Day 14. It has been 14 days since my poop has been regular or since looking at a salad didn't make my stomach turn over. Peru left me dirty, that's for sure, and not in a good way. Maybe it can be considered payback for leaving the small country in general. That being said, my sudden traveler's diarrhea sure did make leaving a lot more palatable than it usually is for me at the end of a vacation. Now, poop-talk aside, Peru was a one of a kind experience. In fact, I can confidently say it has officially made my "top-ten countries I've visited" list. The beauty of the hikes we took in contrast to the big cities we visited... Peru is one for the books. From fine-dining to small, hole-in-the-wall places, there is something for everyone there. Not to mention it is affordable. You may not have the budget to eat at one of the many Michelin star restaurants or ride one of the most luxurious trains to Machu Picchu, but I can attest that your time spent in Peru will still not go to waste. Balling on a budget is what I (and my friends) do best after all.  

With Peru, I almost don't know where to start. Should I begin with one of the most epic hikes I've ever endured? The bustling city of Lima we landed in? Or should I tell you about the lazy days spent on the coastal waterfront? ​There's almost too much to explain, and we barely touched the surface of what Peru has to offer travelers. It truly is one of those places that can suck you in, which is why many of the backpacker's we ran into hadn't left yet. As much good as there is to say about Peru, there are also negative sides just like with any country you visit. Luckily for you, however, I have experienced a majority of those setbacks and are happy to share my experiences. So, if you're up for a bit of reading, I'll tell a few tales about Peru - a place even Emperor Cuzco would be proud of these days.

So, I want to start with explaining how we decided to tackle Peru in 3 weeks (and when I say "we," I really mean Rosemary because she basically put this all together). Rosemary and I left January first at a whopping 05:10 in the morning - leaving us with a 02:00 am wakeup call. Fortunately for us, my dad was up for the challenge of driving us to the airport on that glorious New Year's day and we weren't stuck attempting to either drive ourselves or find an Uber. Now, that being said, we planned our trip January 1-23rd, giving us ample time to explore Peru. I will say, though, if the Inca trail or Machu Picchu are on your radar, January is probably not the best time to go. While we lucked out with the weather, January is considered their rainy season, which can impede on many of the hikes. Trails do close in February for preservation as well, so be aware of that when planning. 

Our officially non-official itinerary was Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Huacachina, Paracas, and then back to Lima. The loop of a lifetime! To dive into more details about that, we ended up flying to Lima from the US and staying about 2 nights. Then we flew into Cusco, giving ourselves about 3 days to acclimate to the altitude. Cusco sits about 11,000 feet above sea level. For some reference, Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level. Long story short, it's fucking high. If suffocating slowly is your cup of tea, go to Cusco. Navigating the country from Cusco on out was always done by bus. There are minimal options for public transit, but buses are always plentiful and available. However, they are time consuming. While Peru looks small on the map, each city was an entire day's, or even night's, travel. It took about ten hours to get from Cusco to Arequipa, and another lovely 13 hours from Arequipa to Huacachina. The lesson learned here is to plan a lot of travel time. ​

While out there, hiking is an absolute MUST in my book. I must say, though, the hikes here are pretty intense and definitely listed high on the difficulty level, especially adding in the altitude. If you are an absolute rockstar planner, then try to book the Inca trail. Apparently it is very cool and worth it. If you lack in the planning department, like your's truly, the Salkantay trail is for you. I have never done the Inca trail, but Salkantay did not disappoint. It was satisfyingly difficult and, of course, ended with Machu Picchu. Rosemary, Katelynn and I opted for the 3-day hike because of the price, but we all wish we splurged for the 4-day or 5-day option. There is just so much to see and experience on that hike, cutting it short doesn't do it justice. The Salkantay trail, though, is by far the coolest hike I've done. On the three day option, day one and two are the Salkantay trail and day three you hike up the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Make sure, and this is a MUST, that you have an early entry to Machu Picchu. 06:00 am is the best time because you get there before the massive crowds do. It is an early wakeup call, but by the end of three days you will be used to waking up before sunrise. 

