Travel-Stress-Syndrome

I'm heading out of town for a few days this week, and always before a big trip- a case of "Travel-Stress-Syndrome" sets in.

You all know what I'm talking about. I have a checklist of things I need to add to my master checklist. I am a week ahead at work just so I don't get behind.  My house is clean for my house-sitters, Maizy has enough food to last her a month.  Laundry is done, packing has begun.  Things are slowly but surely checked off of the master list.

The thing is- I love travel. I love the act of traveling, I love seeing new places. I often think my dream job would be to travel and write for a living. OK, not very original, I know- I mean, who wouldn't love to have coffee in Paris on Monday and wine in Barcelona on Friday and get paid to write about it?

The funny part is that in the days before I leave- I never want to leave. I spend a little extra loving time on the scripts I so carefully prepare for the broadcasts that will go on- just fine- without me.  I walk around my house, soaking in all of the nooks and crannies I love. I play with Maizy a little bit longer. I breathe the air a little more deeply, spend a little bit longer in the shower, cook myself dinner in my own kitchen.  I think to myself, I could never leave this house and be happy.  I already miss home- my work, my routine, my life- and I haven't even left yet.

When I used to travel a lot for work, this travel-stress-syndrome would come full circle the morning of my trip. I would wake up later than I wanted- not enough time for that long shower I craved. I would arrive at the airport and promptly cry in front of my coworkers. I could never explain why- I always told them I just felt rushed- but now I can spot it; that good ol' TSS rearing its ugly head.

The act of leaving home for somewhere else excites me and unsettles me all at once.

Because at the end of the day- no matter where my adventures take me...

... And oh, from the very bottom of my heart do I hope they take me far...

... No matter where I go...

... I always want to come home.

Map It

I hope you had an amazing and restful weekend! I sure did. My mom & sister came up to visit, and it was so nice to have some company (and pampering!) after a week of being so sick. We ate, window shopped, ate some more, and did some more window shopping. And today, for the first time in a week, I ventured outside for my first walk without my lungs collapsing. Success!

If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know that I enjoy- no, love- traveling. Anywhere and everywhere. 2011 is a big year of travel for me; I already have one trip to San Diego booked for the fall, and I will be booking a trip to Denver this Spring.

And of course, the big momma- a trip to Germany in the fall! (Remember my resolution to travel more? I think we can go ahead and give that a big check mark!)

With a love of travel comes a love of maps. In fact, I'm obsessed with maps. And I've decided that my "inspiration wall" I've been struggling to find inspiration for will in fact now be one, giant map.

I love this map from World Market- I just wish it was a bit bigger! I love the colors and that it's magnetic chalkboard.

We walked through Restoration Hardware this weekend, and I immediately fell in love with this giant, roll-up chalkboard wall map. It might actually be too big! (And a bit out of my current budget!) Still... love it.

This DIY Cork Board Map can be found over at Design*Sponge. Precious.

And I love this cork board map from World Maps.

I can officially say the travel bug has bit me... and I need a map to track my upcoming journeys and my "wish list" cities, too!

Any map inspiration out there to share?

15 Resolutions: Day 2

Another day... another resolution!

Is anyone else out there thinking of their 15 New Year's resolutions? Well, now it's down to 14. 14 days until January 1st, 2011!

Something about a new year is just so refreshing. An opportunity to start fresh and new. And this year, I am focusing my attention on 15 resolutions in particular- and I'm blogging about them each day leading up to New Year's Day.

Check yesterday's post to see my first, and probably most important, New Year's resolution.

So, here's resolution #2:

Travel out of the state and out of the country this year.

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I used to travel a lot for work, and I've always loved going on trips with my friends and family.

I put that on the back burner for the past couple of years for one reason or another. But I'm ready to make it a priority again this year!

I already have one trip planned in the fall- San Diego with my mom and sister for the BlogHer convention! We just booked our hotel on Friday!

My other big trip will be to Germany to visit my friend Jes and her family. I can't wait to take another trip to Europe. My trip to Spain in 2006 was a life-changing trip for me.

Hopefully I can squeeze in a few more trips in 2011... but those are the big ones on the calendar!

You know what this means... save, save, save! Plane tickets aren't cheap. :) Now if only I can buy my new camera before these travels begin....

Anyone else resolving to travel more in 2011?

World Environment Day

There is something powerful about people who come together for a similar cause. We live in a world where religion, wealth, power and any other number of things draw lines in the sand and force people to take sides. We so often hear people say every man for himself, and buy into the belief that we're each looking out solely for our own.

