IRIE

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My blog this week is a little bit off the travel path. It is about a man I met . Theatre rehearsals have begun again for our youngest daughter. The first rehearsal of any new production involves a parent meeting. Of course being the need to know mother that I am, I was in attendance.

Since the rehearsal was only scheduled for 2 hours and one-way to the theatre is a 30 minute drive, I had already made plans to wait in the lounge after the meeting. I figured I’d catch up on some Facebook and brought a book to read. I had begun to play with my phone, settling in on the couch, when a father came out of the theatre and began to speak with me. At first, I thought maybe he just had a question, but soon realized he wanted to engage in conversation. At first, I was a little irked because I had to put down what I was doing, but soon relished in his company and conversation.

He like myself had a long drive one way and decided best to wait. He told me, he doesn’t normally get involved in this, but had to fill in for his wife tonight. Seeing that he was dying to speak, I soon pushed my phone and book aside and gave him 100% of my attention. I started asking more about him and his family. To his delight, we discovered that we both had kids of similar ages and as parents spent the majority or our free time driving from one practice, rehearsal, or event to another. I was so drawn in by his effervescent personality, I continued to ask more.

I soon discovered that he and his wife had moved here from Canada about 10 years ago, but were still getting used to US customs. They were both Jamaican, but met in Canada where they married and began raising their family. It was his wife’s job that brought them to the Memphis area. She is a nurse and her skills were sought out by several of our large hospitals. She has ended up with St. Jude. I was thoroughly intrigued being a transplant myself, and also having been here about 10 years now. It turns out that he is a mechanic by trade wanting to finish his schooling, but truly has a passion for cooking. I wanted to know more. His personality, smile, and casual “go with the flow” take on life were contagious.

I couldn’t resist knowing more about this happy person and proceeded to dive deeper. I started to ask more about where he grew up and how he ended up in Canada. It turns out he grew up outside of Kingston. In fact, he actually grew up with Bob Marley. Bob Marley was a few years older he told me, but they played in the same fields and along the same beaches. He said he wanted to visit Nashville at some point since he heard Bob had been there once. It was funny to hear him describe Marley as a tall, skinny boy. He said they lost touch when his mother decided to take him, his sister, and his grandmother to Canada due to the uprisings in Kingston at the time. He has never been back since. Made me kind of sad.

I told him that I had visited a few areas in Jamaica and it was one of my favorite islands to escape too. I said I really love the vibe and food items such as conch, meat pies, and curried goat. I told him I love to try what the locals eat. It is one of my favorite must do’s when I travel. He got so excited and started to tell me about how he cooks traditional Jamaican cuisine at home and for his friends and kid’s friends. In fact, if he ever gets to follow his passion to cook he would open a restaurant with Jamaican fare. He said it is hard to find the right spices here and that the price of goat is outrageous. However, he did even share his tiny secret about making the perfect rice and peas. He said, “Oh my, I’ve never shared that before and swore me to secrecy.” Sorry! He truly made my day and in the end I made his when he discovered what I did for a living. “Oh I must have your card. We have been wanting to plan a vacation and don’t know where to begin.”, he said. Then he commented that our meeting was meant to be. That the universe had brought him there that night. For me, it was a lesson about disconnecting from the electronic tethers of our life and engaging in good old fashion conversation. I encourage you next time someone approaches you to give them your undivided attention and see what you can learn.

For fun, try your hand at some Jamaican cuisine. Visit Eat Jamaican.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslIRIE
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How to Create More Happiness

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When you finally manage to steal a moment for yourself do you:

Get right to the enjoyment and fun, or…

Lay on the sofa waiting for something fun to come along and entertain you?

About 18 years ago I became a mom again, to the world’s most amazing, gorgeous and genius babies–my twins, Roque and Reyna. (I’m sure you feel the same way about your babies, human or otherwise.) Well, although they are amazing, gorgeous geniuses, caring for them was exhausting. They ate every other hour. For fun they decided to alternate their feeding hours so just as I got one baby fed and to bed the other was waking up to eat. I remember thinking, “If I could just get 4 hours of sleep in a row I’ll be set.” From time to time my mom would take them for the day to give me a break.

That was the perfect time for me to play, right? Not.