Aside from Salkantay and Machu Picchu, we made sure to tackle a few other note-worthy hikes. There are many Incan and pre-Incan ruins you can walk around or hike around while exploring the city of Cusco. One specific one you can do is on the way to "White Jesus." You can hike up to "White Jesus" without paying, but if you want to see and walk around the ruins you have to pay to get into the park. You can group your ticket to include other sites, museums, or attractions, though, which is a big money saver. Outside of Cusco you will find Sacred Valley, which consists of eight different Incan Ruins. We were able to visit four of them, which was an all day event. The best way to do this is to ask around with different taxi drivers. I know this sounds a bit chaotic, but we ended up finding a guy that simply drove us to each site for 120 Soles in total. While there, you can explore the ruins or the town that they are in. You don't get a tour guide, but you do get to hike around some really cool history for an entire day. 

Overall, Peru has my vote of confidence. I feel as though there are so many things to do that pique anybody and everybody's interest. There is history, architecture, outdoor adventures, and much more. I'll give this a 7/10 on the "should I visit this country" chart. 
Downsides: you have to buy water or filter it out of the tap; long travel times between cities; mostly spanish-speaking population (which isn't really THAT much of a downside...); cash oriented in many cities 
Upside: cheap; beautiful; easy to navigate once there; city things to do AND nature-oriented things to do; friendly people; multiple hostel/hotel options for the varieties of travelers; good mixture of nightlife or relaxed night vibes
I would absolutely suggest you go to Peru, even if it is just for a small amount of time. I will post more about the specific areas I went to in the coming days/weeks, but for now this is my overall on the country itself. 

Look out for more from me! And remember to keep in mind, keep in touch, and keep being your adventurous self. 

​It has OFFICIALLY been Spooky Season for about a month and I am living for it! October is one of my favorite times of the year, not only because of the fall foliage and pumpkin-enriched foods, but because of the ghost tales, creepy crawlies, and halloween costumes. Witches, goblins, vampires… say less. Not to mention the halloween movie classics, which will spice up any Tuesday night. As many of you know, I love spiritual stories - both good and bad. I think the reason behind this is that we really have no idea what happens when death occurs. Do we go to heaven? Are we in a simulation and simply wake up? Are we reincarnated? Who knows. I have my own beliefs as many of you do, but one thing we can all relate to is that this age-old mystery leaves room for the spiritual oasis (the place between the real world and wherever we go in the end) to exist. That being said, I have read and experienced many, many stories about weird happenings, dreams, and seemingly miracles. One thing that captures my attention most, though, are dreams. 

​Dreams are still considered a scientific mystery to this day. In fact, many studies have been conducted in an attempt to tackle this massive topic. Yes, these studies have unraveled some mysteries behind dreams, but there are things that cannot simply be explained by brainwaves or hard evidence - dreams are simply too complicated for that. Think back to the dreams that you have had or have heard about. Not only can dreams represent past traumas or decisions, but they can represent current emotions, or even predict future events (ever had deja vu?). So far, depending on the article you read, there are between seven and 12 different types of dreams: current/recent event, metaphoric/symbolic, fantasy/comfort, creative/problem solving, nightmares, lucid, and supernatural dreams. These types of dreams can be further broken down into subcategories depending on the nature of the dream, how it progresses, or even if it is depicted in color or not. By categorizing dreams, the dreamer can psychoanalyze and decipher what their subconscious is attempting to communicate. Truly fascinating stuff in my opinion. That being said, I’m going to dive into a couple dreams that I experienced a few years ago. They go with the spooky season theme, and are very much related to each other. With that being said, I hope you enjoy!

​It was always cold in Mike’s house, but the wintery months amplified how frigid it was. Although, I was always cold regardless, so that didn’t help my predicament. I don’t remember when I was able to drift off to sleep, but I do remember listening to Mike’s snoring as I finally closed my eyes, wrapped the comforter around me, and let sleep swallow me whole. Not long after, my eyes fluttered open, lazily looking around at my surroundings. I saw Mike to my left, rolled onto his side, facing away from me, and still snoring deeply. Sitting up, I turned back to look at him, but noticed a figure beside him out of the corner of my eye. I twisted further, staring down at my resting body. I looked peacefully unaware as I laid on my back with my hand on my stomach, head tilted at an angle, and my breathing even. 

