Recapping Packing: What I Wore Part I

All this nostalgia about our trip has me looking back at alllllll the pictures we took. Allllll those pictures have got me thinking about the clothes I packed. I made a list of what I was taking with me, but never checked back in on how those clothes worked out, what was useful/what wasn't, what I wore most, etc. 

I know that when I was planning this epic trip finding what to pack was one of the things on the forefront of my mind (that and $$. I was SO curious how much something like this would REALLY cost. I kept a detailed list of EVERY.PENNY. that we spent, but I'm still not sure I want to share that yet or not. For one, it would be tedious and time consuming and for two, I'm not sure if that's something to go waving around about...which is probably why I had a hard time finding much info on that topic. Plus, my grandmother would probably have a heart attack. She is quite a proper lady (something I aspire to be!) and discussing money is something you do. not. do.) . I scoured the Internet for 'what to pack' lists for a trip such as this. It was especially difficult, because we were traveling along the gamut of weather conditions and trying to keep it carry on, to boot. 

Ultimately, I'm really happy with what I packed and I thought~why not share my own packing list for that next lucky lady about to embark on a trip? That is, of course, assuming she would somehow find my obscure blog :P

ANYWAY-as I said, I'm really happy with what I packed. Almost everything was really comfortable. Since I packed a lot of the same colors...I could mix and match different things. The colors that I stuck with were: black (of course), brown, teal, mango, a blueish/purple, white, yellow, and gray. EVERYTHING I brought was one of these colors. :D 

There were a few things that I packed that I definitely could have done without. For one, I brought entirely too much jewelry. It was all fake and colorful-for accessory purposes. I'm not really sure what I was thinking. Most days it was just Pres and me out in the wildnerness of the country or a city. For absolutely sure...I wish I had somehow taken less. I have zero idea how this would have been possible, since I wore EVERYTHING A LOT and the laundry situation often got desperate enough as it was. And I'm not talking like, "Oh I wore that once and I should wash it". I'm not even talking about, "Oh I spilled something on this and I should wash it". I'm talking about, "Oh. My. God. If i wear this one more time...it will be OFFENSIVE to anyone I come into contact with". :P

Once we got to Europe, I did feel decidedly unstylish. The only REALLY appropriate walking shoes I had were sneakers (which, at this point, were pretty worn looking) or hiking boots. Neither of these scream PARISIAN STYLE, but I made due. I'm not all that stylish anyhow and it doesn't bother me too much. ;)

Our bags were HEAVY. It sucked. We checked them every time (and amazingly never lost a bag or even a single item over 21 flights and 18 countries). It sucked to drag them up staircases on ferries, in airports, in train stations, and in hotels. It sucked to walk all over cities dragging them behind us. It sucked to squeeze onto a bus or metro with GIANT bags. It sucked!! 

I KNOW there is A way to have packed less...or packed better, but I don't know what it is. I have no idea what I would have gotten rid of without being a total vagabond. Maybe, though, that's what we should have done. Though-I'm not sure I would have been very happy and I would have probably been cold. 

We picked up a few things along the way. David gave me a tshirt in Australia, Liz gave me a sweatshirt to keep warm in Italy, Mara loaned us dozens of sweaters and scarves, which were invaluable in Iceland, and somehow-rather than getting rid of things in Chicago, we ADDED stuff for the return to Europe. WHAT?!

