Egyptian Expectations.

As excited as I am to head to Africa in a little less than four weeks, it hasn’t exactly all come into focus. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to head there, and now it’s actually happening. It’s almost unbelievable.

In my current mind, it’s all about being one with nature, seeing the animals, visiting Victoria Falls, climbing the sand dunes in Namibia, hiking Table Mountain, and cage diving with Great White Sharks. This is what I have been thinking about most when my mind wanders to my latest adventure. But, at the very end, what I keep forgetting, is that I will also be visiting Egypt.

Celebrating St. Stephen’s in Ireland.

After a particularly rough end to 2009, my best friend, Lara, and I decided to ring in 2010 the best way we knew how…with a trip to Europe. Our small plan grew to three countries over seven days: first, Ireland to visit my family, then Belgium to visit her friends, and finally, The Netherlands to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It fell perfectly into place, and on Christmas night we set off for Europe.

Lara and I at Trinity College.

My First Travel Companion.

Growing up, I was an only child for six and a half years. My parents would travel around a bit with me, but the real fun began when my younger brother, Thomas, was born. It was then, that I got my very first travel buddy.

Washington D.C.

Reflecting on Resolutions.

Never before have I stuck to a New Year’s resolution as I did this year. Maybe, that’s because the resolution I made was an easy one to keep. Rather than making resolutions to lose weight or go to the gym more often, I promised to live each day as I do while traveling, keeping a few goals in mind for the year. Those goals were to travel solo, visit Africa, take more chances, be more adventurous, and make more friends. It’s only been six months, but each of these has either been accomplished, or will be accomplished, in a matter of weeks.

Nomading Film Festival.

Just yesterday was the Nomading Film Festival in New York City, and Jeff and I decided to head in for the event. Located in the backyard of Hostelling International-NY, the festival felt more like an outdoor family barbecue than a film festival, which was a welcome feel.

Lunch at The Culinary Institute of America.

Now, that summer has officially arrived, I have more time to do some exploring close to home. Today, after finishing up my classroom at school, I wasted no time and headed upstate to Poughkeepsie, New York. I had an appointment to get fitted for a bridesmaid dress for my cousin’s wedding, but I dragged my Mom along with me, and she suggested that we have lunch at The Culinary Institute of America. Even though she had been there before, I was excited to experience the school for the first time. Immediately, it exceeded my expectations. Just an hour and a half north of New York City, the campus, which is set on the Hudson River, feels a million miles away.

Life Lessons and the Last Day.

“Life is a classroom. We are both student and teacher. Each day is a test. And each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject: grace. Grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence, and the list goes on. It’s something money can’t buy and credentials rarely produce. Being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest, or even the poorest, can’t help. Being a humble person can and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude.” ― Philosophy

In life, each day is a classroom and each one of us is challenged to perform. To me, this has an entirely different meaning because every day I truly am in a classroom, and this is because I am a 7th grade language arts teacher. While my primary focus is teaching reading and writing, I try to infuse life lessons into the curriculum by bringing in current events and quotes that make my students truly think about the world. My hope, like every teacher, is to make a difference, but unfortunately teachers often receive more criticism than praise.

Fears Faced in the Middle of Nowhere.

A few weeks ago, Jeff and I went hiking on the Hudson River in Upstate New York, and I was immediately hooked. I couldn’t wait for the chance to hike again, and as soon as we realized we had a free Saturday, we jumped at the opportunity.

This time, we headed to Palisades Interstate Park, an area that goes along the border of New York and New Jersey. Here, the trails run along cliffs that drop down to the Hudson River, with views of Manhattan and Weschester, including both the George Washington and Tappan Zee Bridges.

Enjoying the view pre-hike.

The Quotes of Washington DC.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, this past week, the 8th grade students at my school took their yearly trip to Washington DC. While we spent plenty of time walking around the city, visiting each site of importance, what I was most struck by was the amount of quotes that seem to decorate the city.

Below, I have shared with you a few of my favorite quotations from around the city. Not only do these quotes have special meaning to me, but they also seem to bring the city of Washington DC to life with voices that so clearly echo from the past.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Hiking on the Hudson.

Hiking hasn’t always been an activity I’ve been open to trying, in fact, like golf, I blindly figured that it would be boring and was unwilling to give it a try. However, like all things in 2012, I have decided to push aside preconceived notions about different activities. And through this, I’ve learned that I have been holding myself back by deciding that anything was boring before actually giving it a shot.

Not a fan of hiking or nature trails in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Get Me to Africa: Step Two.

There are exactly fifty-six days until I leave for Africa, not that I’m counting. But, this is the adventure I’ve been waiting years to make a reality, and that reality is feeling a bit more real as the days draw closer.

For months I’ve been telling people that this summer I will be heading to Africa. Each time it felt like a dream. But now, all of a sudden, summer is here; the days are longer, kids are playing out on the street, school is coming to an end, and I am fully preparing for my trip.

