Tag Archives: traveler

Time Capsules

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I am packing up my life here in San Francisco, leaving it in a storage facility, unsure of when I’ll see it again. For all intents and purposes, I’m leaving a time capsule. It got me to thinking about the other unintentional time capsules I have created – one in the basement of my Uncle’s apartment building in 2003 when my mom and I moved in with her boyfriend and the other in my best friend’s mother’s basement in 2012 when I decided to move to San Francisco. When I go back to Connecticut in January, I’ll actually have to sort through both. I’m so curious to know what I thought was so important to save and store since I literally have no idea what could be in those boxes. This is also making me question my packing choices at the moment.

Should I leave a note in their for my future self? 🙂

SoCal Roadtripping with my Bitty

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On Sunday, October 19th, my SmartCar (Bitty) and I departed on a 2 week SoCal Road trip from San Francisco. It’s been over a year since I’ve traveled for any longer than a weekend, so it was great to get back into the mentality of couch crashing and living out of a suitcase. It was a complete mind, body and spiritual rest and rejuvenation. A heartfelt thanks to all those who hosted me or came to spend time with me as I hopped around SoCal. It was incredibly special and outrageously fun. Each interaction meant more to me than you can possibly know – I am very grateful for each of you in my life. After 1279 miles, I’m back in San Francisco and ready to tackle the next few weeks of preparation before I embark on this amazing journey.

Some highlights from my road trip:

-Picking up my first ride share and having a great time chatting with him on the way down the coast

-Cuddles and laughs with the Storts family (human and furry) in the avocado orchard

-Late night talks with Rochelle

-Line dancing in San Diego

-Karaoke in San Diego

-The gluttony of food in San Diego, every delicious bite…

-Learning the ‘Thriller’ dance with Taylor

-Completing my 3rd Tough Mudder with folks I had just met days before and a sprained toe in Temecula

-‘Couples‘ massage with Taylor after said Tough Mudder

-Did I mention the food? Because THE FOOD! San Diego, I love you.

-‘The best margarita in San Diego‘

-Beach bonfire in LA to celebrate a co-worker’s birthday (who I also got to meet for the first time!)

-Laying pool side in Palm Springs with one of my oldest friends

-Finding the only dive bar to ever rival El Rio’s Karaoke in LA, The Brass Monkey with my CT loves

-Walking a mile in a torrential downpour while wearing a full length dress and afro wig

-Walking Venice Beach

-Spotting Zebras on the drive up the Pacific Coast Highway

-The breath-taking views along the PCH, I will never tire of them

-Listening to Jon sing to ‘All About That Bass‘ on the drive home – also the moment when ‘our song’ came on the radio as we began the trip

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Preparing for 6 months of travel: the ever-growing to do list

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I’m freakishly organized. As in, I actually enjoy making lists and creating organizational systems. Since the day I bought my tickets, I have been updating a list of all the things I need to do in temporarily wrapping up my life in San Francisco before embarking on this crazy journey. The list just keeps on growing… any volunteers to be my personal assistant for the next month?

-cancel gym membership
-email landlord with 30 days notice
-figure out what to do with my car
-have oil changed and scheduled maintenance done on car
-figure out where to forward my mail
-change mailing address in all accounts and make request to forward with USPS
-check up with doctor
-teeth cleaning
-see if health insurance covers my internationally
-cancel cell phone
-cancel Comcast & utilities
-purchase travel case for computer
-contact credit cards to alert them of travel
-purchase wall adapter for chargers
-find storage unit
-change renter’s insurance to cover storage unit instead of apartment
-schedule movers
-sell furniture and items I will not be packing
-research international calling plans
-review time zones and figure out work schedule
-plan awesomest going away party ever

Sometimes, you just have to say “fuck it”

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When you’ve dreamt of something for as long as you can remember and you’re teetering on the edge of big life decisions… sometimes the best solution is to slug back a few glasses of wine and say “fuck it”. That’s what I did last Tuesday evening when I charged airplane tickets to my credit card for 2 months of visiting family and friends along the east coast, 3 weeks in Australia and 3 months in Europe!

As said best in Billy Joel’s ‘Vienna’ (a longtime inspiration of mine) – “You can get what you want, or you can just get old.”  I’ve learned that time is the most precious resource I have – both abundant and limited in the same regard – I’m thrilled to be taking full advantage of mine. And while it’s one of the crazier moves I’ve ever made, it feels right like the right time to take the right risk.

And hey – some of the best decisions I’ve made have been while intoxicated, so let’s hope this one follows suits (I mean, that one way ticket to San Francisco turned out to be the greatest choice ever, right??). Drunken courage surely takes action for the sober heart! 

I’ll spend the next two months packing up a storage unit (sadly giving up a great apartment), figuring out what to do with my car and sorting out the hundreds of little details to leave my life in San Francisco not knowing where I’ll be when I return in June. I’m lucky and grateful to have a remote job so I will be able to continue working during this time and will also be tapping into my abundant bank of vacation hours (cheers to being a workaholic and having that shit saved up).

