Thursday Thoughts

(via instagram from my October visit to Sacramento)

Nearly 6 years after starting this little blog, with the smallest of intentions (to document my summer abroad), I feel like my experiences and knowledge and interests and passions are all finally converging upon a single point.

In light of Cassie's post today about actually having an opinion and putting it out there, it's time to start unpacking and connecting all these different things that get me fired up. It can pretty much be summed up into a single word: Sustainability.

As I was taught in school, specifically a college course titled Sustainability (much much more on that to come), the most comprehensive definition comes from the March 20, 1987 United Nations Bruntland Commission. "Sustainable development is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Seems simple right? Sustainability is essentially the center of a Venn diagram of economics, environment/ecology, and social justice. It's an idea that seems like a win-win-win yet people still reject the entire concept. I'm a big picture person, so sustainability instantly made sense to my brain and I was 100% behind it. It's an expansion on the environmentalist movement, which many people disdain as it appeared to put the earth and animals AHEAD of humans (and of course there are those who couldn't see how that would help their bottom line). The UN definition more accurately captures the fact that all is interconnected and if we can find the balance between the three, then all three aspects will benefit.

Sustainability has a role in everything: food, consumer products, construction, transportation, business models, etc. I've been on board with this for awhile, constantly researching and trying to share with friends and the occasional family member. My problem is that I lack the tools to communicate effectively to strangers and to actually defend my position in the instance of differing opinions and backlash. What does any of this have to do with travel? I think it starts with the perspective that comes with traveling; experiencing another culture, another ecosystem and place. Traveling provides depth for the idea of globalization, while I think technology, which has allowed globalization to happen and has benefited immensely, actually narrows and obscures what globalization truly means. Traveling exposes me to other people, putting faces to the compassionate social justice reasons for sustainability. The incredible sights I've seen reinforce the desire to preserve both the natural and built environment for future generations (and in doing so - also ensuring that there ARE future generations that are healthy and happy).

There's a lot that I want to say and I'm going to do my best to sort and organize it all. My plans for this little corner of the web will also include lots of travel, past trips as well as future (Africa!).

Swaziland

 via my instagram

I started this blog as an outlet to satiate my desire for travel. I studied abroad in 2008 and have been itching for more travel ever since. The opportunity hadn’t come up and life got in the way for a bit. I’m so excited to say I’ll finally be dusting off my passport for this summer. In June I’ll be on a plane to Swaziland!

Why Swaziland? I’m heading there with my husband and group of 7 other people to work with the most amazing organization: Advocates for Africa’s Children. I highly encourage you to explore the website to learn about all the amazing work they are doing in Swaziland; their mission statement, purpose and core values are so powerful.

AFAC’s Mission Statement:
To empower the African People to care for orphans and fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
AFAC’s Purpose:
To express the love of Christ to widows and orphans.
AFAC’s Core Values:
Empowerment, Christ-centered, sustainability, and food security.

Over the span of 10 days we’ll be helping care for orphans, tend to crops, feed dairy goats, and build a new church. I’m so so excited. I’ll definitely be taking lots of photos and doing lots of journaling, it will be so overwhelming and exhausting but absolutely life changing.

 

www.AFAChildren.org

If you have any questions, comments or want to help support our team and the organization please message me!

Layover

I want to be Anthony Bourdain. The End.

I want a re-do in italy. this time slower.

Window Seat

Go read this beautiful post about traveling by train in elegance and style.

The Orient Express, from London through Paris all the way to Budapest is definitely on my wanderlust list.

But, now slightly more attainable, I have added the Royal Canadian Pacific to that list.

