For my 40th, I want to have a local gathering with friends. Nothing fancy - just a good time, music, storytelling, hugs, etc.  My dear boyfriend has toyed with the idea of having a gathering at my favorite local Indian restaurant, as he clearly knows me well! But I'd be very happy to have it at a friend's place and keep it very casual. 

My passion is travel, and I am anxious to travel somewhere very special for my 40th. Ideally, I'd like to go to Thailand or China. But frankly, I like to travel where it feels "right" at the time. So friends, where would you suggest I go? I want to see things that will inspire me, historical things, meet people, rest, relax, simply enjoy the experience. I might have up to 10 days to get away. So where do you suggest?

Wishing you all happy travels and many healthy birthdays ahead!

I was exposed to very dangerous molds while working at Rockland Community College in NY State.  My employer avoided the issue, forcing me to stay in a very sick bldg for nearly a year before I was moved. By then, I was deathly ill and ended up at the ER. I was forced to resign in Feb 2007 and have been through hell and back to regain what is left of my health.  Please  know that you should never have to ask for permission to be healthy, especially at work. Hard lesson learned.  I am now advocating to have the building that got me very sick closed - and on Tuesday I'll be at the town's legislative meeting to address this sick building.  Fight for what you believe in friends. Truth will always win. 

Peace and good health to you all. 

Well, when you're sick all the time and never know what will set off your illness, you operate in a place of fear. I hate this place! I fight it daily and force myself to break out and challenge it. FEAR, you won't get the best of me. And today, this is how I fought fear:  Despite the humidity, I had to get out of the house. I was so sick on Friday - had to stay home all day in bed - spent most of Saturday indoors resting and sleeping. And today, I said FEAR, stand aside - I'm going out to the town pool and I'm going to at least try to have a relatively normal moment.  So despite the challenges of not sitting near people who are using fragrance/chemical sun tan lotion (which is not easy) and despite the humidity (I carry an inhaler everywhere I go) - I went. And I saw the diving board staring at me saying " you can't jump off of this - you're afraid. What happens if you can't breathe in deep enough? What happens if you swallow some water? What happens if (fill in the blank)??? Today, I said NO MORE FEAR.  I went to the high diving board, wanted to cling on for dear life and said " don't overthink this one" and just jumped. Hey, if the 8 year old kids can spend 40 minutes straight doing it, I could do one lousy jump. And I did! And while I was underwater it felt like I'd never have air again. But I didn't panic. I just knew that I'd rise to the top and I'd be ok.  And it was scary, but I DID IT.  And even though for the 2 hours outside the house today I simply sat near the pool reading a book,  used my inhaler to relieve the tightness in my chest and did have to come home and take a 2 hour nap, I overcame the fear of jumping off the board into deep water.  Fear, you may have a grip on me 99% of the time, but today, I won over you! And I'll keep fighting until you're 1% of my day, not 99% of it.