​“Weird, but at least I’m breathing,” I thought. Just as I was about to sink back into my resting body, I let my gaze wonder around the small bedroom. Everything looked exactly as it did when we went to bed. Clothes and bags were littering the floor. Mike’s closet was closed partly, with the dirty laundry basket wedged between doors. Moonlight filtered in through the blinds to my right, casting shadows throughout the small space. Suddenly, my gaze landed at the far right corner of the room - a place where the moonlight couldn’t reach. Goosebumps ran up my arms as I squinted at the corner. I couldn’t see anything there, but a sneaking suspicion that i was being watched shuddered through me. My heart rate sped up and fear jolted through my spine. 

“I’m coming for him,” a voice spoke out from the corner, as the shadows danced around forming a potential figure. The voice was quiet, almost a whisper, but strong and determined.
“Why?” I asked. 
“I will have him,” the voice retorted. 
Thoughts were reeling in my head. I didn’t know what this entity, spirit, thing(?) wanted with Mike, but it felt real. The threat felt very, very real. I was terrified, but didn’t feel cowardly.
“You can’t have him!” I shouted. “I believe in God and he’s under my protection.” Gesturing to Mike’s sleeping body, I continued. “He is under God’s protection. So leave us be! I will ALWAYS believe in God and He will ALWAYS protect me!”

​Suddenly, I couldn’t feel the presence anymore. The room was still dark, everything was still scattered around throughout, but the threatening feeling was gone, just as quickly as it had appeared. Taking a deep breath, I slowly lowered back into my body and quickly faded into a dreamless sleep. 

​I awoke with a start, snapping my eyes open and glancing around Mike’s same bedroom. Attempting to sit up, I was met with an inescapable resistance, like my body was a cage and I was it’s prisoner. Taking a calming breath, I began to realize that I was dreaming once more. It’s okay, I can just wake myself up, I thought. However, after the third attempt of regaining consciousness failed, I began to panic, squeezing my eyes tightly closed. I could feel sweat dripping down my forehead, but was unable to lift a finger in protest. Suddenly, a familiar feeling of fear crept through my body, leaving me ice cold.  

​My eyes opened and were met with a dark figure, whose breath fanned my face. His features were created with dark shadows, making it impossible for me to depict who, or what, he was. I attempted to profess my love for God once more in a desperate plea to rid him of my dream, but no sounds came out. I was frozen in my body and unable to make a single sound. 

“I told you I would take him from you,” the voice spoke out to me as he slowly backed away from my uselessly frozen body. It was the same raspy, whispered voice as my dream a week prior. 
“He will never be yours and you will never be able to protect him.”
As I continued to watch, the shadowy figure withdrew a dagger from the swirling air around him. I desperately attempted to say something, but couldn’t find the voice, or even the words as the figure retreated to Mike’s curled, sleeping body. My anxiety and fear grew as the entity crept closer to Mike, dagger in hand. Quickly, and without remorse or hesitation, the blade pierced Mike’s chest. Simultaneously, my voice returned, allowing me to scream, “leave us alone!” But the damage was already done and the entity had vanished.

​I awoke abruptly, gasping for air. I could still feel the trickle of sweat rolling down my forehead and the pounding of my frantic heart. Immediately, I rolled over and placed a hand on Mike’s back, needing the reassurance that he was still breathing. The moon shone through the blinds, and Mike stirred in his sleep as if nothing had happened. However, I couldn’t shake my trepidatious feeling.  

​I hope you enjoyed my crazy dreams. With that said, stay in touch, stay in mind, and happy Halloween! 

