December Goals

I realize that December is almost over but I never went over my November goals or made new goals for December. With that in mind I am going to only make a few goals for the remaining days of December. 

On to my November goals in review.

- Run 100 miles in the month of November - I didn't quite make it to 100 miles but I did make it to 82 miles which I was overjoyed at! Especially since I followed my Dopey Challenge training plan for much of November. 

- Volunteer - I was unable to do any additional volunteer work from that which I already do.

- Read 3 new to me books - I lost count of how many new books I read but it was at least 3.

- Continue to Stay on top of my class work - This was a success! I did well in all of my classes and truly enjoyed them.  

December Goals
- Read 3 new books
- Apply for 5 jobs
- Network 

I am very excited to get to work on these goals and to start setting my goals for January. They should be good! 

xoxo
Happy Travels!
-B

Missing?

I would like to apologize to the masses for my disappearing act since Thanksgiving. My computer suffered an unfortunate demise one fateful afternoon and was unable to recover. Thankfully this was at the end of the term so most of my classes were wrapping up and all but one major project had already been turned in. Thank goodness!! So since the beginning of December I have been computer-less and as many know the app for Blogger on Android isn't worth the pain.

Today was a joyous day!!! I got my new laptop via FedEx and Costco. Let me tell you it is more well traveled than I am. Following its progress across the Pacific Ocean to the East Coast and back to the West Coast was an exciting endeavor. With that being said I had a lot of time to contemplate what will be upcoming on the blog and I have a couple of posts that I am exited to start writing and some new ideas that I can't wait to put into play. 

Any suggestions on making the switch to Windows 8? What is your favorite thing about Windows 8? 

xoxo

-B 

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Turkey Day!!! How much are you going to be eating?

This year I am thankful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family. As some of you know this is my first Thanksgiving home in 2 years. Needless to say I am very excited to spend it with my family eating all sorts of yummy food, watching movies, football, and parades. 

I am also very thankful that the weather has been nice enough for me to continue training outside the last few weeks and it looks like it is going to continue to be nice out for the next few weeks. 

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving no matter what their level of plans are. 

Happy Travels!
-B

Running = Blisters

Total: 46 miles!!!

Saturday: 11 m

Sunday: Cross-training

Monday: Rest

Tuesday:Sick

Wednesday: Sick

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 3 m

Saturday: 8 m

Sunday: Rest

Monday: 11 m

Tuesday: 5 m

Wednesday: 8 m

Wow it's been a long week! There were moments I thought I would die.. and I've got a couple of blisters to prove that fact. However, I made it through!! I even managed to follow my training plan for two whole weeks (minus my two sick days). This is what I am most proud of. Also the fact that I went 46 miles!! I still cannot believe that. I must have recounted my mileage about 6 or 7 times to make sure I got it correct. Most of it might have been walking or a job but I do not care. All I care is that I made it in one piece and that it is preparing me for the Dopey Challenge in January. Mini-motivators seem to be what works for me. I'm so glad I found my groove.  

By the way blisters seem to be my problem no matter what I do. I've gotten the double socks that guarantee no blisters, I've worn bandaids, and I've used gel and glidesticks. I'm at a loss of what to do about them. Any pointers?

Happy Travels!

-B

How do you handle blisters? Or exercise caused stiffness? 

Interesting Read: The Wilder Life

A few weeks back while I was browsing my libraries selection of books available for Kindle I stumbled across The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie. It follows the author, Wendy McClure's quest to learn all she can about her favorite childhood book series, the Little House books. These books were a standard read growing up in America and portrayed the life and times of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family. Somehow I missed reading these books growing up and did not get the chance to read them until I was a little bit older than the standard reader, being about 14. I feel that because of my age they did not appeal to me as much as they would have had I been a bit younger. None the less, McClure's book appealed to me because it looked at her love of a childhood classic and what made her enjoy it, then and now.

