From 904 to 404

I had my first taste of Atlanta (as well as about 60+ flavors of Coca-Cola) during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. I was feeling pretty blessed to be able to take some time off of work to make the six hour drive, in pouring down rain, to spend some time with my sweetie. Even with the rainy conditions, it seemed like just about everything worked out. I experienced a lot of touristy aspects of Atlanta, like visiting the Coke Factory, taking a tour of the Aquarium, and watching a true American firework spectacle at Olympic Park. What was truly nice were those little moments that gave me a sense of home, like attending a family block party with some of the best pulled pork I’ve had (and way too many jalepeno poppers) or dining at a small pizza place that you would only be able to find if someone told you how to get there. What I enjoyed most, though, was being able to spend some REAL face time with Steven. It’s made me appreciate the little moments we do get to have since being apart during this transition period. I’ve come to find that the 404 could easily be my new 904, because home is where the heart is. This short trip has made me ready for the move more than ever. For now, I’ll continue to daydream over photos and hope to hear back from a prospective ad agency in Atlanta. This girl’s got Georgia on her mind.

G’Day!

After 8 plane rides, and more than 50 hours of flying, it’s nice to be back in the States. I do, however, miss the feeling of vacation, waking up when I felt completely rested and not by an alarm clock, walking around an entirely new city with different restaurants to eat at and stores to shop in, hearing people speak your language in a totally different way (those Aussies say they speak English), experiencing nature and actually liking it (a real shock for me), and leaving behind the emails, timelines, projects and workload.

I mean, it’s not every day you get to pet kangaroos, hang with koalas or coo with kookaburras…
Or get to challenge raging rapids with a crazy guide named Tim…
Or brave slippery rocks to get a picture at Bondi (pronounced Bond-EYE) Beach…
Or meet (and DANCE) with some true Aborigines…
Or take a train ride down a mountain side at 52 degreesĀ (which by the way is SUPER steep!)…

Well…it’s not MY everyday, but I guess for some it is.

I feel truly blessed to have been given the experience of a lifetime. I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to travel, and I’m glad I finally got to see what everyone was talking about. Here’s to new adventures, wherever my Visas (both of them) will take me.

Let the Countdown Begin

Just 27 days.
For some, it’s one day into a zombie apocalypse.
For me, it’s the start of a countdown to the trip of a lifetime.

I’ve always said that if I had all the time and all the money the one thing I’d love to do is travel. The only problem is that I don’t travel. Sure, I make the occasional summer trip to visit family in the mid-west and maybe even a weekend get-away to Vegas. But I haven’t truly broadened my horizons. I don’t even have a passport (yet)!

I need to stop SAYING I would like to do something and just DO it (it works for Nike). I even have this thing called a “fun fund” so I won’t feel guilty to indulge every now and then. It’s about time I use it!

So, 27 days to travel 9,373 miles. This trip will literally take me to the other side of the world – as far away from my hometown that I can get. It’s so far away that today is already yesterday.

I can’t truly express the excitement I have for this trip to…

AUSTRALIA!

So, watch out Outback. This girl is coming your way in just 27 days.