tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28518769970554811192024-03-05T10:13:00.324-07:00Out Of The Nest TravelsA journey away from home and into the worldDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-78756696747534369632019-04-16T10:00:00.000-06:002019-04-16T10:00:14.007-06:00The Second Trimester<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In my last update we were still waiting to see our Midwife
after going to our first (and probably only) ultrasound. We have been to see
her twice since then and everything is looking great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The ultrasound came back looking really good, no
abnormalities, everything is developing well and my size is pretty much right
on. The tech gave a due date that is 5 days earlier than what we originally
said, but since due dates don’t mean much to me, I’m still just saying mid-June
to mid-July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We also got back blood test results from ages ago when we
tested my thyroid and iron. Both were not doing great pre-pregnancy but I am
very pleased to see that they are near perfect now. I was originally told that
pregnancy would likely make my thyroid worse, so I’m extra pleased to see that
isn’t currently the case.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My belly has measured perfectly at all appointments so far
and baby has continued to have a “female” heart rate, always in the high 140’s
to 150’s. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A lot of people ask me if I have a “feeling” whether it is a
boy or girl and I can honestly say I have no idea at all. I just assume that
anyone who thinks they KNOW what they’re having is just projecting what they
want to have or basing off of wives tales and/or previous pregnancies. I am
fairly certain that I am having a human baby, but that’s all I know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As of March 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, 22 weeks + 5 days, I am able to
feel movement even when I am standing or moving, that gives me a good sense of baby’s
growth and increasing strength. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Speaking of size and strength, I had wanted to be more
active all along and finally joined a pre/post-natal gym that I found not far
from where we live. I’ve been going 3 days per week ever since I joined and I
really love it. The first class absolutely killed me, I was so sore the next
day that I could barely walk and it actually made me nauseous, but I’ve been
slightly less red and sweaty each class since then (hoping that means I’m
getting stronger and more fit!) The aim of the classes, I do aerobics and yoga,
are not to lose weight or change my physique, but to remain as strong as
possible throughout my pregnancy. Any time an exercise feels particularly
difficult or long the instructors always remind us that we can do anything for
1 minute and that includes eventual contractions. Little encouragements like
that really go a long way to remind me of what I really can do, mentally and
physically. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Despite my activity level I am certainly starting to feel
bigger and heavier, as I should be. My belly gets in the way of more and more
small tasks like tying my shoes, getting in and out of the car, picking things
up off the floor and washing dishes ( I can’t stand as close to the
counter/sink as I would prefer.) By the end of the second trimester I’m up 10
pounds but still able to wear most of my normal clothes. 10 pounds gained puts
me right on track for what I hope to gain overall, about 25 pounds. Some people
seem concerned that I am working to stay within a certain weight gain, but when
you consider that I was technically overweight to begin with and that there are
potential health risks for babies if Mom gains too much, my midwife and I are
both happy with how I’m gaining. That being said, if anything changes and I’m
told I need to gain more, I will obviously do that. I can honestly say though,
I did have a small fit of sobbing around 26 weeks when I decided that I didn’t
like the scale anymore. Ryan promptly reminded me that I’m pregnant, I told him
that doesn’t mean I have to like it and then I got on with life and all has
been fine since. What can I say; sometimes the hormones get the better of me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The only new symptoms that have come up in the second
trimester are occasional acid burning my throat (fingers crossed for a full
head of red hair!!) I am feeling much warmer overall and having a harder time
cooling down and I have a rather sore tailbone on some days. Unfortunately, because
I sit in an office all day my tailbone is harder to deal with, but my boss let
me order a <a href="https://www.staples.ca/en/Safco-Zenergy-Ball-Chair-Black/product_100764_1-CA_1_20001" target="_blank">ball chair</a> so hopefully that helps.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My other comfort purchase was a <a href="https://www.motherhoodcanada.ca/boppy-pregnancy-wedge-pillow/006-91987-32-0.html" target="_blank">Boppy pillow</a> and I can
confidently say, it has been the best thing, ever. I was literally dreaming
about this pillow in my first trimester, before I knew it was real and having
it has been amazing. The little wedge fits just perfectly under my belly when I
lay on my side, almost completely removing the weight and keeping me from
feeling pulled or stretched. I also use it under my hip so I can lay on my back
without feeling guilty (apparently pregnant women shouldn’t sleep on their
backs,) this was actually the reason I wanted it. And its final beautiful perk
is that if I get it wedged just right under my boob/rib/armpit, I can sleep in
my pre-pregnancy side/belly positon! Highly recommend to all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My final thought of the second trimester is this: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I thought pregnancy would be different. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In almost every way, I thought it would be different than it
has been. Media really makes pregnancy and childbirth look so different than
they are. I expected to be much bigger, thought I would have been much sicker
and always sore, thought I would forget what pre-pregnant life felt like, I
thought I would have a deeper connection with baby and I expected myself to be
perfect. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really not complaining, I have absolutely loved
being pregnant, it just isn’t what I thought. </span></div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-76172781447775541672019-02-14T10:00:00.000-07:002019-02-14T10:18:53.429-07:00Pregnancy Update - Halfway!As of today, I am officially halfway through my first pregnancy! It seems to have taken forever to get this far and has simultaneously flown by. <br />
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We've been for our third visit with the midwife and everything looks good. I'm measuring right where I should be so feeling pretty confident about when this little babe should arrive. She always listens to babies heart with the Doppler and it sounded just as strong as ever; if you're into wives tales for gender prediction, our 152 heart rate would suggest we are having a girl. <br />
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Since I have no pregnancy issues and can easily take things day-by-day, I mostly focus on the actual birth and what life might look like after. I've been reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth, googling ideas as they pop in my head and researching cribs, car seats (<a href="http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=93234946" target="_blank">this is ours</a>) and anything else that I may need for baby.<br />
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We've had<a href="https://www.babyboxco.com/category/sleep/" target="_blank"> the box that baby will sleep in</a> for quite a while now but have also recently bought a <a href="https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80248525/" target="_blank">crib </a>and <a href="https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/00348519/" target="_blank">mattress</a> for when the box is too small. We've had to do a lot of furniture shifting to make room for a crib and make the room safe to have a baby in, but I'm quite pleased with how it is coming along. I still need to paint my old desk, it will be the dresser/change table, but that will happen in the spring. <br />
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A few weeks ago now, on January 22nd to be exact, I felt my very first kick! To be honest, I was unsure it really was one, but hopeful that I would get more soon. That was at 16weeks + 5 days. Two days later, at 17 weeks pregnant while sitting in a meeting at work, baby decided to have a dance party. Not only was it really amazing to feel someone in there, but it was undeniably what I had felt earlier in the week.<br />
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Ever since then I have been feel kicks everyday, throughout the day and I absolutely love it. Ryan even got to feel his first (very) tiny, (almost imperceptible) movement.<br />
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I hadn't realized the change until someone asked me how I've been feeling, but I am finally not so tired anymore and generally feeling very normal. No sickness, aches and pains are very rare and usually related to being very busy. No aversions and ice water is still the only thing I crave. I'm nearly back to my pre-pregnancy weight after losing 8 pounds in my first trimester, not because I was particularly sick, but because the idea of eating while feeling <em>blahh</em> just didn't appeal. I'm happy to say I can eat pretty normally now.<br />
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Finally, and up there with the more exciting moments so far, our first ultrasound! Because the tech isn't able to share any info, (she just does a tour for us and takes pictures for the report that will be sent to the midwife,) we don't know anything much more than we already. That being said, we got to see a lot. Baby did lots of moving around, flipping and switching sides, shaking her head, sucking her thumb and crossing her legs. We saw the heart valves pumping away (heart rate 145,) saw his brain and other organs, 10 fingers, 10 toes and an impressive little spine. <br />
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We won't see our midwife again until the end of February to get the official report so you will hear how that goes next time. <br />
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And my final little update, as of last night baby now responds to music! In particular when I am sitting or laying, I can put my phone or headphones against my bump and he has a little dance party! We can even see the little movements from the outside now. Looking forward to those movements getting bigger and stronger!<br />
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** I am very aware that I refer to baby as 'her' and 'him' in consecutive sentences, we still don't know and I still don't like 'it' :) All will be revealed in a few months!<br />
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<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-75110620410145776532019-01-21T10:00:00.000-07:002019-01-21T10:00:05.957-07:00The First Trimester<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In my mind,
I was going to tell Ryan that I was pregnant in some cute way, but in reality,
I told him via hysterical sobs and shaking a recently peed on stick at him
within moments of getting the solid second line. The line was so faint he could
barely see it, but when you have been waiting for as long as I have to see that
double line, you take what you can get. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t actually
convinced on day 1, but the gradually darkening line from day-to-day couldn’t
be denied. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After I
managed to stop sobbing/laughing/stomping my feet and “got over” the urge to
shout it from the rooftops, I looked up my due date and then confirmed it on 72
different apps/websites. To be clear, I don’t actually believe in due dates,
but it is nice to have a date to countdown to. That being said, I’ve chosen not
to share that date with most people and instead say <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I am due mid-June to mid-July.</b> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Because
there were almost no symptoms that early on and nothing to be felt physically,
it didn’t feel real at all. Honestly, even now in my second trimester, it’s
only just starting to feel a bit more real.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The most
significant symptoms I had all started around 5-6 weeks. I was sick for about 2
weeks, finally realized it was my vitamin making me sick, quit the vitamin and
haven’t been sick since. I had (very few) random days that I felt nauseous but
mostly I just felt unsettled. Always tired. I sneeze a lot? No particular food
aversions, but no desire at all to eat. I’ve developed a horrible gag reflux
when brushing/flossing; really hoping that goes away soon! And the thing I had
heard about so many times but apparently no one that I know has ever actually
experienced, the disgusting mouth taste. I’ve mostly heard it described as
being metallic, but for me it tasted like my mouth was unclean (despite
brushing 3-times daily!) and my tongue needed to be scrubbed to remove the
taste – scrubbed with a tooth brush, causing me to gag. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Looking back
now, I’d say I had a fairly easy first trimester. Ryan might disagree, being
that he had to listen to me whine constantly, did all the cooking and cleaning,
all the driving and had to put up with my ridiculous demands. Most notably, the
only craving I had was for ice water, but I wanted it in a specific glass, with
3 ice cubes and my reusable metal straw because it made it taste colder. The
only other part of that time that I would say was quite difficult was the first
week that I was getting sick. I couldn’t drink water, couldn’t eat much besides
soda crackers and I spent my work days running for the bathroom (while trying
to look casual and hoping no one else was in there.) The few things that did
make me feel better were orange Fanta, deep inhales outside in the cold winter
air and being asleep. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In
mid-November, around the 8-week mark we decided it was time to tell our
parents. The original plan was to wait until Christmas and tell everyone at
once, but even managing to keep it to ourselves for that long was challenging. Since
I had never shared our desire to start trying this year, they were
understandably shocked. Once that wears off everyone has been excited. A few
weeks later, we finally told our friends and siblings, receiving some
interesting reactions from some. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve been
emailing myself throughout with thoughts or ideas and I’m going to share those
too. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">-I really
wish someone would have explained to me how much the sickness was as much a
mental struggle as it was physical. Pregnancy aside, when I am sick I don’t
want to eat, period. During my pregnancy sickness if I didn’t eat, it made
everything worse. However, the idea of eating and most likely not keeping it
down made it extremely difficult to convince myself to eat. I fought a vicious
cycle with myself about it every day. I never thought I could struggle so hard to
just chew and swallow a cracker. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">-Another
interesting realization about pregnancy is that it basically turned me into a
toddler with a driver’s license and a job. I need naps, I only wanted food that
is plain and usually devoid of nutrition, I need to be paid attention to a lot,
I may have a tantrum or start crying for no good reason and there will be no
calming me down. And I became pretty useless around the house, not cooking or
cleaning. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">-That
mind-blowing moment where I realized that I have created human life. This one
gets me every time I think about it and it doesn’t get any less mind blowing.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">-And
finally, I am not the person I thought I would be. I expected to be super
strict with myself about eating, drinking water, being active, getting enough
sleep, etc. I also thought I would be super connected/obsessed/excited as soon
as I found out, but I honestly have days where I hardly think about it at all,
not to say I am not excited, because I am, but it feels very different than I
thought. In a way I’m disappointed in myself, but also this is my first
pregnancy and it’s a very new experience; I’m doing the best I can and making
an effort to improve myself all the time. I’m fine and baby seems to be fine so
really, that is all that matters. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">On the
note of baby doing fine, I guess I should also mention that we were fortunate
enough to be taken into midwifery care within 2 weeks of finding out about
baby. We haven’t had an ultrasound yet (we will at 20 weeks) but we have had a
few appointments with our midwife and baby had a strong heartbeat. I also got
to hear kicking which was very exciting since I cannot yet feel it.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">A few
things that people like to ask so I will leave them here. We will not be
finding out the gender. We are planning for a home birth. We have agreed on a
girl name but no luck with a boy name yet. No, I will not tell you the names. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-80848015956118043132018-12-31T12:00:00.000-07:002018-12-31T12:00:26.183-07:00Our Engagement Story<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As I’m sure
most of you are already aware, Ryan and I got engaged! <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I feel like
I had been waiting for this moment, with this man for my whole life, even
before I knew him. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_-SwNZ1q2N3u1s_1YqhGmxPdCfrfQiTbaxWA7jx6NXUENTm1ohrQ2Gb_kKmXIjE3dj_InG9qQI8eMyOmnV6mNqmhb6nsKoZ_4sCUgmZaeHGWjq2ZtplIhYFOxLzi3QHsm2HpK-vTHT0/s1600/7A98E210-6BA2-4532-A372-E06DC19ED54B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_-SwNZ1q2N3u1s_1YqhGmxPdCfrfQiTbaxWA7jx6NXUENTm1ohrQ2Gb_kKmXIjE3dj_InG9qQI8eMyOmnV6mNqmhb6nsKoZ_4sCUgmZaeHGWjq2ZtplIhYFOxLzi3QHsm2HpK-vTHT0/s320/7A98E210-6BA2-4532-A372-E06DC19ED54B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On one of
our last vacation days, October 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, we decided to go take our
Christmas card photos. We always do it ourselves with a tripod and self-timer
so it was nothing out of the ordinary for us to drive off into nowhere, find a
pretty spot and start shooting. We went to a couple different spots and tried a
few different angles before we found the perfect one. Near the river, perfect
lighting and beautiful fall leaves. We shot many photos here before I was fully
satisfied that we had at least a couple where my face cooperated.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sx6yTtl3JnqKXAwf9rrH6UgFuvwHiUeMkDv9Sj6cFkkyAUk4AgKfrlKaMR7diQvgIalS8YptgBh3O42GuWqSYtdKl0PpOZ9ipHqaTJFY6a-6Nk6reAenDgQwOLTWx9_Jy_mCv2p0BS4/s1600/8AA75471-D654-4B62-AC2D-40578CF6B2FB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sx6yTtl3JnqKXAwf9rrH6UgFuvwHiUeMkDv9Sj6cFkkyAUk4AgKfrlKaMR7diQvgIalS8YptgBh3O42GuWqSYtdKl0PpOZ9ipHqaTJFY6a-6Nk6reAenDgQwOLTWx9_Jy_mCv2p0BS4/s320/8AA75471-D654-4B62-AC2D-40578CF6B2FB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Throughout
our time here, I noticed Ryan put his hand in his pocket a few times and in the
back of my mind, I hoped so hard that he was feeling for a ring, but ultimately
decided he was probably making sure he hadn’t lost the keys to our rental car.</span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It turns
out, when you know, you know. He really did have a ring in there! </span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anyway,
before we got there I had actually suggested that we be done because we would
have plenty of photos to choose from. Ryan disagreed and said we needed a few more. I did
my part, standing in frame while he gets the camera focused and sets the
timer. From there I think I had the ring on my finger before I realized what
was even happening, I just kept asking, “Is this real?” “Are you serious?” “What?!”
