Which countries have you visited?

Unfortunately, I have only had the pleasure of seeing 2 areas of this beautiful planet of ours.

Here’s my list:

• USA
• Ecuador
• Panama
• Nicaragua
• Germany
• England
• Denmark
• Lichtenstein
• Italy
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Italy

While this is no excuse, school has gotten in my way. Oh, and money. I am incredibly close to being done with school and will be able to direct my energy to working my ass off and traveling every chance I get. I’m thinking Brazil or Thailand next.

I have so, so much to see.

Next: A bad experience while traveling.

 

 

Advice to someone who is thinking of traveling outside the country

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… JUST DO IT!

I can’t stress this enough. It took me years (my first time traveling by myself was at the age of 21!) to step out of my comfort zone and travel, and I have never looked back. Every time I leave, even if just for a week, I return home dead broke and with the travel bug. Yet, I wouldn’t trade a single memory I have made abroad for a large savings. The more I travel, the more I want to travel.

Also, make it a point to travel outside the touristy areas.

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Next: Which countries have you visited?

Friday Favorites

I have a legitimate excuse for not blogging, I have found myself internetless at the moment. How, you ask? Weeeeell, we were having issues with the billing. It turns out our company made some changes back in January and we didn’t know and they were withdrawing more than double what we thought we were paying every single month since the beginning of the year. Obviously we weren’t happy about that so we made the drastic decision to cancel it right then and there. Of course, at the same time, life got crazy again and we have not had the opportunity to look for a new company. On the plus side, I  have finished 3 books I have been reading and thinking about reading since I left Germany. Anyways, here are some of my favorite finds from the last few weeks (mostly found on my phone due to lack of internet).

I found this sweet website in my search for unique things. Check it.

I’m itching to make one of these books:

 

Check out these supposedly never-before seen pictures:

In case you didn’t make it New York in the 80s.

Words to remember:

 

Boy crush/girl crush/couple crush

 

I put my iTunes on shuffle the other day and this is what came up:

 

This is all I can find at the moment (I’ve been saving things for weeks). If I missed anything I’ll just have to add it to following Friday Favorites.

Also, I realize it’s Monday and I should have waited until Friday but my computer and phone needed a cleaning- hence the post.

Also, expect a number of posts throughout the day (sorry)- I’m at the library and taking advantage of this day off to catch up on everything.

 

What did you learn from traveling abroad?

My travels have taught me a number of things:

• Friends are everywhere. You just have to be open to talking to new people, being legitimately interested in their lives, and willing to share about yours. Keep a friendly face- it sure does help.
• You may have studied your map endlessly, but asking a local for directions is the quickest way to get anywhere. And more often that not, they are happy to help (while curious about what brings you to their fine city).
• Beauty can be found in even the simplest of places. DO NOT skip an area because there are little-to-no tourist attractions. In my experience those tend to be the places with the the kindest of people and with hidden gems around every corner.
• The world is an incredibly beautiful place (I already knew this, but traveling just confirmed it).
• Last time I did a similar travel challenge, I learned that I wanted to live abroad. This time around I have come to the conclusion that I want to live in the US, or maybe England, but I WILL take every opportunity to explore the world. I want a career and a home and a life in one place, but that is not going to stop me as I try to accomplish my goal of seeing every inch of planet Earth.
• Finally, traveling alone is not bad… I actually quite enjoyed it.

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Next: Advice to someone who is thinking about traveling outside the country.

 

My news.

Ok, Kids. I’ve been hinting here and there about some major changes and huge news. Well, it’s time to reveal said news/changes. The only reason for the wait is my lack of free time to keep up with this little blog of mine. Things have calmed down some so I’ll be able focus some of my time and energy here. Soooo, I won’t beat around the bush any longer. Here goes nothing…

I AM POSTPONING GRADUATE SCHOOL AND STAYING IN UTAH.

At the end of August (I think) I came back to Utah for a three week visit. It was an incredibly fun-filled few weeks and I realized how much I’d be missing out if I were in London for next 1+ years- my sister’s 21st, our Thanksgiving trip, New Year’s trip, my friends’ graduations, and much more. So here I am, sitting at home on a Friday night sure that I made the right decision.

After being home for 4 weeks, I decided to get a job to sustain my lifestyle. I applied for a variety of positions and got hired at a retail store that I completely adore. I chose not look for jobs in the career path I want to pursue due to the fact that I WILL go to London next year and I WILL get my Master’s. I feared that if I got a job in the field I want to be involved in, I might not want to leave said position when it comes time to go.

So for now, I am perfectly content being a Customer Service Representative. For the first time in my life I am stress free. And it feels sooooo good.

Here are some places I hope to go to this year:

• Los Angeles (Thanksgiving)
• Las Vegas (New Years)
• New York City (Birthday)
• Unknown destination (ima pick a place when I get to the airport)
• Ecuador (I have a one way flight to anywhere since I didn’t use my return flight to London)

None of them are for sure but things are looking good.

Wednesday Wants

Another week, another list.

I’m sorry for being away. Things have been so crazy! As soon as I can catch my breath again I’ll be back on here more regularly… I have some news to share. Anyways, here are my wants:

These shoes, man. I’ve been dreaming about them and I have finally found them! I definitely think they’re going to be one of my next shoe purchases.

How beautiful is this necklace?! I dress simply. I wear pretty much the same colors, tops, and bottoms everyday. I like it that way. I do, however, like to spice things up sometimes.

I’m an Obama fan. I need this.

Gorgeous, gorgeous bracelet. Too bad I’ll probably never be able to buy it.

I love me some studs. Oh, and I love Marc by Marc Jacobs.

This is so me. Blazer-like and leather details. MUST PURCHASE.

Holy drop dead perfect. Ima buy it. When, you ask? In about 1.5 weeks.

Urban Outfitters is doing good stuff right now. Great stuff, actually. Along with that^^ shirt, ima buy this for Vegas.

Ok. That’s it for this week’s Wednesday Wants. Eventually I’ll be back with another list.

Friday Favorites

Well, it’s been a pretty slow internet week. All I do on my free time is put a dvd on and a few minutes in, I’m out-more on this later. Here are a few internet findings:

I’m not obssessed with Seth. I just really enjoy looking at his face. And hearing his voice. And picturing us walking hand-in-hand in LA.

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I waaaaaant these. I neeeeeed these. Where can I find these?

A drinking game for the next debate.

Holy Lord. What a shirt!

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THIS. Some times I kick myself in the butt for not saving the source :s

Words to remember:

Some people you will meet.

Insightful.