Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
As I begin to prepare for what seems like a trip of a lifetime, I literally today have started getting everything I need and packed. Honestly, packing is one of my favorite things to do, but one of my largest pitfalls because I overpack SO much. The places I'm going to, France, the Netherlands, and Spain for three weeks are all going to be pretty warm during the day, but I still can't rely on just my knowledge of Chicago weather and think that all countries get extremely hot days next to extremely cold and rainy ones.
This trip has required me to do some research and a lot of asking around to see what other people's experiences were like travelling abroad. I got a lot of mixed information from a lot of sources based on personal preferences, ages, time of the year travelling, and just an overall consensus that travelling is really dependent on many factors and is different for everyone. My feelings toward studying abroad is mostly excitment, mixed with a little bit of nerves, but I think it's all normal and my attitude about it all is go with the flow and open to trying new things.
For one thing I really don't know how I am going to be on an eight hour flight, but it has to be better than a 21 hour bus ride to Florida. The excitment of going and getting there will make it all feel fast. I would say I am a pretty good traveler, but going in a big group can be overwhelming at times just based on the fact that we all need to work seamlessly together.
Being with a group of students can really relieve discomfort and I am grateful that I have a big group to relate to and get to know more. To be honest, I have already connected with some of the girls in our class. I'm sure that I will come back with new friendships. You know while traveling with a lot of people can ease the feeling of homesickness, I also really like to keep to myself at times. I know we have packed schedules each day, but sometimes all I want to do is chill out and not worry about other people. Pacing myself in this aspect will be necessary if I'm going to need times to reboot during the trip.
I have the expectation that all is going to be great, but I also have expectations that there will be times that I feel sad, confused, distraught, lost, etc. Being in a new place, for an extended period of time with people I hardly know yet, can bring up these feelings and I want to make sure that my headspace doesn't dwell on these things because I am there to enjoy every minute of the trip and make the most out of everything available to me. Embracing the sense of the unknown, figuring out how to navigate, and adapting to new social sitations will be a test for me.
I know there are many people who have already travelled to a ton of different countries and probably remember the first time they traveled abroad for the first time, too. I don't really know what to expect, how everything is going to go, but the people that have made this possible at my college really know what they're doing and are well experienced in it.
The emotions I have are totally normal and I think I am more than ready to have this experience. As I am writing this now, within a week I will be away and my plans for blogging are going to be on hold as I take in everything I can while I'm away. I will be documenting my travel and of course, sharing a post about it as soon as I get back in early July.
When I think about all the things that could happen, I try to remember that fear is probably the main factor that pulls people away from experiencing the world and going beyond what they know. I really want to travel as much as I can and that takes a lot of strength and mind power to do, but I know it will all be worth it in the end. Let me know what your travel plans are this summer! I can't wait to tell you all about it.
Bon Voyage!
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Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, Iowa, Idaho, Wyoming, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee are all of the states I've visited this summer. A lot—I know. As some of my friends have said, I've caught the "travel bug".
This summer was probably the most I've ever traveled and managed to actually pay for. I do have to say, my bank account is crying just a bit, but I still have two weeks to recover and make some more money babysitting before I go back to school on September 1st.
This summer was probably the most I've ever traveled and managed to actually pay for. I do have to say, my bank account is crying just a bit, but I still have two weeks to recover and make some more money babysitting before I go back to school on September 1st.
It has been unbelievable getting to travel and explore so much of the US and getting to see all of the people I love. I've been very lax on my blog writing, but my social media presence has shot through the roof. So yes, I do admit that I've sucked at getting posts up, but I've got a lot planned as school comes around the corner.
I've traveled so much and have honestly learned so much about what kind of traveler I am and what I need to focus on when I do travel a lot. It can feel like you're never grounded in one place and like you are all over the place. However, being with people I love and care about always makes me feel more at home.
I had to make a choice of traveling a lot or finding a job of some sort because I knew I didn't want to sit around all summer. Don't get me wrong, traveling is hella expensive and I was lucky enough to have the savings for it all. I took a train, a plane, a car, a bus to wherever I needed to be.