​It’s that season again - season of change, fall colors, and warm sweaters. My favorite time of the year. Currently, I’m sitting at a nurses station in Townshend Vermont, fantasizing about sleeping instead of staying awake until 7 am. Night shift is always so draining. I can’t remember a time where working all night was easy for me. In fact, it used to be preferable. I would work an occasional mid-shift or day-shift and absolutely despise it. Isn’t it interesting how time and experiences change a person and their preference? After 3.5 years of variable shifts that excluded nights, I’m officially a changed woman. However, once the opportunity arose that would plop me back on the East coast, I couldn’t turn it down. Vermont in the fall time? Sign me up!

​I’ve been in the area for about 3 weeks now, and I can tell time is flying by. Typically my contracts do move quickly, but I’ve been able to really settle into this role way too smoothly. That being said, I know that the end of my three months will come soon, leaving me picking up my suitcase once more. Pondering my choice of job has me asking the daunting question: what am I really searching for? I see my friends settling into their own roles - new jobs, new families, or new relationships. People my age are finding their future husbands, having babies, or buying houses and settling in for the ride. Am I that far behind in my life? Or am I simply waiting patiently to make my own happiness? 

​While these questions surface every now and then, I know deep down in my heart that God has a plan for me. Hopefully, I can enjoy what He has laid out. It really can be difficult to not compare your life with that of others. Even though I recognize that I have different experiences and goals, I still fight the anxiety of not being enough. Not being where I’m supposed to be at my age. Then I remember a simple fact that everyone should remember: I am uniquely me. I cannot and will not base my life decisions on other people’s milestones or success. My life needs to be based on the goals and plans I find valuable and, for lack of a better word, enough. Enough to satiate my hunger for learning; for growing; for living. It’s with this in mind that I wake up every day with new perspective and a will to keep striving for what I want. What keeps you going? 

​With that question in mind, stay in touch, stay in mind, and stay on your path.

​You know that feeling you get when you first plug in your headphones? You get ready to be wrapped up into the music, the podcast, or whatever you plan on listening to for that time. Maybe you’re not wanting to listen to anything. Just simply plugging in to drown out the sounds around you - getting into a headspace for that situation. Whether you’re working, relaxing, or just overwhelmed and need a distraction, headphones always seem to be the go-to. In fact, it’s to the point for me that I get upset when I realize I forgot them at home. It rivals having my phone if i’m being honest. If I just throw in my AirPods I can easily pretend that I’m doing something, which can ease any social anxiety (not that I get extreme social anxiety, but you know what I mean). It’s an easy fix, which is something that is rare these days. 

​With that in mind, I will sign out. Stay in mind, stay in touch, and keep carrying on. 

Disclaimer: I know I haven't posted practically ANYTHING about my travels. In fact, I know I have been MIA for wayyyy too long even though I keep promising to update more often. Well, here's a glimpse at just one story from my trip. This is in Morocco, the second country that Rosemary and I visited way back in March. I hope you like it!

As I sit here on this bustling train going from Milan to Lake Garda, my mind wonders back to the mounds of sand that make up the Sahara Desert I left behind not long ago. Within the span of about 3 days, I’ve traveled tirelessly throughout Morocco ending up in Northern Italy. However, the one night spent in the desert continues to replay itself no matter how far I get. It is an entity that words cannot describe no matter how much I think about it. With the softness of the ground and the cool breeze tickling my face, I remember how still it seemed. While there was always movement all around, the sounds were dampened and time stood still, allowing me to take in the beauty that surrounded me. Stars shone brightly displaying an array of light and patterns. The moon bathed the desert in light, reflecting off of the mountainous piles of sand creating shadows across the land. It was serene - tranquil.