{all photos and links via This is Glamorous}

K-Zoo

After Chicago, we hopped on the east-bound amtrak for a 3 hour train ride to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Oh Kalamazoo, it will forever hold a special place in my heart. Our friend Bernardo moved here to live with his friend who is attending Kalamazoo College. A small, idyllic midwestern university with brick buildings, the majority of students discovered it through the book Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools You Should Know About Even If You're Not a Straight-A Student. It's a beautiful, small college town, home also to western michigan university. We spent two nights in "K-Zoo" and just relaxed and enjoyed the autumn chill. Our first morning we ventured out to Richmond, MI to a farm where we partook in a corn maze (that we totally got lost in), and apple picking, apple cider and fresh apple doughnuts. Then a scenic drive through the town followed by relaxing at the house where we made apple crisp, banana bread, and a delicious dinner from scratch.

 The house where we stayed, along with 6 boys and chester the wonderful dog.

The view from our table at breakfast.

I loved the city of Chicago, and Kalamazoo gave me that taste of a slower more peaceful pace of life that I crave so much being in LA. It was a wonderful getaway and I'm already planning our next one!

Sweet Home Chicago

A couple weeks ago the husband and I went to Chicago with one of our best friends. One of my new favorite cities and another destination checked off my list. Although one that I definitely plan to revisit many times in the future. As usual I did not take nearly enough photos, but I've come to the realization that for me this means I'm so completely in the moment and soaking everything and just being present, which is always my goal when I travel. We were only in the city for one night, and we started planning a bit late in the game. When it came down to the wire and all the hotels were booked or outrageous, we decided to throw caution to the wind. Our plane didn't arrive until 10:30 which means we didn't actually get into the city until nearly midnight, so we rented a locker at Union Station ($12 for 24 hours and it fit ALL of our luggage) and decided to spend all night conquering this foreign city. It was an adventure I will never forget.

Let me say, Chicago is probably the cleanest city I have ever seen, rivaled maybe only by London, and felt completely safe. Their public transportation is AMAZING, maybe even more convenient than the underground? This is undeniably a metropolitan city, home to what was once the tallest building in the world, yet it felt small in scale, and easy to get around and see everything.

Upon our arrival we met a friend of our friend at a great college-y bar called Mother's Too. Beer pong table and steady stream of fun music (including the ghostbusters theme song). After last call we hit up what seemed to be a popular hole in the wall eatery, no tables only a line formed at the counter where they offered burgers, dogs, greek and mexican food. We then made our way to a 24-hour diner (White Palace) where we could hang out away from the cold wind (windy city, hello!). Of course we had to order breakfast even though we had just eaten, we felt bad sitting there for 2 hours and only drinking coffee. It was unfortunate that we weren't hungry, the food was amazing.

By now it was 5 AM, time to head toward Navy Pier at Lake Michigan. Of course by the time we got there it was still about an hour before sunrise and it was even colder being by the water. So we wandered a few blocks to an open Starbucks. We sat in the warmth (and super cozy chairs!) combatting the oncoming sleepiness with coffee, we still had a full day of exploring ahead of us! Our goal was to re-create Ferris Bueller's Day Off, unfortunately the Cubs weren't playing and there was no parade. But next we made our way back to Navy Pier for the beautiful sunrise:

Next up, Milennium Park. Visited the big reflective bean sculpture thing (technical terms), 7 AM is best time to go, there were literally 3 other people there. Usually the tourist photos I see have hundreds of people around. The City is so beautiful from that view point.

After wandering around Milennium Park, catching a glimpse at soldier field, we wandered all over the city. Took the metro to Wrigley Field. Then on to Sears (Willis) Tower. As an engineer, I have a deep fascination and appreciation for skyscrapers. Going to the 103rd floor at Sears is the tallest point I've been (besides being in an airplane). Taller than the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building. (and yes Bernardo and I leaned our heads against the glass just like in Ferris Bueller). Such an amazing view:

Sears Tower has these very cool (super thick and reinforced) plexiglass boxes called the Ledge at Skydeck. You can literally step out over the streets below. I was super excited to do this, but taking that first step out made my heart race a little!

Woohoo!