One of the things I try to remember when I'm out and about is to appreciate the time I get to spend with the people I'm with and the memories I make with them. Travelling can be stressful, overwhelming, and very unpredictable. On my trip to Washington, DC, I lost my luggage. Little things like that including plane delays, traffic, weather, and all of the inconveniences can start to add a ton of stress to a trip. Learn to adapt and be flexible to those things.
This year was my year of traveling alone and learning how to find my own way without the guidance of my parents. It can be hard for a lot of people to be able to ask for help when they need it and I've become more comfortable talking to strangers and being alone for extended periods of time.
Since I will be moving into my apartment this year for college, I feel like things are going fast and a lot of new things are happening in my life. I got used to being in college last year and I'm ready to apply myself more, join more things, and take up opportunities that come my way.
I feel like there's pressure to do everything you can to make the most of college and I'm feeling that hardcore right now. I feel like I need to have an on-campus job, join more clubs, meet more people, see my friends, get an internship, and maybe even study abroad at some point. I'm so excited to see what this school year has to offer and I'm also ready to be grounded in my studies and routine. It'll all be a healthy adjustment in the next couple weeks.
I've seen so many sights and new things this summer. It makes me crave travel even more. However, nothing more than just being in the city of Chicago makes me feel at home. The best thing is that Chicago and my school are so diverse and I never feel like I can't learn about other cultures and backgrounds being at home.
It has truly been one hell of a summer that I will remember forever. The places I've been and the people that made it even more special have opened my eyes to travel in a totally different and liberating way. I feel secure when I travel and also get a sense of adrenaline not knowing what's in store for me at my destination.
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Hello from the Grand Tetons everyone! I know it has surely been a while since I have updated you all on my whereabouts, that is if you don't already follow me on Instagram (link above), and I have had quite the adventure out west. It's summer and a breathtaking getaway to a mountain range was the perfect escape.
My family and I went to the Jackson, Wyoming area, and Yellowstone for a week. It was definitely a trip to remember for a lifetime. Words and pictures cannot do the views justice, but I hope they suffice. If you know me, then you know I'm really outdoorsy at heart. I love waking up in the morning to birds, views, and no makeup or judgment in sight. It's humbling to get to live in the beauty that remains in the States and to appreciate all it has to offer.
Waking up to the view above of the Grand Tetons was something I wanted to get used to all the time. I needed to be out there before I go back to city college life. The air, while rather smokey and hazy from the forest fires in California and Oregon, was rather fresh and I never really felt the altitude like my sister did.
Our major plans were to really just explore and see wildlife around the parks. We rented a Chevy Suburban and went on our way from Salt Lake City, Utah. It was about a five-hour drive and the view in the car of the mountains already had our jaws open the whole way there. Once we saw the Grand Tetons, we just about broke our jaws then.
The main city near the Grand Tetons (and the closest Starbucks) was Jackson Hole. It's a very cute little town with shops and restaurants. Of course, we ate some bison. It's a bit touristy and ol' western looking but has charm and character I've never seen before.
My younger sister Emily and I are posing in front of a vintage tour bus that has run for almost 50 years or so. This year was the last run for it! So, it was special to be taken around Yellowstone and have our tour guide Jackie educate us about the wildlife, trees, rocks, rivers, lakes, and so on.
For food, we mostly ate at our lodge we stayed at which had a restaurant and gift shop, a small convenient store and gas station, and then our small cabins that we slept in surrounding the area. It was like a large campground resort in a way. We had burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and quesadillas! Pretty great meals at the Signal Mountain Lodge. I would highly recommend staying there.
The first day we took a ski gondola up 10,000 feet to view the Grand Tetons. The pointy one in the back is it. What a great way to start off our trip and also get to eat waffles 10,000 feet up in the air! I would recommend the bacon and peanut butter waffles all day.