McClure's quest leads her to try some interesting things, such as butter churning in her Chicago apartment and making bread from scratch (including making her own starter). It also led her to compare the actual life of Laura vs the Laura of the books and to understand why there are differences. To me this was one of the most interesting parts. I knew that the books were based on Laura's life but I did not realize how far they really strayed from what happened. 

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In this book it was interesting to follow the journey of a grown women reconnect with her childhood passion and still remain in love with it. A lot of her experiences reminded me of visiting Prince Edward Island and seeing the places that Anne of Green Gables was written about and where L.M. Montgomery lived. It is a surreal experience and it can be hard to rectify what you have always thought about a place and people with the actual place and the actual history. This is was the appeal of the book that kept me reading. I wanted to know how McClure felt about the book series and its author at the very end. How does she feel after spending the better part of a year traveling to different places to see the real location of the Little House on the Prairie, in the Big Woods, the Little Town on the Prairie, and many other locations that Laura lived. 

Over all I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take a trip down memory lane and to learn a little about what it means to love something as a child and to love it (in a different way) as an adult. 

Happy Travels!

-B

What was your favorite childhood book? Do you still feel the same way about it?

Real Life: Disappointment

Disappointment: the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.

Life is full of disappointment and I thought I realized that but after the last few days I do not think it had fully been ingrained in my mind. As many of you know I am in the job hunting mode of my life. This means interviews, endless applications, and ... very few call backs. 

Honestly it is the very few call backs that really get to me. I have always been taught that it is rude to ignore people and the fact that many companies do not even send a "Thank You But You're No Longer In Consideration" email boggles my mind. In the last 8 months I would say that I have applied for about 50 different positions. Of those I have gotten 4 "Thank you for applying but we think someone else is better" emails. 4 out of 50!!! That is 8% of the places that I have applied who have cared enough to let their applicants know that they are no longer interested in them. One of these was from Disney and let me tell you that email hurt the most. I had applied for a position at the beginning of September on a whim not thinking I would get it, because of how competitive a position it is, but I applied anyways. I got the email a few days ago right after I had gotten home from my part-time job. The longer it had been the more excited I got that maybe this was going to happen. Alas, it was not meant to be. This is something I am becoming a little bit too used to. However, I am keeping my chin up and trying to see a positive side. (Like all the running I get to do. Especially at the park.)

A Morning Run Can Be Fun

I've been dealing with this disappointment and frustration mostly by running and doing puzzles. I've run more in the last week than I have in the last month. I've also done more puzzles in the last week than I have in the last three months. It is best to focus your frustration on things that you can control.. like running or puzzles. (I am very original. Can't you tell?)

 

Disappointment is a part of life. The sooner we realize the sooner we can start living it to the fullest. Live life like there is no tomorrow. Carpe Diem. And all that jazz. 

 

As always, Happy Travels!

-B

“If I am to meet with a disappointment, the sooner I know it, the more of life I shall have to wear it off.”

― Thomas Jefferson

Ouch! or The Post Where I Start My Training

Total: 16 miles
Tuesday: 4 miles
Wednesday: 8 miles
Thursday: 4 miles
Friday: Rest (thank goodness)

I have stuck to my training plan for the Dopey Challenge for three whole days!!!! I am so freaking excited I cannot contain myself! (I am completely serious. I mean I have told strangers at work that I ran 8 miles.) It might not seem like a lot to some people but to me this is a big deal. I am not very efficient at following plans like this unless someone is making me or I have mini motivators. Well... I have both. My mom is holding me accountable for my training plan and believe me she means business. Hi mom! I do not hear the end of it when I miss a run and have been getting a lot of flack for not following it for the last month or so. I finally grew tired of it and decided I should probably follow my plan. It has been a little rough but over all I feel great about it. Though, I might be a little sore (note a lot).

Want to see what I'm working towards right now? It's pretty awesome! (At least I think so.)

