This just in! I’m taking a little hiatus from perpetual motion to recover, regroup and refill the coffers – and celebrate a few huge friends and family milestones. Never fear, faithful readers – you won’t even notice a dip in all the travel stories you’ve come to expect. It’s business as usual around these parts!
5 Reasons to Take a Hiatus from Traveling
1. The Wedding of the Year. Erin & Chris are getting married! If you’ve followed me since the Big Apple Angie days, you know all about this lass. College roommate, Delta Delta Delta sorority sister, NYC roommate, big-time partner in shenanigans – we have been friends since we were teenagers and all my best memories from the University of Florida & New York include her. She’s marrying the love of her life tomorrow and I wouldn’t miss it for the whole wide world. As a bonus, I’m so excited to see dozens of other friends from college and NYC at the wedding, and most importantly, Erin’s awesome dad, who always gives me $2 bills for getting good grades. This is going to be an unforgettable weekend!
Delta Love. (Yes. I’m a blonde. And yes, my arm is in a sling. Of course.)
2. Sibling birthdays! My brother & sister are my shining stars! Alex turns 26 in August and our baby sister, who in our minds remains 3-years-old, is turning 18 in September. I’ll probably cry all day – my baby’s all grown up! – but at least I’ll be there to share in the cake & ice cream. (And a family trip to Disney World!)
Orthapalooza, Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas, 2010
3. Letting the grass grow under my feet. I’m exhausted. Somehow this magnificent journey has turned into quite a bit of work – for better and for worse at times. Thailand nearly killed me & Europe’s been outstanding, but expensive and so emotionally draining. Don’t get me wrong – I still love traveling and I’ll be back on the road in no time, but I am ready to sleep in the same comfy bed for a few weeks, catch up on work and get some new projects underway. I have much more to say about this topic, so watch for the next edition of Reflections from the Road.
Yes. I’m that tired.
4. I need to re-energize. Not having a routine is brilliant in so many respects, but I never seem to have time for a really intense workout. Or any legit workout at all. And it’s next to impossible to eat decent food when half the time you don’t even know what it is you’re eating anyhow. (Looking at you, Thailand.) Mom has secured a workout program for us, so she, Rachel and I will be buff and I will feel much stronger next time I head out on the road. Ideally we’re also going to eat healthy… but I haven’t had Pinkberry, ChickFilA, Carrabba’s, Steak n’ Shake, Shake Shack or Chipotle in 7+ months, so … there might be a bit of cheating to satisfy some long-standing cravings.
5. All the basics. I can’t wait to use Facebook or Tweet or play Words with Friends on my iPhone without having to connect to Starbucks WiFi. It sounds so trivial, but it’s been ages since I’ve been able to just use my phone as it was designed to be used… and I can’t wait. Feel free to call & text me incessantly! (Except you, Time Warner Cable. Please stop stalking me. I don’t live in NYC anymore and I don’t want to bundle my cable.) And I can’t wait to do laundry whenever I want! And wear all my clothes and shoes and accessories instead of the same old stuff I’ve been wearing for 7 months. (Admit it, you’re sick of it, too!) And I will use a million different beauty products, and get a manicure, pedicure, facial and haircut. It is truly a life of comfort back home, and I confess that I can’t wait to get back to it even for just a little while.
Nothing about the rest of the year is set in stone just yet (and I know how you hate uncertainty), but don’t fret! I have some fantastic ideas for the next adventure (I may be bringing a special guest who you’ll absolutely love), some exciting new business prospects and one heckuva November birthday party in the works. Thanks for sticking with me – I guarantee it’s going to get pretty wild around here, so stay tuned!
So tell me… after an extended time away, what do you most look forward to getting back to?
Up next…. Greece, Turkey, Spain & England!
