Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
A post long time awaited as the end of summer approaches, but still daydreaming in awe of being able to explore one of the greatest natural monuments in North America this past month! You forget just how beautiful this country is when you've been isolated to the great plains for over a year. Seeing it in pictures never does it justice, but I thought I would share a few snapshots of our much anticipated family vacation of the summer.
Yosemite National Park
My dad was invested in this trip, so much that he had planned three separate days in both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks which are located just outside of Sacramento, California. With mid-90 degree days, we were lucky enough to have a well air-conditioned house so we could reset and recharge for days of hiking, swimming, lots of sight seeing, but unfortunately—no bear sightings. Although, maybe it was for the best?
My absolute favorite moment was when we first arrived and drove through Tunnel View which gives you an insane panoramic view of El Capitan and the Half Dome as your drive through the inside of a mountain. We were truly expecting crowds as everyone and their families had planned outdoorsy vacations this year, but to my surprise, we had the view to ourselves. It was like looking at a painting and I think we were catching flies because all of our jaws instantly dropped.
The altitude and thinner air, not to mention driving around curvy mountain ranges, was definitely not something we were used to. I would say for the average person who doesn't stay active (or live in the mountains) on a daily basis might struggle a bit with all of the strenuous hikes, so I was grateful that all of us were able to trudge up to some of the more steep viewpoints. Not to mention the epic waterfalls we were able to scale—maybe not like Alex Honnold free soloing El Capitan, but close.
Vernal Fall was definitely the most difficult hike we took because you had to hike up about an extra 1,000 feet from the footbridge which was already 400 feet from sea level. With rocky, slippery stairs and trails, I felt like Lara Croft sitting on my hands and knees basically hoping I wouldn't just fall into the abyss and rocky waters down below. I was proud of my sisters and even my dad for thinking it was a good idea to hop the safety rail just to get this amazing picture of us all conquering the waterfall. My mom was smart and waited for our return at the bottom. We were all definitely ready for a drink after that.
Sequoia National Park
We saw and did as much as we could in Yosemite and said goodbye to the stellar Tunnel View as we made our way south to the Sequoia National Forest. Our journey took us to what was the more conventional and traditional abode—a cozy cabin! A step up from our normal tent we use, so I can say that it was a bit of luxury having a more updated cabin (with running water and electricity wow!). Apparently those who booked cabins only weeks in advance got the cabins without either, so I was grateful my dad knew what was up.
Just when you thought you've seen a really big tree in your neighborhood...this doesn't even compare. Our first destination was Mariposa Grove which is a mile hike to this meadow of massive redwood trees. We were joking that our kitchen was not even the width of these beasts. The General Sherman Tree was like looking at something from Avatar. It was the world's largest tree by volume, 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter. There was a very big windstorm recently that had taken a couple unlucky redwoods out from under the ground and caused a lot of damage to the grove.
The rangers are particular about letting natural disasters occur on their own without manipulating the grove unless it obstructs pathways, so there were a lot of huge tree trunks lying on the ground which was devastating. Preserving these giants has been an ongoing feat because their bark is very durable and is actually waterproof so a lot of construction companies like to use redwood for decks, patios, and roofing. I can't even imagine what it was like trying to transport these bad boys during the colonial era when logging trucks and cherry pickers weren't around.
Holy Water
After long days of hiking more than we expected (I wasn't complaining), it was about time to cool off so we headed to Hume Lake for a much needed beach day. The water up there is incredibly clear—so much you can see the minnows breezing past your toes as you enter the water.
Hume Lake in Kings Canyon was actually a part of a Christian camp, which we only found out after we got there, but it was open to the public and I swear it was like the place to be! We were able to find a secluded little beach and picnicked while kayakers and paddle-boarders passed us in this little inlet we found.
As for food during the trip, we were thankful that the campground we stayed at had a little market for us to pick up pre-made salads and sandwiches for us to take on our hikes. There were some families who brought coolers of food and were able to use gas-powered skillets to cook due to fire laws, but I knew my parents wanted to relax and not worry about preparing meals while we were up there.
Giddy Up
Our last adventure of the trip was booking a spontaneous horseback riding tour because when is the next time you'll be able to ride horse back in the Sequoia? I was hysterically pleased that both of my parents were in for the ride.