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This beauty is an REI Airflyte Hybrid Jacket. The body is insulated while the sleeves give room for movement. And the best part? It's on sale!!! Yes I realize that at $68 that is still expensive but compared to the original $99 it's a definite discount (but it's so comfy). And this little babe will be mine in only 2 more weeks. I can't wait!

In other news I have started Jen Lancaster's Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest to Discover If Her Life Makes Her Ass Look Big; Or, Why Pie Is Not the Answer. Let me tell you it is just as good as the first two in her memoir series and I cannot wait to finish it!

How was your week? Any exciting plans for the weekend? I'm going to run 12 miles and hopefully go to a Sherlock Holmes Exhibit. 

-B

November Goals

I cannot believe that it's already November. I have no idea where the time has gone. Oh yea... It's gone towards school and work, with the occasional run thrown in. Let's do a recap of October's Goals shall we?

- Dopey Training Plan!! (This needs to happen and regularly)
- Run 100 miles in the month of October 

     Yea.... this was really far from happening. 
- Stay on top of all of my classes
- Continue being organized and using my planner
- Read 3 books that are not romance novels

     This almost happened. I finished 2! 

 

2/5 = I can do better!

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November Goals

- Run 100 miles in the month of November (I'm already behind on this so I need to up my game)

- Volunteer 

- Read 3 new to me books 

- Continue to Stay on top of my class work

I think that after last month I should really try to focus more on certain aspects of my goals each and every day. Like making mini goals each week to make sure that I accomplish these goals by the end of the month. I might try a sort of reward system. That's worked well for me in the past. 

Have a wonderful day!
-B
 

How Can It Be?

I want to discuss with everyone a very important issue at hand. It is something near and dear to many peoples hearts.... I give you the dounut. Not just any old donut but an apple cider donut!! These little guys are absolutely delicious. I mean melt in your mouth yummyness in every bite. My favorite are the ones from the local pumpkin patch but when I went to Costco the other day I saw a display of Apple Cider donuts just sitting there calling my name. "Buy me.. Buy me.." they proclaim. I being a week person did just that. I bought those little guys with not a second thought. The first one I had was not quite as splendid as the fresh ones but hey for something from a store they weren't too bad. 

That was before I looked. Looked at what you might ask? I will tell you!!!

I looked.... at the calorie count!! DUNH DUNH DUNH!!!!! Oh yes the dreaded calorie count and let me tel you for this particular donut it really was. My brother was the one who initially asked me what it was. I figured it would be between 200-300 calories per donut. This is where I was greatly wrong. It was 200 calories but not for a whole donut. Oh no... it was 200 calories for 1/2 a donut, making it a whopping 400 calories for the entire donut! I don't know about you but I find this ridiculous. How is it possible for such a small piece of dough to be 400 calories? Here is my question.

Why are companies aloud to make such silly serving sizes? Obviously we're going to eat the whole donut and usually wouldn't think twice about it. At a quick glance the calorie count says 200 per serving, thinking that the serving was one donut. Just tell me how many calories are in the freakin' donut. Just be honest! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? That is all.

Happy Travels!

-Becca

October Goals

Taking a look back at my September goals I realize that I was a little bit over zealous in the goals department. I wanted to do too much and as a side effect didn't get very far on any of my goals. Let's take a look.

- Continue job searching (hopefully I'll find one soon)
- Plan a plausible vacation to go on while job searching 
- Stick with my Dopey Running Plan
- Simplify my life starting with my room
- Try to keep my life more organized
- Set mini goals to help achieve my monthly goals
- Pay it forward
- Read 3 Books
- Blog more regularly 

I really only accomplished one goal to the fullest that I wanted to. All the others I made a good effort at but never full finished. For October I am making fewer goals so that I have a better chance of succeeding at them.

Here are my new goals for October.

- Dopey Training Plan!! (This needs to happen and regularly)
- Run 100 miles in the month of October
- Stay on top of all of my classes
- Continue being organized and using my planner
- Read 3 books that are not romance novels

There you have it folks. My goals for October in all of their goal making glory. I am hoping to accomplish all of them with full force! 

