Travel Fantasy – Tropical Beaches

This week I’ve been sharing a lot of what I’ve been wrestling with the past couple of months, and I really appreciate the encouraging comments I’ve received! As we head into the weekend, I thought it would be fun to lighten things up a bit around here.

Although the weather in my area has been unseasonably warm, I have been absolutely daydreaming about being on a tropical beach all winter. I want to feel the toasty sun on my skin and dive into warm water breaking on the shore. My dad lived on the island of Maui for almost 6 years and I loved being able to visit him. All I really had to worry about was my plane ticket and how much I should pack. He lives much closer now (which I’m happy about), but I’ll always cherish that time and the experiences I was able to have while he was there.

So, if you want to make my dreams come true. Buy my a roundtrip ticket to a beautiful island paradise, set me up in a sweet ocean view room, and send me down to the sand to watch the sunset. We’ll be friends forever. ;)

What travel fantasies are you having a hard time kicking?

Daydreaming

I can't stop thinking about exploring a new place with my guy. Discovering street cafes, local music, and beautiful parks as we walk about a city. What city do I have in mind? One that requires a plane flight to get there. And that's all.

What are you daydreaming about today? 

(Photos taken in Ireland in 2011) 

The Rain Has Come

No, I'm not being vague about a hard time or struggle in my life, rainy weather has actually made an appearance in California! You know how I feel about the rain, so I could not be more excited than I have been the last 24 hours. Steady rain fall, gusty winds, falling leaves, ahhh! The whole thing is just perfect. You know what's even better? Since I'm no longer living in a cube, I get a front row view to nature's show. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate being able to see the outside world so often in a given hour; it really has lifted my spirits.

How do you feel about the rain? Some friends posted on my Facebook page that they love to take walks in the rain or snuggle up with a blanket or a book. What is your favorite rainy day activity? I'd love to hear!

Daydreaming

Our first rain (technically second) of the season has come! The cool temperatures, wet pavement, and crisp air have me daydreaming of this scene...

Wouldn't you love to explore a city all day and then cuddle up with a blanket and book while listening to a storm rage outside?

Travel Fantasy: River Floating in Bern, Switzerland

I realize Autumn started last week, but California is generally pretty late to the cold weather game. Our evenings have been getting a little bit cooler, but we are still seeing mid-to-high seventies and low eighties during the day. Since I've been unusually bummed about Summer ending, I've been trying to hold on the this warm weather for as long as possible...


That leads me to today's travel fantasy: floating down the River Aare in Bern Switzerland! Hopping into the clear, crisp river has been a long standing tradition for locals. They hike up alongside the river, barefoot and empty-handed, to a launch point upstream. Once they are in, the strong current quickly takes them back downstream. Since the water flows from melting glaciers, it is shockingly cold (62 degrees!) and is said to literally take your breath away.

Experienced floaters naturally head toward to middle of the river to avoid tree branches, yet know that they need to start swimming back to the side well before the last hand-rail. Amateurs, on the other hand, need to heed the advice of others (since there are no signs, suggestions, or directions for getting in and out):

• Begin swimming toward the side of the river well before the last hand railing, the current will get you there faster than you realize 
• If you get caught in a whirlpool, let the water take you all the way to the river floor and then launch yourself up from there once you reach the bottom (-_-)
• Float down the river at least twice, so that you are a bit more used to the temperature and are (hopefully) a little less afraid of dying 

Floating through a capital city is an amazingly unique experience that doesn't present itself often. I'm sure I would be an absolute basket case fearing I was going to miss the last hand rail and end up in the dam, but I also know that it is an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity that I wouldn't want to skip.

Would you float down the Aare River? What is a travel fantasy of yours? 
(Photos: Full Aperture)

River Cruises

Have you ever gone on a river cruise? I had never been on one until our first trip to Europe in 2009 when we sailed along the Seine River in France, from Paris to Normandy. I remember having zero expectations when we boarded the boat; it was small and definitely catered to an older audience (there were 8 of us under the age of 50!). Ageism aside, it was an amazing cruise. We quietly passed through the beautiful French countryside and stopped in small villages along the way. I have distinct memories of reading my book on the top deck, and taking breaks to watch cows grazing on rolling hills and medieval castles coast by. Since that trip, I've been interested in taking another river cruise in Europe.

One minor detail: Rob refuses. He thinks I'm crazy for wanting to party with the elderly for a week in Europe. In fairness to him, it is a pretty geriatric scene. There's no late night entertainment, they resist daring food choices, and his tats draw some pretty solid stares. Even still, I love the fact that the ships are drastically smaller than regular cruise lines, so they feel much more personal and way less crowded.

As we were preparing for our last trip, and even since we've been back, European river cruises have been nestled in the back of my mind. I think it's because I receive deal updates from Viking River Cruises (the cruise line we used in 2009) every week (kudos Viking marketing, kudos). It seems like they are in the midst of a major campaign to book up the rest of their available cruises before the year ends, and they are offering some seriously sweet deals. I'm talking a stateroom with a view PLUS business class airfare for $2,495! I didn't think you could even get business class tickets for that cheap (I have never actually purchased business class tickets, so I don't know for certain). It has been tempting me to pack me wool socks and sign-up for the Christmas cruise on the Rhine!

Have you every taken a river cruise? What was your experience? 
(Photos: 1&2 - taken in 2009, 3 - via Viking River Cruises)

Everything Olympic

As you may know, I absolutely LOVE the Olympics; I don't even want to admit how many hours I've dedicated to watching global competitions in the last week. My love for the Olympics, in addition to waiting for some of the pictures from my trip (ahem, Ian and Sarah... :) I've decided to dedicate my posts this week to the greatest sporting event that (only) happens once every four years. I'll be sharing some insights, theories, and anything Olympic related (I hope this doesn't drive anyone away).