But what if we all could come together for one single cause? And what if that one cause was something we were all truly passionate about, and believed in? What if that cause was encouraging humankind of treat our planet kindly, to have an appreciation for each and every species on this Earth?

It may seem like such an overwhelming task. We often wonder, what can I, one person, do to help our planet?

There are any number of things you can do to treat the planet well. According to articles at www.iaasp.com, it can be as simple as composting your waste or turning off the lights in your home.

But ensuring our future requires more than just treating our planet well.

Over the course of months, years, decades-even centuries, we've seen people come together for a single cause. From the volunteer who handed out bottled water in the aftermath of the earthquake in Chile to the firefighter who ran back into the collapsing rubble of the World Trade Towers... these efforts, big and small, make a difference.

Each individual effort multiplies until we have an unlikely army of people fighting for a cause, fighting for the right to live on this one planet.

And what about some of our planet's most under-represented inhabitants?

According to www.safari.co.uk/Rwanda/plight-of-the-mountain-gorilla, a recent census found there to be approximately 700 mountain gorillas left in the world. The biggest threat to the mountain gorilla comes in the form of habitat loss- a plight animal and human can understand.

This year's annual World Environment Day celebration, set to take place in Rwanda on June 5th, aims to bring light to this situation. The theme says it all- "Many Species. One Planet. One Future."

The legacy of this year's events will benefit gorillas in Rwanda- a species that is in dire need of our support and unity. If you're wondering what you, one person, can do to help- go to www.unep.org/wed/2010/english/. With just the simple click of your mouse, you can take a stand for the gorillas.

America's 35th U.S. President, J.F. Kennedy, said "The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were."

Don't limit yourself with obvious realities. Make a leap, take a stand and dream you can do things you never thought possible. One person can make a difference- whether it's helping save a species in need, coming to the aid of your fellow neighbor, or simply having a greater appreciation for this one planet we have to call home.

A Trip, A Giveaway and An Announcement

Happy Monday!  Today, I have three things to share.  (Please refer to the title if you're questioning what those three things are.)  

First of all- thanks to everyone for input, suggestions and votes for my upcoming trip!  I have no idea when I'll take it- likely not until after Uncle Sam delivers on his promise- but the top two destinations selected in my brief, 24 hour poll were...

... drum roll, please....

Choice #1:  Boston!

... and choice #2:  Miami!

Thanks for your votes... and I'll consider each.  :)

Next up... a giveaway!

... No, but by me.  (By the way- there's a slight, teensy-weensy possibility that there will be a giveaway in the near future here at the Lounge.  Spread the word.)

Today's giveaway is by one of my favorite blogs, Frenchie & Flea.  Ever heard of Liberty of London?  Cute line, and today- Frenchie & Flea is giving away one of their totes!  Perfect for your laptop or future ipad.  Enter to win here.

Lastly, an announcement.  I've been accepted as a writer for an online community called Demand Studios!  It's a publishing platform for how-to articles, fact sheets, strategy essays and more.  I will be contributing various articles on a wide range of topics that will for the most part be posted on a website called ehow.  You can check out some of my current articles here and here.  (Hey, it's my blog, I can brag if I want.)

The editing team at Demand Studios is fabulous and quick to respond, and I look forward to writing with them.  They also are making some great partnerships.  Follow them on twitter @demandstudios to read more on a big announcement they made today!

Ah, three of my favorite things in one post- travel, accessories and writing.  :)  Do something you love today!

Where to Go?

My "virtual vacation" series continues today with dreams of a real vacation. You know- saying goodbye to work emails, packing your bag & taking off for an adventure. At least, that's what a vacation is to me.

Oh, sure, I love a beach vacation as much as the next person. Lazing around, no cares, getting fat and happy off of sunshine and pina coladas.

But, I come from a family of Irish do-ers. If we don't have something "to do", we get bored... fast. Even those lazy beach vacations are packed with excursions, snorkling, scuba diving.

And one very unfortunate whale site-seeing tour.

My trip to Spain in 2006 cemented this "vacation do-er" attitude for me. I traveled alone- which meant I set the agenda. If I wanted wine for lunch and then a 2 hour siesta... I made it happen. But more often than not, I was up at the crack of dawn, sampling fares from the local mercado. (Hello, jet lag!) I was sitting in market squares, writing and reading. I was taking pictures, and avoiding over-friendly people who wanted to become "travel buddies." (True story.)

