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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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The time has come to move on from my role as a bar The time has come to move on from my role as a barista at @the_garage_at_rye and towards my next adventure. 

I started this journey with a curiosity for a craft I admired and wanted to learn more about. It turned into a job. Then a serious passion. And now here I am, launching Café Cómodo (KOH-moh-doh), which means “Comfortable/cozy” in Spanish, a pop-up café serving espresso and seasonal drinks at local farmers markets and private events! (@cafecomodony)

Starting yet another business was never my intent…and yet, I fell further in love with the craft, the industry, and the culture.

I owe so much of what I have learned to @seschieber, who took me under her wings and taught me so much (and still does) and who embraced my nerdiness and eagerness with patience and kindness….and in the process became one of my dearest friends. Working alongside her has felt like winning the golden ticket. She further instilled in me a respect for the craft, the industry, and a commitment to always strive for a quality product, even in a world of Dunkins and Starbucks. 

Grateful for @abbdawes, @hannahmariee93, and Amanda who tolerated my clumsiness at the start while I fumbled my way through the register and the various drink recipes!

I wasn’t sure where this journey would lead, and as I look back at these clips I realize how much I have changed in the process. It’s not always a place that impacts you, but rather the people in it.

I will miss the regulars I’ve gotten to know whose names and drink orders I memorized and who I looked forward to serving. 

I’m so grateful for everything I learned, beyond just making coffee, because I know it will help me to further grow as a leader, an entrepreneur, and a team member wherever I go and in everything I do next.

I won’t miss the dark morning wake ups and long drives before sunrise though! 

I’m proudest of myself for wanting to develop a new skill and ✨DOING IT✨ even when it felt awkward, nerving, and impossible. I hope you will follow me on this next chapter and come say hi at the market (and hire me for your next event)!

Thank you to Charlie Hunter, owner of The Garage for this opportunity.

#coffee #cafe #popupcafe
Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the Recently took a moment to slow down and enjoy the sounds of this beautiful place I call home. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #upstateny
Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the Barista training = Trial by fire. 🔥 This is the way. 

@shellyk_025

#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

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