I'm going to kick off the week with my top Olympic destinations after the jump...

Farm House Kitchens

I love farmhouse sinks in kitchens. I think they make a room look so inviting and warm, and I would love to have one in my kitchen! My kitchen was renovated right before we moved in (and it's absolutely beautiful), I just love the inspiration and feel.

(Photos: Lyla&Blue; Pinterest & Pinterest)

The World Awaits

Now let's go and experience it. 

Dear 18 Year Old Stacy

The last couple of weeks have been full of graduations here in the Bay Area. I'm proud to say that not only did my cousin graduate from high school, but so did one of my Farm Drive girls. As I attended one of the graduations, I was reminded of the joy, hope, and excitement that comes with finishing high school. A new chapter is about to unfold and being able to look back on that is exciting. As I watched all of the graduates interact with their friends and family, I realized that they have so much change coming their way. They'll grow closer to some friends, lose track of others, but identify who matters most.

This retrospection got me thinking, what would I tell my 18 year old self, if I could? Would I be super vague or would I give away all the details? Would I instruct myself to do things differently or would I let things play out the way they have. If I'm completely honest, there are definitely some surprises that I would want to warn my past self about. I have some regrets and have made some mistakes that I would like to take back. Otherwise, I like to think I would be vague in order for myself to grow through my experiences. Here is what I've decided on...

• Be a better friend and visit Julie down in SLO at least once a semester.
• Marry Robbie, it's the right choice.
• Don't compare yourself, your life, your marriage, or your decisions to anyone else. 
• Finish school, you won't regret it*.
• Don't take the first option that comes your way, either make sure it's something you'll love or see what else is available.

What would you tell your former self? Would you drop any major bombs or let history repeat itself?
(Photos taken at my high school graduation in 2005)

*I did graduate with a BA, but I seriously considered leaving school in 2008.

Gloomy Paris

Isn't this picture of Paris so gloomy? Something about it draws me in and gives me a sense of waiting. Waiting for someone or something to happen, I'm not sure. Whatever it is, I don't mind the waiting.

Name That Place!

Doesn't this place look wonderful? I can already imagine splashing around in the warm water, soakin' up the sun.

Can you be the first to guess where this fantastic place is?

Update: The correct answer is... Krka Falls, Croatia! Julie A. was the closet with "Croatia or Slovenia" posted on the Short Story Long Facebook page. Congratulations Julie, here is your virtual high five!

Fashion Frames for Kids

I recently found a new design website and blog, Blog Milk, that I have been loving. Their designs are so simple and clean, and their blog is a great place for inspiration. Earlier this week, they featured the design duo of Very French Gangsters, who focus on children's eye wear.

I loved this post because it introduced me to two amazing ladies and brought me back to my own childhood. When I was a kid, I wanted to wear glasses so badly. I thought they made people look so smart and mature. As I hit my tween years, glasses were something I continued to be interested in, and I even went as far as buying a fake pair to wear out and I called them my "fashion frames" or "faux frames". My desire to wear glasses was already pretty strong, so I can't imagine how I would have reacted if I had known this children's line existed when I was a kiddo...

How cute are these mugshots?!
(Photos: Very French Gangsters via Blog Milk)

My Hope

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

My hope is that we can realize our passions and enjoy them to their fullest. Let's not feel pressured by what other's think is best, rather let's find what is right for us and pursue it wholeheartedly. 

(Photo via AWellTraveledWoman)

What Do You Use to Decompress?

Do you listen to talk radio? I love it, but I've realized that recently I've been listening to everything except my local public radio station. I attribute the decrease in my listening to my drive home. I find that I use my commute time to completely zone out and decompress from the day. That is what I originally intended it to be, an opportunity to decompress. What it has become instead, is a time for me to daydream about random thoughts that distract me from my actual goals.

In an effort to focus more on living in the present and focusing energy on how to get to where I want (rather than just daydreaming about it), I've decided to cut back on listening to mindless music. I am either using quiet time to process my day, my goals, and next steps, or I am listening to NPR. So far, I have found this to be extremely affective. It's nice to feel as though I have my thought process back, or to be updated on national and global news. There are times when my brain is just too exhausted and all I can listen to is music. At these times, I'm happy to let my mind wander into the story of a song.

How do you decompress? Do you have a listening routine while you are in the car? 

Ire-ophile

The word for people who have a "positive predisposition" for all things French are called Francophiles. These are people who love French food, French decor, the French language, etc. Here is my question... is there a similar term for individuals who have that same type of "positive predisposition" for Ireland?

I have been thinking about Ireland a lot lately. You could probably tell by this post and this post.  Maybe it's because our trip was almost a year ago, or because the landscape was incredibly beautiful, or because I miss actually having a winter. Whatever it is, it has me wanting to go back. I've been daydreaming about discovering the Irish countryside, and spontaneously making plans as we go.

Is there a certain place you daydream of? 
(Photo taken in Ireland in 2011)

Travel Fantasy: St. Privat du Dragon

Check out the beautiful homes you can rent in the French countryside of Auvergne.  Two friends, Caitlin and Marianne, purchased a small collection of farm houses in the southern region of France, and converted the farmhouses into rental properties.  They boast simple amenities that allow visitors to be immersed in the local culture, rather than polished decorations.

Wouldn't you love sitting on the porch, smelling the sweet lavender, eating delicious cheese?  

(Photos courtesy of French Farmhouse Holidays)