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I went to Europe.

Oh, that's right. I knew there was something I had been meaning to talk about. I went to Europe on a work trip and visited 4 cities in 3 countries in 2 weeks. Things have been in full force since returning to New York a few weeks ago and I haven't had a single minute to figure out how I wanted to share my trip. It was a jam-packed, exhausting blast with many great memories that I'll hold dear to my heart forever and new friends made around the globe.

However, I thought a quick summary was in order. And if I sum up the 15 days I spent abroad, this is what it looked like:

bonjour, from the paris airport ladies room

Somewhere in the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport today I was washing my hands in the ladies room while waiting for my connecting flight, and as I glanced in the mirror, I could've sworn that a tall, scary woman was lurking behind me as I was trying to freshen up a little. Turns out it was just an art installation. But, hey, you never know. And being stuck in an airport terminal all day will certainly do crazy things to your brain. That's for darn sure.

bon voyage

Is it appropriate to wish yourself a nice trip?

I'm not sure, but I just did it. Mostly because I wanted to sound like I knew a tiny bit of french. And also because I'm running pretty low on sleep and didn't know what else to entitle this post. And finally, because I actually am wishing & hoping for myself a nice trip. In case you're wondering what this is all about, I have a pretty big 14 days ahead of me. For the first time ever, I'll be darkening the door of Europe, if you know what I mean. But you'll have to wait and see exactly where in Europe I'll be because I think it's more fun that way.

But I'll tell you this much. I'm typing this from a terminal in the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on a layover to my first destination and the teenagers here are just as rowdy and obnoxious as I've seen anywhere else. Although, one of them happens to be wearing a Boston Bruins beanie, so perhaps they belong to us afterall and have no bearing on teenagers elsewhere. Anywho. We'll see how my first impressions pan out.

I plan to post more pictures from my travels to twitter and instagram if that's of interest to you.

Bonne journée!

hi, from denver!

As a result of growing up in warm, balmy Alabama, I don't have much experience with scraping the ice and snow off my frozen car. Luckily—my rental car in Denver last weekend had a Florida license plate allowing the fellow motorists to keep their expectations low.

hi, from beacon

Last week I went on a quick trip to Beacon, NY for a staff retreat at work. If you haven't been there, you should definitely make the effort to go. And make sure to check out the Beacon Roundhouse. Because there is a waterfall there, and you will feel like you are a million miles from the city.

last year on Thanksgiving:

It was my birthday. And that morning, I did a turkey trot hike up Table Mountain. I went to the beach in the afternoon. And that evening, I attended a Thanksgiving day braai. All in Africa.

Not your traditional Thanksgiving, but one I'll never forget!






















Glad to be celebrating stateside this year. But, such wonderful memories thinking back on last year.

remembering cape town

One year ago, today, I landed in South Africa after an 18 hour flight across the oceans. I was tired and having my first experience with jetlag, but boy was there an amazing week waiting ahead of me. It's a week I will never ever forget, and quite frankly I have trouble holding back the tears when I think on that week for too long in one sitting. If I get sappy over here, don't mind me.

I'm thankful for all of the memories and stories and friends I still hold dear after an entire year has passed in this place. What a beautiful picture. What beautiful hearts of such a precious team.






















Last year I blogged all about my trip here: Big Apple Pear: Cape Town

a quick glimpse

...of my life flashing before my eyes.

























at the SkyDeck Ledge in Chicago this weekend. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I'm deathly afraid of heights. I couldn't even take this picture because I couldn't look down, nor could I put my entire foot on the glass floor - a few inches was far enough. Thank you LeeAnne, then, for helping me to document this death-defying experience and taking the picture. 

chicago bound.

























I am Chicago bound tonight! I'll be hopping on a plane with LeeAnne for a short, fun-filled weekend in Chicago to visit an NYC friend transplanted there for law school. If you have any suggestions on what I should see & do there, please share. It's my first time! I apologize in advance for the 500 pictures I'm sure to take at The Bean in Millenium Park.