The Adventure Continues

It's been over a year since I last posted anything, and I'm not even sure that anyone still reads this, but I guess now is as good a time as ever to re-cap what has been a pretty amazing travel year. After I cam back from studying abroad, I realized that I wanted to do so much more traveling in the U.S. I gained an immense appreciation for the diversity that these 50 states offer. I visited two new states, chipping away at my goal of all 50 by 40, spent some time in some familiar ones, and even made it down to Mexico. Looking back, I can't even believe how much I've done this year (and technically the year isn't even over!): Jazz Fest in New Orleans, a family reunion in Idaho, a wedding in Oregon, my first trip to Mexico, visiting friends in New York and DC, and countless California road trips in between.Oh, and I BECAME A COLLEGE GRADUATE!

So much love

This post (it's gonna be a long one) is dedicated to my parents, because frankly, without them, none of this would even have been possible.

May- New Orleans

Let's start with Jazz Fest in the Big Easy. This started as a dream born in Neema and Macie's dorm room and, as seniors, we finally made it a reality. Poetic, right? Thanks to the generosity of Macie's family, we were able to stay in NOLA for 5 days, and it definitely did not disappoint. I was with Neema, Macie, and Michelle, so no matter what we did, it was going to be a blast. But, boy o boy, New Orleans sure knows how to show a group of fun-loving girls a good time. There's something about that city that just hooked me. From the moment I set foot in the rain soaked French Quarter, I knew it was a special place.

The music. Oh my god, the music. I cannot get over how fantastic and full of life it was, not just at the festival, but on the streets and in the bars too. On the final day of Jazz Fest, Trombone Shorty put on the best live show that I have ever experienced and I could not have been more happy to spend it with the homegirls.Then comes the food. The food was equally as incredible as the music! I ate just about everything I could get my hands on. I have this rule about food when I travel: all dietary bets are off. I guess it's kind of a rule to break all normal rules. Just, eat.

Drinking Hurricanes

A po' boy loaf. A sandwich basically as tall as Macie

BEIGNETS!!!!

My man, Trombone Shorty

June- Idaho

Pretty soon after graduation, I headed up to Washington and Idaho for my grandma's 90th birthday and family reunion. Yes, that is correct, 90th birthday! She is SUCH a badass and continues to inspire me every day. I don't have a picture, but so many relatives turned up to celebrate my grandma's birthday, it was pretty awesome. We rented a house in Northern Idaho, just south of Coeur d'Alene, and spent 4 days hanging out and enjoying nature and each other's company.

Lillian Wren <3

The cousins

August- Oregon

Ahhh, Portland. I made my way up to the beautiful Pacific Northwest in August for Aly and Glenn's wedding. It was a really beautiful ceremony and the reception was super fun, lots of beer and good music. I just really like weddings, they are such a happy time. It's always great to catch up with family friends who you don't get to see all the time too. Last year, there was a mini-volleyballers reunion for Melanie and Nick's wedding, this seems to be becoming a trend. WHO will be next? Lord knows it's not me.

Powell's, the world's largest bookstore.

My kind of place

October- Mexico, New York, and Washington D.C.

Literally the day after I graduated, I got started working full-time. By the time October rolled around, I was ready for a break. I know in the grand scheme of things, I probably didn't really need a vacation from work, but I needed a mental break. There was no better place than Cabo San Lucas to just relax and let my mind wander. Cabo can be summed up in three words: sun, booze, and pools. It's been a really long time since I have been on an actual "vacation" and I gotta say, it was pretty nice. I've talked to countless people about the distinction between travel, even if it's for pleasure, and vacation. Although I am an avid traveler, it's nice to throw some real relaxing vacations in there.

At the ripe old age of 21, I finally made it down to the Motherland for the first time ever. It seems like a crime that I had never been to Mexico before, it's so close and I am half Mexican. Pushing that aside for now though, I finally made it and it was pretty spectacular. As I mentioned before, boozing it up in a pool while soaking up some rays was the main goal of this trip; not an entirely "Mexican" experience. Although it was awesome, this only left me with an even bigger desire to return and explore a little bit more.

HEAVEN IN A BOWL! (aka pozole)

The Pacific side get a pretty gnarly shore break

Bobby and me on the booze cruise

After Mexico, I was home for 10 hours and then I hopped on another place. Destination: Washington D.C. to visit Macie. Remember that time when the U.S. government shut down? Yeah, it was timed perfectly with my D.C. trip. Then again, I was with Neema (also visiting) and Macie, so I didn't really care all that much; I was happy to just be roaming the streets with the coolest people I know. I got lucky though, because at the end of my trip, the government re-opened! As soon as that happened,  I absolutely took advantage of all the free museums and exhibits that are paid for by the feds. I had been to D.C. once before in 5th grade, but all I really remembered was visiting the capitol and going to Arlington cemetery. This time around, I got a real feel for the city. D.C. is a pretty cool place and I can definitely see myself living there at some point, especially, as I have been told by everyone, if I want to work internationally.

The two best friends that anybody could have!

So much SASS!

We were a walking ad for diversity

!!!

The Capitol Building

Lookin up at the National Gallery of Art

Museum of Natural History

Georgetown <3

We take pictures in front of the White House

Since I was on the East Coast for slightly over a week, I considered myself too close to NYC to not go. So, I hopped on a bus in D.C. and 4 hours later I had arrived. New York City, the Big Apple, I felt like I already knew it, even though I've never been before. I was staying with Paula, my old co-worker, but since she had work during the day, I was on my own in terms of roaming the city. For about 1.5 days (unfortunately it was that quick of a trip) I ran around Manhatten trying to see everything there is to see. I believe I was successful: Times Square, United Nations Plaza, Tudor City, Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building (such an incredible piece of architecture!), the Empire State Building (AND I rode the elevator all the way to the 80-something floor to the observation deck), shopping on 5th avenue, so much street food, the Staten Island Ferry and therefore a free view of Lady Liberty, the subway, the meatpacking district, the Highline, the MoMA, Central Park, Union Square, and some live music in a local bar. BOOM, done. That's how you do New York in less than two full days. Obviously, there is so much more to see and do and I don't doubt that I'll be back.

The view from the top of the Empire State Building

Just a gigantic piece of sand art

Passing by the Statue of Liberty

The Highline, probably one of my favorite spots

Jackson. Pollock. woah.

Perched on some rocks at Central Park

Listening to a samba jazz band with Katrina!

So that just about sums up 2013. Considering I was a full time student and then a full time employee for the entirety of the year, I think I did pretty damn well. Here's to hoping that 2014 will be just as exciting!