Looking for Adventure

I found this article via Facebook and had to share...

Date a Girl Who Travels...

I don't post this as any personal ad or self declaration WHATSOEVER, but solely as a reminder to everyone- Explore the world we have set out before us! What is it if we stay in one spot and experience the same schedule day after day?

When I went to Canada and Alaska, I met some of the most interesting people in a no-name coffee shop reading Kierkegaard, I tasted the freshest native foods, appreciated the snow--and glacier water--on my tongue like never before...

Traveling to places outside of our homes opens the doors to so many possibilities and endless encounters with deeper perspectives we ever thought imaginable. We may not be able to take trips every month or every year, but when the opportunity arises, make sure you travel somewhere that will broaden your horizon. 

((Can you tell this girl is getting antsy for another adventure...? But to where...))

(Santorini, Greece)

(Mykonos, Greece)

(Cliffs of Ireland)

(Barcelona, Spain)- Get my Spanish tongue a-talkin'!

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
Miriam Beard

New Apartment, Saving Spring Break, and Still Gluten Free!

It seems that with the ever-churning wheels of adult-hood, this girl has been going full throttle since day one of work. I thought about what it would be like to pull the emergency brake and stop for a few days to breathe... and then responsibilities kicked me out of this daze and back into the drivers seat 

0 to 60...

This past weekend, I road tripped to Charleston (for the first time!) to celebrate my roommate's last "Fling before the Ring." I met amazing ladies, ate some delicious food, and got into too many adventures... wait... is there such a thing? I think not...

Yes, that is my roomie and I... 

and yes, those are lady mustaches we are sporting out in public...

But with all good times come an end and we found our way back to the real world this week full of work, bills, and cleaning. Unfortunately, my roommate came down with a silly sickness and we have been wishing her a quick recovery...

On the other side, I have been feverishly searching for my new home here in Charlotte, and thanks to some quick thinking and a nice lady in the front office of the apartment complex... I have found my new bachelor-ette pad. 

How I'll decorate it, I do not know. I'm about as clueless as a turtle in an airplane about what to do to put an entire apartment together. Kitchen appliances, bathroom extras, living room furniture-OH MY!

 All I can say is Thank Goodness for Pinterest! 

How I'll incorporate different elements such as seen above... beats me. But once the furniture moves and space is reserved... I'll figure it out. If you have any input for this new apartment dweller, please share!

Also... while I am out of college and far from a standard "Spring Break", I will be packing my bags for a long weekend trip down south for some sunshine coming up in the next week! 

 

Who said I'm too old for spring break? Oh no, not I, says the girl on the fly! 

 

XOXO

Summer Bucket List Update!

Does everyone remember my summer bucketlist I created back at the beginning of June? Well it's already nearing the tail-end of July and I thought I'd give a little update, considering I've completed some of the items on the list!

1. Compile 120+ Poems with illustrations for possible publication- In/P...
Look for a new poem with illustrations next week!

2. See The Hunger Games movie... FINALLY-
Ok, so the DVD comes out August, so until then, I will have to put this little number on hold.

3. Go to at least 2 different concerts
With my new job and moving to a new city, July has been a whirlwind. But having about a month and a half left of the summer season (I'm counting mid-september as still summer) I plan on securing tickets for some good shows!

4. Begin training for Disney half/marathon- STARTED! Jan 13

Yes, the training has begun! You can follow along (ahem, and by follow along, I mean join myself and friends in the race!) by looking at my training plan and signing up here!

5. Secure a big girl job – DONE! Started Jul 16 (Check Me Out!) and... AGAIN!

6. Reach over 30 followers for my blog- On The Wing
Still working on this- So if you have a gmail/blogger account, help a girl out!

7. Play on an organized sports team for a sport I never played as a child
This is in progress. But I'm looking forward to finding a volleyball, kickball, or flag football team ASAP!

8. Make an inspirational video and post it on Youtube
In progress... be on the lookout soon ;)

9. Visit baby sister in TN!

Cross this one off the list! I may not have made it all the way to TN, but I did make it out to see my friend Amanda, Danella, and Rachael in Asheville for a day of exploring, good food and hiking!

10. Make plans for a trip out of the country

This one will depend on the budget... But keeping my fingers crossed!

11. Find a new recipe for my favorite food

That's what this weekend is for! :)

12. Find a pen pal in a Spanish speaking country- Not a pen pal, but online friend from aiport.

Two weeks ago, I was stranded in the Dallas airport for 14 hours. I befriended a kind woman from Mexico who was having a hard time understanding the terminal updates and translated them into spanish. She may not be a "pen-pal" but we are for sure facebook friends and conversing regularly!

13. Eat an entire pint of Ben and Jerry’s and not feel guilty

14. Read two new books- In progress- Finished Nicholas Spark's Safe Haven-
Now I'm  looking for next book!

Any reccommendations?

15. Complete all 10 Seasons of Friends.- In progress- On season 7!

There you have it! Some things crossed off, others in progress. One thing's for sure, I'm having a great summer so far! I hope everyone out there is too...

Happy Weekending!

California- The Last Hoorah!