until it finally sank in. He caught the moment on camera and it is so special
for me to have that.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We had a
sweet moment together before he went to turn the camera off and that’s when it
really hit me. This man, the most perfect man, wants to marry me! I proceeded
to sob/laugh with joy. It turns out he had the ring for months and was just
waiting for the right moment and also, my best friends had known about it!! </span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SLy2K72p2twJkacQ_i8hEsCCwrveXypVAGZ4IltHLaKgyxiFhP4r8uSQxqPLsZDirCq8MbzcYxk-spt3I81gRS9PNQzrEOw6-KiflUwTzrjDb-UPAwcQgPCQryRHOdT2EI1vxy_uEso/s1600/F9E8CAD2-A0AE-41FD-A160-B5AAB1083178.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SLy2K72p2twJkacQ_i8hEsCCwrveXypVAGZ4IltHLaKgyxiFhP4r8uSQxqPLsZDirCq8MbzcYxk-spt3I81gRS9PNQzrEOw6-KiflUwTzrjDb-UPAwcQgPCQryRHOdT2EI1vxy_uEso/s320/F9E8CAD2-A0AE-41FD-A160-B5AAB1083178.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Honestly, I’m
surprised I made it back to the car without walking into something, I couldn’t
(and months later, still can’t) stop staring at the ring. It’s just what I
would have chosen and I love it so much!</span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl38hR2cpEFT9ABe99ntVNDtw52w2D4ZcR0ECfRe719hyusErwamWwoz-wel3evUikWbGDe9xC6Z-7CqzQU_X9ygmt0uM537x7Ki0toWNrfWZlUqUlZnge1Jw-Xf7imPARnJe4Z5h_Pus/s1600/9C1A28A4-D184-4CD0-B326-E877C5C340DB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl38hR2cpEFT9ABe99ntVNDtw52w2D4ZcR0ECfRe719hyusErwamWwoz-wel3evUikWbGDe9xC6Z-7CqzQU_X9ygmt0uM537x7Ki0toWNrfWZlUqUlZnge1Jw-Xf7imPARnJe4Z5h_Pus/s320/9C1A28A4-D184-4CD0-B326-E877C5C340DB.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When we got
back to the house we called or texted our parents, grandparents, siblings and
close friends to share the excitement, because lets face it, even an hour of
keeping it to myself would have been too long. </span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’ve been
wedding planning in my head for years so it was only a matter of hours before
we decided on the size, guest list and date; and within a few weeks we had a
venue, catering and bar booked, bridesmaid dresses bought, wedding dresses
tried and suit tentatively chosen. </span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The wedding
will be October 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, 2019 and I cannot wait!</span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-25839397912239195992018-10-03T10:00:00.000-06:002018-10-03T10:00:03.997-06:00Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I can’t say exactly what has been happening with my blog
this year, but I haven’t felt super drawn to it. I have my moments, I’ll write
a whole bunch, post it, and act like I’ll continue to do so, but then life gets
in the way and I get busy. Busy doing nothing in particular and nothing worth
writing about. I also frequently write posts, finish them to about 75% and then leave them in my drafts. I'm sure one day they'll be finished and posted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">All that aside, it is almost vacation time and that is my favorite time
to write. Partly because I like to share but also because going back,
re-reading and re-living these trips is one of my favorite things to do.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ryan and I leave for the Maritimes (yes, again) on Saturday
and I cannot wait! We will be gone for 10 days and 11 nights and that seems simultaneously like a nice long trip and also like it's hardly anytime at all.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This year we will spend the majority of our time visiting
Prince Edward Island and just a few days in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Here’s the plan:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We arrive at 7am the day before Thanksgiving. We have reserved
a rental car and will be headed straight for Barrington to visit Ryan’s family, probably with a stop along the way for treats at Lahave Bakery.
We will spend 2 days and 2 nights in the area before moving on.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" id="id_91a9_5dbe_3685_2e67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4S1LjQzhLJuC71RiwDycQjDmEN7dLzVThoS1YafYB1ZtY80pP4rKIhJX5EY6Da2L1cRpmLMn7NtdJm4FFtqOhYj2WqsMN3d_aLsuO7wYwV8NlGk-hVgESfYQABfIpi07VKn6HYlWNjw4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stop number 2 is Moncton, New Brunswick. We should be
meeting up with my brother and his family for the evening. I haven’t seen my
niece since 2015 when we visited and I’ve never met my nephew who will be 3 this month. While we
are in New Brunswick we are also planning a trip to St Martin’s to see the sea
caves at low tide; hopefully the tide times will work for us!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After a short stay in NB we will make our way to PEI where I
expect to be quite busy but will also hopefully have a bit of relaxation. So
far our plans include Cow’s ice cream, Moo Moo grilled cheese, visiting Green
Gables, Thunder Cove and driving tip-to-tip on the island. I found what looks like a very nice home on AirBnB and we will stay there the whole time, taking daily road trips.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Finally, we will head back to Nova Scotia and spend a day
each in Cape Breton and Halifax with a short stop in between to visit my Nanny in Truro. 1 day is not enough for Cape Breton, but I couldn't go to Nova Scotia in October and miss out on the fall colors throughout the Cape Breton Highlands national park. I'm hoping to get to Inverness, Meat Cove and maybe Baddeck. As for Halifax, in our 3 previous visits we have never spent more than a few hours in the city and never spent the night. I really love Halifax and can't wait to spend some time there this time (mostly eating..)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As I always do, I will be writing all about what we see and do on this trip so keep an eye out for more posts!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-63811820924063104422018-07-31T10:00:00.000-06:002018-07-31T10:00:09.137-06:00Abraham Lake + Crescent Falls - Winter vs. Summer<span style="font-family: inherit;">Several months ago now we made it out to
see something I’ve been excited about for a few years, and it was everything I hoped for!<br />
<br />
On a random Saturday
morning we left home bright and early with the desire to make the most of our day in the mountains since it’s
over 3 hours each way. Ryan and I had been to Abraham Lake about 3 times before
and it’s been beautiful each time, but what I was after this time was the
frozen bubbles. <br />
<br />
If you’ve never heard of frozen
bubbles before I wouldn’t be surprised. I've never heard of this anywhere
else and every picture I’ve seen is at Abraham Lake. This
strange and beautiful sight is caused by dead organic
matter (leaves and animals) falling into the water and sinking to the bottom where
bacteria can eat it and create methane gas.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><img alt="" id="id_80de_eb82_d22_5d6e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kFf3Zxc-4Pc/Wn2-4KbUKiI/AAAAAAAAFx4/G7CSNx5J20EqLKrLEBVsALorNtmb6KhrwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><img alt="" height="266" id="id_50ff_dc06_87d4_1d8d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeiwGg27zXo/Wn2-7KX321I/AAAAAAAAFyE/tdmP8zNS_08IJzCgNWNp6hZ5cqKGTpaHQCHMYCw/s400/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="400" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are
interested in finding it for yourself, there are only a few spots on the lake
where the bubbles appear and you’ll probably know where that is because of how
many other cars and people are there. If you plan to arrive before the crowds you’ll
want to look for “Windy Point” which has no signs but does come up on Maps and
is, unsurprisingly, extremely windy. I guess this information isn't terribly helpful at the moment, but there is always next winter!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><img alt="" height="266" id="id_f76f_9958_a356_4ab1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObptozySMuCKeHWsoYC1WuI0FaaOW_86vq8i2fxv2ln4pLRwJJ6xTPwUPmapOGVhDrZEdX8FUgb35dg8sLJ1elduyr4nDccrP91bAkuC1NqaMqtqmnZ06TkAUxdDFLQ7uDI710xadqRc/s400/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="400" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><img alt="" id="id_36ef_ef87_fc22_5dbb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h3oin1utjxTLa-Qw_5gd9qjvhP2XLHgQWaFR1lB4OtI9CsjHbsByKDxnxamQq-LjjQD_pT2O6fnFQJIxH-f0Dxs5YIYYOIoX3OWXZsknGcBJiOmtjven50gHmC9FqLQn3fKs7SFjUWs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As previously
stated, it was pretty obvious once we arrived that this was the place. Plenty
of people were around, all with heads down and cameras out, just as pleased as
we were to have finally found the spot.
The ice is some of the
clearest I’ve seen and gives the illusion of walking on water, except when you
step on a patch of bubbles.</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During the same trip we visited Crescent Falls. I've been many times before but never in winter and I was curious about whether the fall would be frozen; it was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In stark contrast, we've just been to visit again and it's a whole different world. Abraham Lake is Alberta's largest man-made lake, created by the building of the Bighorn dam in the 1970's. Because of the dam the lake depth fluctuates quite significantly between seasons and this year is was the lowest I've personally seen. We only spent a short time there during our trip but we were able to drive out to a point that is usually under water and therefore get a slightly new perspective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Again, we made Crescent Falls part of the same trip due to its close proximity. I managed to convince everyone to hike to the bottom of the fall with me this time since no one would in the winter and it was much more fun. If you've ever considered going down but didn't like the look of the trail, just remember that I got a 6 year old down and up again without incident. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I took the aforementioned 6 year old as close as you can go to the base of the waterfall without getting your shoes wet and she screamed in delight that this was the most amazing thing she had ever seen. And that pure joy was one of the most amazing things I've seen.</span> </span></span><br />
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Which do you prefer, Summer or Winter in the mountains?</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-12810532115212091112018-07-24T10:00:00.001-06:002018-07-24T10:00:02.606-06:00The Very Best Soft and Fluffy Chocolate Chip CookiesBaking is something I love to do and have for a long time. However, I also really like to eat the things I bake and since I have no self-control I try to limit how often I make treats.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now, here’s
the thing about chocolate chip cookies; I like mine without chocolate chips. I
know it’s strange, and I’ve never met anyone else who shares my preference, but
I swear it’s delicious! That being said, my most recent batch does have
chocolate chips because I will be using them to make s’mores and this cuts out a
bit of the melted chocolate mess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">1/2 cup butter - soft, not melted</span></div>
1/2 cup coconut oil – I have used solid, soft and melted, all worked fine.<br />
3/4 cup brown sugar<br />
3/4 cup white sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
2 tsp vanilla – I never actually measure mine, just pour!<br />
1 tsp sea salt<br />
1 tsp baking soda - Dissolved in 1 tbsp. hot water<br />
2 1/2 cups flour<br />
Extras, however many please you! – Chips, candy, nuts or nothing at all<br />
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Preheat the oven to 350F<br />
Beat the butter and coconut oil until smooth<br />
Add white and brown sugar, beat until smooth and creamy<br />
Add eggs, mixing between additions<br />
Dissolve the baking soda in hot water<br />
Add the soda water, salt and vanilla<br />
Add flour, mix until dough forms<br />
Stir in any extras<br />
Roll the dough into balls, approx. 1.5 tbsp and place on a baking sheet<br />
Chill for 2-5 minutes in the fridge<br />
Bake for 13 minutes – Cookies will be pale with lightly golden bottoms and quite soft. They firm slightly while cooling.<br />
Makes approximately 30-35 cookies<br />
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Here is my best cookie advice: Don't skip the chilling stage. Chilling the dough before baking allows the butter and oil to harden and therefore not melt as fast in the oven. When the butter/oil doesn't melt so fast the cookies don't spread as much and therefore stay tall and fluffy inside.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I know 1
tbsp seems a bit small for a cookie, but 1. I like the convenience of getting
tons of cookies out of one batch, 2. I feel less guilty when I eat a lot of
small cookies and 3. We all know that little desserts are very appealing.</span></div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-27150786912184062712018-07-17T10:00:00.000-06:002018-07-18T08:27:03.117-06:00How I Saved $35,000 in Under 3 Years While Still Having a LifeI remember a time, not so long ago, when paying monthly bills felt like a burden and I was excited to put $50 in my savings. I have come a long way since then and learned so much.<br />
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Working in restaurants and hair salons meant I always had cash, the biggest chunk of my income was from tips, and my minimum-wage pay cheque was pretty small. The issue wasn’t that I didn’t make enough, because I did, it was that always having cash meant it was easier to spend without thinking and the bulk of my money never made it to my bank account, never mind my savings. Since then I have moved to a well-paying salary job where I never see cash and it has been so much easier to save.<br />
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I don’t remember now why I started tracking my spending or following a budget, but it has been one of the best financial decisions I’ve made. I created a spreadsheet where I tracked every dollar going in and out of my accounts, tallied my savings and started reading my trends. Having to see, plain as day, how much money I was spending on “miscellaneous” is quite a slap in the face. Just to drive the point home I looked back on my monthly spending sheet, chose a random month and came back with $1062.80 in miscellaneous spending! That doesn’t include bills, groceries, gas, etc. and to be clear, this wasn’t a special month, it was very like many other months.<br />
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Now, I’m not going to act like I don’t waste money or shop unnecessarily anymore, I do, but I am much more aware of it and try to make better choices. One of the best ways to do that is moving money from the account attached to my debit card into my savings as soon as possible. Once it goes into savings it’s off limits.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_2851_cc4b_caa_162a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPx6OjzGK-CzrlPgPlhWnJkjm-4jy5qxszgp_H8tpy-J0-4TDJynBbhDx8EwqOjUPLYslP5vsPOr2CpoT4VWqN6kXrJJPN9C60gseaqHAK0xPbGp_CHrnfDCyysmm1u419dCoVPqJy5o/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Now that you know the back story, let me tell you how I got to where I am.<br />
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My desires and the motivation created by them have likely been the biggest contributor to my ability to save. I am planning for a big move sometime in the future and I’d like it to be as simple as possible. I don’t want to arrive with nothing in savings and struggle to get my life up and running again because I can’t afford it. Likewise, I want to travel as much and as often as I can. I hear about people flying across the world and all they could afford was that plane ticket and hope to figure the rest out when they arrive, that will never be me. And lastly for my significant plans, I very simply want to live the life I want. When I have children I don’t want to worry about whether I can afford them, if I decide to go back to school I want to be able to, if a last minute opportunity comes about I want to take it. Having a money cushion allows me to live the life I want, not just the life I can afford.<br />
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As I’m sure many people do, I make an effort to keep my monthly bills as low as possible and live below what I can afford. When I realized how much it was costing me to drive and park at work every day I started taking the train. When the city started charging to park at the train station I took the bus to the train. When I looked at how much I was paying just to have/park/maintain a vehicle that I only drove 1-2 times a week, I sold it. I do miss my van and the freedom it afforded me but it was no longer worth the price I was paying. Similarly, I paid off my phone in full to be able to take advantage of a deal that would lower my monthly phone bill from $100 to $60.<br />
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My monthly bills, fixed and variable, total about 49% of my income (on average)
allowing me to <s>spend </s>save the remaining 51%. Sure, I could use that to
pay for a vehicle I never use, or more clothes that I’ll wear once or go out
for lunch everyday but I would much rather squirrel it away for future
possibilities.<br />
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Here’s where that 49% is going:<br />
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38% - Rent takes up the biggest chunk but is also my favorite part to spend
on. That probably sounds weird but living in an apartment that I genuinely love
and really enjoy spending time in is well worth the cost. I also include home
insurance and my parking stall with rent. I can’t really say if I’m paying a
lot, very little or somewhere in between for rent because it is so variable
depending on where you live, but I think it is pretty average for my location. <br />
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30% - Groceries, that thing we all need but would probably rather spend on
eating out, or maybe a private chef.. This is the only chunk of my bills that
really change from month-to-month. I try really hard to keep within the limits
I’ve created for myself but it doesn’t always happen. <br />
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21% - Transportation includes my city transit pass and half of the insurance