But more importantly, I was free and independent. I was capable of anything. I hauled my own luggage up stairs, onto buses and trains, and over the cobblestone roads of 7 cities. I lost weight without even realizing it, and had my first tan ever, from hours spent outdoors in the glorious country. That trip took a college girl with an uncertain path and made her into a confident woman that handled life's surprises with grace and ease.

...ok, that woman really doesn't exist, and certainly isn't me- but the trip did change me for the better and made me grow up a lot.

I'm ready for another one of those. I'm 26, and at another crossroads of sorts in life. I'm ready for the world to teach me again, to show me what I'm made of.

Uncle Sam has given me a (small) allowance to do this again, and I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

....can someone please tell me what that even means?!

So, here are my top contenders:

San Francisco
Chicago
Boston
Miami
New York City

Feel free to vote on the matter thanks to the handy dandy poll tool at the top of the page. And if you have another suggestion... comment below!

Lets all make our virtual vacations real ones.

Virtual Vacation

I love to travel. Have I mentioned that before? It brings me such joy to arrive at a new place, explore the sights and sounds.

The first 9 months I worked at my company, we traveled... a LOT. Seattle in the fall, Massachusettes in the early winter, Los Angeles in the winter and spring. We broadcast our auctions all over.

And, as Production Coordinator, my job was always the same.

-Count our equipment suitcases. (long and skinny, big and black. They all had names.)

-Make sure they all made it onto the rolling belt at the airport. (Not left on the curb. Oops.)

-Print our flight information. (Just call me Mom.)

-Google maps from the airport to the hotel. (This was pre-iphone mania.)

-Book the rental car. (Ford Edge, you rock.)

-Reserve the hotel rooms. (Ohhh, the hotels. That could be a post in itself.)

-Keep track of our petty spending cash. (Yes, that "missing" $5 matters.)

WHEW! Exhausting, huh? Sometimes for as many as 20 people.

But, I loved it. I loved not only the sense of accomplishment I felt planning these trips, but arriving. Finding coffee shops in the morning. Using every spare, non-work moment to explore. Building friendships with my co-workers you only forge when you're on the road.

And trust me, there are things you learn about people on the road.

The past week, my travel itch has flared, once again. We don't travel much for work anymore- and I haven't been on an actual vacation in a year and a half. So, i'm remembering those days, where un-packing my suitcase was only necessary in order to do laundry and re-pack.

So, lets share our travels! Over the next week or so, I'll be sharing my travels with you. Take a virtual vacation with me! Write about your own travels, and post a link below. Share your favorite sites, restaurants, coffee shops and more.

But leave out the stories about your co-workers odd habits on the road. If only we could all forget. :)

Guest Blog #5: Barcelona

Guest Blogger #5:  Jes Bannasch

Did anyone else see that Woody Allen movie Vicky. Cristina. Barcelona. that came a few years ago? Well, seeing the film left my husband and I inspired to visit over our last four day weekend. While its sights are not as famous as, say, Rome or Paris, here are

 5 great reasons to

 visit Barcelona:

 1. Parc Guell

If you haven’t heard the name “Gaudi” yet, you’ll be quite familiar with this moderisme architect after a day in Barcelona. The park, originally intended as a private housing estate, sits on a hillside above Barcelona and has some of the coolest stuff in a park I have ever seen!  Don’t miss it!

 2. La Sagrada Familia

Another Gaudi masterpiece, this church has been under construction for the past hundred years and isn’t projected to be finished until the year 2030. It’s facades and forest-like interior leave you inspired. Two of the towers, which offer stunning views of the city and spires, even have elevator lifts! How perfect for a pregnant lady. La Sagrada Familia definitely makes the list for most memorable churches.

 3. Tapas and sangria

I love tapas and I love sangria, and Barcelona has them both!  The sangria was some of the tastiest I’d ever tasted (and unfortunately, I do literally only mean tasted). What a fun way to spend a gorgeous afternoon… sitting on the pier of the Mediterranean with tapas and sangria…

 4. Roman ruins

Barcelona’s history museum houses one of the largest collections of Roman ruins in all the world. Pretty cool to behold 2000+ year old things, if you ask me. Here are leftover ruins from the original wall and towers that protected the settlement of the city of Barcino.