​About a mile away people were laughing, dancing, and singing enthusiastically - a large cry from what our group contributed. The people brought an electricity to the once peaceful area. I danced around the campfire with these strangers to the drums and songs of the locals. It wasn’t the most eloquent dance I’ve ever done, but energizing to say the least. Once the music died down and most had returned to their tents, Muhammad and I left the joyous area only to hike up a mountain of sand. While a break was needed a little over halfway up, the strenuous climb was well worth it. The top overlooked the campsite party we crashed and the resort we were staying at. It was cloudy at that time, so the stars were hidden in a blanket of grey, but the moon shone strong, adding to the ambiance. Up on this mountain Muhammad and I basked in the moonlight, talking about anything and everything while sharing a bottle of water. Turns out, the desert isn’t as fun without it. Keeping the cap, though, can be proven difficult apparently…

​As the night turned into early morning hours, I was ready to begin the walk back. I watched as Muhammad floated through the sand dunes, helping me as my clumsiness made it look like i had never walked a day in my life. How he managed to make it look so easy and effortless was beyond me. Making it about halfway, I glanced up to the sky and noticed the clouds had dispersed, leaving behind the Milky Way. The view was so unbelievable it rejuvenated me. I felt enlightened and energetic, ready to stare at the sky all night. Noticing my hesitance, Muhammad sat down, beckoning me to do the same. The best thing about the desert is that anywhere you sit is on comfortable, soft sand. We spent more time talking, but mostly just looking at the beautiful night sky. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful. More endearing. The clusters of stars were brighter than I’ve seen before, and I truly began to appreciate this trip that Rosemary and I were only beginning. 

​It’s crazy what you can discover about yourself by becoming removed from your own reality or normal. By removing myself from my routine I was able to learn more about this wide world and about myself… something I couldn’t say before. It is easy to lose sight of what matters to you and what is best for you with outside influences. Morocco really was just the beginning of a trip that I will always remember, reflect back on, and hold dear to my heart. It helped me to gain confidence, reflect on certain aspects of my life, and make decisions that overall were difficult to make. It showed me different cultures and ways of living, not to mention different ways to pack. I can’t recommend traveling enough to people, young and old. If not for yourself, to broaden your knowledge about other people and cultures. 

​Until next time, stay in touch, stay in mind, and broaden your horizons. 

My life in one word: Movement. Moving to new places both physically, mentally, and emotionally. I've especially noticed how much change occurs in a person, and in myself, throughout these last couple of months in Europe. This European experience was inexplicable. Something that helped me to grow as a person, friend, and traveler. To put into words my experiences almost seems impossible, but I know I have to try. Try and recollect the good times, frustrating times, and awkward times that reprised our trip. 

Someone recently asked me what my favorite part of this trip was, and I really enjoyed that question. So far, I've been asked what my favorite country was or my favorite thing that we did, but the way this new question was worded was easier for me to answer. Asking my favorite part gave me the opportunity to reflect on all-encompassing aspects of this trip instead of simply one thing in particular. My answer? I loved the flexibility. Rosemary and I hardly ever planned anything up until the day we were going to do it. There were times in which we did have to schedule things further in advance, but most of the time we woke up and asked each other what we wanted to do that day. While this travel style doesn't work for just everyone, it most definitely worked for us. Not only did it give us wiggle room to split off if we wanted to see different things, but it allowed us to relax the entire trip. No stressing to make it to reservations, just go with the flow. Not to mention, if we met people along the way (which, we met plenty of people) we could plan stuff with them and not have to re-work months of planning. My advice for anyone planning a long European venture is to save the planning for overseas. 

Straying away from my favorite part of this trip, I can start attempting to answer the other burning questions I've received over the past few weeks... I guess. So the most popular questions has been what country I liked the best. This question is particularly hard for me because I loved every single country and would revisit each one in a heartbeat. In total, Rosemary and I managed to visit ten countries. Because of the sheer amount of places we visited, each one brought something new and refreshing to the trip. Whether that included different scenery, night life, or food, it was constantly changing. Some stand outs did include Morocco, Lake Bled and Ljubljana in Slovenia, Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Budapest in Hungary. Not that the other areas weren't amazing, but those are the stand-outs for me. As I was writing those, though, I felt really bad I couldn't simply list everywhere we went. That being said too, all of those places were interesting for completely different reasons, making this question that much more difficult and vague to answer.