Have a Happy October!

-Becca

Interesting Reads: Night Road

This book came as a slight surprise to me. My mom had borrowed the book from one of her friends and devoured it. I was lacking a book to take to work one day and my mom handed me Night Road. It was brilliant. It read like a young adult novel but dealt with adult feelings and decisions. 

For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows—her twins, Mia and Zach—are bright and happy teenagers. When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude. Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend. Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.
Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way. It has always been easy-- until senior year of high school. Suddenly she is at a loss. Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.
On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives. In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything. In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.
Vivid, universal, and emotionally complex, Night Road raises profound questions about motherhood, identity, love, and forgiveness. It is a luminous, heartbreaking novel that captures both the exquisite pain of loss and the stunning power of hope. This is Kristin Hannah at her very best, telling an unforgettable story about the longing for family, the resilience of the human heart, and the courage it takes to forgive the people we love.

- Book Description

I enjoyed the writing style of this author and plan to read some of her other books in the future. I also enjoyed that it was set in Washington state. This made it very easy to identify with the setting and even, to some extent, with the characters themselves. The fact that the story spanned such a long period of time also made it easy to grow with the characters and their m8tivation behind some of their decisions. There were a few plot points towards the middle/end that I did not agree with but the author made them work with her storytelling.

Any new books you recommend? I'm always looking for an interesting read. 

Happy Travels!
-B 

Blogger Book Club: Me Before You

I had never heard of Me Before You by before Kay at The Best of Intentions named it the first read of the Blogger Book Club (BBC) read.  I am really glad I came across this when I did because it enabled me enough time to read the book as well as digest what had happened in it and think it through before writing out my thoughts. 

This was not a book I would have usually picked out to read but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the dialogue that Moyes wrote and the depth that the characters had. The story was a little slow to start but it was beautiful. It showed just how much one decision and knowing one person can change our lives for the better or for the worse. 

I identified the most with the main character Louisa or Lou. She had become comfortable with her life and then was given a life change that she did not expect when the business she worked for closed. This left her floundering to find her calling in life. This was really the part of Lou that I liked most. She took what life gave her and made the most of it. 

The end of this book was slightly unexpected and throughout the story I required an occasional tissue. I am glad that I read this book which is out of my usual reading box. 

Bottom line: I recommend this book to everyone who wants a good read that requires them to think. What would you do in this situation?

 

As always... Happy Travels!

-Becca 

A Love Letter to My Grandma

Blogtember topic for the day: Write a public love letter to someone in your life. (It doesn't necessarily need to be romantic.)

Dear Grandma,

I know it has been a good long while since you have been gone and I miss you every day. You were always there for me when I was young. You were my best friend. I can't eat ramen noodles without thinking about you and there usually has to be cheese on top just so I can think about the many times we ate it the exact same way. My love of books and fairy tales is as strong as ever thanks to the books that you read me. One-Eye, Two-Eyes, Three-Eyes is still one of my favorite Brothers Grimm stories. I can still remember going to the library with you to pick out a new Faerie Tale Theater to watch as a special treat. (I now own the whole series on DVD and watch them when I'm feeling blue.) The same goes for Anne of Green Gables. I always can turn to Anne for advice and you're the one who first introduced her to me. There are so many things that you gave me that have influenced me into who I am today.

I wish you could have been there to see me graduate from High School and then graduate from College. I wish you were here so I could tell you about my life and see what you thought I should be doing. There is so much I wish we could do together but will never be able to do. 

I think you would be proud of me and everything I have accomplished. I would give almost anything to have just one more day with you. But I know you are in a better place and I know that you have given me strength over the years to better myself and to be a better person. I wish you could see me now. I know you can.

Grandma I will always love you. Now and forever. 

xoxo
-Becca

September Goals

Alright! I am going to take a whack at posting my monthly goals. I always operate better when I have goals but I always seem to forget about that fact. I'm ridiculous I know.