and gas for the car I share with my boyfriend. This total was significantly
higher not long ago but selling my vehicle and paying off our shared car has
done wonders!<br />
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5% - My cell phone is not only my connection to friends and family but also
my entertainment, camera, GPS and note pad, among other things. For me it is
worth every penny I pay into it. <br />
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3% - Electricity. I would say utilities, but everything else is included in
my rent.<br />
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3% - Miscellaneous payments, bank fees, etc. Things I would rather not pay
for but am anyways.<br />
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<a href="http://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.com/2018/07/6-reasons-to-start-spending-ban.html" target="_blank">Spending bans</a> are my next big contributor. I have done seven 1-month long spending bans over the past 2 years and they have contributed nearly half of my total savings! I usual choose my ban-months for particular reasons. Typically I’ll do one for the month before a vacation to help bulk up my account but I also try to do one in the month I’ll be getting a tax refund (if I do) as well as triple-pay months. One of these months also coincidentally lined up with when I sold my van so that was a great bonus!<br />
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On the very opposite side of the spectrum I try to keep contributions to my savings account as low-pressure as possible. Some months I only manage to save $50 because I have that set as an automatic contribution and others, like when I sold my van, I save several thousand. Any savings is better than no savings so I don’t beat myself.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_b2da_f35a_35c8_40a0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsoRGL81Gm4aF4deIvltWEUC6O2nS5GuYZzBt4GbHDucgvuqmhLlDyrCYSAbF-5aNcaC06W9vXh81e9kRPEFUG6DNdv7r7A1G976LshH8YoClGKOyv93s02BrceCj-vzYBlCXpLXpEAo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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In the process of living life I’m constantly learning and money is no exception. For example, I’m still trying to figure out how to stay on my monthly grocery budget, which shouldn’t be hard but it is. Sometimes I casually try to figure out how to buy a home, not because I want to, but because the process sounds scary and confusing. I’m trying to convince myself to be more minimal, an ongoing journey, and hoping that having less also means buying less and living more freely. Everything I’ve done to get to the savings point I’m at has been trial and error assisted by many internet searches and several YouTube channels.<br />
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I figured something else out very recently and I feel a bit silly having not thought of it before this year. In two and half years of budgeting I never once included spending money or savings into the equation. The thought did not ever enter my mind. I made sure to cover all my bills, groceries, gas and my automatic contributions but nothing else, the rest of my money was free to be spent or saved without a particular goal in mind. True, I was usually pretty good about shuffling some money over to savings, but for a long time it was just the excess after shopping, eating and entertainment. Having realized how much I allowed myself to spend in the past I have finally added a spending category to my budget as well as an amount I know I should be able to save. Sticking to the spending allotment is a work in progress, but that’s ok!<br />
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Throughout all of this I have still been able to live my life. I’ve made travel a priority and been on many trips, 9 I believe, near, far, budget and expensive. Ryan and I have paid off the car. I’ve shopped for myself, bought gifts, eaten out and enjoyed concerts and movies. I don’t feel at all like I’ve been held back by saving. I’m very happy with the apartment we live in. I’m not yet tired of the fact that I’ve worn the same clothes for ages. I’m not upset about sharing a vehicle.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_66c5_cf28_3c2_27b0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgp0SRBeYtZgXsK2xb5pOzf9g_JVqi9RJ7OyDMfngfK569O7xWfheozRet9wc8ppjYr8U4VZ8MTbpVKGJNpHEHBrbJdHtZLPereBpgQcGUdV9kvdb4KQbivC6OYUfbpQsJ7LCVppQHHs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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I’m actively creating the life I want to live by living in a way I’m comfortable with, and for me that has huge value.<br />
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-6770562191499141132018-07-10T10:00:00.000-06:002018-07-10T10:00:00.593-06:00Twenty Eighteen Goals, Mid Year Review<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I made quite a few goals for myself this year, some easier than others,
but I have every intention of crushing as many of them as I can. Here’s how I’m
doing so far.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Improve my health – I had to make a few changes here and there, add iron
supplements to my daily regime, and just generally be a bit more conscious of
what is going on. I’ve been eating a bit better, and by that I mean I’ve
shrunken my portion sizes and am making a strong effort to resist the donuts
and cookies that seem to end up in my office every week. I’m more active,
spending more time outside and doing more things that make me happy, just because.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Get in shape – I’ve made this goal a part of my everyday life in hopes of it
being a bit more sustainable and so far it seems to be working. I walk every
day at work, run the stairs in my office building (17 stories,) run at home
with Ryan and ride our bikes for leisure, exercise and occasionally instead of
driving places we need to go anyway. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" id="id_3d1d_fa13_ac4d_9e82" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wSytYGUWEYg/W0QpSEQmFzI/AAAAAAAAF-8/f8u-K7oaOJk7I4V4HXTjad8TjIAEOFWGgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">R<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">un 10km – I managed to convince Ryan that he should run with me and we were
doing really well. The first run we did was 2.4km and by week 2 we were up to
3.4km. We took a little break because it go so hot here, but hoping to pick it
back up and continue working towards my 10km!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"><br /><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Sort everything I own, again – To be honest, I haven't felt the need to do
this again, but I am making an effort to get rid of things as I notice they are
un-used or unloved. I’m still working on the mental block that has me keeping
some things though, so any ideas how to do that would be great!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Reading – As of the end of June I have read 10 books! I can only think
of one other time in my life that I read this much and I’m realizing how much I
actually do enjoy it if the story is right. I’m not sure what I will read next,
but I will continue to read! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" id="id_4818_b703_3e94_9e4b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBQnbogBPXeNY0K5V8IwzaBgBqvpYKWzffqa35-LNKrEPs2r5qB2P0264QDw8-G8SFn1sgxbtNHm8QOfpJgiqSEeEajG4HANa9o0kZ5eKHxDPJORFvyUOOot5sLgvhE6tI-SOnWsWWIo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Travel – Continuing to travel is always going to be a goal, whether I write
it down or not. I have an ever growing list of places I want to go, extended
trips to take and experiences to have. So far this year I have been to my third
Hawaiian island and it was an absolute dream! I finally booked a trip for Ryan and I as well but that isn't until October.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" id="id_15cc_3b6d_4553_7de7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYY39LRvfk1x87XXdMAxPtBbkITxREah6AfuNUh5lDHo8OhTj2S9Qsb4pr5K57Ru64ccOHZH-_Zb5SAV1oEPDJ9tw4LDgUl6l7SZ1DBBg15g3h0kfapwA4KzdHh9PWdnTV91PbAqxnoM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Do more outside – I’ve been doing really well on
this front so far, fingers crossed I can keep it up! I have been going for
walks outside nearly every day at work, walking, running and biking with Ryan
at home, spending some time at the nearby National Parks and we’ve been for our
first camping trip of the season! We’ve also been going for picnics with friends
at one of the city parks and I’m loving that.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" id="id_53d8_41ad_de0d_db09" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XYYxVl6mUBbVGp4neweLmeuG7BRv5d45LzseuplU89WW2Z86bp8Xs85Id_4MBj3_f5gimC2BmhnFvz3oDHHwzyzjeja7NoMMPINGtllVe7AsGxJ63gNIGVkj_o6JjPfXTzTdxVYGIRg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Take a road trip – Ryan and I took a spontaneous
road trip to Jasper National Park in May and it was a perfect day. Even though
we came and went in a single day, it is always worthwhile to get out! I have
high hopes for several more road trips throughout the summer including 2 trips to Saskatchewan and maybe a few more to the mountains!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" id="id_2e25_b86a_95a2_3ee0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w-d-XCyp1X8/W0QpRNLmkGI/AAAAAAAAF-0/3R-w08E-QjMiL5vaZjBvog0v9cngvv7OwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="" id="id_269d_20e7_100a_378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjC6qA8Zu50TUdWWrzEiRmTT1c8o1ivpD3PCpWT6oSsByJheb5F8sPYLJgcHPMoxNQkrrtnqd91d1x8JOJNBamlVfsdF0jRl9Ws0a9M_k22ys-I3U7Dbnx8VQAJl0XkGN70zz32IhToU/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Take a course or 2 – I was registered for my first
course, Birth Doula, in May but it got cancelled at the last moment when the
instructor was hospitalized. I have since re-booked for the end of July and
cannot wait to get started! The second course I would like to take, scuba diving,
is an ongoing potential. It doesn’t take a huge time commitment but it does
require me to spend several days in another city. One of these years I’m sure
it’ll happen for me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-19775986768330054882018-07-04T10:00:00.000-06:002018-07-04T10:00:06.142-06:006 Reasons to Start a Spending BanI know that excess and deprivation can both be bad and <em>sometimes</em> is much more ideal, but going for a full month without spending any money feels amazing. I started this practice back in August 2016 and have done 7 month-long bans since then totalling $16,000 in savings. That total isn't necessarily going to be very realistic for everyone but for me it worked on the basis of selling my vehicle for cash and lining up ban-months with tax refunds and months that I get 3 pay cheques instead of 2.<br />
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Here’s the idea. Every few months, or more/less, take one full month and commit to spending no money outside of necessary bills and groceries. For me, that also means making a stronger effort to stay within my grocery budget (which I am not great at!) If I can help it, I also try to pre-purchase items before the ban if I know I’m going to run out within that month. I also follow a strict rule about buying food, in and out of the spending ban. If I need to buy breakfast because I didn't have time for something before leaving home it must be bought in cash. Cash that I already have, not that I've taken out for the purpose of spending. Cash is my "free" money. <br />
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I’m not sure how I came up with this idea, possibly from an article I read about a woman who didn’t spend for a year (including occasionally dumpster diving for food..) I’m very attracted to the idea but I also have no desire to deprive myself even half as much as she did, I like my food from the store, thank you very much!<br />
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There are so many great reasons to take up the occasional spending ban, here are a few:<br />
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ONE:<br />
You get more time to consider the things you want to buy.<br />
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Impulse buying, seasonal shops, social media.. these are all big purchasing influencers and sometimes convince us to buy things we don't really need. Do you really need that top? Is it worth it to eat out again? Don’t you already have that in 2 other colors? Will you wear that for more than one season? If you see something you really love this gives you the chance to really consider it, evaluate if you truly need/want it and if you can afford it – all before making the purchase. If it turns out you don't really want it, you've saved some money, if you do need it then you get something that will feel more valuable to you.<br />
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TWO:<br />
If I don’t buy ____, that’s $___ that I can put towards _____.<br />
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I think this is my favorite reason. Realizing that the fewer things I buy and therefore the more I put in savings, the more I have to put towards my next trip! Not buying a $2.50 bagel for breakfast before work might not seem like a big deal, but that is over $50/month if you’re buying every day. $50 can then become a nice dinner out, a room upgrade on your next trip, a new piece of clothing or simply 50 extra dollars in your emergency fund.<br />
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I’ve been asked many times how I afford to travel as much as I do (which isn’t even that much!) and this is a big contributor. The other thing to remember is that saving feels more worthwhile if you have a goal and something you truly value to potential spend on later. Travelling is important to me so I make it a priority.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_4af5_bfd5_f6d4_da8c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IDEnyeD7NcY/WzzgjIppKsI/AAAAAAAAF-Y/kgThw43B1QUGv5llJUJ9i-3-SxUWGtHBACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_94b3_8bd3_f088_83ac" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gRrTyX2ktYOZu3jBkk9M7AGsuRWbtTOBrUUzKxh0osu1rmISauj0j8jod_msY-3U9hPjNsyswvDkJdgsoLU1OO6327MS3vxnZmQ5UzKA-U5KNLM4vUkrxuMEiHJ-xukEwJ0mhVv4tkw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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THREE:<br />
Watching my savings grow is way more satisfying than buy stuff.<br />
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I have a spreadsheet where I track my budget, spending and savings and watching the savings number grow month-by-month, even though I don’t really know what I’m saving for, is so thrilling! Once you get over the need to spend money to feel good, you’ll realize it feels even better not to.<br />
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FOUR:<br />
The big pay-off.<br />
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In the end of the month, or quarter or year when I look at everything I’ve saved and realize everything I can now do, it really can buy happiness. Financial comfort and safety allow me to point my life in the direction that pleases me and I can reach for more. Not buying lunch every day, shopping on the weekends or missing an event can feel shitty at the time, but when it allows you to take a spontaneous trip later, or buy something special or go on a fancy date it will feel worthwhile. Your choices shouldn’t be save money OR have fun. The more you save the more freedom you have for spontaneity!<br />
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FIVE:<br />
Remember that it isn’t the end of the world if you spend a bit.<br />
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I have flexible rules for myself while living on my ban and I keep them flexible because it isn’t the end of the world either way. I love months were I spend nothing at all, but if my phone dies I’m going to get a new one. If I run out of a product that I use every day, I’ll replace it. If something I have decided 100% to buy in the near future anyway goes on for 40% off, I’m probably going to buy it. It really isn’t a big deal.<br />
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SIX:<br />
A new appreciation for not spending.<br />
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Since starting this journey I have spent more time outside, had more game nights, re-learned to ride a bike and ended up in a wardrobe I love to wear. I now have an arsenal of free thing that I love to do and a lot of the time I do them even when I could be spending money. <br />
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Writing all of this out to share has me feeling like I might be ready for a new challenge and I've never done ban months back-to-back, maybe I should try for 3 months? <br />
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-50348139535648617822018-06-26T10:00:00.000-06:002018-06-26T10:00:16.968-06:005 Things You Should Not Miss on the Big Island {Hawaii, Day 5+6}I find that the farther I get from a trip the harder it becomes to write
about and since I’ve been back for 2 months now I decided I better get this finished!<br />
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The last 2 days of our trip were very laid back. We went snorkelling at
2-Step both mornings, swam at two different beaches in the afternoons, did a
bit of shopping, spent some time in downtown Kona and I finally got to eat at
Bubba Gump Shrimp!<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_4149_13aa_5d73_8d18" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCBOw1QE-xIu0vXqmyqKG3EFe5X-ZjEIOvGjk8I8cNGZW1j4gjXqbJVTMuF9s3w0O_yUeO8jsjRWFhydNV8M5GYqGbKZ9uVNH2hbLUrub2zOPeklo6LZlIlrx1yzTz0_HbXfkvGD2iF4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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2-Step was amazing, as it had been on our previous visits. I didn’t see any
more dolphins or turtles, but I spent some time exploring new areas of coral,
stalking my favorite fish and swimming through the bubbles created by the scuba
divers below me.</div>
