I've been apologising since June about not writing regular posts for this blog.  Today, I'm not going to say sorry - I'm going to say 'See you soon'.  


On Friday, I'll be heading off to Madeira with the family on holiday.  

http://estevesther.blogspot.com.es/2011/04/madeira-y-sus-flores-1.html

There is something about islands that attracts - last year's trip to Sardinia was a total success - I loved everything about it.  The light, the temperature (it was hot, but bearably hot), the food, the hotel, and especially the colours all around me.  I admit I've mentioned these things before.  



This won't be the first time we've been to Madeira.  We went there 15 years ago when our 2 daughters were very young.  They have vague memories of the visit - mainly of the 'mushroom' shower in the middle of the hotel's children's swimming pool!
  

Later today, I'm going to look through the collection of photos we have for that holiday and catch up on my own memories!

I have a ton of ted.com talks to watch - I might view some of the lighter topic talks while I'm away.  

Design for all 5 senses is one of the latest talks to arrive in my inbox.  Pico Iyer: Where is home? is another.

Pico Iyer's talk seems to fit in with me and my situation (and I'm sure a lot of you fellow teachers can identify with his statement and focus of his talk):

More and more people worldwide are living in countries not considered their own. Writer Pico Iyer — who himself has three or four “origins” — meditates on the meaning of home, the joy of traveling and the serenity of standing still.

And to think about while I'm getting ready for my trip, I'll bear in mind the first of three questions asked by Silvia Marinova a couple of years ago in a TED conversation:

Traveling - what is that all about?

1. What is traveling to you - a way of life, growth, escape or...?

2. Where would you most like to go?

3. Can you recommend a gorgeous place where you've been?

In answer to question 2, I've just been looking at the islands recommended by various websites.  I haven't visited any of the Top Ten on them!  Still a lot of traveling to do then!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Islands-g1

I could recommend serveral gorgeous places to go, but it would all depend on what you're looking for.  Right now, I fancy switching off, changing pace (slowing down) and spending time chatting and enjoying experiences and moments with my husband and daughters.

So goodbye for now.  I hope to come back with photos of me looking as relaxed as as I did here in Sardinia!

Source: http://astoriedcareer.com/2012/12/hope-to-see-you-soon.html