I’m also beyond grateful that I will be spending long overdue time with family and friends all over the world and very excited for the new connections I will make! I’m already overwhelmed with the love, support and offers that have come in within a week of making this decision – I’ll keep everyone posted throughout this process and of course when the traveling starts. Cheers to adventure and bold decisions!

Flight itinerary:

12/7 San Francisco –> Maryland to visit Kaley and my nieces
12/14 Maryland –> Florida to visit my grandparents and Ashley for Christmas
12/28 Florida –> Detroit to get a New Years kiss from Jon
1/4 Detroit –> Connecticut to visit friend and family for 3 weeks (hoping to make it up to Rhode Island to visit Josh’s restaurant in Newport and reunite with friends in Providence after 4 years of being gone)
1/27 Connecticut –> Australia for 3 weeks of adventure with Nicola!
2/16 Australia –> Germany to begin 3 months of European travels!
5/9 London –> Connecticut for a few weeks before returning to California

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“To change one’s life… 1. Start immediately. 2. Do it flamboyantly. 3. No exceptions.”

“To change one’s life… 1. Start immediately. 2. Do it flamboyantly. 3. No exceptions.”

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This blog was initially created to discuss and plan my traveling journeys. In the beginning stage of this all, I realized that I would need to align my level of physical and mental fitness with my dreams. When I began … Continue reading →

Activating the Law of Attraction

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“The law of attraction is simple – whatever you project energetically or put your energy towards whether that be positive or negative you will attract. What you project is what you receive. A vision board is simply to help set our intentions for the way we want to live, and for our brains to pick up on that and make it happen. The vision board therefore, is to help our brains recognize what it is we want to make true in our lives. It helps us unconsciously move towards our dreams in a very real and powerful way.  The purpose of a vision board is to realize your future, and to activate the law of attraction and move from day dreaming to living your dreams.”

-Mary Crimmins, Fellow Blogger

I created my ‘vision board‘ in the same week that I started this blog. Ironically enough, I did not set out to do so. I thought it would be a good idea to print out maps to get a sense of not only where I would like to go but where I thought my social network could come in handy. I highlighted where I had been and outlined where I would like to go. I started creating pinpoints in places where I had people I could stay with or where I knew friends had traveled and could offer advice. A cork board that my roommate had given me seemed the best place to tack these maps on – and voilà – my vision board was created!

I stare at it several times a day with excitement and a tinge of anxiety. I’m setting forth my intentions into the world and here is where you all (all of the extraordinary people I’ve been blessed with in my life) come in. Send me your stories and advice! Where have you traveled? Where would you like to go? What must I absolutely see or do? Do you have advice on hostels or know of a couch I can crash on? Do you know of any good websites or travel options to help with planning? Anything! I’m seeking to pick the brains and generosity of all of my connections and their connections and their connections…. You get the idea. So comment on my blog or page… send an email or a facebook message… text or call me… send a note via carrier pigeon – whatever you prefer!

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“Don’t think about what you want to be, but do what you want to do.”

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It has only been a week since the launching of my blog, but it certainly feels longer. Thank you to my friends and family for the kind words and overwhelming show of support – 88 followers!

My inspiration this week comes from an old friend, Everett, who shared the quote below on my Facebook wall. It could not be more poignant. It is true that we will never be able to figure it all out… we are barreling through space and time – everything around us is changing – we as humans are changing everyday… physically, emotionally, spiritually… in what we need and what we desire. Trying to analyze what is fleeting is not a good use of time or energy – instead let us truly exist in each moment, appreciate it as it is happening and be ready to roll along with the next one in this constantly shifting world. Let us not be afraid to see the beauty that exists in all of our interactions, let’s pay attention to the stories and lessons that lie within them.

“Don’t think about what you want to be, but do what you want to do.” By following your passion and doing what makes you happy, you will only naturally become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

And the best lesson I learned this week? Inspiration has a unique affect – the more that you are inspired, the more you become an inspiration to others. With all of the negativity, sadness and injustice in this world, it is important to focus in on and share this light as much as possible. SHARE YOUR LIGHT! Be vulnerable – don’t be afraid to share your dreams and your fears. Be willing to talk about them with anyone that you encounter – friends and strangers. Be receptive in allowing other people to share theirs with you. It’s not easy for me to be so open, but this past week has proven to me how imperative it really is. My fire has only been fueled by talking about it all week. Can someone please cue ‘This Little Light of Mine‘? Cause I’m going to let it shine… Let it shineeeeee, let it shine, let it shineeee!

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24 hours of love

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It has only been 24 hours since I launched my blog and Facebook page and I am already in awe. I am grateful every day, every moment for the support of the truly amazing people in my life. I’m beyond excited to see where this all takes me and I cannot thank you all enough for your love, kinds words and encouragement.

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“Life isn’t about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself.”

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My uncle gave me a card with this quote on it when I moved to California in May of 2011. Some things you hear and think you understand until the day that it really clicks and the meaning changes entirely. … Continue reading →