So, we headed to the Horse Corral Pack Station for an hour long trail ride. Luckily, we have all had some riding experience (thanks to Girl Scouts), but you always have a little nerves when you're riding a random horse that knows the trail better than you do.
Thankfully, the horse I rode was an award-winning American mustang named Coffee.
He was a trooper and like him, we both wanted to just gallop away from our single-file line and be free, but alas we all did our jobs of guiding our horses up and down the mountain—for the most part. We were more worried about crossing paths with rattlesnakes or bears, but again, we got lucky on that front.
More to Explore...
Being with nature has a special place in my heart. Not only because I am passionate about the outdoors, natural conservation, and of course animals, but over the years nature has brought me so much joy and nostalgia from all of the fun memories I've had with friends and family. There's nothing like being able to experience wholesome moments with them in beautiful places.
The simple life is waking up and trudging out of our cabin just to watch shooting stars at 3 a.m. or discovering secret dunes at our special campground. I knew I've always had a connection with the outdoors and being able to share that with those I love made it all the more worthwhile.
There are many national parks on my bucket list and more scenic beauties I want to discover. I wouldn't ever want to limit my future family's exposure to our nation's beauties, but also being able to allow others to appreciate and value it just as much as I do. I live in the city, yes, but my heart yearns to just create a lifestyle that is surrounded by nature all the time.
My hope is that we can continue to respect and value our protected parts of nature, and I know this post wasn't about my stance on the climate crisis (don't worry I can dedicate a novel to it later), but seeing these places in real life makes you wonder about all of the ridiculous politics that controls whether or not we get to see these skyscraper trees or if they actually turn them into concrete skyscrapers. So, my advice to you is, go out and explore.
“Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”- John Muir
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It's crazy to say that I'm already a week graduated from DePaul. When they tell you freshman year that time flies by in college, it never really dawns on you while you're cramming for exams until you submit your last project of college on a random Monday evening. After I *virtually* graduated last week, I was able to rejoice and relax with close family and friends for about two days until my internship at Golin started. So, I thought I would give everyone a little beginning of summer update.
The New Job!
I haven't officially introduced Golin, but for those of you who may not be familiar, they are a progressive PR agency in the heart of the Hancock tower. Their biggest client is McDonald's, although there are countless others such as Wal-mart (their newest and what I've been working on), Crayola, José Cuervo, and Allstate to name a few others.
As an insight and analytics intern, and during this six month virtual internship, I will be cross functionally working with the strategic planning and analytics team to do trend reporting and social listening to inform the best insights and observations on all brands they are currently working on. I have been welcomed with open arms and I cannot wait to learn from the best in the industry!
Summer Happenings...
While my internship is going on, I have been able to make the most of my summer evenings: heading downtown to local beaches, celebrating with some Top Golf, reconnecting with school friends, eating good food (mostly pizza), going on late night drives, and taking spontaneous weekend getaway trips. Having a lot of places open, especially roof top bars and being able to go to Cub's games, has made this summer already feel like we are back to normal. It's made me realize just how good it has been and how grateful I should be with the people I have around me.
This summer I actually have a couple of trips planned. The first being our annual summer camping trip up north in Petoskey, Michigan. Since I will be working, it won't be our usual ten day excursion, but we will still be able to celebrate my dad's birthday weekend up there and I'm so excited to get back to the lake—our happy place. With that, I will also be visiting my old college roommate up in Detroit, so I will be making all of the rounds up north this month!
I've made it a goal to visit as many national parks in my lifetime, and I'm so excited to be able to head out west to the Yosemite later this summer with the fam (and because camping isn't enough outdoors for us!). My dad has really been the planner for this, as it was his dream to visit, so we'll make the most of it for a week and hopefully not get eaten by bears LOL. As far as that, those are my big summer plans and this new chapter has me feeling excited and ready to learn. I will definitely be soaking it all up (including that vitamin D) and making the most of these long summer days ahead.
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Nobody told me that finding a job would be easy, and I never expected them to. Entering the job force after the peak of a pandemic and economic downfall is not something I imagined myself having to navigate. Let alone virtual interviews and lots of 'em. It feels like the weeks are just counting by interview after interview and application after application. I realize that everyone's job search looks a bit different, so I thought I would update you all on how my "progress" has been and ways I've continued to stay motivated after you've made that interview.
