Beth Ann's Musings

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Taking a short break from the travel stories and pictures of the week to post about Women of Faith. If you are not familiar with this wonderful group of Christian women I encourage you to find an event and attend. No, it isn't everyone's cup of tea to come together with thousands of women but all of my experiences have been phenomenal. I have been blessed to go with groups of friends to events in Illinois and North Carolina and now I am going to go celebrate my upcoming 50th birthday (YEP!) by going with my sister to the Columbus, Ohio event at the end of April. I am excited!!! There will be music--lots of it, great speakers and inspiration oozing out of every pore by the time the event is over.

Women of Faith challenges bloggers to answer questions each Wednesday and though it is now Thursday in Switzerland I will do it!!! Today's question is what is your favorite thing about Women of Faith. Now that is a toughie because there is so much but if I HAD to narrow it down it would be just the massiveness of it----the thousands of Christian sisters who make it a priority to attend and be a part of the community and sisterhood for that short time. It is like no other event that I have attended---just the feeling of sisterhood is overwhelming. And this year since I will be attending with my own sister it will make it even more special!!! I am pumped!

So check it out--look it up---grab a friend and go!!! It will be worth it!
http://bachiles.blogspot.com/2010/03/women-of-faith.html

Blogging for Kiva

You all know how much I love Kiva! Well I am going to do an occasional informational blog for them to help spread the word! Today you can learn about what one team has done to honor a girl in Spain!

“Team Tia--Loan Around the Globe” is a Kiva lending team dedicated to Tia, a nine-year old girl living in Murcia, Spain. Tia has been diagnosed with several illnesses including dilated cardiomyopathy, Graves Basedow disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and congestive heart failure.

Tia is a strong girl with a passion for helping others and has enjoyed supporting Kiva entrepreneurs around the globe. Kiva lenders have been inspired by her story and last May, they created “Team Tia” to show their support for her by helping Kiva entrepreneurs. To date, “Team Tia” has 273 members and has made 1265 loans totaling $34,150.

The Kiva community thanks Tia for her dedication to help alleviate poverty throughout the world and we are sending our very best wishes her way!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Views inside the Beau-Rivage Palace

I had my own private tour of the hotel today by Bianca who spoke very good English!!! She has worked here 2 years and was just great at showing me all the great places in the hotel and telling me the history. Pictures are a little difficult to take as it tends to be a little dark and the flash is not big enough to light these huge spaces so I may have to buy postcards but here are a few pictures. The bottom picture is of the library---they have an "open" and a "closed" library and from what she said I guess it is just because the doors close the one in! Beautiful and a great place to curl up with a book in. The hotel employs 350-400 depending on the season and is currently under more renovations which will add another restaurant and outdoor seating area. Everywhere you go here there are cranes and workers and things being done but they are trying to keep it authentic and true to how the place was built. I am just in awe at the beauty of the marble and all the tapestries on the walls, chandeliers, etc.

I walked around in the gardens a bit--they even have a dog cemetery and some of the markers were really old --not sure who gets to bury their dogs there---there was one from 2008 so I guess it still is "open". They are just now getting the spring pansies and other plants set out so it still looks a little bare but in a few weeks it will be masses of color and beautiful.

I found a great bench in the sun on the waterfront and sat and read for a couple of hours, people watched and just enjoyed the outdoors. I did not have a sweater or jacket on and was just perfect--actually got a little hot walking back but the funny thing is that all these other people were really bundled up---coats, heavy sweaters, etc. Maybe Iowa has done something to me!!

Another thing that Chris and I have discovered is that the bedding here is different. We have a king bed which is just really 2 twins pushed together. At least ours has one fitted sheet---I think most times they put twins on . They take the bedspread off at night and when we got here I thought the bed looked really lumpy. Well, good reason! They have 2 separate duvets on it---one for each side, no top sheet, just the duvet. I find it WEIRD! And I am not used to having a sleeping bag like sleeping experience separate from my husband. I am a little worried Chris might get used to it.......