 

5. The fountains and cascades on Montjuic

While similar to the fountain show at the Bellagio in Vegas, this one just happens to be atop a hillside offering beautiful views of Barcelona and the lit up National Art Museum of Catalunya. In the springtime, you can see it Friday and Saturday nights on the half hours from 7-9 PM. A perfect conclusion to a wonderful day.

 What a gem of a city!

-Thanks, Jes!  As a former traveler in Barcelona, I can attest that all of these places are fabulous sites to see!

Guest Blog #3: Mexican Getaway

Guest Blogger #3:  Brittany Lee

Who wants to go to the beach?

This is about the time of year I start dreaming of the beach. I live in Colorado and spring is very tricky. One day the high is 67 degrees and it is sunny and beautiful. I can walk my dogs in a t-shirt. The next day it is 27 degrees and snowing! I will be shoveling my driveway in my boots and coat. It is really when this occurs that I start thinking of ways to get myself to the beach as soon as possible!

The last few years my husband and I have made an annual trip to Mexico. We have visited a different area every time and every trip was very different. One thing is for sure, Mexico is perfect for a beach getaway! Here are 5 reasons why:

1. You can get great deals at travel websites such as Expedia and Travelocity where you can book your hotel and flight together and save some of that hard earned cash!

2. Since Mexico has become such a popular destination, there are direct flights from many U.S. airports. I don’t recommend driving when you are in Mexico. The laws are a little less rigid, okay very less rigid. It can be scary and is completely unnecessary. Most hotels have shuttles to and from the airport. Another option is cabs, which are fairly inexpensive.

3. All you need is a long weekend! With Mexico’s proximity to the U.S. and access to direct flights, you can get your beach fix in just 4 days! I prefer 5 days. To me it is the perfect amount of time for a getaway!

4. All inclusive hotels are a gold mine! If you go to Mexico, STAY at an all inclusive hotel. All the food and drinks are included in your price. Most large, and several medium to small hotels in Mexico are all inclusive or have an all inclusive option so it shouldn’t be hard to find one that works for you. This makes your vacation so much easier! I do recommend taking a cab one night into town, walking around, and sampling the local fare. You will get a taste of Mexico you will never forget!

5. Whether you like to lie on the beach or prefer a more active vacation, Mexico offers both! I have done my share of lying on the beach, but I have also snorkeled, kayaked, and visited amazing ruins! Many all inclusive hotels offer snorkel gear, kayaks, etc., that are also already included in your price! Mexico has something to offer for everyone!

Here is the place I am dreaming of right now-Puerto Vallarta! Maybe I will make my way there soon, but for now I have this picture as my screensaver!

 

 See, I told you... you want a margarita now!  :)  Thanks, Brittany!

Guest Blog #2: Mission Trip

Guest Blogger #2:  Karen O'Donnell (my mom!)

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.  But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

       Mother Theresa

June 21-28, 2009

I went on my very first mission trip to an orphanage in Guatemala! Partnering with Orphan Outreach, I shared this experience with 8 other women from my church (Christ Church, Plano, TX). We ministered to approximately 12o at-risk girls (ages 12-18) at the Manchen Girls Home in Antigua. This orphanage is run by the government, but they welcome outside groups to bring aid and encouragement to these girls who face emotional, physical and mental challenges. Some of them are teen mothers and their babies live with them in the orphanage. We brought the message that each one of them is “Beautiful in God’s Eyes” through teaching, singing, crafts, games and one on one attention. With so many other influences and beliefs that also come to this orphanage, it was our hope to leave them knowing that God loves them and that Jesus Christ is his son who came to Earth and died so that they can have eternal life! (Easy, right!?)

 Now that you know what my mission was about, I would like to share some incredible memories…

First of all, Guatemala is beautiful. The volcanos looming in the horizon are spectacular to see! We stayed in a lovely hotel in Guatemala City our first night and our last night. (We were given good rates and it was SAFE!) On Monday morning we drove into Antigua. Again, mostly beautiful scenery, old buildings (churches, monasteries), cobble-stone streets, brightly painted walls and very big wooden doors leading inside homes, hotels, schools, businesses....Then you start to notice that every window is covered with bars...ornate, iron...bars! Then you start to notice armed guards and police standing on various street corners and balconies.....then you start to notice the people begging on the streets and the very skinny horses pulling carts... No, I wasn't in Plano anymore! 

