Do some Good

As I mentioned in my last blog, I'm going to "get it together" in 2012. One step in my process is really figuring out what I want to do with my life and what I have to accomplish to get there. For those of you who don't already know, my dream job is to work for the United Nations. So this past week, I made another trip to New York City and visited the UN Headquarters in Manhattan. And it was learning experience in itself.

United Nations Headquarters, NY

"imagine a world in peace..."

one day I'll have a delegate seat here in the UN general assembly hall 

I'm huge on any type of humanitarian efforts, regardless how big or small the contribution is. Since I travel extensively I've been exposed to many of the world's continuing problems, like extreme poverty, hunger, women's rights, lack of education, and war/political unrest. Some of the UN exhibits that touched up on these subjects really hit home for me, and made me want to be associated with the United Nations even more...

Of course many people want to give back, but I know times are rough and if you can't make monetary donations or have time to volunteer, you can still help out. During my tour of the UN, I found this AMAZING website called www.FreeRice.com which is a non-profit website run by the United Nations World Food Programme. On their website you can choose from 6 different subjects (Language, Humanities, Math, Geography, English and Chemistry) and play trivia games. You're probably thinking, so what's the big deal?! Welllllll…For each answer you get right, FreeRice will donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme to help end world hunger. I personally think it's a genius idea! So I highly encourage everyone to make an account (it's free, so no excuses), play the games and help feed a person in need. It's a win-win! I love it and I do the trivia questions whenever I have any kind of down time, not to mention I always feel a little bit smarter after completing a level. =)

So go on and do some good! 

New Year, New Adventures

I know I'm pretty late with the New Year's blog but better late than never! Every year I make the typical NY resolutions like working out or eating healthy, etc knowing that I'm more than likely going to break it well before February. So this year (in addition to adding on to my already ridiculously long Bucket List) I've decided to make my resolutions more realistic, in a sense that I not only want to get these things done but that I NEED to get it done. 2012's theme is it's time for me to "get it together."

1. Learn to swim

I love the beach, I love to boogie board and surf, and I'm tired of getting all those crazy looks from everyone when they find out that I can't even swim! But in my defense, I was traumatized when I was a kid…so I think this is the year to finally get over that mishap that's semi scarred me for the past 20 years.

2. Re-learn Italian

I studied in Rome in 2007 and absolutely fell in love with anything and everything Italian. 5 years later I hate that I've lost that connection with the language, so this year I'm going to re-learn the basics and move up a level in my communication skills.

3. Learn to fence

It's just time for a new hobby...

4. Narrow down grad school choices

Apparently in order for me to land my dream job I need to have a Master's degree, so we'll take it one step at a time.

5. Take the GRE

Time to hit the books hard…

Now the fun part…my top 5 new additions to my forever growing travel bucket list. 

1. Himalayas/Nepal/Tibet

And yes, I fully intend to climb Everest (at least to the base camp)

2. African Safari
3. Explore the Amazon  

4. Galapagos/Machu Pichu, Peru

5. Argentina (including Patagonia)/Brazil

Given, I probably won't get all of these checked off this year but if I can at least get 1 or even 2 done I would be satisfied and I can always do the rest the following year. Any one care to join? I'm always looking for fun new travel buddies :)

2012, Im going to make you amazing.  

Dear Santa

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! Unfortunately I had to work an all day double shift but it didn't put me in a grinch-like mood that I thought I would be in. And it was partly because I got this in the mail...a letter from Santa from the Arctic Circle! He must have gotten my memo that I've been good this year.

I love the little things in life that come at unexpected moments and always seem to make you day just a little bit brighter =)

Earlier this year I made a trip to Santa's home...and no, not the North Pole which is actually a diversion from his real residence in Rovaniemi, Finland (and no, I'm no joking at all). I had my doubts when I found this fun fact out too so I felt it was only necessary that I fly there and make sure. And I was proved wrong! After a very looooong journey (almost 20 hours one way from SF to Lapland, Finland) we landed in the small town of Rovaniemi, a winter wonderland that I didn't even know existed until a couple weeks before my trip. And to my surprise their small claim to fame was being Santa's residence. It was amazing gallivanting around Santa's Village and having one of main means of transport be reindeers...so I you want to read more on my adventures in Lapland, Finland...CLICK HERE...and be redirected to my sister blog, The Long Weekenders.