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<img alt="" id="id_2824_5d28_aa19_2b18" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_yeHiGfwdcxrDSWSJ3coubAd1GAL5NmIJHlBNRfsAFIUuYaOf6d9jSmmWShFZEuP0saBbgB2K6ISe14PwrFqAWm35TWsBAbCeuHUbM06uOTupd_Nyn3MqoinsbzVQIWJ-9OsGPfbq-Q/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_9c1d_773_581a_8531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWINlbj1_rLOPRdbDrvsqdw3XgR3XKcw7nT5PQgbT6jP8suGMhOcdwE_7MZsKtS2xN3ULTZPkhJnoDI3stc2kO-pGwOFfvREjUACQonhAPT0CUD3Anf-sWqDNbYRewV8S5tSlQ-sL024/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_b0c6_1342_c03d_c9d6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkVDC5Hw6ATtf-_2bBRc5hl0tRaPjmlyq-_gOXo7ap2G4tnqjsRhkbhA_pM3ws_E7q7FWn3ceP7JbKpJKp4lVNEwFgd-39XWYtqHR7yi9uc-WlIc88jbR5olnP80CqcNfBL4rPq-i0Mw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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On day 5 we drove to Hapuna Beach State park. It was the only time we drove
North past Kona and I wish we had have done it sooner. Despite the crazy wind
that seemed to be threatening to push us off the highway it was a really nice
area to drive and what I honestly expected more of the island to look
like. Unfortunately, being the driver means I have almost no photos from these last days!</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The beach is a little over an hour from where we were staying but it gave us
the chance to drive past the airport and figure out how long we would need to
get there the next day. Once we arrived, paid $5 to park and got to the sand I
had to cringe a bit. There is almost no shade at all on this whole massive
beach and I am not a sun worshipper, the sand is also incredibly hot despite
its pale color. I would venture to say that this is likely the hottest and driest
part of the island as well.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We found a place to leave our towels, loaded up on sunscreen and ran as fast
as we could to the water in an attempt to keep our feet from burning. As much
as I wasn’t excited about this beach in the beginning, I have to admit that it was a really
gorgeous place to spend an afternoon and if you stay deep in the water with
hat, sunglasses and sunscreen on you’ll hardly notice the crazy heat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The second beach we visited, and sadly our last dip in the ocean, was at
Magic Sands in Kona. The beach is very small and fairly crowded but it has bathrooms,
showers, shade and is conveniently located in the city. The waves at this beach were fairly large and a lot of fun to play in, but I wouldn't recommend being too near to the shoreline. I saw several people get knocked over, rolled and spit out (with swimwear barely intact) by the powerful waves. That being said, going out a bit deeper tends to keep that from happening.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">After our final swim we went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co for.. lobster! Lobster mac n' cheese to be specific. I don't know that I would consider this a must visit restaurant, but I would definitely recommend trying it at least once if you get the chance. We also got a nice view over the water and out to the cruise ships from our table on the patio. </span></span></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_75de_fe21_eb3a_206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJ4azVslu_AUzs0DDB51Avk51tX1vEZXen4PPP7DddFsO403U0zG_3DoxYX34O4FCGjAHXbaM9Lu7jXEHxwdeECxHXKWsxFDNQOi8yjTreV2ER-VcvPuddHCyCwZeJMKlTXknTK-x5wA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Our long, very cold and thoroughly exhausting flight home gave me a chance to think about all the amazing things I got to experience and these are my top five that should not be missed:</div>
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1. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BiwqBVsDnkk/?taken-by=danihub" target="_blank">Snorkel (or dive) with Manta Rays</a></div>
This is without a doubt one of the most incredible things I've ever done. I remember watching movies like Free Willy as a child and thinking how amazing it would be to get so close to wild marine animals; I guess this fulfilled that. Getting to see these giant animals up close, see their behavior and have them completely unconcerned about the watching people was amazing. <br />
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2. <a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.com/2018/05/a-green-sand-beach-and-worlds-tallest.html" target="_blank">Visit the summit of Mauna Kea</a><br />
You don't need to do anything, you don't even need to get out of the car if you'd rather not, but just being up there and taking in the view is truly breathtaking. This is one of the only places in the world that you can go from sea level to 14, 000ft in two hours. The drive to the top was a bit intimidating but also quite thrilling and it gives you ample time to take in your surroundings before you come out above the clouds.<br />
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<img alt="" height="300" id="id_d77c_5448_83aa_160b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Uruzvg3p1onsxFvVG4TN0hnfp-AQDwlVdvwlNrmfou8BQlI3Ob1GK9PPhyJAYB0sygC3X0lApNK76lqDFac97YMV5blOm6puFTd4ndmtGAnetpZhE_0xP9F1k1CeBMeeHWo535UOl3k/s400/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="400" /></div>
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3. <a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.com/2018/05/wild-snorkelling-hawaii-day-2.html" target="_blank">Snorkel (or dive) at 2-step</a></div>
Though it is quite crowded, 2-step is well worth the visit. The water is full of a diverse assortment of marine life from coral and fish to turtles and dolphins making this one of the best snorkel spots in the state of Hawaii. We got lucky to see all of these things, have beautiful weather, meet interesting people that frequent this place and be staying within a 5 minute drive. Even if you're not interested in snorkelling or diving, dolphins and turtles can frequently been seen from the rocky shore.<br />
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4. <a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.com/2018/05/waipio-valley-and-waterfalls-hawaii-day.html" target="_blank">Take in the lookout and drive to the bottom of Waipio Valley</a><br />
Waipio Valley from above is a really beautiful scene and well worth the drive to visit, a lot of people go just to check the lookout point! Personally I found the way to the bottom to be one of the most fun drives I've done, with its bumps, ruts and steep corners. The black sand beach and waterfalls at the bottom are gorgeous and a perfect place to spend an afternoon, just keep in mind that swimming can be dangerous here because of rip currents and high swells. The valley is also home to Hawaii islands tallest waterfall at 1300ft.<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_635_1473_e8df_6fea" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhst3z86h-qxnjemrOrrR1iE99v-19madHfqRfvQTaAI6TufOY5KG9jLc7s7QLvlQGxoSVl1MG6EXFOJljwHzmcX4luL8RZY-k6z06JXI7Fe8MV74rLn5iqugg0pwZblkhcxEjomDTULdk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_891c_f980_cc0f_cbaf" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1DlIOrMJ88F7d33guEstmi8NwDm-LKVBuPCAXfz_dyvc7TBGWaMjrd-1lDTs-D6L1XzDKxJ6TnXK0kpMsHb0WqROGGkEZTwXFv-S2CZdo5OETkELrUZZ8BAibKUpR9YAZPVSSO75q0Y/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_4d2a_9798_1ff4_2245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKnnQPhi9xc6DdwSI78utzOELjraRikDZWrQ0CBynCJ_uekp78L3bu1djXzwFU_MMAGbqgy3BVKdI0c6GcWyr-d5PX_nBGoCsMqnGZ4nYTffrP47sogefgVbPOeoV3e7HzgmCf614eUs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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5. <a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Visit Volcanoes National Park</a></div>
I'm not sure now what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I found in the national park. I suppose I imagined one big lava field when in reality it is a wildly diverse landscape that is as much green as it is black. The park is currently closed due to the dangers of an erupting volcano, but I think that makes my visit that much more special. I'm not sure what the park will look like when it opens again, but I would highly recommend you find out (and let me know!)<br />
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<img alt="" id="id_989e_9f84_daee_5e51" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PblqIUeevY0/WzJWZ6T9v6I/AAAAAAAAF9w/loSUAS_QIpMCqz5jW3k05DFL_kboyzvFwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
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Now, off to plan my trip to Kauai for next year! Visiting all the main Hawaiian islands was my very first ever bucket list goal at 10 years old, long before I knew what a bucket list was. </div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-22183973716161932942018-06-12T10:00:00.000-06:002018-06-12T10:00:16.387-06:00Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Volcano and Snorkelling with Wild Manta Rays {Hawaii, Day 4}Seeing an active volcano was one of the things I was most looking forward to on the Big Island, hearing on the news that it has erupted dramatically within a week of me standing on it is shocking. Nature is unpredictable and we never know when things will change. Kilauea has been erupting continuously since 1983 with varying levels of destruction, over 100 homes have been destroyed in that time. As of now most of the national park remains closed to the public. Click <a href="https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20180604_pr_fourth_week.htm" target="_blank">here</a> for closure info and current photos from the crater.<br />
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As was very typical, we started the day off with a 2-hour drive. To be clear, none of these long drives bothered me in the slightest due to the fact that they’re beautiful and scenic. We went straight to the visitor centre when we arrived, looked at the maps, decided where to go and went.<br />
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Here is a bit of what we saw.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" id="id_4b92_d2dd_c1c2_c36f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_mbBPD_oKf688wzZh9_U9o7ER-Xs6RpQc-fmj3Y3rvM1aAwts_xFVyDVUvHHK7YGcP1jUoaWX45aEONbiXkEy5U1BRKZ_HjA3uaFHIUhmzGQT4Lg7Oz18wmzPxzpELMEyWz5k2ep6TI/s400/IMG_6033.JPG" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="400" /></div>
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Our very first stop was to see the steam vents. We walked a short marked trail to see several spots that allow steam to escape from underground. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR9X4cEzDPVrj18H6Z55_KO_-GUJiOHh2EFFzlE6Hk3mCzOa5MSplMrH_nEnFRvW49mz_01Xh5o3SOyhv43iD7LWKJpT8vO9gpmusqz9NKVwdWLKNxy3ayAE472b4Z5-ykWuBsVCcOGc/s1600/IMG_6036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" id="id_320_45f1_ad06_5e4c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR9X4cEzDPVrj18H6Z55_KO_-GUJiOHh2EFFzlE6Hk3mCzOa5MSplMrH_nEnFRvW49mz_01Xh5o3SOyhv43iD7LWKJpT8vO9gpmusqz9NKVwdWLKNxy3ayAE472b4Z5-ykWuBsVCcOGc/s400/IMG_6036.JPG" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="400" /></a></div>
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Along the same trail we saw the sulphur shelf and very near by, and quite memorably, we also saw a small hole that a 10 year old who went off the path fell through in the 90's. The hole would have been covered by a thin crust caused by the steam before he stepped on it.. The steam inside was about 700 degrees Celsius but he somehow got out alive with burns on only 10% of his body.<br />
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One of the things I was most excited to see was Nāhuku or as it is more commonly known, Thurston lava tube. A short walk through a lush forest of tree ferns leads to the lava tube. You walk right through, in one side and out the other, back into the forest. The tube is open 24/7 so you can visit any time. Lights have been installed inside, presumably for safety reasons, but they get turned off at night so visitors can experience the true darkness of the cave if they wish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg728wjvQ_HMuBDFB_TFUH2lfhJAPJZFojXKsEUedvPObepRu1TOve6qewlwvzFc6BJ-jWe9Y6RL7i1pQzrwflfyPAyAQ5L7Wffzy-VBL1klwiEkgtnOMOxrr6WhuTtLCwlTWoOSqEdUlQ/s1600/IMG_6039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" id="id_fdd1_ca00_4330_f136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg728wjvQ_HMuBDFB_TFUH2lfhJAPJZFojXKsEUedvPObepRu1TOve6qewlwvzFc6BJ-jWe9Y6RL7i1pQzrwflfyPAyAQ5L7Wffzy-VBL1klwiEkgtnOMOxrr6WhuTtLCwlTWoOSqEdUlQ/s400/IMG_6039.JPG" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="400" /></a></div>
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From the fern forest we drove to the Jagger Museum which has the best view of the Kīlauea caldera/Halema'uma'u crater . Don't be fooled by photos though, you are quite far from the active vent and cannot get any closer. If you look closely you can see a small amount of lava bubbling up beneath the gas and steam. Not that we stayed to see but the whole area glows red in the darkness.<br />
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An unexpected favorite from this day was stopping to see the Pu‘u Loa petroglyphs. The hole is where families would bring newborns and place their umbilical cords. It connects the baby to its family and the earth. Some markings were also made by ancient travellers, a sort of "DH was here" kind of thing. <br />
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We drove a significant portion of the Chain of Craters road, stopping many times along the way to walk through the lava fields, do short hikes or just take in the views all around us. I wish I got more photos but as the driver I would have had to stop constantly to capture it all.<br />
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When we had our fill of the park we drove to the nearby black sand beach in hopes of seeing the green sea turtles. We had planned to swim as well but decided against it since we would be snorkelling later in the evening. Strangely, all the turtles laying on the beach were within an area that had been marked out with rocks. I know that the rocks are put there to make a boundary between man and turtle, but how do the turtles know to go there?!<br />
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As great as the park and beach were, the best part of this day (or maybe the whole trip) happened after the sun went down; Night snorkelling with Manta Rays.<br />
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We drove to downtown Kona, got into our wetsuits, onto a boat and took a short ride to where the Rays spend their nights. I spent 4 months waiting for this and could not wait to get in the water with them.<br />
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The tour we went on had very specific rules about what you should and cannot do in the water. The leader has a surf board with a battery and lights on top (with holes cut in the board so the light shines under the surface), handles around the edges and a rope at the end so he can pull us to where we need to be. We are expected to keep our mask and snorkel on at all times, hands stay on the handles, legs stay straight out along the surface. We were also given a noodle to put around our waists to help keep us up. Putting legs down or reaching isn’t allowed and will get you kicked out.<br />
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We were only in the water for a minute when we got our first sighting, surprisingly it wasn’t a Manta Ray, it was a pod of dolphins! Some kept their distance but a few swam right below us, close enough for our lead to touch if he had wanted to. For the record, touching, feeding, chasing, or generally harassing marine life is Illegal in Hawaii.<br />
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I’m not sure how best to describe this whole experience. The Manta Rays are like giant butterflies under the water; gentle and unconcerned by our presence. The lights on the surf board attract Plankton, one of the main sources of food for Mantas, and therefore attract the Manta Rays and keep them swimming nearby. We had several come right up to perform their feeding backflips, and it was quite a sight.<br />
We were in the water about 40 minutes or so and it was truly one of the most memorable things I've done. I couldn't recommend it enough. This is<a href="https://www.groupon.com/deals/hawaii-island-and-ocean-tours-manta-ray-snorkel" target="_blank"> the company I went through</a> for anyone interested in trying it out for themselves!<br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-7621345321595997422018-06-05T10:00:00.000-06:002018-06-05T10:00:02.509-06:00Chasing Waterfalls; Jasper National Park<div style="text-align: center;">
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Long weekends in the summer are so great because they offer the chance to get away without taking time off. Unfortunately, everyone realizes that and parks, campgrounds, beaches, etc.. tend to get pretty crowded. <br />
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I would have loved to go camping in Jasper for the May long weekend but I wasn't prepared to deal with those crowds. Instead, we decided to take a daytrip on the Monday when everyone would be leaving and the park would be much less full. <br />
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Is 5 hours too far to drive to see a waterfall? Nah, I don't think so.<br />
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For the first time in my personal history, we drove right past the Jasper town site and continued down the highway. We knew we wouldn't have a huge amount of time so we just continued driving until we got to Sunwapta Falls. </div>
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I've wanted to visited Sunwapta for a long time now but never realized just how close it is to town. I also didn't realize it would be just like Athabasca Falls with its big tourist parking lot. Fortunately, our <em>end of long weekend</em> plan worked well and it wasn't too busy at all. <br />
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The whole area was different than I expected, photos can be so deceiving. I didn't expect to be looking down at the fall from a bridge, I didn't expect so many trails with fences on the edges. I suppose the park needs to protect itself and its visitors though.</div>
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If you go across the bridge and through the trees towards the fall you'll get a better view. From there you could almost pretend you were the only one around at a fall you just discovered.<br />
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After spending some time here we did the 4km roundtrip to see the lower falls which are smaller but equally as beautiful. And we actually were the only ones here. I would have loved to keep going and see what else was further along, but between you and I, I have a bladder approximately the size of a grape and it is useless. <br />
