Thursday, April 28, 2011

That Place...

It's been a week since we got home from our most recent vacation - an awesome week spent soaking up the sun, playing in the waves, exploring the little island in the Maldives that we called home for a week, and tasting all kinds of delicious food. It was seriously one of the nicest places we have ever been. Those memories will be floating around in my mind for years to come.

Walking the beach, Maldives 2011

Given my dreamy post-vacation like state this week (where I had a serious dinner conversation with my husband about the possibility of quitting his job and becoming employees of a surf shop or local restaurant on some tropical island, living in a beach hut and lapping up a simpler life... he said no, but a good discussion none the less), a friend posed an interesting question on Facebook that got me reminiscing.

His status said the following: Ever go to one of those places that you never forget, that you think of often, that you perhaps return to or want to, that when you think about it, you see it in your mind and wonder what’s happening there right now and how you need to go back? What place is that? It could be the Seychelles or your hometown. Tell me what it is right now…………

He got many responses, including mine. I quickly added a few favorites - the Cape Breton Highlands where I spent many happy summers as a little girl, the Texas Hill Country, where Colin & I would often get away together for a romantic weekend,  and the City of Halifax, where C & I both went to university, met, and fell in love.
Orlando, FL 2008
Rocky Mountains 2007
I checked back a few times to see where other people went when they day dreamed, where they drifted away to during a boring work day or a sleepless night. Very intriguing. 



Peggys Cove NS, 2005
So, my list has kept growing in my mind all week... the bungalow we rented in Peggy's Cove one weekend when we could hardly find each other through all the fog... the little Italian cafe in San Francisco that we shared a few laughs over a bottle of wine on a summer afternoon as we sat 'people watching'... the vineyard in Napa Valley where we spread a blanket and had, hands down, the best picnic ever... the day we canoed around Emerald Lake and talked about where we wanted to raise a family and where we might some day retire... or that random hotel we stayed at in Field, BC, where we ended up meeting some amazing strangers while sharing an exceptional meal.
Ahhh - the memories.  

I could go on and on. Seriously, I could. I am one lucky girl.


Christmas in Qatar 2010
It should be noted here that from time to time, I will grumble about living in Doha. Have you noticed?
Colin reminded me this week, as we talked about planning a summer trip to Canada, that some day, we will look back at our time in the Middle East with affection, as we've already made lots of great memories here. Yes, he is that kind of guy. Sometimes his optimism can really get to me, but in this instance, I know he is right. One of the reasons I married him ; )
We will look back at our time here as a wild and crazy adventure that we once had - 'Hey, do you remember that time we packed up everything we owned and moved half way around the world to Qatar?'
Yep, I sure do.

Napa Inn in Napa Valley - A snuggle on the patio
after an awesome day
Thanks Tim, for encouraging me to remember some fantastic moments this week. And thanks Colin, for helping me live them.

Please leave a comment if you have a place you want to add to Tim's list. I will read & enjoy every one :)







9 comments:

  1. It's too hard to pick just one! In no particular order, I would say Maui; any hiking trail in any mountain park in Alberta; La Jolla, California; Nova Scotia (yes, it's true!); Oman; and Italy. Of course, That Place for me is any lake in beautiful Northwestern Ontario where I grew up, either on the sandy white beach or in a boat with a fishing rod in my hand. Thanks for encouraging me to remember!

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  2. ahh.. for me, two fabulous days in Charlos Cove Nova Scotia, at Seawind Landing www.seawindlanding.com the beauty of this area takes my breath away, the accomadations are fantastic, no cable tv, no computers, and the meals are to die for... we arrived just before the Charlos Cove parade, and were asked if we wanted to join them on their float..haha, along the parade route, as candy was being tossed from floats and fire trucks.. Seawind Landing was handing out fish cakes!!!! TUSSY

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  3. Your blog has put many thoughts in my mind. Oh the many many places we have been. It is difficult to place one as a favorite. It could be watching the stars emerging over the flowing tides in Ingonish. It could be picking the biggest blueberries, I have ever seen,with my daughter in Texas. Or it could be flying kites, in PEI.It could be walking the cobble streets in Old Quebec. Or it could be the Cornice just for a stroll. Or it could be Maragree looking at the sihouette hills. Or it could be in Houston, in the backyard, listening to the call of the crickets. There are so many beautiful places that I love, that each gave me a private piece of heavens. Again I love your blog, keep them coming.

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  4. A favorite quote... "we do not remember days, we remember moments". For me, THE moment occurred some time during dinner at the Soho Kitchen in 2002 ;o).
    Other favorites... dangling our feet off a catamaran in Antigua at sunset... sharing fondue in Paris with Ella sleeping next to us... a week with friends (and no power) after Hurricane Ike. I'll always have a soft spot for summers in Malignant Cove (beach, volleyball, guitars and family). Thanks for the post and the inspiration!

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  5. Currently living our dream in Italy :)

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  6. Anywhere on an autumn day in Nova Scotia!

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  7. I am with you on Napa Valley - such a great spot to be!!!

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