// November 21st, 2011 // 17 Comments » // Africa, Travel Review
When Easy Canvas Prints contacted me to do a review of their custom canvas prints as well as give one away, I was thrilled. Not only does this giveaway come just in time for the holidays, but I had been eying canvas prints for quite some time. The DC office of my employer this summer had a canvas print of a Kenya scene, and I loved the visual texture and uniqueness of it. (more…)
// April 29th, 2011 // 21 Comments » // Bali, Malawi, Malaysia, South Africa, Travel Review
Note: This post has photos and details about medical ailments due to travel. If you are queasy or easily grossed out, perhaps it’s best to skip this one and check back in later!
February 2011. Friends were coming to stay at our house for the weekend. Two days before they were to arrive, my sister decided we had to tell them. I thought it wasn’t a big deal, but then again, when you’ve had the same recurring (highly contagious) infection for, oh about 8 months, it probably shouldn’t be taken lightly. I had a severe staph infection. (more…)
// November 26th, 2010 // 5 Comments » // Oregon, Travel Review
Reunited at last!
Note: This is a follow-up to my first post on my trip to Portland. To read the first post, click here!
Oh how I love a good surprise! And, you may have read that I made a stopover in Portland on my way home last week to surprise my best friend. It was fantastic! I know many of you are dying to hear the details, so here’s how it went down. (more…)
// November 17th, 2010 // 10 Comments » // Oregon, Travel Review
New Years in Louisville 2007
I’ve just achieved one of my biggest accomplishments. Trekking volcanoes, running three marathons, and making it through grueling design school were not exactly a piece of cake; but this, this has been a tough one! I have managed to keep a big secret from my best friend, and as this post is going live on my blog, I am touching down in Portland, Oregon to see her for my last stop on this 8 1/2 month journey around the world. And the best part? She thinks I’m on my way to Madrid. It feels like I’ve been keeping this secret for at least six months but the reality is it’s only been three since I made the decision. I told her the flights from Barcelona to Portland were about $1400 and just too expensive to come. While that was true, I took advantage of this handy thing called a Student Identity card and got a hold of a student ticket that was much cheaper. I can’t tell you how ridiculously excited I am to see her and her reaction! (more…)
// November 9th, 2010 // 16 Comments » // Gear, Travel Review
I’m so excited to be hosting my first giveaway on this blog, as it’s been in the works for a while! Tights Please contacted me a few months back to see if I would be interested in reviewing their flight socks. I literally jumped at the chance. I had recently been on a 14-hour flight from Cape Town to Kuala Lumpur, and it was pretty miserable. If I have to sit on a flight longer than five hours, my legs become really uncomfortable and restless, and not to sound like an old lady, but my feet swell too. It’s awful! So, I informed Tights Please that I could put these flight socks to the ultimate test on my upcoming 11-hour flight to Berlin.
About Flight Socks
Flight socks are compression socks intended to improve circulation. Now, I’m no medical expert but from what I understand when you sit for extended hours on a flight, your blood circulates less in your lower leg. This causes the discomfort that so many of us have from long travel days.
Putting them to the test
On November 2, I boarded my 11-hour flight from Bangkok to Berlin. I was at the airport early so I waited until I boarded the flight to put them on. And if I’m being honest, I waited until my hot seat buddy went to the bathroom to put them on, because I felt a bit like an 80 year old woman putting on black knee-high socks :) But I guess that’s getting off track, now isn’t it? Anyhow, the pair that I tested out is elastic-free at the top, making them more comfortable than I expected. Hours 5, 6, and 7 passed with ease. I was surprise that my legs were comfortable even at the 9th hour. Around hour 10 I did start to feel some discomfort and removed the socks for the last hour of my flight. (more…)
// November 8th, 2010 // 13 Comments » // Bali, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, Travel Review
I will be home in two weeks- it doesn’t seem possible! I’ve been crazy busy with travel this month, and it won’t slow down until I get home. It’s been one hell of a ride, and I’m just trying to savor these last few weeks. Last month you may recall that I was a bit homesick. Month eight I did a complete 180. I’m still so excited to see friends and family, but really enjoyed this last month of travel. I left behind Southeast Asia for last minute plans in Europe. My biggest worry was my mom’s surgery but she made it through like a champ and is in recovery mode. So now, time to dive right in. (more…)
// October 8th, 2010 // 14 Comments » // Indonesia, Thailand, Travel Review
A beautiful viewpoint on Koh Tao, Thailand
Seven months. At this point, it sometimes feels like seven years. It has actually been one of the toughest months for me yet. I’ve had some really amazing days but a few downers as well. It happens. Luckily, I typically have a the cup is half full attitude, and it takes a lot for something to get to me, so I’m on the recovery! (more…)
// September 15th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Travel Review
Taking a break only half way in to the Mt. Olympus hike, Oahu, Hawaii
This marks the 100th post on my blog. I can’t believe people have hung in this long to read about it :) I thought about posting my Bucket List, as it seems to be a common thing these days, but I’m not quite ready to write one yet. So instead, I’ve decided to post 100 of my favorite places. It took longer than I thought, and I know I’ve forgotten to include many favorites (maybe a follow-up post will be needed), but at least this is a start. My definition of place is loose- it could be a favorite park, restaurant, city… any type of place. Some are specific and some are general. I hope you enjoy and find a few places here that you can add to your future travels list! Maybe one day there will be a post about all of these. And by the way, this list is biased: I’m from South Carolina and have spent most of my life in the USA. So, here goes. (more…)
// September 8th, 2010 // 16 Comments » // Laos, Travel Review, Vietnam
Trying on a traditional Red Dzao tribe hat in the market in Sapa
That’s right folks. It’s been six months since I left the Louisville Airport heading to Venice. Although I still have another 2-1/2 months of adventures ahead of me, I know it’s going to go by fast, perhaps too fast. I recently booked six flights in six weeks. I have a flight home now (in time for Thanksgiving!), but before that I will be visiting Thailand, Bali (and possibly Jakarta), Malaysia, Berlin, and Barcelona. I’m excited for the remainder of Southeast Asia. My stops in Europe were a bit unexpected but it was the same price for me to fly directly home as it was to stop in these two cities, and Barcelona has been on the bucket list for a while now. I will be meeting up with a friend in Berlin who I actually met on this trip while I was in Kenya; I’m really looking forward to seeing her again. So, now that I’ve blabbed my upcoming travel plans here’s a look at what I got into this month. (more…)
// August 8th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Botswana, Cambodia, Namibia, South Africa, Travel Review
Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
Five months. That means I’m over halfway through my trip now (sad!). It was another absolutely spectacular month of travel. No time for small talk, let’s cut straight to the adventures. (more…)
I love to travel, run, volunteer, and explore this crazy world! If it involves an adventure or a passport, count me in! For more about me, click here.