- Continue job searching (hopefully I'll find one soon)
- Plan a plausible vacation to go on while job searching 
- Stick with my Dopey Running Plan
- Simplify my life starting with my room
- Try to keep my life more organized
- Set mini goals to help achieve my monthly goals
- Pay it forward
- Read 3 Books
- Blog more regularly 

I think that is all for this month but we'll see how that goes. I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend and is starting to enjoy the fall like weather that seems to be wide spread. 

Happy Travels!
-B

Being Afraid

Prompt: A story about a time you were very afraid.

Blogtember

Afraid: (adjective) feeling fear or anxiety; frightened

Fear: (verb) be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening 

Being afraid is a really human response to many different situations. It is our fear that makes us aware and reactive. I find that when ever I am entering into a new situation that I find myself to be afraid or experience anxiety. Most recently I felt this when I picked up my life and moved to Florida. I went knowing only a few people and very little else. Having graduated last June I decided to apply for the Disney College Program. This had always been a dream of mine and to my excitement I was accepted and picked a move in date of August 29th. On August 28th I board a plan and flew to Orlando, Florida to wait in an airport for my future roommate. A girl I had only met online a few months before. It was the longest few hours of my life so far. I was sitting thinking about all the crazy stuff people tell you about meeting people online and about meeting them in person etc etc. Her plane finally got in and we officially met. (FYI: She wasn't a crazy person.) We then got on a shuttle to our hotel where we would continue to meet people we had met online and would be spending the next couple of months with. The next few days were filled with many new and exciting adventures but I was terrified. I was so scared that at any point someone would turn to me and say that I wasn't really meant to be there that I was a fraud and there had clearly been a mistake. (Yes I realize this is nonsense.) This moment never happened and I slowly realized that this is real life. Great reward comes with great risk (or great fear).

Great Reward Comes With Great Risk. 

Don't fear the future embrace it.

Happy Travels!
-B

Remember Who You Are

A Happy Morning to You!!

As part of Blogtember today I will be passing on some advice that I have always tried to live by. Now this might sound cheese but my...

I realize that this is from a Disney movie. However, it does not make it any less important or influential in my life. In the film (if you haven't seen it) Simba has lost his way and forgotten who is and where he came from. A vision of his father appears to him reminding him that he must take up his place as king and "Remember who you are."

It is important that no matter the situation that you always have your core self to return to, no matter what. People are always telling you to stay true to yourself and this is a great turn of phrase to help you remember what you are about. It also brings to mind the entire conversation between Simba and his father Mufasa in The Lion King. 

   


Mufasa's Ghost: Simba, you have forgotten me.
Simba: No, how could I?
Mufasa's Ghost: You have forgotten who you are, and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life. 
Simba: How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.
Mufasa's Ghost: Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true King.

Remember who you are. 

Happy Travels!
-B

Be sure to check out others who are participating in Blogtember!

5 Places I Want To Go

Good Morning!

If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?

If I could take off for three months with a moderate supply of money I would travel the world. I realize that this is a bit of cliche answer but I really would. I would love to see Europe in the winter. I would visit my friend in Germany and in England who I haven't seen in a while. I would also spend some of that time in the States visiting my friends who I don't get to see to often.    
There are 5 places that I am obsessed with that I would love to go to in that three months. Well there is probably more than that but I am attempting to limit myself to a reasonable number.

1. Paris - Yes I know this is a little cliche but I do really want to go to Paris. I want to see the Louvre and the Mona Lisa. I want to wonder through the streets and find some adorable little cafe. I just think it all sounds so magical especially after reading Eloisa James' Paris in Love. 

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2. Glacier National Park - Every time I have plans to go a hiccup always seems to arise that prevents me from going. One time it was a snow storm so the park was closed and the last time was because of lack of planning/time. I really want to see Lake McDonald and drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road. All of the pictures I've seen of it always look beautiful no matter how horrible the picture actually is. 