Did we see wildlife? Of course! We saw so much that we didn't expect to see! On the gondola, we saw a moose, we saw many bison in the fields up close, we saw elk and deer, bald eagles, a black bear and her four cubs, and my personal favorite—five beavers. The buffalo and the beavers were massive. The elk's horns were huge. The black bear and cubs were just phenomenal to watch in the woods. The eagles were majestic. I felt almost like I was watching a nature documentary the entire time. Italics because italics.
It was nothing like seeing these animals in captivity at the zoo. They could roam free and this was their turf. It made me kind of upset when I would see some people getting way too close to animals to take pictures. We need to help preserve these majestic animals and it got me thinking about how much we actually affect nature. We don't even stop to think about it. I want to keep living in a world with animals and ecosystems. I want rivers, oceans, and lakes to share with my kids. My dad said, "don't wait until you're 55 like me to come to see the earth's beauty". He couldn't be more right and true.
We ended our trip with a Snake River float tour. Nothing like extreme white water rafting. That was probably my favorite thing we did. It was so peaceful to float along a river and through the forest that's been there for thousands of years. Like a dream.
I know I didn't go into much descriptive detail about my trip—no need. However, I can't stress how much I want to urge people to go and continue to visit and support our national parks. You can actually donate to The Wilderness Society to keep our nature's beauty conserved and able to be shared on for generations. It has truly made me realize how much waste I use and contribute to the planet, destroying our o-zone and ecosystems little by little until there are none left.
We need to take it all in and not treat our beautiful earth like trash. It does us so much good and we need to protect it.
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So far summer has really picked up the pace. I have already gone on three big trips and it's almost the middle of July. I think it's amazing how time flies and I'm really trying to take advantage of all the time I have this summer since I go back to school in September.
You have probably noticed that my blog schedule has been flux over the past month—with travel, more nannying, and being all over the place, I've set my writing on the back burner and just gone with the flow for a bit. It's summer and I need to pace myself a bit more. Also, I want to be more ambitious and motivated in doing things and achieving things I want to in the future.
That said, I have really gotten back into my yoga regime and went literally every single day this week. I'm doing the same yoga challenge I did a couple times already to get to forty classes by the end of the summer. I'm at like 15, so I gotta pick up the pace a bit.
Corepower, my yoga studio, offers spin classes. I am really trying to push myself to get into cardio more. This summer has really been about improving my mental state more than ever and to get prepared for this upcoming school year. While the traveling bug has come and I seem to be hopping from one destination to the next, I need time for myself and everyone else does, too.
There's a lot more going on this summer and it's really only the beginning. I am hoping to get my blogs back up and producing more content for you guys. I'm really excited to share with you all a photoshoot my best friend and I went on this past month. I want to focus on body positivity and changing your mindset on who you are and things like that!
I need to move forward on a good foot and apply myself more than usual. It seems like I might be doing a lot at times, but I always believe that I just haven't done enough at times.
I need to move forward on a good foot and apply myself more than usual. It seems like I might be doing a lot at times, but I always believe that I just haven't done enough at times.
Especially with writing for the blog, I've been a little unsatisfied with the way my motivation and persistence has been with it. I'm going everywhere and doing so many things, it can be overwhelming. How do you all find your groove at times when you need the most motivation?
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My spring break is officially over and if you have not seen my posts on Facebook or Instagram, then you do not know that my best friend Alyssa and I planned a weekend trip to Miami, Florida. Now in none of my thoughts did I consider going on a beach vacation with my best friend for the first time. Alyssa's mom and my mom were with us when we were discussing spring break plans and we both had time off over St. Patrick's Day weekend.
We kind of threw a dart on the map and chose one of the warmest places south of us. My freshman college spring break happened to be in one of the most popular locations and I wasn't mad about it! Living in Chicago, it still feels like December, so I was eager to fly out and meet Alyssa at our quaint Airbnb.
This trip was definitely a trip of firsts. It was the first trip I actually planned alone and had to figure out where to stay and as far as our itinerary was, the beach was our main goal. Transportation was the main hiccup because we just planned to walk as much and Uber as much. I don't think I've Ubered more in my life—it really saved us, though. You can only walk all over South Miami for so long.