I had no idea what I wanted to do. I’d always clean, do the laundry, groceries and run the errands. Then I’d be home, exhausted half asleep on the sofa watching TV while they were gone. Now please understand, if I was super engaged in what I was doing and enjoying it, I wouldn’t say that was a crappie way to spend my time. However, the fact is I was completely disengaged and wouldn’t have recognized FUN if it tried to smother me as I slept.

It never occurred to me to do something I enjoy, something fulfilling. Granted I did enjoy having the chores done but that left me feeling sad and lonely with little energy to do more than sleep.

Fast forward to today and I can tell you with a clarity I did not have before, it’s CRITICAL to stay connected to what you like and enjoy. Otherwise, you’ll fall off the path to Joy-ville, and end up in Funky Town.

After my 2008 Breakdown I learned about self-worth and realized how abusive I was to myself. Nothing will teach you that faster than acquiring an autoimmune disease and becoming disabled. I disconnected from any sense of what felt good and fun.

When I started learning about mind, body and soul wellness, well-being, I realized I was ill-equipped to live a life of love, happiness and peace. No one ever talked about not working too hard, getting enough sleep, and taking a timeout when you needed it. It happens so fast and easily without you noticing.

It would take some time, but I finally figured out what I enjoyed. Before the 2008 Breakdown I couldn’t get there. I didn’t understand how our bodies are affected by living in a society where “busy-ness” is valued more than “effectiveness” and how this way of thinking has left 93% of the population feeling stressed out, guilty, and/or exhausted.

How to Use Time to Create Happiness
The first thing I had to do is be mindfully present. We hear about this concept of being present and in the moment but how often do we actually do it. To help keep grounded in the present focus on what you are doing and nothing else. Notice your bodily sensations, the thoughts running through you mind, and how you are emotionally feeling while being where you are.

Then create time for play. Play is art, books, cooking, movies, music, comedy, traveling, flirting and daydreaming. We tend to dismiss play for adults. Usually play is perceived as unproductive, petty or at its worse, a guilty pleasure. We are made to believe once we’ve transitioned to adult status it’s time for us to get serious. As a result, between personal and professional aspirations and obligations we leave no time for play.

Last, journal every day. Write about what you did and the things you accomplished. Notice how you felt and celebrate your wins. Before you know it, you will be completely tuned into what you do that fulfills you and brings you joy.

Be committed to never lose touch with your inner child. The one that loves to laugh at silly jokes and sing as loud as she can while dancing wildly to her favorite song.

Put It To Work: This week practice being mindfully present, create time for play and journal about your days. At the end of the week read what you wrote out. Start a list of things you enjoy doing. Things that make the time fly and make you feel passionate and energized when you do them. Keep this list on you and when you get a minute go do one of the things on your Play-List. I keep my Play-List on my phone.

Play Time is one of the Happitunities I talk about often. Play time is meant to be purposeless, voluntary, fun, and pleasurable. Give yourself permission to enjoy the healing and connectivity playing brings to a heart-centered, joyous lifestyle.


Carmen M. Perez, is the founder of www.EffortlessLivingOnline.com, a lifestyle e-magazine for entrepreneurs.

We help entrepreneurs understand they do not have to sacrifice their health, happiness or lifestyle to succeed. by sharing strategies to help them reclaim their time, calm the chaos and transform the way they experience their world. Sign up for your FREE content packed e-book, “Let’s get on with it! How to Survive Life’s Thriving Lessons” and receive her weekly advice on bringing order to chaos, busting through stress, and making the most of your time and living with passion, purpose, and play, visit www.EffortlessLivingOnline.com.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Carmen PerezHow to Create More Happiness
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Tahitian Pearls

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“An irritating, tiny grain of sand cultivates layers of luminous, miraculous, one of a kind beauty just as life challenges cultivates and evolves each of our souls.”-unknown.

