Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Places to Ponder

Sunny St. Petersburg Exploration

Since 2013, we’ve gotten the chance to visit many once-in-a-lifetime cities around the world with Dave Koz. A lot of these were places that I’d dreamed of since I was a child. There are others that I didn’t know would impact me until I actually arrived. Rome, for example was one of those cities with its rich history and famous attractions.

I went there and learned to relax despite the Speed of Life. It soon came to my attention that St. Petersburg would also be on my list of special destinations. There were unique things that made it stand out but familiar things that couldn’t be missed. One of the things that I write about often is the fact that people are essentially the same.

When you ride through a city and see families interacting and excited pets, it’s hard to separate individuals based upon location. Whenever there’s a lot of information to consume and a short period of time to do so, music makes me relax and ponder. I think our host DK knows exactly what he’s doing when he selects truly amazing places for use to visit. Then he offers us jazz creativity at its best through artists, such as Peter White, Keiko Matsui, and Peet Project.



Chronicling Europe & The Baltics 2018 – Another Surprising Connection

A big part of this European trip included research for my writing, both before we traveled and after we set sail. Reading about Tallinn was interesting and got me excited for the trip. Actually arriving in the city and seeing it with my own eyes was another thing altogether. I thought that I knew what the experience was going to be but it truly was so much more.

Walking the cobblestone streets and seeing the gothic influence in the buildings was amazing. These mixed in with modern structures and businesses harmonized with so many of the other cities in this part of the world. As usual we took a hop-on hop-off bus tour to see the things that we’d read about.

St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Tallinn TV Tower, Toompea Castle, and many other attractions were on our list. These were a part of the things that were expected. We had no idea that on one of our tour buses would be a familiar face. The world is definitely large but it would seem that it’s small at the same time.

An elementary teacher of my husband’s was there on the bus with us. A conversation about states and travel brought this truth about. How awesome and humbling to go around the world only to find another surprising connection. The Speed of Life is absolutely a real thing that makes its way back around.

It was inspiring, as well to see this woman not letting age or anything else keep her from what she loves. Travel and jazz are included among these things. Swirling around our conversation was the anticipation of Richard Elliot, a featured headliner for the main performance.

Chronicling Europe 2018 – Embracing Stockholm

All of the locals that we met along the journey confirmed that the weather was unseasonably warm. I’d thought that heavy clothing would be necessary throughout the entire Baltics Cruise with Dave Koz and Friends at Sea. The sun was a staple as we arrived at Stockholm, Sweden.

The previous night’s main show included our host and special guest Kenny Lattimore in concert. Late nights and jazz in every venue on board couldn’t keep us away from this beautiful city. As usual our hop on-and-off tours allow us to visit historic parts of the city, as well as, those that were filled with business and cosmopolitan life.

The lack of hustle and bustle on the early morning roadways, struck me as different from the typical sights at home during this time of day. Stockholm Palace and City Hall were definitely two landmarks that showcase the brilliance of the past.

Excursions that included the Swedish Opera House, the City Centre, and other popular locations were high on the list of many of our fellow cruisers. Sampling regional and national cuisine is always on my personal list of must-do activities.

Lunch time in the park displayed workers from all backgrounds relaxing and embracing the gorgeous city of Stockholm. There were no Speed of Life struggles that we could see!

Finding Beneficial Homeschool Resources

One of the most important decisions families make has to do with home education. There are many circumstances that lead to this schooling journey. Finding the right resources for instruction and academic use is paramount to the process even operating at the Speed of Life.

You will discover curriculum materials that will suit children of different ages. These often include books, manuals and other items. Online resources and programs, such as ABCmouse.com have revolutionized homeschool experiences.

There are supplemental and primary products available for online use. They can be used to tailor your own lesson plans and student needs. Using this company allows parents to cater to the learning styles of their children. If your student benefits from hands-on learning, there are games and interactive solutions.

Those who prefer reading and critical thinking can be accommodated, as well. It is important to find academic resources that enhance the learning process and improve the results you get as an educator. Diversity in products and programs makes this a fun and interesting way to approach school, no matter the age.

 

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Conversation Builds Relationships

It’s true that some people are just better communicators than others. Some enjoy sparking conversation with virtually anyone. Others may struggle talking with the people that they love the most.


Conversations are a real way to build relationships with friends and family. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to make a speech, far from it.The goal is to express what you feel, as well as, listen to the other person.


Couples, especially have to practice this when trying to strengthen connections. It doesn’t matter whether your desire is to build a good marriage foundation or a solid friendship.


Scheduling a time to talk about big and little issues is one option that can be fruitful for those dealing with the Speed of Life.

Consider a Hobby

Having a hobby can provide you with many benefits. There are emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits related to hobbies. It doesn’t matter, whether you learn to play a musical instrument or are an avid reader. Your hobby can help you to be a well-rounded person. Many people have found that their hobbies are useful for relieving stress.

People struggling with various problems can enjoy the benefits of hobbies. Choosing the right hobby is important. You can choose one that interests you or one that help you to achieve a specific goal. Doing a bit of research before settling on a hobby is wise. Just like your profession, a hobby requires investment. This is true whether we are talking about time or money. Your commitment level will affect the benefits that you enjoy from your hobby.

A way to relax
One of the best ways to reduce stress is to learn to relax. Many hobbies are considered to be relaxing. Jogging, woodworking, and painting all fit into this category. These are extremely useful hobbies to people with demanding careers.

Achieving a goal
Some hobbies are also goals for many people. Learning to fly an airplane is an example of this sort of hobby. Not every pilot is interested in flying as a profession. Simply embarking on and achieving this goal is important to enthusiasts.

Expand horizons
You may select a hobby that will expand your horizons. Learning to speak a different language is an example here. Although this may be your hobby, it can also be beneficial to the work that you do.