There's nothing like a trip back home to clear your head.
Oh, and queso. That helps, too.
Showing posts with label trips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trips. Show all posts
escapism
My April weekends are filled on the calendar-- I am either out of town or have guests visiting every weekend. Except one. Except the weekend of M's birthday.
I had intentionally left this past weekend free, but obviously, I needed to find other plans. I'm done being sad and making poor, impulsive decisions and I'm ready to be/have fun again. (Remember back when?)
Girls' trip? Vegas?
Yes, please!
I had intentionally left this past weekend free, but obviously, I needed to find other plans. I'm done being sad and making poor, impulsive decisions and I'm ready to be/have fun again. (Remember back when?)
Girls' trip? Vegas?
Yes, please!
conquered!
[Remember my 30-by-30? I sort of backlogged a few posts because I was having technical issues with photos... All sorted several months later and I'd like to share the last remaining bullet points, though.]
I'm still alive!! With both feet firmly planted on the ground.
I wasn't really sure what to expect. Honestly, I thought it was be more graceful, sort of Hey!-Look!-I'm-soaring-like-a-bird! Yeah, not so much...
That said, it was the most adrenaline-rushing moment of my life.
I'm still alive!! With both feet firmly planted on the ground.
I wasn't really sure what to expect. Honestly, I thought it was be more graceful, sort of Hey!-Look!-I'm-soaring-like-a-bird! Yeah, not so much...
That said, it was the most adrenaline-rushing moment of my life.
judging a book
I have my eyes shut, trying to get an hour of sleep before my escape to San Francisco. It doesn't matter though- sleeping, headphones, hoodie- people on planes just seem to want to talk. The second the plane takes off, Homeboy next to me starts to chat me up.
I peek one eye open, figure he's cute enough, and decide that I could use the self-esteem boost after the last guy. And, after all, it's only a one hour flight.
I peek one eye open, figure he's cute enough, and decide that I could use the self-esteem boost after the last guy. And, after all, it's only a one hour flight.
new england autumn
LA doesn't have seasons, but for the past few years, I've been lucky enough to visit the East Coast for a quick trip and experience the fall. Earlier this month, I had a magical New England weekend filled with pumpkins, apple picking, and gorgeous rust-coloured leaves.
 |
| Pumpkins at Allendale Farms |
Greek Island Hopping
I'm feeling overwhelmed trying to sum up my trip in a short, concise post.
In summary, it was a glorious, two week trip where I danced until dawn, waded around in crystal clear waters, slept on the beach, and saw the most breathtaking sunsets in the world.
And the long version?
In summary, it was a glorious, two week trip where I danced until dawn, waded around in crystal clear waters, slept on the beach, and saw the most breathtaking sunsets in the world.
And the long version?
vacation me
I know you'll never read this, but I have a confession to make.... I wasn't totally honest with you.
Yes, I did tell you my real name, my real job, and my real age (gasp!), which is something I never do with random bar boys. But, the truth is, you didn't actually meet real-life-me.
Instead, you met vacation-me.
Yes, I did tell you my real name, my real job, and my real age (gasp!), which is something I never do with random bar boys. But, the truth is, you didn't actually meet real-life-me.
Instead, you met vacation-me.
s'mores and stars and sleeping bags
I survived! And I was not eaten by a bear!
My favorite part of this camping adventure were the stars. They were brilliant.
My favorite part of this camping adventure were the stars. They were brilliant.
"Look at the stars/Look how they shine for you/
And everything you do/Yeah, they were all yellow."
And everything you do/Yeah, they were all yellow."
-Yellow, Coldplay
(21 + 9) + bff bday = vegas
 |
| Happy Birthday, A! |
As people say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But some quick highlights?
They would include dopplegangers, sexy tractors, and footballers.
"Hey I just met you/And this is crazy/But here's my number/So call me maybe"
"Call Me Maybe" - Carly Ray Jepsen aka Vegas 2012 Summer Song
30 by 30: the cliffnotes version
Taking a hiatus from the blog meant that I wasn't tracking my 30 by 30 so well. Sadly, this means I may have fallen a little behind schedule. But here's the short version of what I have accomplished (and I apologize for the lack of pictures):
- attempt a sport I haven't tried before
I own yoga pants that have never actually been to yoga. It's cool-- go ahead and judge.
During the week, from 12-1, you can typically find me eating paninis and not at the free yoga classes by the lagoon. So I sacrificed the grilled chicken sandwiches for stretching and breathing. This lasted approximately two weeks. I prefer less peace/serenity and more cardio/head-pounding. Sports I still want to try: surfing, skiing, parkour, and martial arts.
- learn to use power tools
I had an ambitious plan-- to build my own headboard. How great would that be? I borrowed tools and printed out plans. But let's be realistic, I'm good at the math required to build the frame, but like, circular vs jig saws?! I really just need to know Tools101. I learned to change out drill bits, etc. and was able to use my new skills hanging up curtains and assembling furniture. We'll save the headboard for when I don't have to build it on my tiny balcony.
