The day I left for LA

A huge part of me feels like it was just yesterday that I left. I remember Pat helping me pack up my car and asking "Are you sure this is all going to fit?" my response "No...just keep shoving it all in." I had drawn a little map about how I imagined everything would fit in the car and that worked up until a point and then it was just pile it in... pile it on top of that.... and then shove this behind that pile. Some things were removable like my backpack and the container with the food I packed. One point I attempted to get some makeup out of a bag and all this stuff came piling out, one word, Jenga. I remember having a chanting session with my lovely Chicopee district SGI and crying the whole time just sincerely chanting for protection and strength. I was so scared because it was something I had wanted for so long with every fiber of my being. I think saying goodbye to my father was the hardest part of that morning. It's weird because that day is blending with the the last time I went home and left in my memory those days "feel" the same. I was so unbelievably tired on my drive to PA because I was just overwhelmed physically and emotionally. At 3 hours in I remembering panicking thinking "turn around you can't do this, you're insane." Luckily the passion in myself that wants to be a film actress won out. It was the one and only time on the trip I considered going back. I look a small nap at a McDonalds, the only nap I was ever able to take in my car on that trip even though I tried numerous times. On my final hour to N's I saw this weird light that looked like a UFO or something as I passed I realized it was the Amish! Of course the highlight was being able to stop and spend the weekend with Nicole and Chris. Sort of re-adapt and adjust being "gone" but not "gone" yet. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I did turn around where and what would I be doing now??? I am so happy I was strong enough to have not turned around because I am happy, even with all the challenges, to be here today in my room with the beautiful Cali sunshine ~S~

Pleased by Postcards

Today I received an unexpected postcard from Craig, a friend traveling all over the East, and I was ecstatic. This one came on the coattails of a postcard I received last week from Indonesia... which arrived 2 weeks after my coworker had come back :) I remember asking my mom once on our yearly trip to Hampton Beach why we didn't send our friends postcards (isn't that what you do on vacation??). She told me by the time we we sent them we would already be home- logical yes but I thought "I love getting postcards so I want to send them!" The art of writing postcards is much like writing love letter- mostly lost. For most people years of getting bills in the mail has pretty much trumped the excitement of getting anything fun via post. However not for me I still love it. Ever since I was kid one of my favorite parts of Christmas was hanging all the cards up around our door posts it looked like a little collection of love from everyone we knew. Over the years I have had the immense fortune to have traveled to many exciting places and in turn have met exciting people who also travel to exciting places. I've learned the best way to get something you want is ask even if seems silly. So I began asking will you send me a postcard? If you were to ever see my face when I get them you'd know it would be worth the trouble sending it. I'm like a little kidding opening up a birthday gift- full of excitement and wonder. Of course I love the message and the picture but I also like the stamps and postage marks making each one unique and special. I have been blessed to have been sent some really amazing ones from all over the world including Iceland, Philippines, Korea, Vinius:Lithuania, Marburg: Germany, Bath& Dunster &Whitby:England, Hollywood:USA (from Conor before I ever moved here), Disneyland:USA, Barcelona: Spain and now added Indonesia and Thailand. A whopping gorgeous 15 postcards not to mention 2 more vintage postcards of Monaco and Paris I picked up in a flea market in Nice with actual messages on them!!! When I was in Liverpool they had a display of postcards John Lennon sent his son in this double sided glass so you could see both sides- since then I've always envisioned an interchangeable coffee table or wall divider made up of these treasured postcards. I'm not sure why they still fascinate me I wonder the same about letters??? Maybe it's the nostalgic aspects of them or the idea that you know someone is thinking of you for even 5 minutes of their day. I'm not sure but all I know is if your traveling I would LOVE to get a postcard from you!!! ~S~

The Adventure Seeker

Half way through the cross country trip in Texas!

The Light Show Just after Dusk

Traveling In Europe- Nice was a must see!

I, like most people, love to travel. I however think I enjoy it for different reasons then some people. Often times a person wants to get away for awhile forget their life and forget time. When I travel I want to live in the moment and experience everything I possibly can. For as long as I can remember I always wanted to go to Paris. I begged my mom to buy me Muzzy tapes so I could learn French when I was 5. It wasn't until I got to France did I realize it was probably Belle from Beauty and the Beast that started my French obsession. Paris changed my life in so many ways- I literally think the trajectory of my life path changed when I was there. Some people are content to be just where they are and don't have any strong desire to think differently. Whereas as I long to explore new places, things, and cultures. My roommate was describing me to someone and said "She's probably at home eating mashed potatoes and watching mad men." At first I was taken aback at this description..is this how people see me??? as the girl who stays in watching period tv shows and eating??? I like to think of myself as someone who is always striving to learn and explore her world an adventure seeker of sorts. I always have a next destination plan- first it was Europe followed by the cross country voyage both which I did completely independently. Now I want to see Alaska i'm dying to see the glaciers and wildlife. It takes a lot to have fears and yet still do something anyways. I have never not done something because I had to do it alone so it's interesting be here in LA because it's like an adventure in life as opposed to traveling. However I still can't seem to get enough... the thrill of exploring something new is never fully satisfied ~S~