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Our next destination took us down the Icefields Parkway for nearly an hour which is nothing to complain about. That has to be one of the most beautiful drives in Canada, if not the world. (Just out of curiosity, as I write this I Googled the most beautiful drives in the world and it does come up in the top 10!)</div>
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Having discovered it the night before via Instagram I couldn't wait to get to Tangle Falls. It is conveniently located directly on the side of the highway and it has it's own little parking lot to make visits easier and keeps people from holding up traffic.<br />
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I'm not really sure what I can say about the fall other than to state it is one of my favorites I've ever seen. I highly suggest that everyone stops to see it. </div>
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We spent quite a while here, climbing the rocks to get closer, cooling off in the spray and taking pictures. I think the photos speak for themselves.<br />
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And that is all. 10 hours of driving, 2 waterfalls, a couple passenger side naps; 1 well spent day off.<br />
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<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-63404698535621347512018-05-22T10:00:00.000-06:002018-05-22T10:00:00.323-06:00Waipio Valley and Waterfalls {Hawaii, Day 3}I had seen pictures of Waipio Valley online and was keen to visit, even though all I knew was that it had a great view. As with seemingly everywhere else on the island, it took about 2 hours to get there from our yurt. <br />
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We had been told by the lady at the car rental place that this was an extremely difficult hike and we would be forced to beg for a ride back to the top if we managed to make it to the bottom. Since we had already paid for the Jeep, I figured we better use it even if it was a do-able hike.<br />
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There is a man at the top of the valley road that gives instructions on getting down and showed us a map of what to do once we got down there. He seemed very surprised that I was planning to drive down and pretty impressed when I told him we drove up and down Mauna Kea without incident. I’m now under the impression that I look like a rather helpless little girl.. anyone want to confirm that?</div>
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The road down is rough and full of holes, has a few steep areas and is only wide enough for one car unless you’re in a shoulder section. Vehicles going up get to go first and hikers don’t take up enough space to be an issue at all. <br />
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Here are my observations for any future visitors. The road was not intimidating or scary at all, though 4x4 is necessary. We saw plenty of hikers or all ages and abilities, none were struggling. We saw children doing the hike in sandals without issue. Whatever the car rental place tells you, don’t listen.<br />
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Once at the bottom we went to the black sand beach first. From the lookout at the top we noticed a waterfall in the distance that I was hoping we could hike to, but apparently it requires swimming at least 3 times and I wasn’t prepared for that. Instead we just walked along the beach and enjoyed the area.<br />
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Everywhere we looked we saw coconuts, but all were already eaten. I had high hopes we would find one that we could attempt to crack for ourselves, and we did! It took us a solid 15 minutes of acting like wild animals, smashing it against the rocks, to get to the centre. Not going to lie, I had no idea that coconuts were like that. I thought the fuzzy little round coconuts we can buy in the store were just a different kind, but it turns out they live inside the great big thing we see on the trees. Eventually when we got our fuzzy little prize we decided it would just have to come hiking with us because we hadn’t yet figured out how to get the water out without spilling.</div>
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As we continued down the beach we saw a waterfall that we would be able to get to, though much smaller than the one I had been eyeing. Across the sand, over some rocks, up a hill and we were there. The pool at the bottom was tiny and surrounded by spiders so no swimming for us, but it was a nice walk anyway.<br />
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Back at our Jeep we drove the opposite direction, past the road up, to see the other waterfalls. I was expecting we would drive a bit, park and then hike to the falls.. I was wrong. We drove for ages, through the forest, 5 river crossings, up and down and eventually hit a very dead end. We could see falls all around us but in front of us was a very fast, deep river that we could not cross and nowhere to park or hike anywhere around us.. While we tried to decide what to do a group of horses came to check us out. One pressed his face right against the window and kicked the door! And since Aly does not love animals that was the end of that. We managed to get turned around, back to the bottom of the road and with no difficulty at all, back to the top.<br />
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We thought Waipio Valley wold take more of our day but since it didn’t we decided to see a few more waterfalls in the area.<br />
<br />
First was Akaka Falls. We did the walk to the fall in the rain and it didn’t bother me one bit; when it’s nearly 30 degrees and sunny I’m perfectly happy to get wet. Since Akaka is on the rainy side of the island, we weren’t really surprised either. This waterfall, and the one we went to next, are very much parking lot attractions. You can see the fall from the parking lot, though the view is better if you walk the short trail, there are tons of tourists around and there is no opportunity to get away. I wouldn’t let that stop you from visiting though, both falls are really nice!<br />
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Both waterfalls are located next to Hilo, which we had planned to visit anyway, so we made it our final stop for the day before our long drive back. I was hoping to go for supper but one of my wisdom teeth had other plans so I sucked on ice cubes while Aly ate delicious looking fresh fish.<br />
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Our stay in Hilo was short and the drive home was long but my prize for getting home made everything better. Remember that coconut we found? I got it open. At first I decided that I would attempt to open it with a corkscrew, that failed. Then I decided we need a machete, until I realized wild animals can open them and they don't have machetes.. And finally we asked the internet. Turns out it is extremely simple; Coconuts have three little eyes on top and one of them is soft enough to puncture, allowing the water to be poured out or a straw to be inserted. I'm now desperate to return to Hawaii and drink all the coconuts!<br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-86659449231926497142018-05-15T10:00:00.000-06:002018-05-15T10:00:03.152-06:00Wild Snorkelling {Hawaii, Day 2}<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sleeping in
a yurt in Hawaii with screened windows that don’t close, on a busy farm, is a
loud experience. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I don’t love listening
to the chickens but I do enjoy the frogs that start as soon as the sun goes down.
Travelling west means I wake up early enough anyway, so I could also live without the
morning roosters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">For our
second morning we decided to find somewhere we could rent snorkel gear for the
week and go to </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Honaunau
Bay</span><span style="color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> (“</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">2-step”,) one of the most popular snorkel spots
on the island, and apparently one of the best spots in the state.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We hadn’t
yet figured out our area and the offline maps we were using didn’t seem to know
the area any better than us so we did a lot of random driving before finding
what we needed. We got a mask, tube and flippers each for $30, to keep for the
week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The
snorkelling area at 2-step is right next to The City of Refuge, you can see it
from the water, and would make a nice afternoon out if you wanted to combine
the trip. We didn’t visit the national historic site but in all fairness, I
can’t resist the ocean when it’s right there!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I had been
looking forward to snorkelling again since Ryan and I left Maui last year and
even more so since I heard we might be able to see wild dolphins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">2-Step
proved to be a perfect place. The depth of the water varies greatly but there
is nowhere to touch down on the bottom if you aren’t a strong swimmer. You get
in on naturally formed rock steps and are already in 15-20ft water. I have a
healthy respect but no fear of the ocean so this was fine for me. Having spent
5-7 hours a day swimming during the summers of my youth really paid off when
I need to be able to swim and tread for a long period of time; the fact that the
salt content in the water makes floating so easy doesn’t hurt either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This area is
incredibly lively and vibrant. Almost everywhere you look down is Coral,
Urchins, tons of different fish, the occasional turtle and if you get lucky, a
pod of dolphins.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We had been
in the water for over an hour already, seeing what there was to see, watching
the scuba divers and swimming through their bubbles. We got out for a break and
snacks and just as I was thinking about getting back in I saw the breaching
dolphins in the distance. It took me no time at all to get back in the water
and swim out to that area; I really couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see
them up close.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I wish I had have thought about my camera battery earlier on because I didn’t get to capture
any of it, but you can believe me when I say that having a pod of 10 dolphins
swimming in your general area is incredible. The bottom of the ocean was
nowhere in sight and the dolphins often disappeared with it, only to return
again at the surface 20 feet away. If I did have my camera you would hear an
overwhelming amount of excited squealing from my snorkel and those around me. The photos here are from one of the other days a 2-step.</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you are
considering coming to 2-Step to swim with the dolphins just know that you need
to go out quite far and the water is extremely deep. I wouldn’t recommend going
out alone, wear a lifejacket if you’re not a strong, confident swimmer or
consider taking a boat tour where you know someone will be watching.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The fact
that I was already burnt and hoped not to make it any worse is the only reason
I was able to pull myself from the dolphins and back to shore; I could have
watched them for hours. Back on the rocks we sat and listened to a group of
retirees that come to 2-step and free dive every morning, I could have listened
to them all day too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It turns out
I was burning again so I guess it’s good that we left when we did. Our next
stop was the Kona Brewing Company restaurant for a delicious lunch followed by
Shave Ice, shopping and a walk around the Kona waterfront.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As much as I
love Hawaii, and I really do, I can only spend so much time in the sunshine and
heat before I need to retreat to cooler places. One of my favorite options is
Target. I know, why would I waste precious Hawaiian time at Target?! It’s
because I love Target and I’m sad it left Canada, though I think I’m the only
one. It has cheap shopping, cheap snacks, air conditioning, Pizza hut, Starbucks
and maybe most importantly, WiFi (which our yurt sadly did not.) How could I go wrong?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As with most evenings, we spent it relaxing at the yurt, eating and listening to the choir or frogs before bed. We did
considerably less driving on day 2, which I’m totally fine with, and a got
another item checked off my list; A successful day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-51025809211861333772018-05-08T10:00:00.000-06:002018-05-08T15:08:19.596-06:00A Green Sand Beach and The Worlds Tallest Mountain {Hawaii, Day 1}<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We arrived
late into Kona on Tuesday night, well after my bedtime, and hopped straight on
the shuttle to get our rental car. That’s the beauty of travelling carry-on
only; other than saving $50 on checked bags, I also never have to wait around
at the airport when I arrive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the
interest of future visitors I will tell you not to get your rental car through
Budget. The lady we dealt with was a big liar and pretty much bullied us into
an upgrade. Her sales pitch for the upgrade is that 3 out of the 4 top “attractions”
on the island require a 4x4 vehicle and that our vacation will just be OK with
a regular vehicle. We said we would be hiking 2 of the 3 and she said they are
extremely long difficult hikes, “I’m a strong, avid hiker and I would never
even attempt those hikes. By the time you make it one way you’ll be so
exhausted that you’ll have to beg for a ride back!” Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Anyway, the other employee agreed with her and we asked for a price. $330 USD
for the upgrade (not including tax, insurance, etc,) we said no. She then swiped
her mouse, pressed one key on her computer and said since we flew with WestJet
it would only be $180 for the upgrade. Long story short, we decided we would go
with the Jeep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m not
going to pretend I didn’t enjoy our time in the Jeep, but I have a few more
thoughts to share. Firstly, a 2-door Jeep is a highly impractical vehicle if
you have any kind of luggage. Secondly, we absolutely, 100% could have done
those hikes and I bet you could too. We saw average people, seniors, small children,
people in sandals, hard-core hikers, teenagers… everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Moving along
now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We got on
the road, drove the 30 minutes to our hostel in the pitch blackness and promptly
passed out. Because we were travelling West, I was up by 5:30am and I loved it!
Being a morning person on vacation is so pleasing, especially in a place that
gets dark so early in the day, it really allows for more time to enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our first
stop was breakfast and I opted for a donut since I had already had a nutritional
shake. Let me just tell you, I love donuts, pretty much all donuts, but this
one was disgusting. The donut is actually a Malasada, a Portuguese treat
similar to a donut but with no hole. I’m not sure if they are all like the one
I had or if I just picked a bad place to try it. I was planning to try another
one but it just didn’t appeal after the first one. It was the wettest, oiliest donut
ever; I could literally wring the oil out of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I realize
this post is pretty negative so far, I promise it’ll get better!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our very first destination of the trip was to the green sand
beach, Papakolea, on the southern tip of Hawaii and coincidentally also the southernmost
part of the USA. </span>This is one of the places that we allegedly needed the Jeep for and wouldn’t be able to hike, so we hiked.<br />
<br />
The trail, which is more of a maze of different dirt tracks, is about 4.5KM each way. The way there took over an hour because we didn’t know where we were going and because I needed to stop often to take photos and enjoy the sea breeze.<br />
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<br />
O<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">ur eventual
arrival at the beach was a much welcomed break from walking in the sun. I very
much enjoyed taking my shoes off and feeling the ocean for the first time in
months while enjoying our beautiful surroundings. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I should
tell you, the green sand is not very green. If you are expecting bright green
or even obviously green sand you will be disappointed. Maybe in just the right
lighting with your eyes squinted it’ll be what you thought, but don’t trust
what Instagram shows you. Not to discourage you from visiting though! It was a
nice hike to a picturesque beach and that should be enough.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The way back
felt much longer and hotter but was met with two and a half hours of air
conditioned driving to check into our Yurt. Despite being in Hawaii, I didn’t
expect to get burnt on my first day, but I underestimated the sun again. I was
too distracted by the cool breeze to realize it was happening. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">From South
Point we drove back to Captain Cook to buy groceries for the week. Eating from
the grocery store instead of restaurants is a huge factor in keeping my
vacations from being too expensive. We knew we had a kitchen but weren’t sure
what appliances we’d have beyond a microwave and mini fridge. We stuck to
quick, simple foods that would be easy to make, fill us up and didn’t cost
much.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">While
shopping we made the last minute decision to drive to the top of Mauna Kea, the
world’s tallest mountain, for sunset. Unfortunately, that timing meant we had
about 20 minutes to check in, change, kick out the resident yurt cat and get
back on the road for another 2 hour journey. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">R<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">oad trips
in Hawaii can be intimidating. I hit an animal for the first time in my life
but I’m pretty sure it was fine… (I will continue to tell myself that!) My ears
popped constantly from the elevation changes. I drove 14,000 feet up in 2 hours.
