When you are super busy, do you sometimes forget what it feels like to not be busy? I’ve felt so busy throughout the entire fall semester that when my classes at the polytechnic ended on the 19th, I finally had time to do all the things I had sacrificed – like eating and laughing. I […]
Classes End; Changes Begin: December 2019 Reflections Read More »
We arrived at the train station in Sofia, Bulgaria fatigued and dehydrated from the 20 hour train ride from Budapest. My cousin greeted us with a big hug and Bobby the driver promptly took us to my cousin’s mother-in-law’s apartment where we were immediately fed our first of many amazing Bulgarian meals. My cousin and
Dreaming of a Simpler Life in Bulgaria Read More »
Our brains naturally gravitate toward routines. We like patterns. It makes life easier, which leaves more energy for non-routine things, like navigating to a new destination or solving a complex problem. When Martin and I decided to embark on a traveling adventure, I desperately wanted to break out of my routines, some of which I
The Allure and Trap of Routines Read More »
The tiny town of Marathon, Texas was just a quick overnight stop on our way to Big Bend National Park, but we fell in love with Eve’s Garden Bed and Breakfast. Our couchsurfing hosts in Houston suggested this quirky place, and I’m so glad we splurged and spent the night there. The complex is created
Marathon Texas Photo Tour Read More »
March 26, 2015 Dear Lima, I’ve only just arrived and already I love you. Our hostel in the Miraflores neighborhood is just blocks from the park on the cliff. We watched the setting sun, the surfers, the scotty dogs, the runners, the children. I was entranced. Our first meal was at Alma Zen, an organic,
Love Letters to Lima Read More »
We arrived in Panama City at 3:30 a.m. Well, 4:30 a.m. local time, but it felt like 3:30 to us. I was full of Dramamine and stiff from sleeping on the bus for the past 17 hours (minus the 1.5 hours at the border and 1 hour for dinner). You know how you feel disoriented
Panama City: A City of Contrasts Read More »
It takes 3 hours driving 45 mph (mostly) on a two-lane road to get there. Accommodation is extremely expensive – about 90% more than anywhere else we’ve paid to stay. The beach has less than ideal swimming conditions – extremely shallow and full of weeds. Kitschy tourist shops line the streets. Is visiting Key West
Is Key West Worth the Hype? Read More »
In the early 2000s, my cousin moved to Miami Beach from Minnesota, which thrusted me into a Jimmy Buffet song. Everybody’s got a cousin in Miami / Everybody understands the impromptu / Dancing in the heat to the beat / That turns your clothing clammy / Everybody needs to have a dream come true. The first
On Monday, June 30, 2014, Oreo moved to her new home. A kindhearted man who lives in our building took her in. He loves tuxedo cats, didn’t have any other cats or young children, and was excited to welcome her into his home. Oreo came to live with Martin and me on
Goodbye, Oreo My Cat Read More »