Alright, on to the next: What was my favorite thing we did? I actually have an answer for this one, I promise. In each new city or country, Rosemary and I would take a walking tour to get a lay of the land and learn some history about the area. I LOVED those. We always did the free walking tour, which you sign up for online and the only expense is tipping the tour guide at the end. Most of the time the tour guides were locals that had grown up and currently lived in the area, giving us the perfect brain to pick for food and activity suggestions. The groups were relatively small giving us plenty of opportunities to speak with the guide and ask questions. Recommended for any place you go!

Those were just a few of the questions I received whilst abroad. I'm sure I can think of more and will be telling stories on here about that trip for a while. So stay in touch, stay in mind, and stay tuned. Cheers! :)

I thought that traveling over the last few weeks would taunt me to write down everything that I have seen and experienced. Like how an apple dangling from a tree begs to be picked, I figured I wouldn't be able to resist the urge to document every moment. I have learned, however, that it has done the exact opposite. While I do feel inspired, I have yet to find time, motivation, or willingness to sit down and write about it. The task is daunting and overwhelming because each day is filled to the brim with memorable moments. Where do I even start? We flew into France about 3 weeks ago and I barely remember what we did. It was simply a blur of trains, planes, and walking tours. Even so, I have finally found the time and a cold, rainy day to accompany it. So, let me attempt to paint the picture I had of France as well as Monet did. 

The brisk wind brushed my hair back as Rosemary and I walked the crowded streets of Paris. The reality that I was in a different country still hadn't quite hit me, but giddiness of exploring a new area, in a place that rarely spoke English, was building in my chest making my steps that much more determined. My pace was about twice that of Rosemary's, but that was probably because my luggage was left behind at the airport... not by choice. Pushing the stress of not having my luggage out of my mind, we finally arrived at the very first hostel I have ever stayed at. Orange awnings acted as a shining beacon after the long flight and extensive amount of stairs we had to climb. Checking in I remember glancing around at the homey atmosphere, drinking in the quaint reception area with stairs leading down to the common area. The place seemed quiet, but it was late afternoon on a Tuesday. After we checked in and stored our luggage, we began walking the streets of Paris, getting an idea of the area we would call home for about 5 nights. 

Paris is definitely something else. It is magical, romantic, and extravagant all in one. Everyone sits outside at restaurants regardless of the weather, although that is probably because everyone smokes. Buildings look old and robust, however according to a walking tour we did the city is fairly newly constructed due to the rebellious personality that accompanies all of the French. That point was driven home when Rosemary and I walked through a protest and weren't able to use public transportation for one of the days we were there. Flowers line the streets as well, giving Paris its traditional and stereotypical romantic essence. Most of the flowers were, however, fake because nothing had bloomed yet. It was still magical all the same. My first impression of Paris was definitely a good one, but I have to say it lives up to its stereotypes. From being romantic, to being dirty, Paris seems to uphold both the good and bad qualities it is known for. 

More than a few things stick out to me when I think of Paris and the things that we did. One of which was the artwork scattered throughout the city. I was able to get up close and personal with some of Van Gough, Monet, and Manet's work and nothing compares to the actual paintings no matter who tells you different. The textures these artists used with different brush techniques and different painting styles is remarkable. Even if art isn't an interest of yours, any of the art museums are worthwhile. We never were able to make it into the Louvre, but we did walk around the building and into the courtyard which houses the glass Pyramid. Again, very much worth it. I have been told that inside the Louvre is very overwhelming without a plan in place. It is the largest art collection in the world, so I can only imagine how easily someone can get lost in the collections. Another highlight of Paris includes the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. This Cemetery houses about one million souls with 70,000 head stones. It is MASSIVE. Of the million souls, Jim Morrison, Gertrude Stein, and Oscar Wilde are buried there along with other famous writers and musicians. Rosemary and I listened to Rick Steve's audio walking tour and it was fascinating to say the least. Stepping into the Cemetery is like stepping into another town with how large it is and how different it is to its surroundings. I could talk endlessly about other tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, but those two held my attention throughout our stent in Paris. 

