Craving Adventure
Written By: Dr. Simone Arnold

Part 1

With fewer than 30 days planning, a group of six girlfriends opted in for a trip of a lifetime.

Destination: Europe.

The Team. Who really subscribes to a 9-day trip to London, England in the soul of winter? We did. We’ve known each other for over 35 years and no season has gone by without a check-in by phone or in person. Born and raised in Guyana, South America, we met at St. Rose’s High School. Truly, we’re fortunate to maintain close ties over the years: chatting about hot topics affecting the world, catching up on adversities and successes in our careers, but most of all, sculpting moments to simply share laughter and love.

We rely on technology like Zoom and WhatsApp when communicating. Don’t you feel a sense of ease and calm when you connect with your girlfriends – your sisters (a.k.a Bella Roses)? I can still feel my belly cramps from minutes of laughter. Then deep conversations as we reflected on the joys of High School: boys, books, and boobs. Well, maybe not that exact order. There is a pure joy being in the presence of loved ones who unlock your laughter in a gush of deep, loud hearty manner. Technology has made it easy and convenient to bridge the void across the oceans and miles.

And the Bella Roses can cook! Ms. Chan from Home Economics class would stand in awe if she tasted the entrees. Gordon Ramsay has nothing on these chefs. There will be no yelling in the kitchens, just coordination, meal preparation, marinating, and lots of food tasting.  I helped with the latter. The meals came out perfect: seafood boil, cook-up rice, fish and chips, curry chicken – you name it my belly appreciated it!  Oh, the pictures we will share.

Food brings comfort, provides opportunities to explore a variety of cultures, and to celebrate. Think about how you incorporate food daily. Mealtimes should be special; ours were spectacular. We dined together. Prayer was a staple – every time – ushering in our sincere gratitude for what we have. Growing up with very little leaves you with a humbled heart and belly. Wasting food was seen as a sin.  We never went hungry in Guyana, but choices were limited. We respect the memories of few options.

The Truth. Our hosting sister resides in England. The round-trip distance of 8,836 miles from Miami, Florida to Heathrow, London was not a breeze, but worthwhile.  Seven years had elapsed since we had physically seen each other. Too long, we agreed. Cancer has a way of bringing folks together. The six-month-cancer-free lifeline of yours truly felt like a good enough reason to get the gang together. We are reminded of the power in Thomas Fuller’s quote: “Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.” There is nothing that we won’t do for each other.

Next edition will feature The Theme, The Tower, and The Trust.

Photo Credit: Bella Roses, Dining out at Turtle Bay Caribbean Restaurant

Richly to your success,
Dr. Simone

About the Author

Simone Arnold is a vice president of product management at a Fortune 500 Company. She is also an alumna and contributor to the Center for Education and Information Technology Research and the Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research at the University of Phoenix. She researches emotional intelligence, workplace diversity, and statistical procedures and applications for continuous performance development. She holds a Doctor of Management degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix.  She is Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from PECB. As the Chief Inspiration Officer at MotivEight, LLC, she intentionally affirms to help professionals grow through speaking, training, and mentorship.

Simone Arnold