, savor that bite. It will leave you fully satisfied, with a hunger to learn more, see more, do more.

On our last night of vacation, I noticed this "Orange for Abby" on Facebook. Miles away and oceans apart, I didn't know what it all meant until I got an email with clarification from some old childhood friends of mine.

Abby, I was your first friend at Camp Evergreen. I'll hold that claim to fame as our moms arranged a meet-up in the parking lot of Ground Round, a fine burger establishment in between both of our suburban towns, just before the summer of 1994. I was so excited about my new cd singles from the Crash Test Dummies and Ace of Base, that I showed you within minutes of meeting you. But even more so, this bangs and braces kid was psyched to have a new campfriend who lived nearby. 17 psychs, to be clear.

And the summers unfolded and with each passing year, we longed for the next time we would be chanting for Color War breakout, a social with Kenwood, a trip to Pizza Chef, a jump in the lake after cookout or a game of pick up sticks in the bunk. Underneath the Evergreen trees in New Hampshire, we spent our summers creating memories and building friendships. Abby, I know I speak for our Juniper, when I say you've got spirit, you've got spunk...

Your energy and smile radiated throughout our bunk. A girl whose nickname was made for her, fast like a jackrabbit, Abby Jack collected and wore her Capture the Flag red strings around her ankle, summer after summer. How they lasted longer than a week? That I still don't know. Abby, you're a quick one, hard to keep up with and someone you want on your Peanut Pal team. I know your strength and beauty will bring a speedy recovery.


Orange for Abby.
And the green and gold for Abby, always.

Stay bitten ;)