Paris nightlife is something else entirely. Steering away from the tourist attraction buzz, Paris has so many fun spots for food, wine, and an amazing time. Not to mention places are open insanely late. Unlike the U.S. where places stay open until about 0100 on a weekday, we closed a Paris bar at 0300. Then proceeded to stay up until around 0600. How we had the energy for that is beyond me. I can tell you that Rosemary is the only reason I was a person the next day. There's nothing like being awoken to a coffee and a still-drunk bestie yelling "WHAT'S UP BITCH" after 4 hours of sleep to really start the day. To be fair, I did tell her that regardless of the time if she brought me coffee in the morning I wouldn't put up a fight. We did end up going to some museums that day, but I'm not sure how much I actually was able to appreciate it. 

I'm sure I can think of about a million stories to tell you about Paris, but I will start with that. It's a basic structure of some of the things we did there, with potential to elaborate in a different post. Like I said previously, this is just the beginning. We were only there for 4 days and I am on week 3... so keep your eyes peeled for some more updates and definitely pictures to come.
​Until then, stay in mind, stay in touch, and travel!

Valentine’s Day: a Hallmark holiday that everyone should celebrate. A day about giving love, receiving love, and spreading love. I have grown to truly love this seemingly pointless holiday - and not just because I can get free chocolate. I like having a day to appreciate the people I hold closest to me, including the people I can no longer send a card to. One of my favorite Valentine’s Day memories is when Mike and I made dinner together. It was such a simple thing, but so enjoyable just to be around each other and spend some time quality with each other. This year, since I was unable to be with Mike, he set up an entire day spa appointment for me. So thoughtful and genuine, which really makes me miss him. However, it will just make it that much better when I do finally get to see him again. Absence makes the heart fonder!
​
Speaking of, I have officially found yet another coffee shop and am typing away. I haven’t been to a coffee shop here yet, and I am a little disappointed in myself for not finding one sooner. My heart is always happier with a little caffeine. Today’s weather has finally brought some life into, bringing me out of my reclusive nature. I have noticed that the weather really does impact my motivation - something that I’ve tried so hard to change. I want to be motivated and energetic every day but when the weather is gloomy and cold I tend to follow suit. I mean, who doesn’t want to cuddle up with a warm cup of tea, a fluffy blanket, and just lounge all day when the weather sucks? Anyway, hopefully the sunshine will continue throughout the next few weeks, keeping me happy and motivated. It’s time to get my life together. 
Until next time, keep in touch, keep in mind, and keep moving. 

New year, new me, or whatever the kids are saying these days. When it comes to the new year I never trust myself enough to create new year’s resolutions because 1. it gives me an impossible standard to hold myself to for an entire year and 2. I believe resolutions should be constantly changing based on circumstances. I feel as though people use new year’s resolutions to make themselves better versions of themselves even though that is something done constantly throughout the year - not just at the beginning of the year. Regardless, if you want to partake I say go for it. Just know, this post is not going to be more promises to myself that I cannot keep… i.e. a new years resolution. 

So far, for me, the New Year has not been bringing me the most fortune. Instead, it has started with my I.D. expiring in another state, many long, tedious days at work, and sleeping most of my days away in Tennessee. I find myself more and more feeling exhausted after a work day or work week. I think that the 12-hour shifts are taking a toll on my physical and mental health. Luckily, there have been more pleasant experiences this year than unpleasant ones. It is times like these, though, that force me to reflect on the good things that have happened instead of the bad. It can be so easy to only focus on the bad things or the things that we can’t change immediately. Yes, my I.D. expiring is a pretty big problem especially since I would prefer not driving the 13 hours home with an expired license. However, I can’t only focus on that since I will not be able to change it until I am back in Kansas. Instead, I can enjoy the people that I have met, the areas that I have yet to explore in Tennessee, and the amount I really am learning at this hospital. 