To be quite honest, nothing can prepare you more than just doing the interviews themselves. I've been lucky enough to have guides that have helped me anticipate what interviewers are going to ask or how I can cater my questions, but you don't know until you apply yourself and try it out. I know how intimidating it can be, especially meeting random executives and managers via Zoom.
Keep Going...
I have already had a couple leads so far with some companies that I love who have offered me follow-up interviews, pending applications are still in the works, and yes, I have received a couple of rejections already. The point of it being, you keep going. Keep applying. Keep interviewing. You never know what door might open, and you will never know, unless you keep pursuing opportunities and maintain your connections.
Keep Connecting...
And if it's connections that you don't have, actively participate and engage with your past co-workers, classmates, and professors. Initiate conversations with those around you who might also align with your passions and career aspirations. Don't just talk to them for a connection to a job, though. Follow-up, check in, and make sure that they know you're here to make an authentic connection with them and not just a transactional exchange. We can finesse all we want, but employers, recruiters, and professionals in your industry are going to recognize your effort to connect and want to learn more about you.
Whatever You Do, Don't Give Up
Who ever needs to hear this, me included, don't let turn downs and rejection letters diminish your qualifications and self-worth. Imposter syndrome can be so real when we are scrolling through LinkedIn seeing everyone's exciting announcements and job wins, so much, we digress and doubt everything we've ever worked for. The truth? There are a lot of other factors that play into the job hiring process, so don't take it personally.
I know I haven't been in this industry for long, but long enough to know that everything might seem like it's fine and dandy and out of the blue you get turned down. There were some companies already that I knew I might have dodged a bullet with, so I would just trust the process and continue to pursue more opportunities. The right company or job will find you, but that means also putting in the work, moving past rejection, and applying yourself 110% no matter what.
Writing this post has already helped me realize that this process of finding a job is not going to be an easy one, but I have what it takes to be prepared. I know the qualifications I have and the work that I've done—so, don't ever let a recruiter or employee tell you otherwise. At the end of the day, doing these interviews and applying yourself is going to pay off and you will know yourself more than you ever did going into it. Don't lose hope. I'm right there with yuh!
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It felt like just yesterday we were going into lock down, being introduced to face masks, Tiger King, and were given the promise of what was supposed to be a two-week break which turned into a year of struggle, sadness, and anger. I always come back to my blog in reflection of this year because there was just so much that tested me and my mentality that writing it down seems to be the easiest way to cope and grow from it all. As I'm writing this, I'm listening to Kacey Musgrave's "Rainbow" and one of her comforting lyrics struck a cord in me:
Well the sky has finally opened
The rain and wind stopped blowin'
But you're stuck out in the same ol' storm again
You hold tight to your umbrella
Well, darlin', I'm just tryin' to tell ya
That there's always been a rainbow hangin' over your head
No matter the dark clouds we face, there will always be sunshine waiting for you on the other side. As we near into the season of blooms, rain, sunshine, mud, and everything in between, I am looking forward to this new change in seasons no matter what turbulent weather it brings. No matter what disaster of a year we face, there is always something to look forward to. And I'm marching towards it with a spring in my step. Here are some things I'm looking forward to this month:
01. Brighter days and longer evenings are an uplift from the seasonal depression that isolates us indoors at 4 o'clock, not to mention winter. Everything looks so drab and dreary around my neck of the woods, so in its most simplest form, blooming nature and sunnier days are going to keep me motivated.
02. Rotating my wardrobe. I have been wearing the same three pairs of pants this winter because my endeavors are limited to grocery shopping, dog walking, and the occasional trip to Starbucks, but other than that I don't think I've been around enough people for them to notice that I've worn the same pair of jeans over and over. Spring just expands the options from jeans and a sweater to a possible dress and a sweater or at least a blouse of some sort. I'm ready to put the snow boots away!