We had perfect beach days and spent the first day at Hollywood Beach and ate at this awesome Mexican restaurant called Mamasitas, and all of the waitresses performed a dance routine for St. Patrick's Day. We got really tan (and sunburned), ate some ice cream on the beach, and enjoyed seeing all of the art deco architecture and neon signs which was something I fell in love with down there.
We ordered sub sandwiches on the beach and laid out for a couple hours until we got too hot and swam in the ocean. This was actually my first time swimming in the ocean and it was pretty salty, but reminded me of Lake Michigan in terms of how calm the waves were. Also, I found a rotten coconut and would advise to not crack it open as it smells of rotten eggs and was an all in a bad idea to begin with.
Besides the fact that it was much clearer and we saw a manatee wading in the shallow end, I was so happy with how we picked the beach to go to and avoid the crazy partiers. In the picture, you don't see anyone in the background swimming. The first night we decided to go to a nice restaurant for dinner called Billy's Stone Crab Grill which I got a plate full of scallops, more than I have ever eaten.
I also was not aware that wall art and murals were really big down there, and I obviously had to take a photo in front of at least one. The first day Alyssa and I had walked all the way to downtown Hollywood from our Airbnb, stopped at a garage sale for some lemonade, almost stepped on some lizards, and got an energy smoothie for breakfast at this really swanky gym downtown.
One thing we both really wanted to do was be immersed in some of the Cuban culture that is prevalent in southern Florida. We stumbled upon this restaurant called Havana on Washington Avenue. It was the perfect place to have our last dinner. They had huge mojitos and plantain chips. It was covered in twinkly lights and set the perfect hoorah on our last night there.
We wished a little that we had started in Miami and stayed there, but being more north in Hollywood where our Airbnb was kind of showed more of the residential area of Miami and southern Florida. I was happy to see a lot of people speaking Spanish, as there is a large population of Hispanic people in Florida. I used my knowledge of the language to my advantage and met some really nice Uber drivers and locals.
I will always remember this trip with my best friend and am so grateful that we got to share this adventure together. I feel more independent and empowered to travel alone now and can rely on myself to figure things out when I'm in an unknown place. It's amazing how fast trips can fly past when you're enjoying it. Alyssa and I were on the beach when she said, "We're gonna be on a plane home in a day," and I almost slapped her (haha). I enjoyed every minute!
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So, I don't remember if I mentioned this, but I planned a St. Patrick's Day trip to Miami, Florida with my best friend. It was such a spontaneous idea and we both have spring breaks off together. It will be my first trip alone and I am so excited for it. We are headed to the beach and my list has gradually gotten bigger. Today, I have a few carry on items specifically for the beach or tropical vacations!
I get really excited for trips and packing is one of my favorite things to do. I know a lot of people think it's tedious and annoying, but something about planning outfits and packing only the essentials seems really fun to me. This trip will only be a carry on trip because it will save me a lot of money and I won't be there long.
I'm not one to have an abundance of swimsuits just because I don't see the point of having a ton of cheap ones. I've always been on the lookout for nice and quality bikinis and to my surprise, Target came through yet again.
I only really buy tops because I just have one nice pair of black bottoms that go with everything. I bought this extremely adorable embroidered halter neck swim top and have fallen in love with all of Target's new swim range. I would highly recommend checking it out. They have a large variety of trendy styles, colors, and styles.
These green and gold round Raybans have been on my wishlist for quite some time lately and I finally found the perfect pair on Poshmark. Poshmark is a buy and sell fashion website/app and it has been an addictive obsession. These are the most classic pair of sunglasses and give off 70s vibes for real. I'm putting these babies on as soon as I land in paradise.
A few beauty products might be essential on a carry on a flight. I always make sure I have some type of roll-on perfume to freshen up and the Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Now roll on that is fresh and fruity. Perfect for a beach vacay. Then I always pack some sort of lip care because I need to have moistened lips, especially in a dry and stale aircraft. The Kiehl's Lip Balm is an unscented goddess of a lip saver.