- get another stamp in my passport
So, AK1 was supposed to come to LA for another foodie trip.
Him: "Hey.. I was looking up tickets to visit, but do you want to go to London instead?"
Me: "London? Seriously? Uhh.." *pause*
Me: "Yeah, actually, I would!"
Unfortunately, my passport happened to be expired, so getting this stamp was a bit more complicated than anticipated. But after spending an entire day at the LA Passport Agency (worse than DMV and dentist's office combined), we took a whirlwind four-day trip to see the sites, eat some food, and spend 1.7 times more on everything than we realized.
- attempt a sport I haven't tried before
I own yoga pants that have never actually been to yoga. It's cool-- go ahead and judge.
During the week, from 12-1, you can typically find me eating paninis and not at the free yoga classes by the lagoon. So I sacrificed the grilled chicken sandwiches for stretching and breathing. This lasted approximately two weeks. I prefer less peace/serenity and more cardio/head-pounding. Sports I still want to try: surfing, skiing, parkour, and martial arts.
- learn to use power tools
I had an ambitious plan-- to build my own headboard. How great would that be? I borrowed tools and printed out plans. But let's be realistic, I'm good at the math required to build the frame, but like, circular vs jig saws?! I really just need to know Tools101. I learned to change out drill bits, etc. and was able to use my new skills hanging up curtains and assembling furniture. We'll save the headboard for when I don't have to build it on my tiny balcony.
 |
| London's Big Ben |
So, AK1 was supposed to come to LA for another foodie trip.
Him: "Hey.. I was looking up tickets to visit, but do you want to go to London instead?"
Me: "London? Seriously? Uhh.." *pause*
Me: "Yeah, actually, I would!"
Unfortunately, my passport happened to be expired, so getting this stamp was a bit more complicated than anticipated. But after spending an entire day at the LA Passport Agency (worse than DMV and dentist's office combined), we took a whirlwind four-day trip to see the sites, eat some food, and spend 1.7 times more on everything than we realized.
i've got more hooks than madonna got looks
 |
| Better Than Ezra at the House of Blues |
I caught their show at the House of Blues in Houston over the holidays with my bff, A. The audience was a pretty bizarre cross-section of folks, but the show itself rocked-- I mean, come on, there was mash up of the Billy Idol, Chris Issac, and Foster the People. We all know I love mash-ups.
Since A hasn't listened to their albums on repeat since college, she requested I compile a list of my top ten (she really only asked for eight) BTE songs (sorry, Grooveshark widget not visible on ipads):
zaza zoom
 |
| Hotel Zaza, Downtown Houston |
A few bottles of champagne in and right before the midnight countdown, we went around and shared our biggest regrets and accomplishments of 2011.
fizzy and tastes like grape juice
 |
| happy 29 |
Friday was a night of dinner, dancing, and drinks in Downtown LA. Late brunch at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena was a great lazy Sunday. (Be sure to order the red velvet waffles-- it's like cake for breakfast!).
But Saturday was extra special; my friends and I spent the day in the beautiful sleepy town of Temecula for an all-day, private wine tour.
down and dirty
Here's the truth-- I had no idea what "mud run" actually meant. In my mind, you'd run three miles, and at the very end, jump through a couple of pits of mud and look all happy. Negative. It apparently requires you to be an ÜberAthlete; there were hills, trenches, knotted ropes to climb, crawling through tunnels, and over 50 mud pits.
My friend L was down to partake in this little adventure with me. L is a beast; she runs triathlons, is a former abs instructor (insane!), and is training soon for the upcoming Ironman. To put this into perspective, she was running the Mud Run on her "off" day; I was sore and hobbling and taking asprin for the next two days.
 |
| L & I pre-race |
 |
| Mud Pits!! |
clogged arteries
I love truck food. I love fair food.
I basically love any type of battered, deep-fried, overpriced, heart-clogging food on a stick. Followed by some type of battered, deep-fried dessert, blanketed with powdered sugar.
So I've spent the past few weekends exploring deliciousness on both coasts.
I basically love any type of battered, deep-fried, overpriced, heart-clogging food on a stick. Followed by some type of battered, deep-fried dessert, blanketed with powdered sugar.
 | |||||||||
it's like 2002 all over again
Girls' Weekend 2011 By the Numbers
Years we've known each other: 10+
Annual trips: 4 (and counting!)
Clubs/bars/lounges: 8?
Dollars spent on dining & drinks: 1000$+
Hours I wore high heels: 1 (don't judge)
Hours spent sleeping: 6
Hours spent dancing: 7
Though we've all gone our separate ways since undergrad, every time we get together, I feel like no time has passed. Since our days at college, JKM, MER, MLY, and I have been though a fair number of life milestones -- graduations, broken relationships, careers, weddings, Mr. Rights/Mr. Right-Nows, and even babies!