03. Developing a new fitness routine that I'm actually motivated to do. I spent so many years doing yoga that I think I dreaded doing it in my basement these past few months. Going to a studio acted as a place of solace and routine, so the thought of having to try and continue to be motivated in my freezing concrete basement was never something I succeeded at. I started running, which I found to be a great way to decompress and just release my emotions through a blasting Lizzo song. Perhaps this spring will be a time to try something new, I need to get out of my comfort zone (safely, of course), so I want to make it a goal to at least find a new type of exercise or activity that I can routinely enjoy doing this spring.
04. Continuing my reading journey. In 2020, I read 17 books in total. Most of them were a blend of non-fiction and fiction, so I've been proud of my openness to try so many different genres as well like historical fiction, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, and much more. This year, I want to read at least a book a month. I am currently reading Yaa Gyasi's Transcendent Kingdom which is an emotionally raw and intimate book about a Ghanaian family living in Alabama. The main character, Gifty, is a sixth year PhD candidate in neuroscience at the Stanford University School of Medicine who studies the neural circuits of depression and addiction in mice. Their behavior mimics the same experiences she has faced with her brother, who suffers from an OxyContin addiction, and mother who suffers from a deep depression. It parallels between mother nature and human nature through science and religion in a refreshingly relatable way.
05. I am finishing my second to last quarter of senior year strong. With 24 more days to go, I am reflecting on the good ol' days as a freshman and how I imagined I would spend my last year of college. Probably partying or thinking about jobs, but mainly focusing on the latter. It has been great being able to put my energy towards figuring out what I plan to see myself doing, and the support from my professor's and past employers has helped immensely. For my last quarter of senior year, I will be taking copywriting, advertising campaigns, climate change communication, and of course, wine education and management. An elective that only seniors (of age) can take, but since it will be virtual, I'm curious if we will be able to try any of the wines. Perhaps ordering a bottle or two will be considered our "reading material". I'm excited to have a laid back last quarter and celebrate by learning something new about the drink that has gotten me through this year. Cheers!
What are you looking forward to this month?
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Less than a month to go...
Congratulations! We've almost gotten through this dumpster fire of a year! Although it was one of the worst and probably most unforgettable years I've lived through so far, I have to say that a lot of growth came out of it. I wanted to share a roundup of what I've learned and dealt with because I even enjoy sharing my dullest moments with you all. Isn't that what my blog is for?
Getting a Grip of My Anxiety
I feel like I might have hit the highest of the highs on my anxiety meter this year, and I'm not alone either. There would be days filled with sitting at home in the company of family and Netflix movie binge nights and other days where I would just hit a wall and want to be in bed all day. Not only that, but even looking at the news and reading the headlines would give me the smallest bit of motivation to find something positive about the day ahead. I found myself worrying, dwelling, and manifesting the wrong negative emotions when all I needed was a reminder of what I already have and the support that surrounds me.
When all things came burning down, I knew that someone had it worse than me. That I could put my energy towards helping others as much as I could—I found that recycling my anxiousness for compassion during these times was the best way out of an emotional rut and I will be forever grateful for that.
Finding a Dose of Sunshine
With all the bad times, come good times. I am a believer that darker days will eventually turn into brighter ones. We've seen the best of people come forward this year and it seemed like a little part of humanity was restored. On a smaller scale, I felt more connected with the people I've had strong bonds with (even from a distance). Whether it be safe outdoor get togethers, camping, bike riding, dog walking, or what have you. I've always felt joy being outside. In the words of one of my favorite co-operative companies, REI, "A life outdoors is a life well lived".
Home for the Holidays...
Being an Advocate for People and Togetherness
On almost graduating from college, I have learned a lot—like more than I could even remember from day one of freshman year. In my communications program, we were told that connections are one of the most important assets for building a career in public relations. I have always considered myself to be somewhat of a people pleaser, but at times, less of an advocate for people. A lot of kids in my major were focused on the hustle, and I would be lying if I didn't say I was too (and still am). With that, I felt like my interactions were less authentic, less human, and sadly just a business transaction with an individual. It's a selfish way of communicating—only listening to respond or to gain something from someone and not as a way to learn from one another. Uplifting peoples' voices and building togetherness is something I want to be an advocate for and continue challenging others to do the same. We need to hear each other because what harmony can we ultimately create without it?
