We were supposed to have an adventure today. I had it all planned – the directions, the hike, even the post-trip burger indulgence. Lupus had a different plan for today. One that included a 24 hour headache, extreme fatigue, and a nearly non-functional body. So I’m sitting at home – probably giving myself a first degree […]
Grocery Shopping in Germany (Compared to the USA).
Going grocery shopping in Germany has always been a stressful event for me. On my first visit to Kaufland, a few days after moving to Germany, I unintentionally made a cashier very angry because I didn’t weigh my bananas before checking out. Even after living in Germany for 13 months, it seemed like I always managed to do […]
Why Sweden Felt Like Home.
I realized that Sweden felt like home only a few hours into my trip. I was actually rather startled to discover that Sweden was so similar to the USA, although the comparison was likely exaggerated because I had been living in Germany for a year. Experiencing Sweden – the people, the culture, the food – was […]
On Being Thankful for My Spouse as a Chronic Illness Sufferer.
Mr. Meena: husband, engineer, son, roller coaster fanatic, birdy daddy extraordinaire. My spouse is all of these things and more. But his most recent title is “carer”. My husband cares for me, but not just in the usual manner of a husband caring for a wife. He is a carer; he takes care of me […]
Visiting PortAventura Theme Park in Tarragona, Spain.
PortAventura World is an entertainment resort located along the eastern coast of Spain next to the Balearic Sea. In fact, you can see the blue water from many rides. The resort is comprised of five hotels, two golf courses, and three parks: PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park, Ferrari Land (opening April 2017), and PortAventura Park (which […]
A Lovely Blog Award + More of My Favorite Bloggers.
I am delighted that Rhiann from My Brain Lesion and Me found my blog worthy of A Lovely Blog Award. Rhiann is a fellow chronic illness blogger from the UK who lives with a neurological condition. I’ve found her blog to be very relatable and also lovely. One of my favorite posts by her is 2017: A […]
What Chronic Illness Has Given Me.
I am not grateful for my chronic illnesses, nor will I ever be. They have made my life unbelievably difficult and I would exchange them for a healthier life in a heartbeat. However, since being chronically sick is my current reality, it helps to focus on what chronic illness has given me instead of what it’s […]
Enjoy Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Anna Maria Island is a lovely seven mile stretch of land off the western coast of Florida. The island is shared by the cities Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach. It’s white, sandy beaches and relaxed atmosphere have made the island an increasingly popular vacation destination over the years. Of course, it doesn’t hurt […]
Diagnosis Number Three: Lupus.
Three chronic illnesses? Lupus? This is starting to get out of hand. In November of 2015 I began suffering from debilitating pain while living in Germany. This pain, along with other symptoms, has made it very difficult for me to function normally. Going to the doctor in Germany (several doctors, actually) turned out to be less than helpful, […]
A Day at Kolmården Wildlife Park in Sweden.
Kolmården Wildlife Park is a large zoo in Sweden that opened an incredible wooden roller coaster last year. Paradoxically, the park boasts 370 acres of property, 600 animals from all over the world, and now three roller coasters. It’s an unusual combination, but one that we enjoyed greatly. Over 50 years old, Kolmården is one […]
