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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JUNE 2024 15 By Annette Hillis, Resident Shirley Ferruzzi lives in a world where borders blur and cultures intertwine. She regularly embarks on impressive journeys that continue to reinforce her sunny disposition and her belief that "there are a lot of nice people out there." Ferruzzi came to this country at the age of 24 and had a career in nursing for over 40 years. She is half-Chinese, half-Filipino, well- educated, and speaks four languages. Always having the desire to explore new and different locales, she began her zest for world travel as a young woman. "I wanted to experience the unknown. Traveling reduces stress and relaxes me. I like the food, history, architecture, and visiting UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) heritage sites. I have traveled to 81 countries and counting." While planning and budgeting for trips can be arduous, Ferruzzi finds it to be rather easy. "I'm good at saving money. I don't buy anything expensive – no designer clothes. I live a simple life." And as far as advice to someone who wants to start traveling extensively, Ferruzzi says to start slow, take small trips, and to not overwhelm yourself. She believes our nation is the best place to start when it comes to geographical exploration. Having visited locations literally all over the world (as her wall map dotted with many pins can attest to), Ferruzzi highlights her most memorable as being Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Israel, and Croatia. ey exceeded expectations, she claims. But trekking and paragliding in India and Nepal were also special, as well as flying in a small plane to take a gander at Mt. Everest. One way she finds enjoyment and connects with the locals is by trying their food. She's eaten such delicacies as horse, iguana, guinea pig, and all kinds of street food. "I travel alone 60 – 70% of the time. To ensure my safety on trips, I just use common sense. I don't go out at night or go into dark alleys. I have self-awareness and use my problem-solving skills." One excursion that tested her confidence and independence was on a planned trip to Israel on October 7, 2023, the day that Hamas attacked the country. She says that several people texted her to come back home, but she was resolute to at least go somewhere. In the end, her visit to Israel was canceled and she ended up going to Jordan instead. Ferruzzi is very involved on the home front too. Here in our Solera Diamond Valley Community, she plays ping-pong and pickleball. She has been an active participant in Advanced Tai Chi, the Singles Club, and both the Volunteer and Library Groups. "Traveling plays an integral part of going outside of your comfort zone. It improves communication skills. It also humbles yourself when you go to poor areas of the world," she professes. Ferruzzi adamantly embraces the quote from Chinese philosopher and writer Lao Tzu which states "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." As Shirley Ferruzzi continues to take those steps, she has no intentions in slowing down or in stopping anytime soon. Venturing Beyond Borders