Just letting you know.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We stopped
at the visitor centre, as recommended, to acclimatize to the altitude. The
centre is just over 9000 ft elevation and is a good place to check the weather
at the top, prepare your body to climb further and read the signs telling you
how to get back down once you get up. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">From 9000 to
14,000 feet was certainly the scariest and also the most thrilling drive I’ve
ever done. Most of the way is gravel, there are no guardrails along the way, it
is fairly steep and very bumpy. I laughed like mad the whole way up to keep
myself from screaming every time I got near an edge and considered how far down
it is. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was
instantly blown away when we reached the top. The view up there is truly one of
the most incredible things I’ve ever seen and would recommend a visit to anyone
who can handle it, just keep in mind the health risks and temperature. It wasn’t
half as cold as people make it out to be, but maybe I’m also just a tough
Canadian coming out of a long winter..</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I could do
little more than stare at the world in front of me while we were up there and I
would have been happy to watch the clouds for hours. Unfortunately, the sun set
pretty soon after we got there and visitors are only allowed to stay at the
summit for 30 minutes after sunset. And trust me when I say, photos do not do this place justice.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrmn8-C7QDgdzff9vhozejNPwI0OqlGEp6o_4AG_rD9GEAW2To93whB-9EEPYILmpISPdoTzwGGbybSSoZcGjiO7a7bEY9hqlW88CNimztK2395zjxzMWCcKntFUQy28NvgDcfMqAeAE/s1600/IMG_5962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrmn8-C7QDgdzff9vhozejNPwI0OqlGEp6o_4AG_rD9GEAW2To93whB-9EEPYILmpISPdoTzwGGbybSSoZcGjiO7a7bEY9hqlW88CNimztK2395zjxzMWCcKntFUQy28NvgDcfMqAeAE/s400/IMG_5962.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The road back down to the visitor centre seemed a lot longer in this direction but wasn't scary at all. If I'm going to go over the side of the mountain at least I didn't see it coming in the pitch black night... You have to drive in low gear to get down and I'm not going to pretend we didn't have to Google this before attempting. We put the Jeep in 4-low and neutral and rode the break all the way back to the paved road. </span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a long way home in the darkness but so worth it. I had a pretty awesome first day despite driving for nearly 10 hours!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-18851945897213664292018-05-01T10:00:00.000-06:002018-05-01T10:00:07.899-06:00How Much Does It Really Cost To Visit Hawaii?<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I think by
now you have all realised how much I like to talk about money and travel
budgets, so here I am doing it again. I get people asking me all the time how I
can afford to travel the way I do, as often as I do and to the places I choose
to go, now I’m going to tell you.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Here is the
key: <em>destinations are only as expensive as you let them be.</em></span><em>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><br />
</em><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span><em>
</em><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Seeing the
world in general is more important to me than seeing the world from the
perspective of a 5-star resort or Michelin star restaurant. In fact, resorts and
restaurants really have no place in my trip plans at all. If those things are what is important to you, find a way to make it work.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Since we are
talking about Hawaii today, I’ll try to be as specific as I can and hopefully
crush some of the popular beliefs about not being able to afford an island
getaway.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">This will be
my third trip to the state of Hawaii in 4 years. In 2015 I went to Oahu, 2017 I
went to Maui and this year I will be in Hawaii, The Big Island. The overall
frame of each trip has been pretty similar despite being with different people
each time and being on different islands. <span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I've never had much desire to see the islands from a hotel perspective and I can think of so many better things to do with the extra money saved by staying elsewhere. I like to eat out sometimes, but I still prefer a piece of fruit and cereal for breakfast, that's very inexpensive. I didn't want to rent a car the first time I went but I'm glad I did and the money saved on accommodations was more than enough to cover the car. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">I didn’t
track my expenses in Oahu, but it was very inexpensive. I was with 4 other
girls and therefore split the cost of most things by 5. If memory serves, it
was about $350 RT for my flights plus about $500 for the rental car, $2100 for
our accommodations and about $300 on groceries for the week. That is only $930
per person for a week-long vacation. Beyond that, everything is pretty
variable. If you want to go shopping, that’s up to you, same with eating out, excursions,
etc. The Hawaiian Islands are the perfect place to get outside and enjoy free
activities in paradise. <span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">All-in for
Oahu (1 week in March): Under $1000 each<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Where we
stayed: <a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/3898389?location=Honolulu%2C%20HI%2C%20United%20States&s=733DKthm&check_in=2019-03-20&guests=1&adults=1&check_out=2019-03-27"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/3898389?location=Honolulu%2C%20HI%2C%20United%20States&s=733DKthm&check_in=2019-03-20&guests=1&adults=1&check_out=2019-03-27<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">I partially
tracked last year’s trip to Maui and it was quite different for many reasons.
Most notably, there were only two of us and we did half camping and half
hotels. Flights were $500 RT and the rental car was $255. We did grocery store
breakfasts, cheap lunches and had supper in reasonably priced restaurants. It
was about $120 for 4 nights of tent camping and in stark contrast, about $1300
for 4 nights in hotels. You can see what I mean about destinations being as
expensive as you let them; If we stayed at the camp ground the whole time our
trip would have been $1180 less than what it was. I don’t think we did any
shopping at all and the snorkels we rented were about $27 for the week which
provided us the most enjoyment. <span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">All-in for
Maui (1 week in April): $3500 for 2 people<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Where we
stayed:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.campolowalu.com/tent-camping/"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.campolowalu.com/tent-camping/</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span><br />
<a href="https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/maui-hawaii/days-inn-maui-oceanfront/rooms-rates?hotel_id=34006&checkin_date=04/22/2018&checkout_date=04/23/2018&adults=2&children=0&brand_id=DI&rate_code=SSP&iata=05513292&CID=ME%3ADI%3A20180321%3AGGL%3Agha%3ACPA%3ANULL%3A34006"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/maui-hawaii/days-inn-maui-oceanfront/rooms-rates?hotel_id=34006&checkin_date=04/22/2018&checkout_date=04/23/2018&adults=2&children=0&brand_id=DI&rate_code=SSP&iata=05513292&CID=ME%3ADI%3A20180321%3AGGL%3Agha%3ACPA%3ANULL%3A34006</span></a><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";">Hawaii. My
flight was $370, our AirBnB was $620 (5 nights), hostel for the first night is
$50 each and the car rental was $900. We also booked one excursion for $80/person.
That is just over $1200 per person for all of the expensive bits. I was only be
with 1 friend this time so everything is split in 2. Since we had a
kitchen we mostly cooked for ourselves, we did predominantly free activities and I
didn’t do much shopping.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">All-in for
Hawaii (1 week in April): $1600 each</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Where we
stayed:</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/13534296?location=Captain%20Cook%2C%20HI%2C%20United%20States"><span style="color: blue;">https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/13534296?location=Captain%20Cook%2C%20HI%2C%20United%20States</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<a href="http://www.myhawaiihostel.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.myhawaiihostel.com/</span></a></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: black;">Now, I don’t
know about you, but $1600 per person for a week in paradise seems pretty decent
to me. This number could be significantly higher or lower if you changed up a
few of the details, when you go, how many people split the cost, etc. For this trip specifically, we could have skipped the vehicle upgrade and saved a ton.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Here is the detailed break down of my 1 week trip to Hawaii:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Flights: <span style="color: red;">$368.24</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Car rental: <span style="color: red;">$469.27</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Accommodations: <span style="color: red;">$371.29</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Food: <span style="color: red;">$72.50</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Gas: <span style="color: red;">$90.11</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">All other spending:<span style="color: red;"> $178.61</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">TOTAL: <span style="color: red;">$1550.02</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The cost of the car rental, accommodations and gas are all split in half as I was with one other person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-89408630140410123182018-04-16T10:47:00.001-06:002018-04-16T10:47:13.580-06:00Bucketlist Hawaii<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.ca/2017/03/bucket-list-maui.html" target="_blank">Creating a list</a></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> of things to do, places to see
and delicious (donuts) to eat before going on any trip is one of my favorite
things to do. I’m always prepared to see and do very few things on the list
since we never know how a trip will go, but just the planning for potential
activities makes me that much more excited to get going!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span><img alt="" id="id_fbe7_64d9_40e6_7fac" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kIlcfzUFMk/WtTSlj4hKII/AAAAAAAAF0Y/qaBAceJP16IsEo8bE_J1e9Uby8yMk8P9QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Here are some of the plans for
Hawaii.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The Internet very
kindly informed me that Hawaii has a few bays where, with a bit of luck and
good conditions, people can see/swim/snorkel with wild dolphins. This sounds
like the most amazing experience and I really hope we get the chance to live
it. I’m still researching the best Bay for it since we will need to swim out
rather than taking a boat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Visit the summit of
Mauna Kea for either sunrise or sunset, or just in general. Mauna Kea is a
dormant volcano and the tallest mountain on earth! I was quick to assume that
this fact was untrue when I first read it as well, but with a little research I
found that it is very true. Mauna Kea does not reach higher into the sky than
Everest but it is a taller mountain because its base is below sea level. Mount
Everest is approximately 29,000 feet and Mauna Kea is around 33,000 feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div style="margin-left: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Hawaii boasts having
one of the only green sand beaches in the world and I have every intention of
spending some time on it. It will be a bit of a hike to get there but one we
are excited to do! It is also the southernmost point of the USA which fits well
with my new love of </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.ca/2017/09/visiting-geographical-extremes.html" target="_blank">geographic extremes</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><div style="margin-left: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I went to the </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.ca/2017/06/views-along-way-maui.html" target="_blank">black sand beach on Maui</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">
and though it was beautiful, but honestly, I couldn’t imagine spending too much
time there. Being barefoot was unbearable due to the heat and it was one of the
busier places we visited. The one in Hawaii looks very nice as well but the main
draw is the high chances of </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">seeing turtles</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span>and I don’t think I have to tell you how excited I am
about turtles!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><div style="margin-left: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">We have been talking
about </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">hikes</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> we want to do since
day one but haven’t really settled on a definitive list. I know we need to hike
to the green sand beach, through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and most
likely to visit some waterfalls, but other than that, we’ll have to see when we
get there!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><div style="margin-left: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Visiting Hawai’i
Volcanoes National Park and having the possibility to see an active lava flow
are actually my top draws to this particular island. I’ve wanted to see this
for so long; fingers crossed it happens! Even if we don’t see an active flow,
I’m pretty excited to just walk through the lava fields and hopefully through
the lava tube.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><div style="margin-left: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve been getting
more and more excited for our </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.ca/2017/05/snorkelling-maui.html" target="_blank">snorkelling</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> excursion as we get closer to leaving. We’ll be going
out at night to swim with Manta Rays that can be up to 20ft across! I highly
recommend you look this up on YouTube because it looks truly incredible!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><div style="margin-left: -0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’m not a</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> <a href="https://outofthenesttravel.blogspot.ca/2017/05/the-5-best-places-to-eat-in-maui.html" target="_blank">foodie</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> but I do have a few
food items I’m really looking forward to having on the island. Donuts mostly,
but also shave ice and fresh seafood. I may even try a cup of Kona coffee while
I’m in Kona, despite being someone who doesn’t ever drink coffee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
You can
click on the embedded links to view some of my other posts about previous
Hawaiian adventures!<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-9238955165844639822018-04-10T10:00:00.000-06:002018-04-10T10:01:00.425-06:00Big Island, Hawaii; April 17-23, 2018Having loved Hawaii before I
ever went there and loving it even more once I did, I can’t turn down a good
seat sale to take me back to the islands. <br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljak6FxXBXY/WsuaarhxTQI/AAAAAAAAFz0/2ZHUqA0BqV4HkWXTLyMFFDIl3vmVBqqtgCHMYCw/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="id_62c4_3abb_6db2_c762" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljak6FxXBXY/WsuaarhxTQI/AAAAAAAAFz0/2ZHUqA0BqV4HkWXTLyMFFDIl3vmVBqqtgCHMYCw/s400/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="border-image: none;">
Way back at the very end of
December I scooped up round-trip tickets for under $400 Canadian and by January
1st my rental car, accommodations and 1
excursion were booked as well. As great as it feels to have a fully booked and paid
for trip, it still unfortunately means I’ve had to wait nearly 4 months to go;
and now that we’re down to 1 week I’m vibrating with excitement!</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Going to all of the major
Hawaiian Islands is a Bucketlist item for me and I’m well on my way! This year
I will be going to Hawaii, or the “Big Island,” as it is commonly called. This
will be island number 3 for me in 4 many years and I expect it will be an
equally amazing experience.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-khS0qb5rR6A/WsuadSbLboI/AAAAAAAAFz8/3bwUxWDPb8wRmTtRQAhE3vqrWho7l22YACHMYCw/s1600/%255BUNSET%255D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hawaii" border="0" height="400" id="id_15c3_787a_5e88_8dda" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-khS0qb5rR6A/WsuadSbLboI/AAAAAAAAFz8/3bwUxWDPb8wRmTtRQAhE3vqrWho7l22YACHMYCw/s400/%255BUNSET%255D" style="display: block;" title="" tooltip="" width="300" /></a></div>
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It’s just 1 girlfriend and I
going and we have so many plans we’re hoping to squeeze in. </div>
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
Summit of Mauna Kea </div>
</li>
</ul>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
<div style="border-image: none;">
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park </div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
Snorkel with Manta Rays</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
Snorkelling with wild dolphins</div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
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Black sand beach</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
Green sand beach</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
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Hiking</div>
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</ul>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">
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Stand-up paddle boarding</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
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<div style="border-image: none;">
As excited as I am about the
things we will do, which I will elaborate more on in my next post, I am also
quite excited about where we will stay. I booked us a yurt on AirBnB that is
located on a Macadamia Nut farm! It is so much more affordable than even a
basic hotel at barely over $100/night, but also gives us the chance to be in
nature even more. </div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
For anyone interested, <a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/13534296?location=Hawaii%2C%20United%20States&s=vGDgs1Fj" target="_blank">this is the one</a>.</div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none;">
If you have any suggestions of places to go, things to do or
excellent donuts, please let me know!</div>
<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" height="400" id="id_ec24_a672_a62b_8cc1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z4KJk_4u1zc/Wsuad3uLxLI/AAAAAAAAF0A/OrW-261yV0ktM4Aw2vW-kCXR0xxBDi3GQCHMYCw/s400/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" width="300" /></div>
