Shanghai will never be the same!

I'm headed for Shanghai and Bangkok solo...I have been told I'm adventurous.  However this trip feels less adventurous and much more melancholy.  People say grief will hit you when you least expect it and also with more force than you can sometimes imagine.  Alan Wolfelt wrote, " Grief comes in and out like waves from the ocean.  Sometimes when you least expect it, a huge wave comes along and pulls the feet right out from under you." For me it's true.  My dear friend Melissa passed away in May and more than the sky scrapers, shopping, noises, foods & smells...she is Shanghai to me. This isn't my first return trip going solo, but somehow it feels like it.  We met there 10 years ago, and became fast friends.  She brought a levity to everything she did including the city of Shanghai that can sometimes be more than challenging.   Together we started RockHill Designs in 2009 as separate entities, but with shared knowledge, talents and a lot of travel together.  I'm thankful to have so many wonderful memories, but words cannot express how very sad I am that we will not be making more.  We will not be "sushed" for laughing too loud, she won't be egging me on to eat street food and she won't be there to get me ginger-ale when it goes badly.  There will be tears this trip and I will let them flow.  I am also sure there will be some laughter too as I remember her bright light and spirit.  Shanghai will never be the same...not just that it's always changing at a light speed rate...but, for me it is personal too.   There are so many photos but here are some highlights of our journey through Shanghai- enjoy!

Our first trip to Shanghai in 2009

Rockin' Hats our hats in Shanghai 2011 Chinese New Year

We laughed until we cried...Shanghai 2012 playing with Melissa's new lap top!
Took so many shots to get the straight face :)
We sent messages home to Jon & Peter with this one saying only,
 "The pollution is really bad this year!"

Our last trip together in January of 2013.
Sharing dinner with Denise in her home. 

Missing you my friend, for all those who've known the loss of someone they love.
My heart is with you- XOXO
Lynette

Seattle in the Sun!

 I was able to spend a few days in the pacific northwest in August and

I am totally convinced I could retire there!  

My husband likes to point out that both visits I've been very fortunate with 

1: blue skies, warm temperatures and 2: zero rain, drizzle or even mist. 

So okay, I probably need to revisit the whole retire there scenario.   

My friend Julie showed me around and we had a great time catching up.  

Twenty years of friendship and most of it lived apart.  

Our combined years of living abroad probably also equal 20 years!  

Ours is a friendship that started long before cell phones, email or Facebook. 

And, all while rarely living in the same city or even country. 

I still get real cards from this girlfriend too and it's so nice to be remembered! 

Julie is an inspiring small business owner and marketing distributor 

with SendOut Cards.  Please enjoy the link provided- 

she'd love to help you get organized and remember those that you love too.

Julie with me on the right.

I loved these handcrafted, petite vases and a lucky someone will receive one as a gift.

Strolling...beautiful bright colors everywhere.

If I were to retire near Pike's Market Seattle, I would always have fresh flowers in my home!

Yum...white salmon, asparagus & cherries for dinner!

Do you think it really rains in Seattle, or that's just what the locals want us to believe?! 

What do you think of Seattle? Retirement spot or just a great place to visit?

  I'd love to hear from you.