Happy holidays everyone, bring on the New Year!!!

happy holidays...

Christmas in Union Square, SF

If the Christmas bug hasn't bit you yet...check out The Long Weekenders holiday blog...CLICK HERE guaranteed to lighten your holiday spirit. xoxo

A bitter sweet parting

I just got back from a two week training session in Atlanta for my new job. Initially I just wanted to get it done and over with, and saw it as just a free trip out of state. Even though the courses were rough and I felt like I was in college again (but with more rules/restraints) I surprisingly had an great time. Given, it was also the longest 2 weeks of my life, at one point I even thought I lived in ATL! 

SFO ladies

Air Trans operations tower in ATL

the view from operations atl

DC, who dyes his beard everyday to match his outfit, talk about setting trends

But I thought I'd share some food for thought. It's amazing how you can meet a group of strangers with completely different backgrounds and instantly be able to spend 24 hours a day with them for 2 weeks and not want to strangle them. And to top it off, being able to come out of the experience feeling like you've known each other your whole lives. It's a good feeling, and I'm grateful for them and the learning experience. But now it's back to reality, and I'm looking forward to feeling like Christmas since the holiday spirit hasn't hit me yet this year. Ciao for now!

Shopping as a sport

Ahhh, the madness of Black Friday is finally Over... and if you're like me you may have extended your shopping binge to the rest of the weekend and then blamed the unnecessary spending on the devil that was obviously disguised as the holiday sales... and then decided to also give in to Cyber Monday, oops... At least I can cross most of my Christmas gift list off.

Although Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year and calling it chaotic would be an under statement, I'm still a big fan of it. And yes I'm one of those people that start hitting the sales ridiculously early at 2am, but at least I'm not hardcore enough to camp out days before. Every year I get in an average of 3 shove/snatch contests or tug-of-wars, and I definitely think that Black Friday shopping should be considered a sport. But this year was surprisingly calm, and the damage to my wallet wasn't catastrophic like previous years. This is because I've gone handmade this year with most of my holiday gifts, which in most cases (in my opinion) is better...it shows more thought and personality.

Check out some of these handmade goods:

-The Velvet Throne Designs: gorgeous handmade feather earrings made by my cousin, Kathelyn 

-CLE Scarves: handmade infinity scarves made by yours truly :)

If you are interested in any of these designs feel free to contact me. Happy shopping days everyone! 

P.S. While we're on the topic of shopping check out my sister blog, The Long Weekenders for our shopping blog in jolly ol' England. Cheers!

Sweet November

I hate that it feels like this year we skipped Thanksgiving and went straight to Christmas. But regardless I'm still so thankful for everything that I have. For me Thanksgiving has always been about family, food, football, and then shopping after I've recovered from my food coma. I wanted to share an interesting conversation I had with my auntie the other day:

Tita: "Cyn, do you hike?"

Me: "I could…"

Tita: "Do you want hiking sticks?"

Me: "Sure…"

Tita: "What will you use it for?"

Me: "Everest!?!"

Tita: "Oh ok, good! Make sure you take someone with you and try to go all the way to the top and take pictures"

*hands me a pair of hiking sticks

I guess I'll have to conquer Everest now…=)

I'm so grateful for such an amazing, loving, and incredibly supportive family. No matter how insane my adventures are they have always been there to encourage me follow my dreams. I'm also thankful for my opportunity to travel like I do, my extended travel family, and for the unbelievably kind people I meet on the way that help made our "trips of a lifetime" even more unforgettable. 

Bring on the turkey! Have a great gobble day everyone!