I'm going to break this into a few posts so that I don't bore to death even someone who could be mildly interested in my ramblings, but here is a quick reminder of what I packed:

Black Fleece Jacket

Black Rain Jacket
Jean Jacket

Black Blazer

Gray Zip Sweatshirt

White Wrap (can double as beach cover up)

Black Long Sleeved (wool blend)

Brown Long Sleeved

Teal Hoodie

Purple/Blue (ish) Long Sleeve

Yellow Long Sleeve

Black T-shirt

Gray T-shirt

Purple/Blue (ish) T-shirt

Mango T-shirt

White T-shirt

Black Camisole

Gray Camisole

Mango Camisole

White Camisole

Yellow Tank

Teal Tank
Purple/Blue (ish) Tank

Jeans

Gray Zip off pants

Black Yoga Pants

Black Leggings

Gray Half Pants
Sweatshorts (for sleeping)

Jean Shorts

Khaki Shorts

Mango Shorts

1 Black Convertible Dress

1 Black Skirt

1 Gray Long Tank for the beach :D
1 Gray/Black Scarf
1 Teal Scarf

Brown Hiking Boots

Gray Sneakers

Brown Toms

Black Ballet Flats (Tieks!!)

Black Flip Flops

White Flip Flops (for showers)

5 Pairs of Underwear

2 Bras (one black, one nude)
1 Sports Bra 
1 Bandeau Bra

4 Bathing Suit Tops

2 Bathing Suit Bottoms

5 Pairs of Socks

To be continued...

Time Travel

Last year, Preston and I traveled through time and into the future. Ok, not reallllyy...but sorta. Crossing the International Date Line is a trip (ba dum bum). :P We left Los Angeles the night of January 20th and arrived in Fiji TWO days later on January 22nd. It's crazy to wrap your mind around...it's even more crazy to try to figure out a schedule for your birth control pill ;) 

So, this day...January 21 did not exist for me in 2014. With that in mind, I'll accept this gift of a day that 2015 has given me and do my best to enjoy it!!

Happy Hump Day!! Make the most of it...out there in the middle of the Pacific...it's just not even happening.  ;)

One Year Ago

I can't believe it, but today marks the one year anniversary of the day Pres and I left on our trip. 

It's quite ridiculous, but it makes me sad! I would love to be starting that trip again. The thought that this time last year-we would be, tonight, boarding a plane to FIJI...makes me want to weep!! I love my new job and everything, but I'd MUCH rather be taking off for New Zealand today :D

Reflecting on all the experiences that we had, I feel so truly blessed and fortunate. I know that it's this thought I need to focus on...instead of feeling sad and sorry for myself that I'm still not out gallivanting around the world. God, I'm a brat.

I guess it's just that-since returning from the trip...I feel so deflated or something.  Sure, traveling was exhausting in many ways...and it's nice to have a stable home and a routine, but gah...I would've been happy with a little break and then to go right back to it!! 

Is there things I'd do differently? You betcha! For one...I'd try to take less STUFF. For two...I'd work on a way for Preston to have been happier. For three...I'd try to worry less about money.

While on the trip...I tried to never take a moment for granted, to have no regrets...but I still think I could have been MORE appreciative and happy along the way. Isn't it always that way? Ah, hindsight.

The World is SO huge...there's so much more to see and experience. This travel bug is a pesky thing...it never quiets...it's never appeased or satisfied...I have a feeling that it will haunt me and whisper to me for all of my life. 

In the meantime, I'll be here in the lab dreaming of adventure...

And this. I'll be dreaming of this.

Thanks MLK and USC :D

I have the day off today!! I don't think I've had MLK day off since high school. Horray!! Working for a University is preeettty cool.

Being the avid traveler that I am...I almost never hang around LA when the opportunity presents itself for a 3 day weekend/travel adventure. However, we are currently without funds for such pursuits. 

It's actually kind of nice to just have a day OFF...with nothing really to do. 

I'm spending the morning meal planning and lounging around with the husband. Big plans later: walk/bike ride, reading on the beach, Whole Foods, a whole lotta nothing. It's quite blissful, in fact.

Happy Monday!!

Celebrity Sightings So Far. 1st Edition.

Santa Monica is a much more happening celebrity place than Long Beach was. Seems like every other day...I'm running into a different celebrity-or sort of celebrity (read: someone that has been on tv). I never bother them or make a big deal at all (I mean, really they are just people like anyone else. Remind me of that if I ever see Henry Cavill ;)), but it's cool all the same. 


