Happy Birthday to Me…Thanks for the Memories

Happy Birthday to Me…Thanks for the Memories

 After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It’s better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life…There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.

–Sophia Loren, named “The World’s Most Naturally Beautiful Person”one month before she turned 72

On the eve of another one, here’s to friends who taught me over the past few years to celebrate every birthday in a big way. Thanks to pals and family for making rich memories in my 52nd year. You danced, laughed and cried with me through the good stuff and the growing pains. Thanks to you and my God for loving me–especially those times when I didn’t love myself.

My son became a senior, my daughter an adult. I’m not excited about an empty nest, but I’m working on it. That and a lot of things. But for now, what is is enough. I have plenty of candles to light the way. Happy Birthday to Me.

Birthday…Kim made Tres Leches Cake and gang gave me dancing shoes 🙂

Party at Kim’s before Mad Donna’s


Kim calls this one “Salsa Barbie.”

The gang goes to the Nashville Film Festival to support me on the Big Screen, then Musica Campesina begins its world tour…

http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2011/09/07/pick-of-the-day-musica-campesina-country-music-at-vanderbilts-sarratt-cinema


http://anthropologicalobservations.blogspot.com/2011/11/musica-campesina-opens-in-chile-picked.html


Film Festival Party

Then there was the Classic Coup World Tour thanks to Rawsam, Emily, and Dehan…

Rawsam takes Road Less Traveled across US, Canada, Central & South America, Middle East
Emily takes Road Less Traveled to Africa
Dehan wears Rebel Reads From Alaska to Europe
Sherry Sifers Coyle wrote: Just wanted to let you know, dear friend, that without the Romeo and Juliet books you provided for my seniors this year, they would have graduated never having read a Shakespeare play. And. . . without having read the play, one of my students would have never had the chance to take first place today in a local Shakespeare speech competition. Love ya’, Cindy 🙂 My students in Nashville Skyped with Sherry’s students in Quito about love and parents after reading R and J together.
Classic Coup in Gulch’s Nashville Clothing Company

Cole in lead role of Our Town
Cole’s junior prom
Mom with Cole
David Sandoval teaching salsa to my students on World Culture Day
Italian cooking class with Paulette

Taylor starts new job
Lake…Kyler and Cole
Tubing with my sister, Penny
Left lake to get story on Rumba at CMA Fest
Examiner Article on Rumba at Chukkers for Charity Featured as Top Story in Arts/Entertainment


So honored to have been part of Moni and Ale’s big day

Thanks to Emily for making reservations and beautiful pics. The fancy photos are hers.
Beach Buddy

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Summer Reading to grade
Cole does Tennessee Tech campus tour and is sold.
Cole’s senior pic


One of Kenny and Sheyla’s parties…link to featurette I did for Alimentum magazine

Emila at Cindy D’s luau
Italian Lights…dancing on grapes
Chilean Independence Day

Spoke in Carole’s Belmont University class on Southern Festival of Books and Classic Coup

My Girl

Yuri Cunza of Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presents Journalism and Community Award
Students recite Shakespeare wearing Hamlet tees

Cole rocks pre-K

Sisters


Thank you, Paulina, for inviting me to see you become my fellow American. You said you waited 18 years and I’ll never forget your tears of joy.

“I Will Survive” serenade at Pablito’s
Getting by with a little help from my friends… thanks for the advice and the love…

And this birthday at Beth’s…Thanks Emily for video and gang for another celebration.

Cindy McCain

I'm Cindy McCain, Southern Girl Gone Global, who flew from my empty nest to write/teach for three years in Marrakesh, Morocco and the Caribbean. Now back in Nashville, I'm sharing tales, tips, and takeaways from exploring 27 countries and finding treasures in my backyard. My blog offers itineraries, travel/hospitality reviews, and inspiration for letting go of fear, holding onto faith, and finding freedom in roots and wings. Featured in Yahoo!, US News and World Report, Expedia, Orbitz, StyleBlueprint, SheKnows.com. Named a Top 35 Baby Boomer Blogs 2020-2023 and a Top 50 Travel Blog of 2016.

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