 
3. United Kingdom - I realize that this includes a huge range of places but I honestly want to go everywhere. I want to explore London, or go on a Harry Potter tour of England. I want to get lost wandering the streets of Edinburgh or to see Stonehenge. Ride the London Eye and see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. There is so much that I want to do that it would probably take me a couple different blog posts to write about it. (Maybe I'll do that at some point in the future.) 

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4. All Disney Parks - As many of you know I am a huge Disney fan, especially since I worked for them at one time. With the opening of Shanghai Disney here in the near future, my desire to visit all Disney Parks has only increased. I have all of the Disney Parks in the US covered. Now I need to make it to: Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disney, Hong Kong Disney, and of course Shanghai Disney. 

I mean just look at this Castle!! It's absolutely gorgeous! Only Disney could come up with something so magical and at the same time functional. The other Castles are just as perfect for their park and the way it is set up. However, no matter how pretty the other castles are Sleeping Beauty Castle will always be my favorite (even if it is the smallest). 

5. Northern Lights - I want to see the Northern Lights. I have seen so many pictures of them and they are just breathe taking. I have a couple friends from Canada that have seen them multiple times that say they are awe inspiring. I believe that they would cause a person to stop everything and just ponder how much larger the world is than we really imagine. 


There will always be more places being added to this list. There is so much to see and experience in this world that no on person can do it all (though some have tried). Get out and explore! The world is only getting smaller.

As always, Happy Travels!!
-B

Who Am I? -Blogtember

For the month of September Jenni over at Story of My Life is hosting a blog challenge. This is the first time that I've participated in a blog challenge and I am rather excited about it. She has blog topics for every weekday between now and the end of September. It should be buckets of fun!

Today's topic is: Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

This is more difficult for me than it really should be. I have a hard time answering direct questions about myself. I could tell you about:

• where my family historically comes from (Germany), 
• where we have lived over the last 100 years (Oregon), or 
• what my family means to me (everything).

Let's go with the last one.

My family is who makes me who I am. They are the most supportive people that I know and have supported me throughout everything that I've done, including my current unemployed state. Throughout the years they have allowed me to explore the world which has enabled me to explore myself. I love to do things by myself but I know that my family will always be there when I need them and will also catch me when I fall. 

I've been away from home before so my love of my family (and the Pacific Northwest) is real and true not just because I don't know anything else. 

Happy Travels!
-B

3 Anti-Job Hunting Activities (Or Why I Need a Job Soon)

The job hunting has slowed to a crawl. I'm trying to be optimistic but it can be rather hard in the face of all this rejection. My summer job ends after Labor Day and I would really like to have a job or something to do soon after that for three very important reasons. 
 
1. Pinterest... need I say more? I would spend way too much time searching for a new recipe that I would never use or a new craft that will never get done. Basically I like to think that I'm a crafty cook but in reality I would spend my day in a baggy t-shirt and running shorts if I was allowed to.

2. Netflix. I have a slight addiction to Netflix and their endless supply of TV shows to watch. My ever growing list of TV shows and movies is ridiculous. (Especially since I can watch Netflix while perusing Pinterest.)

3. Food. I enjoy cooking but when it's just me I tend to eat whatever is in the fridge/cupboard. This has led to interesting 'inventions.' Such as the oh so delicious pulled pork with brown rice that I had for lunch yesterday (not as good as it sounded when I made it). 

As you can see if left to my own devices for too long I would probably become one of those people you see on reality TV shows. This must not happen, for my sanity as well as for those around me. 

I am still working on finding other activities to occupy my time until I find a job but they don't seem to interest me quite as much as the three above activities. If you have any ideas or suggestions on what to do with my time I would greatly appreciate it.  

Let us hope for better days ahead. 

Happy Travels!
-B

Adventures with Anne

I realize I've talked about my love of Anne of Green Gables in the past (here and here) but I feel the desire to share it again in the form of a short incident that occurred to me earlier this summer while on my cross country road trip.

