Lourdes is nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains in Southwest France. Lourdes is incredibly spiritual, peaceful and tranquil. Lourdes is known for the Sanctuaires Notre-Dame de Lourdes, or the Domain, where pilgrims gather from all over the world. Sites within the Domain include the Basilica of Saint Pius X, the Grotto of Apparitions or the Grotto of Massabielle known for its healing…
The whole world is changed by 8 minutes and 46 seconds. George Floyd’s brutal murder triggered a reckoning for the systemic racism that has existed for over 400 years. Protests have exploded worldwide and many of us are having tough and uncomfortable conversations with ourselves and others. We need to be fueled by our discomfort. It’s up to white people to…
I’ve been living my privileged life thinking I’m not a racist because “I have a ton of black friends”, without realizing I’m inadvertently and unknowingly part of the racism problem. I’ve been confronted with an uncomfortable reality: my silence is part of the problem. My personal feelings are irrelevant. Minorities have been telling us they experience racial injustice every…
I’m a Planner. Planning is my super power. It’s what I do best. I’m the one in our family who already planned, shopped, and wrapped gifts for holidays and events, long before it’s on anyone else’s radar. I schedule our social events, appointments, vacations, kids events, and also plan our downtime. I work with the…
I’m here!!!! Recurrence is THE worst fear for those who’ve battled breast cancer, and five years is an important milestone. I was completely caught off guard when I heard those dreaded words, ‘you have stage 2 breast cancer.’ When you’re given a cancer diagnosis, the immediate goal is to remove the cancer, and complete treatments to reduce…
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) has hit America and the rest of the world hard. We’re in a full pandemic and things are changing quickly. Coronavirus has hit my hometown, and it’s apparent we need to hunker down and settle into a ‘new normal’ for a while. Times are so uncertain, and along with you, I’m processing the reality…
I’m quite sure I’m not the Blue Shield of California ‘member of the month.’ Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, the surgeries, medications, tests and doctor visits since then must have reached millions of dollars. In the US we’re extremely lucky to have access to some of the best health care in…
From the moment I walked into the gleaming lobby of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, I was stuck by the calm atmosphere and cultural surroundings. The historic building with contemporary marble architecture was the perfect place to relax and enjoy a tasty cocktail with my girlfriend (made by the friendliest staff ever), before we saw Contra-Tiempo: joyUS justUS…
Have you been to Bilbao, Spain? If not, you should add to your travel list. It’s fantastic, and while there’s so much to see, you can absolutely see the highlights in a couple of days. Bilbao is a neat and compact city, tucked neatly into surrounding hills on either side of the river. Getting around is easy and the ‘must…
Studies show it’s important to take time away from life and the kids to connect with your significant other. We recently carved out time for date night to see ‘ABBA the Concert’ at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. ABBA has sold nearly 500 million records since they first won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 to take the world by…