As a hair refresh, dry shampoo is always a go-to. The one I have been loving the most recently has been the Herbal Essences Bio Renew and it smells so fresh and clean. I never like cucumber scented anything, but this combination has my hair smelling so nice and doesn't weigh or leave oil around when I wake up.
I went ahead and made an investment purchase. I bought the new Apple AirPods and I am in love with them. I was hesitant at spending my money on a small pair of wireless headphones, but I caved and I do not regret it one bit. I can switch between devices, make calls, use Siri to text, listen to music and videos, exercise better, and the charging life is so great. I considered Beats, but not having any cord at all is great. I haven't lost them and I've had them for a good three months. These are great for travel.
I am so excited for my trip and will definitely be taking photos. I don't plan on bringing my camera, but my phone can do just fine. I know this isn't everything I need to bring on my trip, but just a couple little gadgets and essentials I find make the trip worthwhile. What are your spring break plans?
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It's beginning to finally feel like fall around the city and that means pumpkin season has arrived. My family and I went out pumpkin picking and the first patch we went to was actually closed due to crop failure and we went on an adventure to find the right patch. Once we finally googled the right one that had pumpkins, it was the perfect pick! It has been a family tradition to go and pick out pumpkins, so this time was really fun taking Cooper along with us.
It was really cute because Cooper got into all of the burrs and they kept sticking to his skin, so we had to pick him up and put him in our wagon. This specific pumpkin patch was a score. It was "pick your own" pumpkins and each pumpkin any size was only $6! My mom had a blast picking out pumpkins, let me tell yuh.
When we go pumpkin picking, that's when I know it's fall and I can finally start getting in the mood and wear sweaters. Fall is my favorite season and I love it when the air is crisp and the trees start turning. My really soft sweater is from Zara and I am obsessed with it. I love the mustard color and its cropped, so it looks really good with high waisted jeans. I paired it with a vest that I bought from Kohl's a while back.
I always love going on family outings and adventures. I can't wait to carve my pumpkin, so please leave some carving suggestions in the comments! My roommates and I are already psyched for Halloween and already decorated our entire dorm. What do you love about fall?
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Over this past week my mom, sister, and I made our way down to Rogersville, Missouri to visit some really close friends and we had so much fun visiting. It's always amazing how you can have really close friends that live so far away and still have a connection with them. Every visit feels just like the one before (maybe a little height difference), but it seems like our relationship just grows and grows. We forget what grades we're in or what we have to do outside of visiting because whenever we are together it doesn't feel like we've been separated at all. I love those kind of bonds.
This is one out of three beautiful dogs they have, Boot. I don't know why, but I really resonated with this dog. She's kind of a hound and reminds me of my grandma's pup. She would follow us all over their property and would always welcome you when you walked outside of their gorgeous cabin.
On one of the days, we went to Top of the Rock in Hollister, Missouri. It is this beautiful golf resort designed by Arnold Palmer and has a really great golf cart tour of the waterfalls and you go inside a cave with a built in bar! It was really amazing to see some of Missouri's hidden beauties along this mountain.
A lot of our trip was spent relaxing around their house, swimming, and driving their Ranger around and taking some sweet pictures. My best friend Cole actually took most of these pictures and is truly a pro.
Since my family and I live in the big city, it was really nice getting to go south and enjoy some peace and quiet with all of their livestock and actually seeing stars in the sky at night.
As my final summer hoorah and getaway before college starts, this was truly the cherry on top. Before I live in the busy city for the next four years, I am thankful for having to go far away to make these special visits to our beloved friends and family all throughout the year.
I just want to personally thank the Perry family for having us down for the weekend because I think I needed it before I start writing papers and focusing on school. Time has flown by, but time will not break our bond.
I begin school in about two weeks and am beyond excited to see what my journey has in store. As I sit here and write this, listening to my Spotify playlist, I have realized how ready I am to start a new adventure.
