Brittany's HAPPINESS JAR (with a bonus suggestion from her very nice sounding boyfriend)
Photos of Elizabeth Gilbert
My very own Happiness Jar! I love this new comittment to work on joy in my life. My boyfriend suggested that I tell myself I'm beautiful each time I add to my jar. Project Self Esteem… 🙂
SHARK!
OK, watch this very short video closely, to see the shark I was paddling with in the mangroves of the Great Barrier Reef. I'm the one in the orange hat, pointing. (What you can't hear is me shouting: SHARK! SHARK! SHARK!) If you look carefully, you'll see the shark zip by.
It was pretty incredible.
I think only two weeks ago on this very page I mentioned my fear of sharks. People, I gotta tell you — this creature was so exquisite, so elegant, so sublime. In the moment, it never occurred to me to be afraid. Only in awe of creation, and all its magnificent arrangements.
Also, a shark sighting is a very good incentive to not fall off your paddle board …
ENJOY.
OK, flying home to New Jersey now. No more sharks.
Love
Liz
RAIN FOREST ACTION BARBIE!
So I discovered something new on this trip to Australia…stand-up paddling! I had no idea I would love it so much. We went up to the Great Barrier Reef, and I learned how to do it there (incredible view of sea turtles, rays and SHARKS) and then I got to spend a day on the Mossman River, paddling through the serene rain forest…truly one of the greatest natural experiences of my life.
If anyone ever finds themselves in Port Douglas, I can't recommend this outfitter called Windswell highly enough. The guys are terrific, and they take you to the most remote and marvelous places… Here's the Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/windswell?fref=ts
Now I need to start stand-up paddling on the Delaware River, back home. I think it is now officially my preferred method of transportation. I may do my entire book tour by stand-up paddleboard. It may take me a while, but I will arrive at every new city in a VERY GOOD MOOD…
All love,
Liz
HELLOOOOO…
Dearest Everyone —
My family holidays in Australia have drawn to a close (I saw sharks! Photos to follow!) and now I sit in an airport hotel in Sydney, about to fly home (with an abscessed tooth, and a root canal waiting for me when I arrive — hooray!)
But before I fly off, I just wanted, once more, to put in a praiseful word on the wonders and marvels of travel. People, it is a glorious planet out there, full of fascinating humans (and even more fascinating animals — thank you, Queensland!)
I will arrive home jetlagged and weary, behind on all my work, missing my pets and garden and friends, and with a dental emergency on my hands…but yes: RICHER.
So, so, so much richer…
Onward!
Liz
Dear Ones;
Hey! I'm in distant Northern Australia on vacation suddenly! Visiting my husband's beautiful kids! This means several things:
1) Tim-Tams!
2) A delirium of jetlag!
3) Sporadic Facebooking over the next week or so — sorry!
But before I slip away into the hinterlands, I wanted to share this. I stopped in Sydney two days ago to visit the great State Library, and the nice librarians there let me hold in my very own (gloved) hands this treasure: The expedition diary of Sir Joseph Banks, from Captain Cook's first voyage.
After you guys read "The Signature of All Things" you'll understand why this was a holy and magnificent moment for me. I got a little weepy.
I love Australia!
OK, disappearing again now,
Cheers,
Liz
