WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION

Summer is just about over, in some areas of the country schools are already in session.  In many schools an assignment is being given to students; write an essay stating what you did on your summer vacation.

On my summer vacation I had several extremely exciting things and some I wish I never had to do.  I was invited to participate in an international on line symposium on bullying.  I was one of 3 Americans invited to participate along with others from countries such as

Italy

,

Eastern Europe

,

Great Britain

,

Australia

,

Germany

,

Sweden

and others.

What did not surprise me is that “bullying” going by different names, existed in all countries around the world.  Some countries experienced different forms of bullying than others, some had different names for the same act of bullying and some countries have yet to experience some types of bullying.

What a wonderful experience to participate in an international program.

We have recently returned from vacation out west.  Sounds funny doesn’t it?  Vacation?  I thought you were an international speaker and traveled all over?!  Why would you need a vacation? 

Interesting question, when I travel to different parts of

North America

to speak it is almost always a fly in, perform, and fly out to either home or the next school.  Generally speaking there is little time for sight seeing.   

My wife and I and close friends traveled to

Lake Tahoe

for a week.  What beautiful scenery.  I love the mountains of the west and any time I get to fly over or hike through them is a treat.  Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in

North America

and let me tell you the water is cold too.

We flew from our home to

Phoenix

,

AZ

, where we will begin to winter over at this year, then on to

Reno

,

NV

.  Of course we stopped and spent some money in the slot machines along the way to

California

and

Lake Tahoe

.  With special close friends we explored the lake and the upper altitudes. 

Squaw Valley

ski area was gorgeous!  You seem to be in the middle of a mountain range surrounded by unbelievable drops and breathtaking beauty.  Wow!

Traveling as I do I have a better understanding of the patriotic song, America … from sea to shining sea, waves of golden grain, purple mountains majesty…we are indeed blessed!

I was able to travel east to

New Jersey

on some personal business this summer also.  My younger brother passed away after succumbing to a long term disease.  My brother lived close to us and passed away suddenly and totally unexpectedly.  It was decided that we would take his remains “home”.  It was funny/weird to go back “home”.

Funny/weird that things had changed so much.  The roads were still there, I was still able to find my way around despite all the new additions of concrete, expressways and additional blacktop.  What was different is that it wasn’t really a 5 mile one way trip to school.  How did that happen?  The house I grew up in, the one my Dad and family built … well, it wasn’t as big as it used to be!  Many of the areas woods are gone, cut for more housing and roads.

What was pleasurable about this trip is seeing family that I haven’t seen in years.  My female cousins are just as beautiful as I remember.  We spent some time together and it was just as if we had never been apart.  Hours reminiscing over dinner and story telling and photo exchanging, asking about forgotten friends and acquaintances.   Learning that an old forgotten friend is passed brings sorrow and the realization that you never can go back home to light.

A few weeks ago I was interviewed by a reporter from USA Today newspaper.  The Rockstar corporation release of the video game “Bully” is coming soon.  I was interviewed and quoted in the USA Today newspaper published on Thursday, August 10, 2006.

My summer vacation was filled with joy and sorrow.  Memories were made, friendships cemented and old relations rekindled.  Isn’t that what summer vacations are for?  All we are doing in life is building memories for ourselves and others.

For a long time in my life I was responsible for many unkind/scary memories as a bully.  Now as “The Recovering Bully”, I am doing my best to change the world and leave behind positive memories.

How was your summer vacation?  I’d like to hear from you, drop me an e-mail and let me know.  As ever I’m always looking for schools, organizations and audiences who need to hear my message.  Don’t hesitate to contact me if you know of someone or are a decision maker or if you are just concerned about the issue of bullying.

Let me know what you think!