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On a somewhat cloudy and overcast Monday, my best friend Ellaby and I decided to go take a trip downtown Chicago for a get together and also because she was gone for two months in Germany for an exchange program. Also, since Lollapalooza has just ended, the city was barren and pretty calm for a girl's day out.
My outfit was kind of grunge chic. I have been loving camo print and oversized shirts and jeans. My Zara shirt is actually a unisex tee and I love the relaxed cut. I paired it with an American Eagle Bralette that adds a bit of femininity to it as well as some layered necklaces. My bottoms are also American Eagle and my Birkenstocks which gave me hella blistered feet, but well worth the look.
Ellaby and I wanted to do some of the "touristy" like things and take a couple pictures in front of the Willis Tower and by The Bean. It's never a bad time for some Instagram photo ops with my bestie! We were happy that it never rained and shopped around before we headed to my main motivation, Bombobar.
While I love paying for aesthetically appealing food, it really did taste good. I have heard many and seen many posts about this cafe place before; I just couldn't resist. They have infused donuts and gelato. I chose pistachio gelato with sprinkles, Fruity Pebbles, and a maple cream infused donut. It was a flavor explosion! Ellaby had a matcha flavored gelato with Carmel and captain crunch. I would really recommend skipping lunch or dinner at the Bar Siena which is the main restaurant and go straight to dessert!
There are still many unknown treasures in the heart of the city that I have yet discovered and I am excited for living four years in the middle of it. I will never be bored or hungry! I had a lovely day and I was wondering what favorite cafes you have in your town? Instagramable? Delicious? Both?
Photo credentials to my lovely friend, Ellaby.
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Over this past weekend, my older sister and I decided to go downtown with my older sister and check out the Wicker Park Fest--consisting of music, food, art, and shopping. I have never really explored Wicker Park in Chicago, but I have passed through it on the way to DePaul University. Wicker Park is kind of known as the "art district" for its detailed murals, festivals, and creative residents. There wasn't going to be only one picture taken in front of a mural.
I wore a simple Adidas black and white tee, some high-rise shorts, and my Birks! This outfit probably is the definition of my style and how laid back I love to dress sometimes. It's comfy and casual.
I love exploring the city and I hope college will allow me to keep on discovering new things about it and I am ready to see how living downtown will immerse me more into the urban culture. Every city is unique and different in its own way. This festival is one of many I plan on attending in the future. What do you love about your city?
I love exploring the city and I hope college will allow me to keep on discovering new things about it and I am ready to see how living downtown will immerse me more into the urban culture. Every city is unique and different in its own way. This festival is one of many I plan on attending in the future. What do you love about your city?
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When do you ever get to say that you've slept in a shed? Now I've slept in a tent, a car, a train, a plane, but never a shed. My family has just put up a new shed in our backyard and it was our neighbor's grand idea to #bless it and sleep in it for a night. Now I was like, "Yeah, whatever. I'm just gonna leave in the middle of the night", but then I was like WAIT. This would be a great story to tell. So, here I am.
Now this isn't any horror movie and no, our parents didn't punish any of us and make us do it. My neighbor friends, my sister, and I pledged to camp one night in the muggy summer to sleep on two queen air mattresses and using one hell of a bug net to keep us sane.
Talking about summer experiences! We kept our selves preoccupied before bed by playing some classic Apples to Apples and had all the snacks you could have. My neighbor was like "Natalie, when do you ever get to sleep in a shed?", and I was like "Never". We did start to feel gross and sweaty--covered in bug spray, but we had some pretty good laughs in that shed. We were probably the most lit shed in all of my town. I wondered if there would be anyone else sleeping in a shed...for the same or different reason as us.
Would I do it again? Not unless I had to. It was hot and being close to four bodies like that was a little claustrophobic. I would prefer a tent more for air flow, we did have an oscillating fan to keep us alive and a net Gorilla taped to the doorway because there was no way we would have lasted. It was one hell of a time. Would you sleep in a shed? Just for fun?
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