As I sit here reflecting, drawing my hand along my throat,  I am drawn back to my time in Tahiti and the little orbs that hang from my silver chain. They were a gift I bought myself in December 2014 while in the Islands of French Polynesia. My particular pearls were bought at the Tahiti Pearl Market in Vaitape. I remember the day well. We began the day with a shark and sting ray excursion. As we were finishing our day out on the ocean and lagoon of Bora Bora, a storm moved in. Here the 10 of us were on a small boat and the captain had us sit steadily facing the shore as we waited for the storm to pass. We entertained ourselves with various camp songs and could not resist singing the theme from “Gilligan’s Island”. Once we made it back to the resort, it was a quick change to catch our ferry to the mainland to have some lunch and shopping in Vaitape. We were caught in another downpour and waited it out in the restaurant before venturing to the stores. Black pearls are really a must purchase you see and we were on a mission that day to come home with some.

The black pearl is known as the Tahitian Pearl.

This organic gem is formed from the black lip oyster and primarily earns the name Tahitian Pearl because they are mostly cultivated around the islands of French Polynesian. The pearls actually aren’t true black; they’re charcoal, and they also can be found as silver or dark green. At the Tahiti Pearl Market you had the option to purchase a piece already made or could design your own. I opted to make my own design so that it would be one of a kind. The pearls range in size, shape, color and luster. The price ranges too, depending on the size, color, and luster you choose for your setting.

Looking at the boxes and boxes of pearls it was so hard to decide, but fun at the same time.

It was like having a bag of marbles, but on smaller scale. I finally chose a charcoal, green, and white to place on an “S”-shaped pendant I had picked out. The amazing part is they actually assembled and crafted your design while you waited. You could watch the French Polynesian woman behind the glass. I truly must say the French Polynesians are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet in your travels. After about 30 minutes my creation was complete with certificate of authenticity. I was so excited to collect my treasure and return to the shuttle with my friends. Almost all 10 of us had something either made or purchased throughout that afternoon. It is truly a treasure I will cherish for a lifetime.

updated July 19. 2020


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslTahitian Pearls
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My Memphis Must Do List

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Have you explored your own backyard? I am not literally speaking of the backyard your home sits on, but the city or town with which you live. With all the moving I have done over the years and places I have lived, I have realized that a lot of people don’t take time to explore what they have right in front of them. I am guilty of it myself. I have been here in Memphis since 2003 and just made my first visit to the Beale Street Music Festival. It is a great event that kicks off Memphis in May, which by the way is a great time to visit here, not only for the activities, but the normally gorgeous, perfect, temperatures we have before the humidity and heat arrive. The Festival is a great event set on the riverfront with various stages, food, vendors, and top music artists from all genres. I saw Lenny Kravitz. It reminded me of Milwaukee’s Summerfest, but just on a bit smaller scale. The Beale Street Music Festival is just one of many great things to do in Memphis. Here is a list of some of my must do items…

You must have barbecue. When visiting Memphis be sure to make plans to taste the barbecue. One of the favorites is Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous. Just be careful, the pork around here is very addictive. As they say, “one minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips” I attribute a portion of my weight gain since moving here do to the ribs and pork butt.

Visit Beale Street. Beale Street in located in the heart of downtown and is a closed off pedestrian street. The street is alive with music, bars and dining. I highly encourage a visit to BB Kings. It has a great location on the corner which makes it ideal for people watching while enjoying the your meal and the live entertainment.

Visit the Peabody Hotel. Located in the heart of “Blues City” this elegant, southern charm, hotel is known for it’s ducks. The Peabody ducks are one of the main attractions and are escorted from their rooftop home to the lobby daily. It is a tradition dating back to 1933. And speaking of rooftop, visit during the summers and find live entertainment sky high on Thursday nights.

See Elvis’s home. What visit to Memphis would be complete without seeing “The King” of rock ‘n’ roll’s home, Graceland. Memphis offers a guided tour of his home with headset. It is something to see at least once. And if you are a huge Elvis fan, you will want to drop by in August when the city is filled with Elvis lookalikes to celebrate his birthday. Treat yourself to a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

My list could really go on and on as I have only scratched the surface or what Memphis has to explore. Memphis has a taste for everyone from music to museums and offers beautiful views with its perfect location upon the Mississippi River. I encourage you to make a visit to your own backyard and let me know your must to do. If your not from Memphis, I encourage you to share in the comments where you are from and what one thing we must do where you live.


Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI. 

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds.  Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind.  She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember.  With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Lisa RossmeisslMy Memphis Must Do List
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