Also, most of them hang out at Whole Foods.

Tommy Chong and I mused over organic chocolate bars one day at Whole Foods. And I accidentally hit him with my basket. 

I also saw Greg Brady at Whole Foods, but it took me two days to realize who it was...I just knew that I knew him from SOMEWHERE! :P

Pres and I went to the movies in Century City and saw who we think(?) was Pauly from Rocky

Erica and I went hiking with our friend Kathy one day in Malibu and saw Jack from "Will and Grace" when we stopped after for lunch at Malibu Seafood.

He looked happier eating delicious fish tacos :P

At the airport, I was passed by Hank from "Grimm" while I was waiting for my bags.

Preston ran into Philip from "Survivor" at a store behind our place. A debatable 'celebrity', but definitely a Secret Agent. ;) 

I'm sure there will be more to come, so stay tuned...

Christmas Round Up Part II: Maryland

After a week in Chicago, we hopped on a plane to Maryland to spend some time with my family.

We were picked up at the airport by my mom and my Aunt and soon went for dinner at my other Aunt’s house. :)

My mom made my FAVORITE lasagna that is usually reserved for my birthday and I got to play with my most favorite baby. Seriously, Madeline is the sweetest and most adorable baby EVER. Her disposition is just so gentle and lovely. I ADORE her. Though I bought her little gifts for Christmas and her first bday (both on Dec 25!), she spent 20 mins playing with my scarf. Haha!!

Clearly, she's an angel

I'm pretty sure she knows she's real cute.

We got to catch up with my family and friends by running all around Frederick. 

NYE, we had breakfast with my dad at his favorite-IHOP (yuck!). :P

Pres and I spent the afternoon at Sandra’s house. Sandra is from El Salvador, is one of my favorite people and as an added bonus…is ALWAYS cooking delicious and amazing food. She convinced us to spend the better part of the afternoon there eating and playing with her 4 girls. I love them and they are my family.

Seriously-who cooks FOUR chickens? She's amazing.

Preston still wasn't feeling well

YUM!

So, I sort of hate NYE. It’s just the worst holiday. So much hype and expectation and silliness. For a few years, when my younger cousins still thought I was cool…we’d spend NYE in playing board games in front of the fire. This is ideal to me. Honestly, I didn’t want to do much of anything except eat a yummy dinner, lay around in my PJs, make a fire (seriously…isn’t a fireplace just the BEST thing?? Life goal.), and watch a movie.

However, my want to see my friends overrode my desire to stay in and out we went.

We stopped first at my Dad’s girlfriend’s house where we had a great time binging on her yummy snacks, champagne tasting for her daughter’s upcoming wedding, and playing Cards Against Humanity, which is quite fun.

I love Christmas-if simply for all the eating.

Ted was there too :D

Around 10:30, we set off to meet my friends Trisha and Matt at a party hosted by a friend of theirs. Preston and I didn’t really know anyone at the party and it was held mostly in a garage. I arrived in a wool hat, my long, red Banana Republic coat, and leather gloves and purse. I felt a tad over dressed, since everyone else was in jeans and boots. Ha!! Whatever. I like to dress up since I rarely get to in day to day life (working in a lab=gross clothes). I told Matt I was going to put my purse in the car because I felt too dainty and he said, “well you showed up here looking like Paddington Bear”. HAHA! Oh my Gosh. Matt is just hysterical and this is the perfect example of that :) I also love that we are good enough friends that he can make fun of me and I can say, “haha. TOO true!!” Quite frankly, I’m happy to be in the company of Paddington Bear. He’s a class act.

hehe. I took this for Matt later

We had a nice time at the party-getting to know new people and Trisha’s ‘other’ best friend Nicole. I approve of her ;) Preston guided me through the horrible, awful, awkward, forced kiss at midnight (Hehe. It’s just TOO cheesy…I HATE it!!) and we made it home in one piece ready for the start of 2015.