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<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-80045819837757923132018-03-08T10:00:00.000-07:002018-03-08T10:00:34.142-07:005 Misconceptions About Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesWS8CDQQ0EdSH3RJl30X3yzfz0nGfcanaacjjU11KBA2DygIGaq3QaPuHox8wbj5PWaQihyphenhyphennT4ZNsudnj_rc-3wT8U9lqQ8ogX3YzcdVsmzZT0ns41aE6WrXa6Fwq8CMBkTrAuXGSug/s1600/Hawaii+2015+208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesWS8CDQQ0EdSH3RJl30X3yzfz0nGfcanaacjjU11KBA2DygIGaq3QaPuHox8wbj5PWaQihyphenhyphennT4ZNsudnj_rc-3wT8U9lqQ8ogX3YzcdVsmzZT0ns41aE6WrXa6Fwq8CMBkTrAuXGSug/s400/Hawaii+2015+208.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1-It will be easy:</b> I’m putting this one
here because I was the one who thought it. In 2011/12 when I started planning for
my first big trip I never considered that it might be “difficult.” Not the planning, that
part was easy, but that actual trip. For many reasons, I was very wrong. I have to admit part of the difficulty was just because of the kind of person I
am and because it was my first time out on my own, either way, the difficulties
began as soon as I landed in Amsterdam. I didn’t speak the language and so I
didn’t understand the announcements in the airport and I couldn’t read any
signs or schedules. Since I’m on the shy side I found it really difficult to
convince myself it would be ok to walk up to a stranger and ask for help. See
where I’m going with this? Language barriers, culture shock, getting lost, loneliness
and anxiety; all these factors keep a journey from being “easy.” There are so
many fears and difficulties that make travelling more difficult that you
might guess! Don’t let this hold you back though!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWiy6ViMBvBYx4STG9mwx-ozRFBvuksVvd029XVA_-fA5XOJVo2xg8g8Jisrom7vaDh-e4Lp6lczkBOteVqh8LdGXw3elfTdy0M7t2p6Tcf_xxYgZN0Kx_YN67lBQxBDXq3dymDePEbM/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWiy6ViMBvBYx4STG9mwx-ozRFBvuksVvd029XVA_-fA5XOJVo2xg8g8Jisrom7vaDh-e4Lp6lczkBOteVqh8LdGXw3elfTdy0M7t2p6Tcf_xxYgZN0Kx_YN67lBQxBDXq3dymDePEbM/s400/IMG_3948.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2-Everything will be Instagram perfect:</b>
There is a word that is frequently seen on social media these days, especially
Instagram, and that is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Curated. </i>People
create “themes” for their account and choose very particular photos with
specific content that have been edited a particular way. In the end the account
ends up looking like a well designed online gallery. With that in mind you can
now browse your social accounts with new eyes and remember that your experience
in Madrid, Los Angeles or Tokyo may not be like that. Don’t let that disappoint
you; you can create your own dream vacation!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Just
remember that what we are seeing is a specific highlight reel of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">curated</i> photos that are likely sponsored
content. What we see is not what we will get. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IbbDNIEtOcIf63v4_9t8baKOTB9KKHGGqUzxN5AsZV55qpUCEDdutiAeKO1x8-99Z2YAQ6YAM5I_WKlbFIriv9tpF2Z5mLKxzgj9LLiGK5vJ39DFgWZJM6HStIgR6P6IB6oXXiWZzvk/s1600/Aegina+%252841%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IbbDNIEtOcIf63v4_9t8baKOTB9KKHGGqUzxN5AsZV55qpUCEDdutiAeKO1x8-99Z2YAQ6YAM5I_WKlbFIriv9tpF2Z5mLKxzgj9LLiGK5vJ39DFgWZJM6HStIgR6P6IB6oXXiWZzvk/s400/Aegina+%252841%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3-You have to be rich to make it happen/it’s
always super expensive:</b> I think about this one frequently because Ryan is
always quick to tell me who must be rich or spoiled whenever he is looking over
my shoulder at Instagram or YouTube. But the thing is you don’t need to be
either of those things to have an amazing trip to somewhere new. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Some of the
best ways to make it happen for less are:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-Staying in a
hostel instead of a hotel</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-Booking your
travel based on seat sales</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-Allow the
sales to help you choose a destination</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-Buy your
food from grocery stores instead of eating at restaurants for three meals a day</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-Go with the
cheaper mode of transportation (walk or take public transit instead of renting
a car, take a train instead of flying, take a bus instead of a train, etc.)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">-Travel to
somewhere that your currency is strong</span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;">-Go outside of peak season</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Choosing to
use some or all of these tips can make for a much cheaper trip. Adjusting your
expectations, choosing places you know you can afford and being open minded can
help stretch your dollar further and therefore stretch your travels farther.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPRTpYGkfCVOliytUfcj00kRj0xt5ur5_Sg7iV_v-7JQ5V-09Q9Pz2nlWujP4TcRnbIX0EXPNE0jco5EY5Te95vjtIESqKTbWVseDefe31_dnZjhVqBLxFdqiwg9UOVEnIjrlz_Ofwdc/s1600/Athens+%2528393%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPRTpYGkfCVOliytUfcj00kRj0xt5ur5_Sg7iV_v-7JQ5V-09Q9Pz2nlWujP4TcRnbIX0EXPNE0jco5EY5Te95vjtIESqKTbWVseDefe31_dnZjhVqBLxFdqiwg9UOVEnIjrlz_Ofwdc/s400/Athens+%2528393%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4-It should be done at a certain point in
life: </b>The world likes to tell us that travel, especially long term travel,
should only be done at two points in our lives. First, and most obviously,
after graduating high school. Some call this “Gap year” and others use
different names. Regardless, the concept is the same. Either directly after
high school, or maybe a few years into college when you no longer feel inspired, are getting bored or just don't know what to do, this is the time to go. You should be young, energetic and
have minimal financial and personal obligations. If you miss this opportunity
then you may not try again until retirement, this is option 2. You have lived
your life, raised your kids, survived working 35-50 years and now you may go
travel again IF you are healthy, fit and financially able. If that doesn't work for you, to bad,
you missed out.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wrong,
wrong, wrong!! Travelling should be done by anyone who wants to and at any time
that works for you. 37 years old, have a job you hate and a decent savings
account? Take a trip. You’re 24, no direction and only just enough money for
the journey? Do it anyway.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The point is
that you can and should go places anytime that it works for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmW2_L_vuM2BUtK3FBUCRw4_GEdzShnACHea822eEAWqel9nsjT6OdWVX-jQQO-f2NaPJrVrYiPmT_KEyjUsa9LY4xP3Cpx2tjMgN9ZRgOwtLzL32CJH9hJEQm1OyDvixhW9d_XMw_P8/s1600/Hydra+%252832%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmW2_L_vuM2BUtK3FBUCRw4_GEdzShnACHea822eEAWqel9nsjT6OdWVX-jQQO-f2NaPJrVrYiPmT_KEyjUsa9LY4xP3Cpx2tjMgN9ZRgOwtLzL32CJH9hJEQm1OyDvixhW9d_XMw_P8/s400/Hydra+%252832%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5-<u>Travel</u> and <u>Vacation</u> are 2
different things:</b> I read an article recently that claimed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">travel </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">vacation</i> were two different things; this isn’t the first time I’ve
heard that either. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: purple;">Travel:</span> to</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> go
from one place to another, as by car, train, plane, or ship; take a trip; journey:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: purple;">Vacation:</span> a period of suspension of
work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel;
recess or holiday:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">They are
technically different things, as per the dictionary, one refers to the action
and the other is a state of being. That is not what is meant when people refer
to their differences though. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Travel is
typically said when the person means to describe the long term whereas vacation
usually implies a short time away. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When you are <i>travelling</i> you should expect it to change your life, you will learn new
things about yourself and the world and you won’t fit in when you return home. It's long term and long distance. Those are some of the most common things I
hear about travel that are<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> not</i>
associated with vacation. Oh, also, you should probably be using a backpack, not a
suitcase.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i>Vacation</i> involves eating, drinking too much and working on your tan at the pool or
beach, maybe visiting Disneyland, camping, short non-meaningful trips
and things of that nature. You will learn nothing new, you are probably more
willing to splurge financially and you will be back at work/school before you
know it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As far as
I’m concerned we can and should all be travelling and taking vacations and
going on journeys and adventures and explorations without feeling any pressure
that it should look a certain way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-73584974799235463742018-01-08T10:00:00.000-07:002018-01-08T10:00:32.383-07:00New Goals 2018 and a Recap of my 2017 Goals<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>2017:</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Recapping the past year and setting goals for
the year to come has become one of my favorite blog traditions. As far back as
2014 I’ve been taking the time to think back on what life has been like and set
out a list of plans and goals I’d like to achieve going forward, not
necessarily within the next year.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I set a lot of goals for myself in 2017, some
larger than others, and though I didn’t get to all of them I accomplished what
I could throughout my very busy year. Here’s how I did.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Minimize my belongings – I did get rid of a
lot but it still doesn’t feel like enough.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Take more mini trips – In my head this meant
I shouldn’t be so fussed about how long trips are, but more so that I take the
time available to me and enjoy myself. Why not take a weekend trip away if the
seat sale is good enough to support it? Throughout the year I spent 2 days in
Jasper, 3 days in Canmore and Banff and a few days in Regina. Those trips aren’t
really what I had in mind for “mini trips” but I set this goal not expecting to
spend 5 weeks travelling and I certainly didn’t expect to get back to Europe
and see 6 countries.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Scuba –Again, I had no idea my summer would
be as crazy as it was and I quite simply didn’t have time to fit the course in,
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there’s always this year though.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Pay attention to me and take more notice of
the little things – I did start to do this, mostly towards the end of the year
as my health took a hit. I will be working a lot more on this in 2018</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Save and figure out what I am saving for – I
was able to save a lot in 2017 and have considered what kind of life I want.
That tells me what to put my money towards</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Specific savings for specific things – I made
a very detailed budget for my 5 weeks of summer travel and was able to save
specifically for that. Knowing I have what I need (+ a buffer) without having
to rely on a credit card is a great feeling while travelling.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Learn more about my camera – I can’t say I
learned anything new however I did use my camera a ton and took some really
beautiful photos</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Work on my fitness – I did the stairs at work
quite a bit at the beginning of the year and ran a few times in the spring, but
did very little else in the way of fitness in 2017. Especially at the end
of the year when I was feeling my worst, I could barely walk 1 flight of stairs
without being exhausted, never mind run 17 floors like I used to.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Eat more fruit and veggies
daily -> mostly<br />
-Get my nose pierced –> done </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-Re-learn proper cursive
writing –> Can’t say it is super neat, but I can do it!<br />
-Organize, and when necessary, discard digital photos. –> I emptied 1000+ old
photos off my phone, sorted them on my external hard drive and deleted some. <br />
-Print my favourite photos and put them in scrapbooks or albums. –> No. But I
would still like to.<br />
-Create blog income –> No, it might help if I actually posted sometimes..<br />
-Sort through everything I own –> Done and loved every minute of it!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>2018:</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Improve my health – We sometimes forget to
keep our health in check because we are so consumed with making sure we get
“fit” and health and fitness don’t necessarily go hand in hand. I’ve recently
found out about some health issues and I’m going to do what I can to improve
them as much as possible and do what I can to feel my best despite the issues
that can’t be fixed. Possibly I should cut back on my donut consumption.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Get in shape – it’s hard to ignore this one
when the doctor says “you have some work to do” after writing down your weight…
beyond that though, I don’t feel great anymore and would really like to put
more time and energy into being consistently active and making good choices for
my health. I don’t need to weigh any amount or wear a particular dress size; I
just want to be comfortable in my own skin. Ideally my health and fitness level
can be worked on together to make a generally better me.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Run 10km – Because I like a challenge and
having something to work towards might help to keep my motivated on my journey.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Sort everything I own, again – 1 year is a
long time, and though I don’t feel like I’ve accumulated too much this year, I
definitely still have things to sort through and get rid of. Also, and more
specifically I’d like to sort all of my clothes. Get rid of anything unrealistic,
unworn or uncomfortable and build up an intentional wardrobe that I actually
enjoy wearing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Books and Camera – Ryan bought me a
camera/photography book for Christmas last year and honestly, I’ve read less
than half of it. I feel guilty about that since the book is something I really
wanted and learning about my camera is something I’ve been planning since I got
it. Reading at least 1 book per month is another goal. And as it turns out I
happen to have 12 books set aside in a desperate little ‘read me” pile.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Travel – When has this not been a goal of
mine? By no means do I expect to make it to all of these places this year, but
I would like to plan some of the bigger trips for future. *I booked myself a
trip to Hawaii just before New Years Eve and am so excited!*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">- Hawaii, Big Island</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">- BC</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">- Iceland</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">- The Maritimes, as usual</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">- Plan for... Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Easter Island, Galapagos, Australia and New Zealand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Do more outside – 2015 and 2016 were both
great years for spending time outside and I did a lot. 2017 wasn’t as good.
With the exception of my time spent travelling I feel like I was barely outside
at all and I don’t want another year like that. I’m going to make an effort to
get outside at least a few times a week.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Take a road trip – I’ve been wanting to do (2
specific) road trips for a while now; one across Canada and 1 through British
Columbia and possibly into Washington and Oregon. Both would need a good chunk
of time to enjoy them the way I’d like to, but I’ll take what I can get.
Fingers crossed for BC this year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Take a course, or 2 – And here it is, for the
3<sup>rd</sup> year in a row, get my Scuba Diving certification! I really hope
this can happen this year especially considering my new found love of
snorkelling, I imagine I’d love diving even more. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The second course I have my sights set on is
Doula training. I’ve had this in the back of my mind for many years now (along
with nursing and midwifery) and I think this might be the year to make it
happen.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-67277877186913946152017-10-30T11:00:00.000-06:002017-10-30T11:00:16.952-06:00The Last Thoughts<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">We have
finally made it to the end! You’ve read all the stories and seen the photos
from all the places I went, but there are a few more things I want to talk
about to end off this series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfQIWEhcpQUABdkunUN7qOyIo42JdHWKHoK675yrxZ-tZ0TwldifBZrinVr720JKAQ1vReJxz_KX9ivnJBQ9tAoiCikoItuM8aVWbesLDE9FRaFeJxpQXlJOu_CgdKc_czErFVD83t2o/s640/blogger-image--1129284621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfQIWEhcpQUABdkunUN7qOyIo42JdHWKHoK675yrxZ-tZ0TwldifBZrinVr720JKAQ1vReJxz_KX9ivnJBQ9tAoiCikoItuM8aVWbesLDE9FRaFeJxpQXlJOu_CgdKc_czErFVD83t2o/s400/blogger-image--1129284621.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">First of
all, I have been called </span><i style="font-family: calibri;">Miss Independent </i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">many
times in my life and I’d just like to clear something up. Yes, I did enjoy my
trip but I also struggled every single day with being by myself. In many ways I
am extremely independent but when it comes to solo travelling I am quite simply
not cut out for it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In that same
vein, there are many things that I found very difficult and they all revolved
around being alone. Before I left someone told me not to worry much about being
alone because I would meet so many people along the way and make great friends,
even if it was just for the short term. I am not good at meeting new people and
there has never been a point in my life where I was. If someone talks to me
first I will happily talk to them, but if they don’t introduce themselves or
ask for my name then we will have a conversation without ever properly meeting
one another. And to be clear, this actually happened. I chatted off-and-on with a girl in my dorm for 2 days and eventually spent a full evening with her having dinner in a pub. I never found out her name.. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My other
issue was eating alone. I knew that would be a problem for me before I ever
left though. Thus far in my life I have eaten in a restaurant alone exactly 2
times. Both were on this trip and both were very challenging for me. It took me
nearly two hours to choose and walk into the first restaurant.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Next point
is about a few things I learned. Let me just say that I love airports and
always have, I think they are magical doorways to the rest of the world.