Going Golfing.

Over the past few months, I have been trying to fill the long weeks before travel with activities that make my life feel as exciting as it is while I’m traveling. Whether it’s trying new food, learning something new, or facing old fears, these activities spice up my normal routines and help make life at home a little more tolerable. In fact, this has all been a part of my resolution for 2012, to live my everyday life more like how I live my life when I’m traveling.

While I’m enjoying each and every moment this year has had to offer, what I’ve found so far is that the hardest of these tasks for me to attempt are those that involve physical activities. It’s not to say that I’m out of shape, I’m not, but I haven’t played sports in years. In elementary and middle school, I was constantly playing basketball, tennis, soccer, and cheerleading. Then I was a cheerleader and dancer for the beginning of high school, until I decided that I liked my social life a heck of a lot more than sports, which ended my short-lived “career” as an athlete.

Cheerleading in middle school.

The High Line, NYC.

The High Line in Manhattan is one of my favorite parks in the world, and this weekend, I was lucky enough to visit it twice, both times taking people who’ve never been before. This above ground park is built into a historic freight rail line and runs up along the West Side of Manhattan from Gansevoort Street, in the Meatpacking District, up to West 30th Street.

Train Tracks and Plants.

It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon walking along the Hudson River or lounging on the lawn absorbing some vitamin D. Whatever your plans, there’s plenty to do above the city, with several food vendors and much to see, including several pieces of artwork. Plus, it’s always great to get a different perspective on the city, especially if you need a break from the hustle and bustle that much of New York offers.

Travel Dreams and Inspiration.

I spend much of my life day-dreaming, and each time it’s about where I want to visit next. One day it’s Bhutan, the next it’s Morocco. Another day it’s Peru, and then it’s Ghana. The list is always growing and sources of inspiration are constantly surrounding me. I imagine my life as a permanent traveler, and never see an end to my adventures, as I believe that it is a part of who I am – something that I know will never change.

The original inspiration: magazine cutouts.

Several years ago, in the beginning of my love affair with the world, I would cut out pictures of countries, stuffing them into my journal. This journal was less a chronicle of my life, and more a place filled with lists of the countries I planned to one day visit. As I learned about new places, I would add them, knowing that one day I would visit the countries I once wrote down. And, as I visited each place on my list, I would check them off with excitement, realizing that I was beginning to reach my dreams and see the world.

Lunch in Greece.

Greece is a country that I have been wanting to visit for years. The history, culture, and food are all interesting to me, and the scenery is simply stunning. While Greece is not yet on my travel itinerary, I do plan on visiting the country one day in the future. But, for now, I enjoyed a taste of Greece during my lunch break.

Packing for a Tropical Destination

In just a few hours, I will head to Aruba for the sun, the sand, and the sea, along with some much needed relaxation. After months of teaching and grading papers, there is nothing I’m looking forward to as much as lounging on the beach with a drink in my hand.

What I love most about beach vacations is just how easy they are to pack for. Although, often they are too easy, which means I wait until the very last minute. Regardless, here are a few essentials that I always bring along.

Lounging in Fiji.

Inspired to Make it Count.

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted an Inspiration of the Week, but after watching this video, I just had to share it with you all.

Nike asked Casey to create a video about Making it Count. To do this, Casey and his friend, Max, used the budget given to them to create this video by traveling around the world in ten days, the amount of time it took for their money to run out.

Not only is the video inspiring, but it’s also proof that time doesn’t always have to hold you back from traveling the world.

If you liked this post, you may also enjoy:
An Inspiration: Move. Learn. Eat.
India Inspiration.
Vietnam Love.
Big Jet Plane.

One Way Ticket to Africa.

This weekend, I finally booked my flight to Africa, and my first one way flight ever. Even though I know my approximate return time, it was quite liberating to purchase a one way ticket to somewhere new and exotic.

My flight leads me to Johannesburg, South Africa, and then I have one more flight up to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. From there, I will join a tour from Victoria Falls through Botswana, Namibia, and back down to South Africa.

Then I will spend a few days in Cape Town – climbing Table Mountain, visiting Cape Good Hope, and swimming with Great White sharks. After a few days, the plan, as of now, is to fly up to Dubai in The United Arab Emirates for a few days. Then book a flight home that connects in Cairo, Egypt, with enough layover time to do a bit of exploring and see the pyramids.

Aside from the one way ticket to Africa and the tour back down to Cape Town, nothing is exactly written in stone, but now that everything is finally beginning to come together, I couldn’t be more excited for the adventure that lies ahead.

Easter in England.

Easter six years ago was quite different than the Easter I had today. There were no Easter baskets, no bunnies, no chocolates or jelly beans, no dinners with family. Instead, I was exploring the city of London with one of my close friends, Meghan.

Happy Easter!