Is it weird that I’m highly considering doing a SFO > LGA > SLC > SFO trip in November?
It’s a new year!
… and unfortunately, I am not in Yosemite like I was last year!
Last year my new years resolution was “Do More. Go More.” and I’m quite sure I did that. I think that resolution morphed to really mean do more things—that I’ve never done before, and go more place—that I’ve never been before.
Things I did this year that I hadn’t done before:
- Worked a 9-5 (8:30-5:30+, in reality) as a full time employee
- Run a 12K (or anything over a 3K for that matter)
- Continued to run and work out since—impressive considering I absolutely hate running
- Went (indoor) rock climbing
- Went on exhilarating 6+ hour hikes
- Ocean kayaking
- Capsizing from ocean kayaking—twice
- Traveled to the East Coast
- Snowboarded down a black diamond
- Owned a smart phone
- Baked a pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting, peppermint bark, and oatmeal cookies
Places I went to that I hadn’t before:
- Yosemite (1/1/11-1/3/11)
- Point Reyes (7/2/11)
- Big Basin (7/29/11)
- Pinnacles National Monument (8/6/11)
- New York City, NY (11/11/11-11/16/11)
- Muir Woods (12/3/11)
And you know what? Since food (yes, I’m serious) played that much of a role in my 2011.. Things I ate this year (and LOVE) that I hadn’t before:
- Japanese curry
- Chicken over rice (at the Halal cart!)
- Spanakopita
- Butler and the Chef
- Spinach (okay, I’ve had it before, but I definitely hadn’t LOVED it before)
- Food trucks
- Macaroons
And that was my year. I think what I did more this year on the negative side was get stressed and (over)planned. So, that leads me to this coming year.
- Do More. Go More.—v2
- Visit at least one other state I’ve never been to before
- Visit at least one other country
- Stress less
- Plan less
- Do more of what I want to do
- Be with the people you want to be with, not the people you hope to be with
- Redo my room (boring)
Anyhow, here’s to a new year. Photo highlights to come.
Source: Flickr / hien1234
Upper East Side, Central Park.. one day I will!
If only I could live this confused, terrified, beautiful, embarrassed, exciting life! An advertisement (hardly an advertisement) for EF, Education First, a study abroad program.
WOOO TIME TO FREEZE. SEE YOU IN 2011!!
No New Year’s reflection from me (at least.. not now).
Resolution: DO MORE, GO MORE! (I’m mostly talking about traveling, but hey, it’s versatile)
Travel Wish List
Lately I’ve been constantly hoping that in the future, I will get a job that’ll allow me to explore the world—and by that, I mean that will financially support my traveling efforts! I’m going to compile a travel wish list, showing all the places I hope to visit in the future. These places are BEAUTIFUL. And considering my love for taking photos, these places are also very picturesque. There’s a somewhat good mix of the cliche dream vacation and some quiet treasures. I’ll be adding in the future. So here goes nothing! (In no particular order)
1. CINQUE TERRE, Italy
“The Cinque Terre is noted for its beauty. Over centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible “modern” development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach it from the outside.”
This place looks amazing. I fell in love with it from the moment I saw it. The colorful homes built on the cliff side, the quaint port, boating locals and tourists in. I can just imagine what it would be like walking down the many narrow streets and all the good food and trinkets I’d be able to find.
2. PARIS, FRANCE
There’s no real explanation for this one. This city has it all—food, architecture, landscape, culture, art, and some of the most famous landmarks in the world. The City of Lights, though probably constantly crowded with tourist, is something I will see in the future. I am certain. All those lit streets including the Avenue des Champs-Élysées look like they’re from a dream.
“With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped chestnut trees, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets in the world, and with rents as high as €1.1 million (USD1.5 million) per 1,000 square feet (92.9 square metres) of space, it remains the most expensive strip of real estate in Europe.”
Chestnut trees!!! Probably one of the more expensive destinations on this list.. BUT I’M GOING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
3. BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA
I think every travel wishlist should include some type of island getaway.. and this is mine! George mentioned it first and when I saw photos of it.. there was no denying this is the ultimate island getaway. In the middle of the Pacific, clear blue green waters, and those white sandy beaches you seem to only see in the movies. And although I’m not exactly a beach-y person, I can definitely include this on my wishlist.
4. NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
This isn’t exactly the most unattainable destination on the list—but hey, I’m not making a wishlist of just dreams. A lot of people have been to New York City, and someday, I will too! This place has so much life and although it’s a great tourist destination, the locals here are busy people in their own little world. The music, the lights, the arts, the culture, I want to see it all! Broadway, Times Square, the Empire State Building, it’s all there and so will I one day!
5. YUNNAN, CHINA
This place was actually in my travel notebook while I was in China.. listed as a destination to go to while I was on my one-month break during my study abroad time there last summer. However, it was too out of the way (meaning, it was almost a 2-day train ride) and it was too be our last destination. But by no surprise, by the time we got to our second to last destination, all we wanted was to go back to Beijing and crash (not to mention our wallets were empty). So I never got to go. This place is widely agreed upon as one of the most beautiful places in China, it’s a shame I didn’t get to go. It’s quite out of the way, more towards Tibet than anything else. But someday, if I get the chance to spend a few weeks in China again, I hope I will be able to go.
6. SANTORINI, GREECE
I remember seeing pictures from my cousin when she went to Greece, and yes, the place actually has blue painted roof tops, and buildings of piercing white. The sand is white, and those grassy huts you see on the beach, they actually exist. It was picture perfect. Now I’m not the biggest fan of Mediterranean food or food from Greece, but I am definitely down to try it. One thing I’d be afraid of? I have no idea how to even say “hello” in Greek. I think in addition to Santorini, I would definitely like to check out the mainland and go to Athens to see the Parthenon. There’s so much history here, and I really want to experience it!
So that’s it for now. This thing will definitely be updated as I find other places I’m dying to visit!