Hehe-I took a pic of Trisha and Pres at midnight, but not ME and Pres or Trisha and Matt. Fail. :P

She's the prettiest.

New Year’s Day was spent at my Uncle’s new house. My Aunt Sherry made DELICIOUS guac, which I devoured. It was great to catch up with everyone and made me a little sad to not be living there.

We had dinner with my mom at Trisha’s mom’s house. I love hanging out at Donna and Henry’s. Trisha and I used to have a standing laundry date there every Tuesday-where Trisha would do laundry (she’s very particular about this. I initially thought she was just blowing me off when she told me she couldn’t hang out b/c she was doing laundry…since I’m more of a ‘just throw it in…go somewhere…remember it later…put it in the dryer’ kind of person, but once she started inviting me…I learned she really DOES laundry. She like, stands by it and adds fabric softener and stuff!!) and Donna would make us amazing and delicious home cooking and we’d hang out and laugh with Henry. Ahhh the good old days!

Preston having some moonshine

It was a great start to the New Year!! The following day, my mom and I visited with my favorite baby again. Omg…she’s the CUTEST thing in the world. I just love her and want to hang out with her ALL the time. I have to drag myself away. It was especially hard leaving-not knowing when I’ll see her again or how different she’ll be.

Starting her early on the Dunkin Donuts (don't worry-I rinsed it out)

Selfies!

Lol-Manda titled this: "She's drunk". hehe

Friday night, we joined my cousins and Aunt to see “Big Eyes”. My cousin Maddie LOVES anything Tim Burton, so we joined her to see the movie. It was really quite good and I’d recommend it. It made me appreciate (again) how far society has come in rights for women. Whoopee! There’s still a long way to go, of course, but I’m glad Preston isn’t taking credit for my work :P

After the movie, we ran by my friend Julie’s place to see some of her decorating skills and stopped by my dad’s.

Being home can be exhausting and SO much go go go!! I always feel like I need a break from my ‘break’.

Saturday was our last day in MD. My mom and I visited with our friend Naomi-who is always good to see :) I got my last (sob) Dunkin Donuts coffee for a while and we headed out to see more family.

We stopped at my cousin Todd’s house to see his new place and visit with his adorable 2 year old son. Preston was quite impressed with Lucas’ musical ability at such a young age. Haha.

My Aunt Toni threw a dinner party for us with her kids (my cousins). I always love hang out with them, because the little kids are so fun and funny-especially my little cousin Michael who is 7, but has a BIG personality. He’s hilarious and freakishly strong. I watched him do one handed push-ups and jump from standing into a handstand. Incredible.

Michael and me

We spent the evening back home with one last fire and snuggles with my cat. I wish I could bring him to California, but he’s a bit wild and crazy for city life and I cannot imagine him on a plane.

Luckily, due to my continued American Airlines Gold Status (it ends in February. Nooooo :( :( ), we got approved for a free upgrade to First Class.

Mannnn, I gotta tell you!! It’s just THE BEST!! I don’t want to travel any other way. It’s seriously THAT much nicer. I need to figure out how to ALWAYS fly First Class (Life goal #2).

First of all, the seats are WAY more comfortable. They are HUGE and you have tons of leg room and space. Since there are only two seats per row, it’s not an awkward climb out to the bathroom. Oh? And bathroom? You get your own private one JUST for the 8 or 10 people in First Class.

Preston drank like 6 OJs and 9 Diet Cokes, because they just keep em coming in fancy REAL glasses. We had lots of snacks-chips and chocolates and cookies and mints, as well as a full breakfast with fruit, French toast, and biscuits with butter and jelly. The stewardesses are SO nice and friendly. It’s a whole other world.

Meanwhile…people just a few rows back are begging for a small flimsy blanket (those in first class are thicker and better!), or even a chance to get the WHOLE can for the ONE drink they are served.

How can I make this First Class thing happen?

Hehe

Anyway, we are back in sunny SoCal! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!!

Not so sad-facin in First Class :P