A Better Outlook
In spite of everything, life can turn out to be a real shit show and this year was only the beginning to what could be. However, I reject that mindset. Why anticipate the worst when we could be living the best goddamn life we've dreamed of? A life lesson I've been preaching to others and not myself. When the best of reality gets to me, all I can think of are destructive "what ifs" and "when" something might happen. With the amount of self-help books I've skimmed, wasting all that energy on things that might not even occur is not a healthy way of living. This year taught me that positivity is a better scapegoat than eating Ben and Jerry's at one in the morning because all doom is bound to come. I found a better outlook on the possibility of finding better—becoming better. I'm not a changed person per se, but that doesn't mean I can make changes, have setbacks, and look forward to better ones (changes, of course).
New Motivations
The itching for a new year on the calendar has me setting aside new goals, prioritizing the work that needs to be done on myself, and becoming more inspired to realign with my passions that were put on hold. This holiday season was what we all needed. Cheer, togetherness, and comfort. How ever life becomes uncomfortable and less joyful, is when we need to bond tightly and not take the life we're given for granted. As imperfect as the days can be, I wish that everybody's new years are brought with light and love. X
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I have become indifferent to rainy days, mostly because nothing requires me to go out and about these days, but often times I enjoy listening to the rain out my window. There's no pining dread of having to leave the house anymore and do your hair just for it to get humid and frizzy. However, one reason I haven't been fond of rainy days is because my productivity level plummets and my motivation level digs itself a deep hole. Rainy days get a bad rap because we associate happiness with sunshine and warm weather—what's not to love?
On days when the storm hits, and in Chicago sometimes weeks, it's important to not treat rainy days as necessarily bad days. I know a lot of people who find joy from laying in bed all day, watching Netflix, and getting all snuggled up. As much as I wish that's what is was like on a Thursday morning, there's work to be done and things to check off the to-do list. At least in my mind, it's easy for us to hit the snooze button when there could be so many great things happening around us. As someone who loves to be engaged in new activities and adventures, there have been a lot of socially distanced events and things to do in the city on a not-so-sunny day.
Things to do during fall in Chicago...
My family was able to secure reservations at the Art Institute to visit the new Monet installation of over 60 of his iconic pieces. Art museums, and museums in general, are always my place of choice on a rainy day. It's always refreshing to become exposed to new mediums, new art, new work, and new ideas. I always fall in love with the intricate landscape paintings he's done, especially the Lilypads. Living in Chicago has allowed me the luxury to visit these exhibitions that not many people often get to see, and they had just recently opened the museum in September to the public, click here to learn more.
Fall Feels...
Lately I've been feeling the fall vibes more than I usually do. Fall can sometimes make me feel more anxious than other months because of the impending doom of winter, but this year was different in that I was excited for my senior year to start. When I'm working on homework or even writing on the blog, I always have music playing—my fall vibes playlist, of course. There's something cathartic about selecting all of the sweater weather songs and artists who just fit the mood of rainy days, falling leaves, and cozy nights in. From Fleetwood to Vance Joy to Maggie Rogers, I've got you covered. Follow my fall feels playlist on Spotify, here!
I have got to stop thrifting when I'm bored, but I just can't help myself. The thrill of the thrift is SO REAL. I have found some pretty good items when I'm least expecting it. The top items I look for are picture frames, blue Ball mason jars, and books, books, and more books. I am not a book worm. I never was and I never will be. However, books are so much cheaper at thrift stores! Who knew. Books allow me to escape. Escape Tik Tok, the news, my own thoughts, and I can delve into a world unbeknownst to me. Thrillers are the best page turners and for awhile I struggled to lift the page past the cover. I am currently reading The Girl On The Train, by Paula Hawkins. It's a bit dated and I'm definitely late to this train, but so far it gives me chills before I go to bed.
This one is kind of a doozy, but updating your resume and getting your career sh*t together always helps, and a rainy day is perfect for tackling it. Either that, or building a portfolio or archiving your emails is always a productive way to spend a rainy morning. I know you don't want to do it, but let me tell yuh, your future self will thank you! Rainy days don't have to make you sad, and they don't have to be unproductive either, but I hope some of my suggestions inspire some new fun ideas for making the most of the seasonal blues. The weather's changing, but that doesn't mean your mentality should suffer because of it. What are some things you do on rainy days?
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