We arrived at Manchen (the girls home) in the early afternoon....not at all what I expected! We rang a doorbell outside a very large wooden door and waited for someone to let us in. (Wizard of Oz?) Then we entered an area where there was a locked gate and we would wait for that to open as well. At this point we were greeted by many eager, curious, sweet faces. Manchen used to be a beautiful home with tiled patios, a big courtyard, etc... At first glance, It seems pretty nice....until you really start to see. Because there are so many girls and so many live in each room....they have no personal space. Most of them wear jeans and they all wear a blue top. The special needs girls wear a different kind of shirt, so they are easy to spot when they are all together. That first day was quite chaotic! Trying to break them into groups and do all that we had planned seemed impossible, but we instantly felt a connection and knew that we could regroup and start over the next day! And we did! Each morning we would start our day with the special needs girls. These girls were so sweet and wanted to be hugged a lot! We would begin our time together with music/worship. They loved singing and several helped me lead! I quickly learned their favorites and also learned to guard the CD's & the CD player!!  After that, they would hear a special message, then on to crafts and games! Each afternoon, we did the same thing with the other girls. 

These girls have so little, they have suffered so much (rape, incest, prostitution). They are starving for love and I fear will do anything to get it. Many were very emotional and all we could do was hold them and wipe their tears and tell them that God loves them and that He will answer their prayers…We had several babies to hold throughout the day….one only a few months old. At first, it was hard to tell which baby belonged to who, as they are passed around like rag dolls…Each day was better than the day before….it was nice to go back each day and see familiar faces! We had some wonderful interns and translators working with us. We couldn’t have done it without them! Roberto (16 years old) helped me a lot with the games! The girls loved him too! We made the most of our lunch break each day….. we toured old churches and a beautiful old monastery, ate with the former first lady of Guatemala, Wendy Berger, at the Santo Domingo, and even managed a meal at McDonald’s. Our hotel in Antigua was also quite lovely...a wonderful escape at the end of each day! On Friday of that week, we were honored to attend the church services for the girls who were celebrating their Quincenera. (15^th Birthday) There were 21 girls! With the help of donated dresses, jewelry, make-up and shoes…they looked beautiful and felt like princesses! What a special day in their bleak lives!

 I got to experience shopping in the marketplace before heading home….(Thank goodness for our translators!)  Needless to say, I feel very blessed to have been a part of this mission and to have had the opportunity to see God’s hands working miracles every day! I am still singing the songs and thinking of Heidi, Marta, Karla, Luz, Maribel, Laura, Luisa, Elsa, Yesenia, Sonia, Carolina, Jose, Christian, Roberto & Lillian….to name a few…..

I pray that we left them with what cannot be taken away (Luke 10:42)—a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

(Mucho) Love,

Karen

(Lindsay’s Mom)

Guest Blogger #1: European Vacation

Guest Blogger #1:  Hilary McCorkindale & Collin Mayo

Blog Entry Courtesy of:  "A Blog of Mayo"

Trip to London

After Paris, we boarded the chunnel train (which travels underneath the English Channel and can get up to 186mph!!!) and arrived in London. The trip only took about 2.5 hours. The tickets are expensive ($200) but its so easy and the trains are really comfortable.

We got to London and went straight to the hostel after a stop at McDonalds. McDonalds was our restaurant of choice because it was still reasonably priced. I remember paying 1.5 pounds for a snickers bar, thats almost $3 for a Snickers bar! We arrived at the hostel in a black cab and found out how small our room would be, the toilet was practically in the shower! We still paid a hefty amount for the room, the exchange rate for the pound to the dollar on the trip was around 1.6. A $60 a charge whenever pulling out 100 pounds from the ATM is madness. We Americans need to get our economy back on track!!

After we woke up, I went down the street in the rain to get some breakfast. I bought two muffins and an orange juice for 6 pounds ($10). We decided to get a tour bus pass to get acquainted with the city. This would have been great in the summer, but in the winter it looks like this:

We went by the Buckingham Palace and saw some guards standing out front, which was pretty neat. We didnt have a chance to see the changing of the guards, because it was way too cold and rainy to wait.

After we saw the palace, we got back on the bus and got a good look at the fogged up windows from the lower section of the tour bus. We headed to St.Paul's Cathedral (built during the 17th century), which was used for the marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. It was pretty impressive.

We got back on the bus and headed for the Houses of Parliament and to see the famous clock tower of London, Big Ben. You can actually sit in on a court hearing if you pay some pounds! The Parliament is the center of political life for the UK.

