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Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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March 10, 2009

Typical Day in The Heights, NYC

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This has probably been what most people would call a typical day. Nothing extravagant, no special excursions to report.  But for someone like me, every single moment, taste, smell, and sound is significant. To many I am a pretty happy person, not too difficult to get close to, personable and friendly. But I discovered my joie de vivre coming out of the sorrow from my mother’s passing. Though I miss her and wish she were here everyday of my life, I also remember my mother’s smile and appreciation for her children and grandchildren, her friends, music, food, travel, colors and most importantly, adventures of any kind. My mother had a long list of things to do, but her illness got the best of her, too sudden, too soon.

She left in me a strong sense of love for life, appreciation of those closest to me and a desire to make the most of every moment. The experience of having lost my mom so suddenly, so soon, awakened in me the same appreciation for life that my mother had.

Thus, on this typical day I did nothing more than take a stroll with my boys to one of their favorite local parks.

We had a great time, even though it was a simple day and laughed often, like when the 3.5 year old starting flirting with some high school girls taking their lunch break at the park. I watched as he tried his hardest to make them laugh, insisting on swinging in the “big kid’s” swings, and not having me help him or come close to him, except to console him and dry his tears when they had to leave and he was left heartbroken.

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Or the moment when they both wanted to play on the tire swing, laughing so wholeheartedly with every swing and turn, that it became contagious, bringing a smile to those who walked by on the street.

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Or the moment, after coming home, when I sat on the bathroom floor just so I could watch my boys play and listen to them as they giggled and blew bubbles at each other, cracking up each time a bubble popped on one of their heads, hand, leg, or face.

img_2914And the moment when I laid on my bed, with my babies resting by my side, and I looked at the fresh cut flowers I bought at the market, which reminded me of spring being in the air and the excitement of all the newness and life the season represents.

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All in all, pretty typical, but for me, also pretty great.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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1 Comment
  • Quiskaeya
    March 12, 2009

    The simpliest and most typical days can be the ones to cherish the most. I just love this post. I added you to my blog roll!

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the way. 

@shellyk_025 @the_garage_at_rye 

#baristalife #barista #coffeeislife
Woke up feeling rested after going, going, going f Woke up feeling rested after going, going, going for over a week…and grateful for the privilege that is living in such a beautiful region. There are so many points of access for relaxation and stillness here, including right outside my door. So before delving into the work day, I took a peaceful walk, stopped for brekkie (thanks, @ellasacreshomestead), and continued the day refreshed.

If 10 years ago…or even 5 years ago…you had told THIS Brooklyn girl that she would find joy living full time in rural NY, I would’ve laughed in your face. And while NYC will always be home and #1 in my heart, as I live through my 3rd year here, I have to say…yeah. I get it. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #citygirlinthecountry
When your bestie is also your boss and you share s When your bestie is also your boss and you share shifts at your barista jobs it’s easy to forget it’s WORK…☕️😅❤️ 

@seschieber @the_garage_at_rye 

#fingerlakes #baristalife #workbestie
A moment of zen, Finger Lakes edition. #citygirl A moment of zen, Finger Lakes edition. 

#citygirlupstate #upstatenewyork #fingerlakesnewyork
Love coffee as much as I do? Here is my (very, ver Love coffee as much as I do? Here is my (very, very) short list of fave coffee shops, from Manhattan to Brooklyn. 

I spend A LOT of time at coffee shops…whether in my job as a barista or during my free time exploring endless cafes during my travels, but especially around NYC and the Finger Lakes. These are the most noteworthy cafes I find myself returning to again and again in New York City.

📍@conwellcoffeehall in the old Life and Trust Building in the Financial District. An epic space, great brekkie and coffee, brought to you by the same folks of Sleep No More…who (separately but in the same space) offer similar interactive-style performances we know them for, this time revisiting the age of old money, big banks, and the stock market crash collapse of 1929.
📍The @bookclubbar is a bar, book store, and coffee shop in the East Village. Cozy, with outdoor seating, and a wonderful selection of books, booze, and brews. Very few people get all of these elements to work well. They nail it.
📍The @plantshednyc in the East Village. Airy space with a beautiful selection of flowers and plants, and big, bright windows whereby to enjoy your cafe choice. 
📍@DawnsTillDusk in Dumbo is a cafe by day and wine bar by night. It’s a Yes to both for me!
📍@Usaginy in Dumbo is an art gallery, with small bookstore and gift shop, and cafe…but their in-house freshly made onigiri is 😘👌🏾
📍@pplnyc in Williamsburg is rustic, and pretty, and cute…and yeah, the coffee’s good!
📍@bluebrown_nyc in Williamsburg stole my heart when I first visited last year on my birthday. I love the vibe of this community cafe and the creativity they bring to their pastries and drinks.
📍@Devocionusa (anywhere), though my local spot is Dumbo. I love that they are all about the coffee…and just the coffee. No fancy, trends here. Come for the impeccable coffee, and delicious pastries, and cool vibes. But mostly, the coffee.

This list doesn’t even make a dent on my long list of cafes but they are the highlights. Share your fave spots in the comments! ☕️

#nyccafe #coffeetiktok #coffeelover #coffeeshop
This is your reminder to PLAY. No matter your age. This is your reminder to PLAY. No matter your age. Play. Play with your partner. Play with your adult friends. Play with your kids, even the adult ones. Play with strangers. The world can be cruel and hard and deflating. So, when the opportunity comes…and even if you need a nudge from your loved ones…give your heart, soul, and mind a reprieve and play. 

Today me and mine played at the Keff Joons pop-up in Dumbo, Brooklyn. This is @cj_hendry latest art installation where they transformed a Brooklyn warehouse into balloon-filled dreamscape and playground for all. There is no fee and the earlier you arrive the shorter the wait. Once inside you become one with the art in a fun and dramatic way. But hurry! The installation is only up till April 20th! 

📍50 Gold Street, Brooklyn, NY

#nycart #artpopup #brooklynny #funinnyc #thingstodoinnyc

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