Beginning my new job a week from this morning, I had all of last week (and this) to spend my down time wisely. Being that I love to travel, love my family, and love the west coast, I picked a flight and within two days, I was sitting in a jet plane heading towards the California Coast to visit my aunt for the last hoorah! In a few short statements, my trip included...

• An hour and a half aerobics session with Richard Simmons in Beverly Hills.
  Yea, Dude's crazy!
• Fireworks from my aunt's balcony in Marina Del Rey. Happy July 4th!
• Exploring the canyons around Malibu beach.
  I can confirm, even though I love the beach...
  I am DEFINITELY a mountains lady!
• Traffic jams upon traffic jams for no apparent reason.
  But I'm not complaining! I got to sight see more around the streets of LA that way!
• A 10 mile walk with my good friend Jesse (Check out his blog, he's pretty awesome)
  Oh, and we ended up on a Ferris Wheel ride on the Santa Monica pier.
  ((Adventure is Out There!))
• Morning walks to Venice Beach to stumble upon early morning surf contests
  (Hellooooo surfer boys!)
• Muscle Beach, the birthplace of physical fitness...
  and monkey humans on grown up playground equipment.
• Sunsets... Need I say more?

Best Wishes in Starspangled Tights

 A friend of my aunt wanted to surprise me for a fun night out in Beverly Hills during my trip to the west coast. And boy... was I surprised! Helloooo Richard Simmons!



Dancing to 1980's techno remixes of American songs (all on vinyl, I tell you!) I got a first hand look of Slimmons. If his outfit doesn't scream "Happy July 4th!" I don't know what will.

Have a great independence day, everyone! Until next week... stay classy you wonderful Americans, you! <3

Finally Employed and It Feels So Good!

Pop the champagne! Spray the confetti! This girl has finally been offered a ticket to ride the real world roller-coaster.

So to all of you who stuck with me through my search for a job, no matter how much I embraced failure or complained about the process, I thank you for all your support and well wishes! I am officially the newest Product Support Specialist for Premier Healthcare Alliance.

((Thanks to my  friend and future co-worker, Jordan over at Southern Hospitality! She was able to capture this snapshot of me just before my interview last week! Hope I don't look as nervous as I felt!))

I can't wait to start working for this amazing company, meet new people, and get immersed in a possible career that will be oh-so-fulfilling! But in the mean time, I am heading somewhere to enjoy my last couple weeks of acceptable laziness before pulling up my big girl panties... 

Can you guess where I'm heading for the last hoorah?:

Best wishes for a good week, east coasters! Stay cool (literally!) Is it Fall yet?

Survival Guide-Roadtrippin' Solo

Driving solo on the interstate for more than enough hours it takes to get a good night sleep? I have plenty of experience to give you all the advice you need to make it a successful trip if you're the only one on your own four wheels...

1. Bring snacks
This is crucial. Your stomach is your most immediate passenger and just like you wouldn't want a rabid bear clawing at you on the exit ramp, neither would you like your stomach disrupting your focus. Bring the snacks before hunger attacks!



2. Don't consume too many liquids
Dehydration is key to a quick trip. Sure, it's not that healthy to have snacks without something to wash it all down. But if you have somewhere to be, honey, you are better off a raisin than a burstin' berry for the time being! Time it with your gas tank so you can do a 1-stop-shop. Fill the tank when you gotta empty the other. Badda-boom-badda-bing!



3. Make inappropriate cracks about truck banners
You are alone for 5+ hours with nothing but asphalt and an ipod. Crack as many jokes as you want without the fear of sounding like a six year old, pre-adolescent boy in front of your comrades. "Oversize Load"... see, you're giggling too now, right?




4. Cloud Gaze With one eye on the road of course (if you can do this, let me know how asap).
Here at the bend in the Appalachian mountains, I found Rocky, the Dachshund. Just strolling over the hill looking for dandelions.



5. Prepare for a traffic jam
Don't complain, entertain! I am partial to the self-improvement activities like a self manicure while sitting idle on I81. Bring the necessities. Primp and polish while pausing the pedal pumpin'.




6. Break out the "Sorry I'm Not Sorry" CD collection
Everybody has em'. No shame, people. Bring it out and blast it loud- but not too loud as to drown out your superb vocal stylings that bring back your memorized lyrical database from 1996.



7. Be serious and focus on the road
Always. Safety first. But make sure you do it with goofy faces and high-quality sunglasses.

8. Play pretend
For me, I took my imagination to  Mt. Crumpit and I was Cindy Lou-Who. Nothing wrong with starting your Christmas list early!




*PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY UN-SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES...OF COURSE-ALWAYS DRIVE SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY, ALONE OR IN A CAR FULL OF LOVELY PASSENGERS*

If you could go anywhere right now...

With a lot of different things running through my mind such as future jobs, relocation, and finding new passions (aka, cooking until my limbs fall off) I can't help but squeeze in a few wishful thoughts of a vacation!

Where would i go if I could go anywhere in March?

I'll take a train to Dublin and explore Ireland.St. Patty's day, anyone?

I loved the Northwest so much, I'd really love a tour de coast with stops in Portland....

Seattle...

A quick trip to Vancouver...

 And stop right bout time for coffee in Sitka, Alaska

Of course, somewhere tropical would also tickle my fancy. Perhaps... Bali?

Where would you like to travel if you could go ANYWHERE?