The whirlwind

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I'm not really sure what it is--the atmosphere, the snap of the cold air that I don't totally mind just yet, the food--but it's always been pretty cool. Even in college, I spent time filling stockings for friends, playing Christmas music and having an awesome few days before flying home (where I'd usually have an awesome 3 weeks of hanging out not really doing anything, eating home-cooked meals and seeing family).

This year seemed to be extra-packed with craziness. My niece came 5 weeks early in the beginning of the week. I think we're all still in shock. Christmas Eve was full of Santa riding past the house on the firetruck (normal), the mother and [beastly] daughter next door having a fistfight with the grandmother trying to break them up (yay trashy neighbors!), Rocket (ha, I didn't make up that nickname, but he's a cool guy) completely trashed, singing and hanging all over everyone outside when we went out to stop the fight, and two white horses riding down the street pulling a sleigh with carolers (not normal).

Our cousins from SC came up, and we were lucky enough to spend 2 days with them. Always great times and the best laughs.

Tomorrow, I think I'll get to see baby for the 1st time!!!

And there's that pesky OBNJ poster that I'm supposed to finish, not to mention the freelance gig that isn't getting done.

Plus New Year! I'm happy I got a few different invites this year. Not really sure which to accept, and just realized now that I only have about 36 hours to figure it out (Yay decisions!).

I'm thinking of sticking around for baby's first New Year, though aside from sleeping and pooping I don't think she'll be doing anything much.

I don't have to go back to the big house till the 4th and I'm already dreading it! It's going to fast, and dare I say it, I'm having too much fun...

"Yay! Come travel with us! Oh wait, you're single? Ooooo.... Yeah. About that..."

I have been looking into some tours/trips that include groups so I could get over my little ghetto-ness about "I'd rather not go somewhere cool and sit there by myself because I'm a loser" thing. It's sort of cool because there are seem to be a lot of things out there.

But guess what! If you are traveling alone, you get charged extra. As in $100 to $200 or more. Hahah, so you know when they say "Discounts available for group rates!"? Well, apparently sometimes it's also "Extra fees when you don't have anyone to go with!" [I could launch into my feelings about relationships and being single, or even how I liken this to celebrating anniversaries, but I will refrain for now.]

Good shit. I'd rather pay $200 towards a friend's trip then give it to some company/group/tour. Oh well.

So I think maybe I'm going to hack up that vacation instead of taking the whole week. I can try to shoot for something in the future and put a little more planning into it [whether that includes saving a few extra hundred for to travel alone or trying to get a friend or 2 to come with].

Tryin' to leave some options open, but we're coming down to the wire. Oh well...

Vacate the premises

Scheduling vacation at my job is a hassle, in part because all vacation needs to be settled and approved usually by February. Sure, you can attempt to change a day or two but only if you're lucky enough to have it not interfere with anyone else's approved time off.

I usually try to pack long weekends towards the end of the year (mostly because vacation is pro-rated, and if I get lucky enough to leave, I don't want to owe them hours or money). This year though, I actually scored a whole week off in September. The desire to travel somewhere is quite strong. But I feel stuck. Why? Because, I don't really like traveling alone. Or rather, I'd rather share a new place or new experiences with other people. The actual getting to where I'm going isn't the issue. It's the what to do when I get there.

This year, half of my friends are broke or getting married or buying houses, making them monetarily unable to partake in such adventure. The others have either scheduled their own vacations and asked me to take part after the fact ["We're all going to do THIS! You should come too! What? You can't take that time off? Well we already have everything booked, so try anyway."] if I was privileged enough to be included at all. Rock on.

I have 10 days to do SOMETHING! Hawaii? Haha. That part of me that wants to say "Screw it, peace out," and bounce to what I have built up in my mind to be paradise is all over this idea. I'd love to go there and scope it out--Kauai!?--and seal the deal or burn through my own illusions. San Diego? Seattle? Santa Fe? Hell, Italy and finally get my passport stamped with something? Haha. There are even these "Volunteer Vacations" all over the place, but the problem with those is they usually require more time--anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. I won't get into prices, or how for the cost I should just go to Hawaii.

So I don't know. It's frustrating, and I know it's sort of silly. I shouldn't let an opportunity pass because I don't want to go alone (hahaha, boo hoo, right?). I'm looking for some sort of sign! And, you know, the right idea to splash into my totally otherwise occupied mind.

My State Project

I have been lucky enough to travel allll over the place the past few years. And not just weekends to PA, VT or Boston or down to Florida a bunch of times. I've gone to Houston, Chicago, Portland (Oregon!), Phoenix, New Orleans, Denver, Boulder, Anaheim, San Francisco... I touched the Pacific Ocean, stood on top of Pike's Peak, waded through God knows what in The Quarter, fireworks over the Bay Bridge, museums galore. I've watched good friends marry good people. I've sampled award-winning food. I've slept in former slave quarters, on hardwood floors, in airports. Watched the sun set in one state and rise in another on the same day. So awesome. So many good times. It's like really expensive anti-depressants!

I totally dig this travel thing.

I'm going to task myself to get outta town as much as possible. Maybe even FLY around as much as I used to.

Along this vein, and as per my earlier post, I need out of here. However, I'm married to my commitments and responsibilities until Relay. Too many things depend on me (which is just messed up...).

But I just booked a flight to South Carolina! Haha so a good start, ya? :)

I'd love to go back to San Fran this year too, but not sure. A few people keep telling me to check out Seattle, and I've actually heard nothing but good things about New Mexico. Not to mention a fellow alumna's gallery in Chicago. Plus, there was an article on CNN about how tourism in Hawaii was suffering and the next couple years would be the perfect time to go...

By the by, I could use a travel companion or two. Just tossing it out there.

I wish I was right there, right now...

This is one of the coolest places I've ever been--on top of Pike's Peak in Colorado.

The view is breath-taking. The feeling is amazing.

And I would give almost anything to be on that spot right at this moment.