After this we hit up the Art Institute of Chicago. Loved the impressionist paintings, they really are so much more impressive up close. Then we just had to partake of some deep dish pizza before making our way to Union Station toward our next destination.

tumbling along

until I have:
a) some travels to post
b) a break from life and learning how to be a grown-up

you can find me tumbling away here

a moveable feast

Cousin and I saw Midnight in Paris yesterday. Let me start by saying Woody Allen manages to capture the best, often underrated, simplest and most beautiful aspects of a city and push them to the forefront. (like with Barcelona and New York City). His movies are always a hopeless romantic's best fantasy. But I think what hit me most about this one (more than blowing my savings and buying a ticket to paris), was:
a. Nostalgia is not inherently a bad thing but with it must come a healthy foundation in the present and willingness to look to the future.
b. I need to take more risks. I need to step away from my comfort zone. One of my biggest fears is complacency.
Hmmm. Time to contemplate.
Also a round up of some of the gorgeous stills:

c. be more cultured. read more, learn art history and figure out how to look way cuter next time I'm in Paris.
d. walk in the rain.

Goes to Paris

I haven't forgotten about my wanderlusting, in fact i've got a few trips queued up over the next few months that i'm excited about. But I've been taking some time to enjoy being a newlywed and working on this whole being-a-responsible-adult thing works. But I had to post about this:

 

Do you know Jordan at Oh Happy Day? She is super cute and has the most precious family ever. Well they decided to up and leave San Francisco a few months ago to move to PARIS for a year. (jealoussssssss....) But! This is super awesome lady has put together a giveway - 7 days for 2 people (hotel and airfare covered) in her new city of Paris! Ahhh amazing! You know I've been once and had a blast, but a) I need to go back and spend more days there and b) I need to do Paris as a fancy lady, not as a backpacker! Jordan will personally be your host for a day or two and show you all her favorite spots, as a local. Um, yes please!

so ENTER the contest! (and then take me as your plus one if you win =D)

italia

Venice via ACL

Milan via ACL

Rome via ACL

Naples via ACL

Florence via ACL

So....is it my turn yet? Miss this place.

Charms and Pleasures

Paris Farewell from the New York Times. Via.

Such a lovely article. I must admit I'm more of an Anglophile. But nonetheless. Don't worry, the travel bug is alive and well. I have several getaway options up my sleeve, let's see how much cash I can scrape together this summer...

86th Floor

{photo by me - ESB}

sigh. I'm ready to go back.

romanticized all out of proportion

I once again have travel on my horizons. This intro is a bit how I expect to feel about my next adventure.



honeymoon here I come.

p.s. after discovering "Rhapsody in Blue" in my history of Jazz Music class, I absolutely adore it.

missing you

this postcard wall is pure brilliance:

(via from the right bank)

New life goal: travel enough to collect enough postcards to create a wall like this in future home.
Second best: collect postcards from friends who travel (though this one isn't nearly as fun)

Thoughts

"There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go." -Tennesee Williams

"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

"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." -Robert Louis Stevenson

"Not all those who wander are lost" -JRR Tolkien

just in case

If I ever have $2000 burning a hole in my pocket and a long weekend ahead of me...I'll be booking a flight on last minute. The cheapest tickets are generally for flights that take off within the next week.

For example, leaving LAX to London Thursday through Monday, airfare and hilton-type hotel included, $1300. Yes please!

my heart is beating

Um...definitely the coolest tourism video ever: (I recommend full screen)

Inspired by Iceland Video from Inspired By Iceland on Vimeo.

From the Inspired by Iceland , promoting tourism in, yes you know by now, Iceland. Just in case you were wondering, the volcanic activity is officially over as of May 24. It is so beautiful! Looks like something straight out of a fairytale.

russia

(via)

Itching to scratch some landmarks off my list...

antique souvenirs

hmm. someday when I'm rich I'd like to do this. A trip to Paris centered around flea markets!

I grew up visiting thrift stores and antique malls. My mother is the queen of bargains and negotiation.

It's not all business and shopping either, there's a cruise down the seine, a lecture on flea markets, and plenty of walking tours and restaurants to visit. fun!

another one for the list

I would like a picnic on a rooftop in brooklyn. full stop.

(by miss chelsea jade)