With regards to the hospital, I will keep it short and simple. I was taught that if you don’t have nice things to say, keep them to yourself. However, I was also taught to stand up for myself when something is unfair or wrong (in a respectful way of course). These grade school teachings can and have butt heads in the past. This hospital is an example of that. I don’t like the triage system, the amount of holds they have, or the charting system. The people are nice and helpful, but there are a few that I hope I never get on their bad side. The atmosphere is slightly toxic depending on what shift you work as well. Clearly, my time here will be limited and not because of my travel plans (even though that is also a factor). I won’t bore you with the details, but, long story short, I would not recommend JCMC to any new traveling RN’s. 
​
2023 really is playing out to be a spectacular year, all problems aide. Ignoring the problems my job persistently offers me, the plans I have created and are attempting keep me excited every day and up every night. In mid-March my best friend and I are going to Europe for TWO MONTHS. Two months of intoxicating food, vibrant atmospheres, and exploring a completely new continent. Now, after I get back from Europe is when it gets a little dicey. I have one single day, a full 24 hours, and then I’m getting in a car with 3 other young women and heading to Nashville for my cousins bachelorette party. Finally, my hope is that I will have a contract in Alaska awaiting my return. So, needless to say I have a pretty stacked 2023. I think it will be one for the books regardless of how dull the beginning looked. As Adelle said: it is darkest before the dawn. 
Keep in mind, keep in touch, and carry on. 

​Soft, alternative music settles in the background as voices of conversation rise above. Waiters and waitresses alike scramble to place orders, clear tables, or retrieve food and drinks for their patrons. I sigh, take a sip of one of my favorite beers, and think about the last few days - finally settling back in and taking in the atmosphere. The cheerful, exuberant atmosphere of my favorite brewery in my hometown. It feels like forever since I’ve set foot in this establishment, but nothing has changed. Same friendly service, same beer taps with a few new additions, and the same brick walls that show a tiny bit of history. The past few days have been a whirlwind of emotions and energy, so it feels nice to get back to something so familiar. So genuine. Moving has always been second nature to me, but this particular move was intense for all of the wrong reasons. I loved the people I met, the places I frequented, and constantly having something to do. South Carolina planted a seed in my heart that definitely rivals my feelings for Kansas, but as always, another contract looms in the distance beckoning me to stretch my comfort zone and reach out to it. Besides, however hard the transition will probably be, I know that saying goodbye to my friends in Greenville is only temporary. What’s that saying? It’s not goodbye, but goodbye for now? Whatever it is, that is what I’m sticking to.

​So, now the big question: What’s next? Truth is, I have no fucking idea. I’ve batted the idea of heading back to the area I just left, looking in the Nashville or Knoxville area. Unfortunately for me, many of the contracts in the Tennessee area require a CPI certification, in which I don’t have. That can be remedied, but I don’t know how quickly it will take. I’ve also tossed out the idea of Colorado. While I have successfully avoided snow for about 2 years, I’ve been aching to get my hands back in the cold, bitter, pristine cloud of beauty we call winter. Not to mention I have plenty of friends and family residing in Denver, so that would be another instant friend scenario (which means a lot less work for Hanna). Fingers crossed something crosses my radar. Until then, much to my dismay and gratitude, it’s wedding season.

​Don’t get me wrong, weddings are amazing. I both envy and appreciate the celebration of my friend’s love for their significant others. However, I’ve been moving non-stop for the past week, soon to be the next month. Packing, unpacking, and re-packing, all within a short amount of time. That sequence of events appeals to me just as much as eating pickles does… I hate pickles. BUT I will enjoy being with my friends. They deserve an enthusiastic and colorful entourage, which I am more than willing to contribute to. I think I’m just ready for a few days of rest and not being able to get that has me in a sunken mood. I’ll be sure to have an attitude adjustment prior to any wedding event, though, so don’t worry. 

​Weddings aside, holiday season is around the corner, which includes football, enormous amounts of food, and family all surrounded in one. I’m PUMPED for that time. The time to hangout with the people who care about me no matter what. The time to think of the family members that I have lost. The time to appreciate everything that has been given to me, everything that continues to come my way, and the memories that play rent free in my head. I may be exhausted more these days, but that has to mean I’m doing more with my time than I used to… right? 
Either way, keep in touch, keep in mind, and enjoy those around you!