The few days that I was in West Virgina earlier this summer it rained... a lot. My Aunt lives in the mountains and it is gorgeous (despite the rain or I should say because of the rain). One night after the rain we went for a walk, however in order to get to the paved road we were going to walk on we had to walk down the gravel driveway and over some cattle guards. The cattle guards were a difficult item to cross in flip flops. It was the in between that was very muddy and slippery with cows roaming around. The three of us were in flip flops and my aunt was in a skirt. The whole situation reminded me of the scene in the Anne of Green Gables series when a cow gets loose in Mrs. Rachel Lynde cabbage field. They turned out looking like this:

We did not end up looking like that but there was a close call when I slipped in a mud puddle. The rest of the walk was absolutely beautiful with a perfect view of the Appalachian Mountains.

Happy Travels!
-B

Beautiful West Virgina ... and Then Some

I know I am finally getting around to telling everyone about my epic road trip!!
 
During my long adventure across the States I had the opportunity to stop at my Aunt's house in West Virginia for a couple of days. We mostly had large family gatherings and ate a lot of delicious food. Though my mom and I stayed at my Aunt's house we got to stay out in their cabins! So this was the view out my door the couple of days that I was there:

This was the view from the front of their house and I must say it is quite appealing to me to have a view like this every morning. However, I don't know if I could live without cell service. (Yes, I realize I am a wimp.)

On the drive out of West Virginia the decision was made to stop at the Tamarack. The Tamarack is a cultural center of sorts that exhibits artisans and craftsmen from all over West Virgina in a uniquely designed building specifically for this purpose. According to their website the "Tamarack’s unique building was designed by Clint Bryan, AIA & Associates.  From an aerial view, it resembles a starburst quilt pattern, appropriate in a state known for the time-honored tradition of quilting.  Approaching on foot, the multiple peaks of the façade echo the craggy West Virginia terrain." I'll let you be the judge of that.

Tamarack in Buckley, WV

There was so much to look at that I felt a bit overwhelmed but my favorite part came at the end of my visit to the Tamarack... FOOD!!! 

Fried Green Tomatoes

It might seem unbelievable to some but before this point I had never had Fried Green Tomatoes. I know I know but you must realize that growing up in Oregon this was not high on the list of food to consume. Alas I am here to tell you that they were rather delicious. (It might have been because the food court is managed by the Greenbrier, which is an elite resort in WV.) I also tried their Chicken Pot Pie with Herbed Crust which was yuumy and hit the spot of a slightly weary traveler.

Chicken Pot Pie

The next major stop on my journey was Chicago... to come later. 
 
Happy Travels!
-B

Sometimes Fate Intervenes

Do you ever listen to the news or hear a story that just makes you stop and believe there is still good in the world? 

I heard one such story just the other day (Friday to be precise) on the news. It was a story about a bride from Kent, Washington who had her wedding dress stolen out of her car the morning of her wedding. She called 911 to report it stolen and that's when a miracle happened... the 911 operator offered her the use of her dress. The dress through a series of circumstances made it from the 911 operator to the bride in time for the wedding to go off without a hitch. Read more about this incredible story here or here.

The beginning of this story almost moved me to tears. The idea that someone would steal a wedding dress out of a women's car when she is clearly getting ready to go to the church is just appalling to me. Who would do such a thing? It's despicable! That someone was kind enough to go that extra mile to help this bride out of an unthinkable situation is so impressive. It's like a Hallmark movie waiting to happen. I just pray that if a situation like this were ever presented to me that I would react in the best possible way and go that extra mile to make someones day magical (maybe it's the Disney in me).

Happy Travels!
-B

Long Time No See

Remember how I went on a really long cross country road trip with my Mom for most of June? And how I really haven't shared how that went (except for that first week)? 

Well my plan is to get that all going here in the next few days. The months of July and August have been interesting to say the least. I've applied to countless numbers of "grown up"/"real" jobs and have gotten none of them. This has been really hard to take. (Rejection is not high on my list of favorite feelings.) 