However, they are not half as enjoyable when you are alone with carry-on only
luggage. I hadn’t considered it before leaving but because I chose not to check
any bags that meant I had to have them with me constantly no matter where I was
going, including the bathroom. I may have had a few small </span><i style="font-family: calibri;">backpack-in-bathroom</i><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> related tantrums along the way.. If any of my
readers are airport bathroom stall designers please consider giving us a little
more space and several more hooks!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The other
very obvious thing that I discovered was this: No matter how early my departure
is, transit days are pretty much always a write-off. In future I will be
allowing myself to sleep in, get to the airport/train station/etc. in my own
time and arrive when I arrive. Having to get airport transfers at 2:30 and 4am
wasn’t enjoyable, missing my early train in Paris was terrible and being
exhausted at the end of a transit day is inevitable. Lesson learned.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Having
talked so much about both my budget and packing plans before leaving I thought
I would give a little </span><i style="font-family: calibri;">after the travel</i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">
update.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I absolutely
loved my backpack. It was really comfortable to carry, perfectly sized for me
and accommodated everything I needed plus a little wiggle room for shopping. I
wasn’t 100% sure if I could use it as a carry-on for all the airlines I flew with
but it wasn’t ever a problem. I will for sure be using it again in the future.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As for the
budget, it also worked out perfectly. Of course I would have loved to spend
less, who wouldn’t, but I’m really pleased to have stayed within the numbers I
created.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A lot of
people ask me what it’s like to stay in hostels and almost everyone then says
that they could never do it. So, for anyone else who is curious this is what it
was like.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I stayed in
7 hostels along the way and they were all really different. A few were just
average, some were really shitty and a few were really great.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">London – 24
beds, mixed, only 3 bathrooms in the hostel, didn’t have time to check out the common space </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";">($25/night)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Paris – 6
bed, mixed, bathroom inside the room, didn’t have time to check out the common
space </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";">($29/night)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Barcelona –
8 bed, mixed, mixed bathrooms, bad showers, no AC, WiFi only in common space,
outdoor patio, bad location</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";"> ($122/3 nights)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lisbon – 12
beds, female only, 3 bathrooms/floor, amazing hostel, lots of entertainment and
common space </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";">($70/3 nights)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Sorrento –
10 bed, female only, big bathroom, bad showers, open air sitting/eating area, I got kicked
out during the day for cleaning, not ideal location, great AC, good free breakfast </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";">($120/3 nights)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Rome – 8
bed, mixed, 1 bathroom in room, no AC, shitty even for price, 1 awkward common
room </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";">($31/night)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dublin – 24
bed, mixed, huge hostel, great free breakfast, great location, bad showers, got
lost inside </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "calibri";">($85/4 nights)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Hostels will always be hit-and-miss. It's hard to predict what a dorm will be like even if you read every review out there. If you go in with the knowledge that your are sleeping with a bunch of strangers, the showers almost always suck and you're saving a bunch of money it'll go much smoother.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">If you read
my other posts then you will likely have figured out on your own what my favourite places were, but I’m going to break it down again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">London was
nice but didn’t blow me away this time. It just felt like any other big city and somehow not as exciting. In all fairness, I was exhausted and sore from the long travel day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Paris was
underwhelming, unfortunately. I had high hopes but in the end it was also just a big city with cool buildings and too much cigarette smoke. I'm pretty convinced that Paris is not a solo city though, so not hard feelings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Obviously I
hated Barcelona. It was too hot, humid, dirty, polluted and crowded. I have no
doubt that I put up a wall because of the difficulty I had getting there and it
influenced my stay, but it is what it is. Maybe I'd like it better in the winter?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">I didn’t
mind Rome other than the hostel and jam-packed metro but I didn’t really have time to get
much of a feeling for it this time. I'll just hold onto the love I had for it the first time I went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Sorrento was
also neither here nor there. I didn’t find it to be a very exciting place but
it was very beautiful. I think I'd be singing a different tune if there had been a beach.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Lisbon was
perfect in pretty much every way. I loved my time there and could definitely
see myself going back in the future, everything was just so lovely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">Positano was
an awesome day out even though I didn’t do very much at all. It was well worth
the visit just for the views and swimming in the sea, not to mention the gelato..</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";">And finally,
Dublin. I absolutely loved Ireland in general and Dublin was great. The people
were friendly and helpful, the city is vibrant, the country is beautiful and
there are donut shops absolutely everywhere. If you know one thing about me it
should be that I love donuts and therefore have no choice but to love Dublin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We can’t
change the past so it doesn’t much matter, but there are a few things I would
change if I could and I’m going to leave them here for future me to consider
before my next big trip. I complained along the way and it was almost always
for 1 reason; the heat. Unless I have very good reason I don’t think I will be
going back to Europe in the summer. Having seen European autumn, winter and summer
now I feel confident saying that summer isn’t the time for me. I<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> also cannot picture myself doing another solo trip. I still like the idea of it and I don’t regret doing it but I know that I would have enjoyed myself so much more if I wasn’t alone.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And now we return back to real life and a small travel break before planning my next adventure.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-35168596000799704092017-10-11T10:00:00.000-06:002017-10-11T10:00:20.034-06:00Irish Day Trips<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After
realizing I wouldn’t be able to visit the Giant’s Causeway or the Cliffs of
Moher I looked online to see what I could do instead. Not wanting to spend all
my time in the city a trip to the national park seemed great. The hostel staff
was really helpful and told me exactly where to go and which bus to catch for
my destination.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Glendalough
is a 6</span><sup style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> century monastic settlement located inside Wicklow
Mountains National Park.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">It took an hour
and a half by bus to get there but was well worth if for no other reason than to be able to see the lush Irish countryside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I took my
time checking out the various stone buildings and trying to read the
inscriptions on the surrounding gravestones. While I was inside the cathedral I
found myself getting a bit mad about all the disrespectful tourists. A group of
men were climbing and standing on the crumbling walls so they could get a
better shot with their selfie sticks. Why have people become so ridiculous,
just for the sake of a photo!?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once I had
seen all the buildings I walked and hiked through the national park for several
hours. From the people I saw I’m gathering that this is a popular spot for
families to come when the weather is nice. Considering the short distance,
beautiful surroundings, easy trails and beautiful lakes and waterfalls it’s no
surprise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My other day
trip, and favourite place that I visited, was to Howth. I didn’t know anything
about Howth but after hearing a few other people talking about it I had to go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A short 30
minute ride on the DART train and I arrived. Even though the weather in Dublin
had been perfect, it was even better here. Perfect blue skies, a cool sea
breeze, warm and sunny; what more could I hope for. Not only that but it felt
like the perfect mix of Ireland and a Nova Scotian fishing village.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Nestled
perfectly between cliffs and the sea meant I had options for hiking and water
activities. Just offshore is </span><i style="font-family: calibri;">Irelands Eye,
</i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">a small island with an ancient church, Martello Tower, bird sanctuary,
beach and apparently a great place for spotting seals. I would have happily
paid the 15 euros for the boat tour and island exploration but they weren’t
running that day because of the wind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My
alternate, but no less exciting option was to do the Howth Cliff Walk. I think
the loop I did was about 7 kilometres but I walked much more than that. The trail offers incredible sweeping views out to sea and back over the town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I
finished in Howth I decided to take the DART to Dún Laoghaire which is directly
across the Dublin Bay and almost as charming. I didn’t spend as much time here,
only about an hour, but I really enjoyed it. I walked along the pier watching
the fisherman, playing children and brave teenagers jumping off walls into the
cold water. At the very end I had ice cream under a lighthouse and enjoyed the
last bit of sea that I would be seeing for a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ireland was such a lovely place, I already can't wait to come back some day and really explore what the country has to offer. But for now, it's time to go back to Canada.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-12468414947363402662017-10-09T10:19:00.000-06:002017-10-09T10:19:12.789-06:00Dublin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Having had
quite enough of the heat I was very impatient to leave Italy on the final morning. I really couldn't wait to get on the plane. This was the first flight I have ever been on that I didn’t sit in the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">window seat and though I wasn’t loving the middle it was still better than staying in the Italian heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Arriving in Dublin to find gentle rain and cool temperatures was absolute bliss. <br /><br />
Using my predetermined directions it was super easy to get to my accommodation and didn’t take long at all. After checking in however it was much more difficult to find my dorm room in the massive hostel. I walked half the building three times before going back to the desk and requesting someone to come with me!<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ireland was one of the places I really wanted to go during my 2012-13 trip but it just didn’t happen for me because of time. Waiting so many years made it that much sweeter when I finally got out to explore Dublin. I walked and walked for almost 3 hours trying to take everything in, see as much as possible and get a general orientation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri";">I found Dublin Castle, Trinity College, Christ Church cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral along the way as well as Temple Bar’s vibrant cobbled pedestrian streets.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Every corner I turned urged me to explore further.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <span style="font-family: "calibri";">The one thing in the back of my mind that interrupted my need to continue was my even bigger need for a shower. The weather in Dublin was gorgeous but I could still feel the sticky sweat from Italy’s inescapable heat. Unfortunately for me, the one thing I don’t like about hostels is the showers. It’s pretty much guaranteed that they will flood or have a crappy/non-existent temperature range. On this particular occasion I had no flooding but the water was so scalding hot that I couldn’t actually stand under it, I had to stick one limb in at a time and pull it out as fast as possible. Because I was in a wet room and had a sink next to my shower I ended up doing most of my rinsing by cupping cold water in my hands and pouring it over myself. At that point I decided I wouldn’t shower again until I got home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of anything in Ireland the 2 things I really wanted to see were the Giant’s Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher. Originally I was planning to do organized tours to both but for such a high price I would have had very little time at the actually sites and 2 very long days of bus travel. As an alternate I decided that I would find the right transit connections and visit on my own, but that would have led to even longer travel days and it really wouldn’t have been worth it in the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri";">Instead I did 2 other day trips during my time in Ireland, one to Howth and one to Wicklow Mountains National Park; I’m going to tell you about those days in a separate post though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri";">My last day before going home was pretty casual. I was still really enjoying myself but I was also really burnt out after spending nearly 3 weeks constantly on the move. I walked around the city more, did some window shopping and eventually ended up at the Guinness Storehouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I wasn’t sure if I would do the tour or not, considering part of the entry fee includes a free pint, but it seemed wrong not to go while I was in Dublin. The self-guided tour was quite interesting, telling the whole history and creation process, but the best part was the 365 degree view of Dublin from the 7</span><sup style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> floor.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">With little energy left I made my way back to the hostel to pack my backpack for the last time. I don’t know how it happened, considering the shopping I did, but I had more space in my bag going home than I did for the whole trip. I guess I perfected my packing technique.</span></span><br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851876997055481119.post-3763826299493616912017-10-06T10:00:00.000-06:002017-10-06T10:00:27.781-06:00Sorrento + Rome<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I
arrived in Italy from Portugal it took about an hour before I was anywhere that
I could feel the heat. When I did feel it, from inside the open-air train
station in the shade, my spirits were instantly crushed. When it comes to
temperature I like to be comfortably warm, not so hot that I sweat and not so
cold that I shiver, +45 doesn’t fit into my desired range at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">While
waiting for my train from Rome to Naples I was seriously considering going straight
back to the airport and spending an extra 4 days in Ireland. Every extra minute
that I stood there waiting, getting more and more uncomfortable, I was plotting
my escape. Clearly I didn’t go through with it but I have learned my lesson
about European summer; it is not the time for me to visit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I had
originally planned to spend a little time in Naples, only to get a pizza, but
because of the heat I stayed inside the train station and continued
straight on to Sorrento. I met an American woman in the station and we made the
rest of the journey together, helping to keep each other sane along the
extremely hot hour long train ride.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I met a few
more girls when I arrived at the hostel and it made me so happy. Travelling
solo may have some benefits but for someone like me I really need to interact
with other people for my sanity. The group of Australian girls were 3 of the 10
people in my dorm and it made for great conversation. I finally got to eat in a
restaurant again too because they invited me to join them for pizza on our
first night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Being able
to spend time with other women around my age that speak my language really
helped to lift my spirits back up. The pizza and ice cream made for a perfect
cherry on top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I didn’t do much at all around Sorrento except walk. One day I was out for 4
hours and got nowhere at all before turning around. I had hoped to find a beach
but every one I saw “belonged” to the nearest hotel and I would have had to pay
to use it. When I wasn’t out it was because I couldn’t drag myself from the AC,
I was doing laundry (for 9 euro!!) or I was showering with fewer people around
to avoid the awkwardness created by the (barely) frosted glass shower door. For anyone who has never stayed in a hostel I will warn you right now, showers are shitty in almost every hostel. These particular ones also flooded really badly because of the amount of hair going down the drain everyday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When my time
was up in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast I made my way back to Rome on the high
speed train.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Going into
this trip I had high hopes for my half day in Rome but they didn’t really pan
out the way I expected. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">After
checking into my hostel I went right back out. Rome was equally as hot as Sorrento
but not half as humid so it was do-able in the shade. That being said, there is
only so much shade to be found. I opted for taking the metro, first to the
Trevi Fountain with the expectation of walking to other sites from there but that didn't actually happen. I took another metro to the Vatican for a walk around St. Peter's Basilica </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Rome metro is the most crowded that I've seen. When it is completely, uncomfortably full there are still many people trying to force themselves in the doors and therefore forcing the people already inside to stand even closer to one another. Though I wanted to go see the Coliseum I really couldn't deal with that amount of people in such a small space, especially in +45 degrees. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I can tell you honestly that I'm a bit disappointed in the time I spent in Italy. I had plans for so many activities but the heat really destroyed my motivation and ability to spend entire days outside exploring. No hard feelings though.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With my hostel being across the road from the main train station I used that as a mini shopping mall and somewhere to spend my evening instead of my crappy not-air conditioned hostel. Wen I did have to go back before bed I spent 2 hours chatting with a bunk-mate about how horrible the room was and discussing our own home countries as a distraction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The only thing keeping me sane was knowing that a short sleep from now I would be off to Ireland!</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
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<br />Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00566208815246760808noreply@blogger.com0