Have an Inspired Weekend!

Last night, Content Magazine hosted a Launch Party to celebrate our first print run! A few months ago, we participated in Kickstarter and set out to raise enough money for a full print run. Guess what... we succeeded! It was amazing to see all of the individuals who believe in Content's vision, and who are choosing to support it. I am so inspired by everything that is going on with Content and the creative culture it is fostering. I'm grateful to be a part of something so exciting and I can't wait to see where it leads.

(Photo taken at the Launch Party)

I Hear Patience is a Virtue

As I'm writing, I'm feeling a bit of what Joanna Goddard calls the winter blues. It's funny because California has been having absolutely amazing winter weather; we've had sunshine all over the state. To be honest with you, I think I'm feeling sad because I'm feeling impatient, not because of the weather. I have goals of where I want to be and things I want to be doing, but I'm not there yet.

I understand and appreciate the necessity of building a foundation and "paying my dues". It is through this time that I am gaining the experience to be successful later on in life. It's just that sometimes I grow frustrated with the waiting. Does that happen to you?

How do you cope with frustrations regarding where you are now compared to where you would like to be?
(Photo taken in Yosemite in 2011)

Meeting My Hero

Hello friends! I have some exciting news… (before you jump to too many conclusions, no I am not pregnant, we are not moving, and life is pretty much staying the same). My news centers around the Travel and Adventure Expo being held in Santa Clara this weekend. First of all, I’m excited to walk around, check out the newest travel accessories, and see what the vendors have to offer. All of that will be really fun for me.

However, the real excitement is happening Saturday morning at 11:30am. My travel hero, Rick Steves, will be giving a lecture on traveling in Europe on a budget! I’m so excited to see him in person. But wait, it gets better. Rick will be conducting a meet and greet after the lecture. A meet and greet! I will be able to shake hands with the man who has helped me fall in love with Europe! Ahhhh! To be honest, I’m so excited that I can hardly stand it. I get nervous and a little overwhelmed thinking of what I want to say to him.

I’ve decided to bring a copy (or two) of my favorite DVDs for him to sign. Robbie thinks I’m dorky for wanting to do this, but I don’t care! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet a hero. I don’t have time to care if I look like a dork. Unfortunately, Robbie won’t be able to join me for the first lecture on Saturday, so my dear friend Sobrina has decided to come along. She seems to be super excited as well (although I think some of it is excitement around seeing my nervous red face when we first meet him). I’m thrilled that she’ll be joining me because Sob is such a good friend that I don’t have to worry about geeking out in front of her. She’ll just laugh alongside me and snap my picture. Oh geez, just thinking about taking a picture with Rick Steves is getting me excited again. Let’s face it: he’s my Justin Bieber.

Who is your hero? Have you had the opportunity to meet them?

What to Where - Dublin

Dublin is a big city with a hometown feel. The Irish are independent people, who don’t take kindly to people telling them what to do. This is most evidenced by their brightly painted doors. While under English rule, the Royal Family ordered all doors to be painted black to mourn the death of King James. Instead of obeying orders, some Irish neighborhoods painted their doors bright colors in defiance. It is this kind of rebel spirit that brightens a glooming, rainy city.

As you walk through City Center, into Temple Bar, and around the Trinity campus, try to add a little color to your outfit. Personally, I like to add some color with a sweater or scarf, but I love the boldness of these pink shorts. Sometimes all you need is one piece to brighten your day.

(Photos: Taken in Dublin in 2011; Lookbook.nu)

Road Trips

As a kid, my family was never a big "road trip family". In fact, my mother would much rather fly down to southern California than spend the eight hours it would take in the car. We would drive if we had to (2-4 hours), but we never went on a road trip as a vacation.

Since childhood, I have embarked upon (and enjoyed) a couple of different road trips. My first major trip came when I helped move my friend Tracy from Chicago to California. For some crazy reason we moved her in the dead middle of winter: February. The result was a fun story that deserves a post itself, but we were able to pull off the 2,200 mile journey in 3 days! Yikes!

My second major road trip was my honeymoon. Robbie and I decided to drive up the coast of California and into Oregon. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It was wonderful to spend so much alone time with Robbie after such a stressful time of our lives (I hated wedding planning). Plus, we were able to set the pace for our entire trip and go wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted. It was an unconventional way to celebrate our new marriage, but I wouldn't have wanted any other trip.

Did your family "road trip" when you were a kid?
(Photos: station wagon and blue bug)

Have a fun weekend!

Do you have anything fun planned this weekend? Robbie and I will be celebrating my step-dad's birthday with the rest of my family. We're headed to Bogey's Pizza in San Jose, which is one of his favorite places. I'm also hoping to catch one of the Sharks games this weekend (they're leading their division and I hope they keep it that way!).

I hope you can make the most of your Saturday and Sunday!
(Photo: Family fun in Disneyland in 2010)

What to Where - Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest metropolitan province in Turkey. It is full of history, ancient architecture, and friendly people. After you've had an opportunity to visit the markets and tour the city, be sure to take some time for yourself. As I've said before, just because you're traveling doesn't mean you can't look nice. I recommend putting on a piece that will make you feel like you are on vacation and special; perhaps something you picked up from your earlier trip to the market. Once you've settled on your outfit, take time to relax with a cup of tea, while enjoying the beautiful view around you.

Have you been to Istanbul? Have you ever thought of visiting?
(Photo: one and two)

The Flu

I got hit with an awful case of the flu over the weekend. It started Sunday evening, after the big game and lasted through midday yesterday. I initially thought that I may have eaten too much of my friend Ali's delicious guacamole, but the fever and full body aches were a dead give away that my new found friendship with my toilet could not be caused by over-indulgence alone.

Luckily, my sweet husband took great care of me while I was in such a pitiful state. He set me up to watch really good television (Parenthood) and a great movie (The Help), and even made me lunch-in-bed. I don't think I've completely recovered, but I'm feeling much better and stronger today. I will admit I did enjoy resting up, but I was starting to get super antsy being in bed for so long!

Do you have any sick-day rituals? Or go-to remedies? 

(Photos: one, two, three, four)

Have a Super Weekend

Are you doing anything fun for the big game this weekend? Robbie and I are having people over to watch it at our house. I'm excited because we will have old and new friends joining us, and its always fun when two groups of people, from separate parts of life, meet. Do you have any predictions of who will win the big game? Everyone is saying the New England Patriots will win and its making me want to pick the New York Giants, simply because they are the underdog.

What is your prediction? Will you be watching the game or ignoring it completely?
(Photos: Tom Brady and Eli Manning)

Guess Where!

I've hosted guessing games on Short Story Long before, and had loads of fun putting it together. So much fun in fact, that I decided to host another guessing game today! Can you guess where this photo was taken?

And the virtual high five goes to...

Michael! Brad was correct in that they are the Fingal's Cave, but it is located in Scotland. Thank you all for playing!