With all of that turmoil going on in my life I sort of took a break from blogging. I didn't feel the desire or energy to write. After about a month away from writing I realize how much I really miss it. I miss writing about my adventures and sharing them with everyone out there.

Yummy Local Peaches

“It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed is you.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald

Quote of the Day

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Happy Travels!

-B  

A Little Party Never Killed Nobody

I like many others flocked to the theaters earlier this summer when The Great Gatsby came out. There were a few items that I did not agree with I still enjoyed the movie overall and like the angle that Baz Luhrmann was going for.

I did enjoy the music even if I didn't think it fit the action in most scenes. I rather enjoyed this song as well as this rendition of the music video. Enjoy!


xoxo
-B

Le Tour de France 2013

Part of my normal summer routine is to follow the Tour de France with my dad. It started off more as a joke between my dad and I but became something that I actually enjoy. It's quite fabulous to watch and can get rather intense. I personally watch it on the NBCSports channel and the commentators that they have are hilarious and very informative (even for those who don't watch cycling religiously).

Peloton

 

For those of you who don't know the Tour de France is a 21 day bike race around France covering approximately 2,000 miles. It consists of 20-22 teams with 9 riders per team. This makes for quite a few people trying to claim the same space and to look at the Peloton for a non-cycler can be rather scary.

And like any other sport the crashes are always a highlight. In the past there has been some crazy ones. One year some guys in the Peloton got hit by one of the motorcycles filming the race. Below is a picture of a crash involving Mark Cavendish in 2010 in the Tour of Switzerland.

Crash 2010

 This is the 100 year anniversary of the tour and so far it has not disappointed. They have covered new roads and old; all racing down to that final sprint in Paris! I can't wait to see it. 

It is one of my dreams to see a few stages of the Tour in France. That would require going to France in the summer though and I'm not sure if that will ever happen. Alas, a girl can dream. 

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer! Enjoy the heat!

xoxo
-B 
 

Quote of the Day

“You'll find another.'
God! Banish the thought. Why don't you tell me that 'if the girl had been worth having she'd have waited for you'? No, sir, the girl really worth having won't wait for anybody.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise

I adore F. Scott Fitzgerald. His work, though the bain of high school English classes, is actually quite good and inspiring. 

Happy Travels!

-B

Remember the Dopey?

via

Remember that run that I signed up for? The one that's going to kill me in January if I don't get my ass in gear?  What!? You don't remember?

...

That's alright I barely remember it either. Which means the time has come for my running to become serious.. I mean really serious. I am officially a week behind according to the training schedule that they provide for the Dopey Challenge. My hard core training starts tomorrow. I've decided that instead of running on the roads surrounding my parents house I'm going to head down to one of the larger parks in town and do some trail running. It should be a good change of pace from the little running that I have been doing.  

Though I haven't been running as much as I should be I have been doing a bit of reading on it. I am still rather confused about fueling during longer runs but I am sure I will figure it out as my training gets more intense. I've also been warned that wearing the same pair of shoes throughout training can actually harm your run... maybe I should get a new pair of shoes? I'm not sure. I guess I'll see what lies ahead and continue to read and ask questions. 

I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer thus far and continues to enjoy the sunshine. 

xoxo
-B

P.S. Do you like the picture of Orange Bird running? I thought it was adorable and slightly fitting since I've been running away from my running.

New Name = More Fun

If you haven't noticed I changed the name of my blog. It is now Raspberry and Tea. I first named my blog when I was primarily writing about world travels but slowly my content has swayed away from travel and more towards a lifestyle blog with a variety of content. 

With the ending of my time at Disney I felt that a change was in order. A big change in the way of lifestyle, blogging, and job. Who knows what else will be changing in the near future but I'm sure I will let you know. 

As an added bonus I'll give you a sneak peak at my cross country road trip!

Looks like I had a lot of fun right? Well I'll tell you all about it later. Maybe I'll even have good news or something exciting to tell.