The Big Ben Clock tower.

Thanks, Hilary & Collin for sharing!  More guest travel posts tomorrow!

Love Ya More Than My Luggage

I'm such a sucker for luggage.  I just got new Vera Bradley luggage two Christmases ago, so there's no chance I'm getting new luggage for a while.  But... I'm totally loving Jessica Simpson's new collection.

Tell me this isn't adorable.  I love the blue & white stripes, very nautical-looking and springy.  (Is springy a word?)

Speaking of blue and white stripes...

... isn't this bedding adorable?  And with the bird pillows.... wow.  Need it.  Now.

And over on my friend Allison's blog, these.

They just scream, "springy!" (Yes, it's a word now.)

What are you loving for Spring?

Travel Essentials

This past weekend, I went on a quick girls getaway with one of my best friends to Branson. It was a short and sweet trip- gone only 24 hours. But, whether you're flying or driving... staying a night or 5 nights... you need some basics when you hit the road.

I love traveling- whether it's for work or fun. I love grabbing a coffee or Sonic Vanilla Coke before a long drive. I love ordering spicy tomato juice with ice on the airplane. I love comfy clothes and luggage and seeing people and places. Travel... good for the soul.

So, lets discuss our travel essentials. Here are a few of mine....

A good pair of flats. They need to be comfy enough to kick off in the car... easy enough to slip off in the security line at the airport... but cute enough to hit the ground running as soon as you arrive. These are from Dillards... and I love them!

Next up: the lightweight scarf. I am aquiring quite a collection of pretty scarves. I love that you can use them to dress up an outfit... or make it more casual. They're lightweight enough to keep you cool... but when the dude in the middle seat on the airplane cranks the AC in your direction... it will keep you warm. Ah, a travel must-have: Vera Bradley. I have everything in this Java Blue- the duffel, the overnight kit, the make-up bag, the jewelry bag... and I love it. This duffel has traveled all over the US- and even overseas! It's held up amazingly well.

I'm not sure how women ever traveled without the help of Juicy. I once read that Victoria Beckham will wear her skinny jeans and Christian Louboutins on the airplane- even when going overseas. She says traveling is an event that should be dressed up for. I love Ms. Beckham... but when i'm traveling... i'll take a Juicy sweatsuit over skinny jeans any day.

I also love these adorable open sweaters. They're easy to throw on over anything and are great to bundle up in.

What are some of your travel essentials?

Girlfriend Loves to Travel

Happy Wednesday! I know it's been a few days, and you've all been holding your breath... :)

I'm feeling inspired tonight to write about traveling. Do you enjoy traveling? I sure do. I've gotten to see some amazing places in my 25 (almost 26) years of life. I like traveling with my friends. I like traveling with my family. I like traveling with my honey. I even like traveling with my co-workers. Usually. :) (kidding!!) (maybe!)

One of my New Year's Resolutions this year is to travel more for fun- So, in honor of that commitment, over the next week or so- I am going to post some of my favorite trips ever. And THEN... i'll tell you my "travel wish list" for 2010. :)

But right now, I ask you to channel Jay-Z and Alesha Keys... 'cause we're in New York... concrete jungle where dreams are made of....

.....there's nothing you can't do....

... now you're in New York....

... these streets will make you feel brand new...

... the lights will inspire you....

... lets hear it for New York, New York, New York...

*Credits: my seester, my mom, my cousins, Jay-Z and Alesha Keys*

I've been to New York 4 times, and it never gets old.

Happy Travels,

Help For Haiti

I was going to post several times this week, but in light of the earthquake in Haiti- I just couldn't think of anything worth saying. All of my complaints and worries seemed petty; all of my laughs and silliness seemed out of place. I followed a story on twitter the past couple of days of a man who was doing missionary work in Haiti, and couldn't be found after the earthquake. Today, he was found- alive. I know miracles are happening- but I know there are still SO many problems. Destruction at the airport and along major roads is making transportation difficult; and all of the help we're sending their way is taking it's sweet time getting there, due to all of these problems.

I don't want this blog to be a platform for issues and causes. But, as a fellow human, I do ask that you consider what you can give to help. You can easily text 90999 with the message "Haiti" to the Red Cross; you can also text 501501 with the message "Yele" to support Wyclef Jean's foundation in Haiti. I did both today, and you get a message in reply, confirming that you want to donate. It's very easy- almost too easy. I hope that small amount makes a difference.

Thanks for reading. :)