The Day the Earth Moved for Mark...

It is not what you're thinking!! Late this summer, I was working in my office and went downstairs to ask my husband a question. He looked up and said, "Did hear that boom and feel the earth move?" "Nope...what are you talking about?" We soon discovered the earth had moved so much that we had no water in our house! So what happened?

Google Fiber happened!

Have you had Google Fiber in your neighborhood? You are lucky if you haven't...they arrived unannounced months ago to dig up the easement in front of every house all the way down the street. The end result was ugly orange wrapped cable sticking above ground for months. What an eye sore...they even left a hole unfilled that my husband stepped into that could have broken his leg. We were never given a heads up as to when they would return. Suddenly after months they reappeared this summer going from house to house cutting a line of concrete out of the road to lay the orange tubing and then covering the hole with a gray concrete that doesn't come close to matching the road concrete.

The infamous day that the earth moved, the team hired by Google to install their fiber were cutting the concrete when they cut the waterline to our house! Everyone else had water....we had nothing! I had planned to cook all day for a birthday party. I headed outdoors to see what had happened. A team of three from the Google group and soon after 5 more men arrived from Metro water....it wasn't a good situation....I was out of water for the entire day! We had two massive truck that came and blocked the road in order to figure out how to resolve the issue. Thank goodness for my neighbors across the street who had a circular drive so our neighbors at the dead end were able to get in and out of our street to do what they needed to do. The Metro Water team was awesome and worked diligently until dusk to get our water back on!.

Everyone left...but the road has not been fixed since August. Clearly, it is the responsibility of the group that Google hired who caused the damage. Someone poured rocks in the hole, but it is very unsightly. None of us on the street asked for Google fiber and yet we now have it and a street that looks a mess. Why can't companies take pride in their work and clean up after the mess that they create. Metro Water did an awesome job and cleaned up after themselves!

Our side of the street Our neighbors side of the street

The precious gift of time….

Traveling on a regular basis for work is an often a grueling and tiresome job or it can be stress free…enjoyable…ending in a sense of satisfaction. There are times when traveling becomes a lonesome job….I feel it most when I’m on the road for an extended number of days…not returning home for a quick change of clothes and a good night’s sleep in my own bed (which always makes me feel like a new woman!). If I leave the US and go where I don’t speak the language…by my little self…without a traveling buddy…..Feeling isolate is magnified.

As a woman, traveling to another country alone requires a little more planning. We are so lucky to have mobile technology today and there are so many apps available to help us lower our stress level when traveling to other countries.

Conversion Free one of many free conversion apps really help manage currency and tipping appropriately when in another country.

Airline Apps are available that allow you to know what gate you will be departing and landing from as well as making you aware of any delays.

All of these things make a difference, but the best gift of travel is someone unexpectedly extending an act of kindness. I am reluctant to ask people I am working with to show me their city or go with me to dinner….but when someone offers to take me sightseeing or out to dinner…to me that is the most gracious expression of kindness….because I know that person is giving their time to make my trip more enjoyable. IT IS THE BEST!

On a recent trip, I was blessed to have the hand of friendship extended not by one…but by FIVE amazing young men and women who made me laugh, and see sights and taste food that I would have missed had I remained in my hotel room. What a wonderful gift of time they gave!

Thought for today….Have you extended yourself to a new acquaintance? It is always easier to entertain someone you know coming in town for a visit, but how about the person who has just moved to town or someone attending a business meeting at your office? Extend yourself in friendship …you may not realize what a blessing they will become in your life as well as the blessing they will receive….you may even find a new friend(s) soooo…Look for someone who you can reach out to…”Return to the roots of giving”A mis nuevos amigos … Gracias por su mano de la amistad y el regalo de tiempo!

#kindness #lonely #giving #friendship #unexpected #planning #joy #fun #life #weary #time #sad #Travel