Recipe #27: Pesto Pasta Salad

I made this yummy pasta salad for a BBQ a few weeks ago. Pesto always reminds me of my trip to Italy.
I like that it wasn't your run-of-the-mill pasta salad. The pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes made it even better. My only improvise was in using rotini noodles.
Click here for the recipe.

Another Way to Display Vacation Photos

Roughly 10 years ago, I bought coasters that could hold photos and have never used them. I've been meaning to put photos in them since I moved to my apartment nearly 2 years ago.

After my Ireland trip, I thought it would be neat to use pictures from my trip to personalize the coasters. It was hard to pick four pictures and even harder to choose how to crop them. I decided on two picture from my Ireland trip and two from my Italy trip (2012).

The top two photos are of Ireland. The top left photo is outside Ross Castle and the top right photo is of the harbor in Dingle. The bottom two pictures were taken in Cinque Terre. I really love how they turned out!

What creative way have you found to display your vacation photos?

Late Night Reflections

Somehow, I've gained a small, but faithful readership in Malaysia. Hello to my Malaysian readers! I don't know how you found me, but thanks for joining me on this journey through life. Can we trade weather?! It's supposed to snow here tomorrow and is currently 7 degrees.

As 30 quickly approaches, I've been thinking about how I'm not even near where I'd hoped to be. On the other hand, I've had some of the most amazing experiences. Things that I'll never forget and memories I'll reflect on with a smile for the rest of my life. So, as the months go by, I'll be adding to this list.

-I've been to Cancun and Monterey, CA for spring break trips
-I saw the actor, Bill Murray when I went out to dinner with friends once
-I've been to Italy
-I've been in a commercial
-I got to live on the lake one summer (priceless)
-I've been on a mission trip to Mexico (so rewarding)
-I've started grad school, which is more than I'd ever hoped to do. I've realized God has bigger plans for me than I have for myself.
-I've found what I'm passionate about and I'm working in my dream job
-I've found balance in work and life
-I've been on some epic trips with enough stories to fill a small book (lake trips are the best)
-I've learned which friendships are worth maintaining
-I've learned to laugh whenever I have the chance, to enjoy the sun on my skin, and the wind in my hair
-I've learned to navigate big cities and airports and through those experiences have learned that I've stronger than I think I am
-I've learned that I am resilient; I may fall a million times, but I still get up and have hope that maybe next time will be different
-My scars all have pretty great stories (scar on my elbow is from the ice cream vending machine from my senior trip to Daytona Beach. I claim the thick scar on my stomach is from a knife fight, but it's from my appendectomy)
-I've boxed, taken a knitting class, and taken ballroom dancing twice (love it and always looking for a partner)
-I've dipped my feet in several oceans
-I've learned to find my voice and stick up for myself
I've learned that God is so amazing, powerful, loving, forgiving, full of grace. I've come to realize this all so much more in the last couple of years. The journey has been rough, but what He's taught me has been priceless.
-I've learned to pray more and trust more; it's been a process
-I've learned to embrace myself, quirks and all
-I've realized how immensely blessed I am with the church family, parents, and family God has placed in my life; He gives me more than I deserve
-I've finally come to know and understand that I'm a processor and need time to figure out how I feel about things
-I've finally come to realize that just because I don't test well, it doesn't mean I'm dumb
-I'm finally admitting that I know I can't grow any taller, but it's still a decent excuse for why I don't drink coffee
-I'm still learning to live in the moment and take as much joy as I can from them

My 30th is still a ways off, what should I do for it? Unfortunately, it'll be in the middle of the semester, so no fun vacation destination options :(. I'm debating between doing something really small or doing nothing. What'd you do for your last big birthday?

Travel

Growing up, we never traveled much. We'd travel to see family or to tourist destinations in the off season. In high school, my senior class and I were the first class ever to plan a senior trip out of state. We worked together to raise money and we did. We went to Daytona Beach, Florida. We went to Orlando to Universal Studios. We stayed on the beach. It was my first time seeing the ocean and I couldn't get enough. Actually, none of us could get enough; so much so that we all got fried. The sunburns were of epic proportions, but it's a trip I'll never forget. I built my first and only sandcastle. My classmates laughed, because at the airport a little kid had the same sandcastle making set I got at Walgreens. :) The trip there was only my second time on an airplane. Since then, I can't even tell you how many times I've flown.

In college, I traveled to Cali for spring break one year. Spent time in Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur. Big Sur was gorgeous! I love the ocean, though it was too cold to get in. Water came from Alaska and it was quite chilly. I also, took a trip to Cancun my senior year. What a blast! We stayed at an all-inclusive resort. I went snorkeling for the first time. Everything was so beautiful! In college, I interned at a resort in Lake of the Ozark, Missouri. What a fun place in the summer. I spent the whole summer on the lake or working with a lake view and I was spoiled by it. Now, every summer I yearn for the lake. I was fortunate enough to be able to return there every summer after until this year. It's always on my summer list.

Since then, I traveled a lot in my last job (Seattle twice, El Paso, San Antonio twice, Fort Hood/Austin twice, Fort Bragg/Raleigh, Fort Benning/Atlanta. It was nice, but then it got a little old, though I don't think I'd trade it for anything.

A year and a half ago, I went to Italy and it was wonderful. I remember smiling the whole time, soaking everything in, and taking pictures of literally everything, because I didn't want to forget one thing about that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Those who know me well, know that I'm always planning a trip somewhere; it gives me something to look forward to. So right now, I've given up on a spring break trip since I'm saving up for Ireland. I'd love to go to the Lake of the Ozarks again, but we'll see. A friend of mine is moving back to Hawaii soon, so I'll always have a place ot stay on the Big Island and Hawaii just so happens to be high up on my travel list. ;)

2014 Travel

I love to travel. I'd rather do without than miss the opportunity to see the world. Before I die, I want to see the world. I don't want to wait until I'm old to travel, because you never know if you'll still have your health.

Going to Italy last year was a wonderful opportunity and also made we want to travel more. So, I'm now planning another international trip. The hard part is deciding where to go. I've always wanted to go to Italy, so that made sense. The other country that's on the top of my list is Greece, but that's too dangerous of a location to travel to currently. I've always wanted to go to Ireland, but that seems more complicated as flights there are pricey and travel within the country is not as easy as hopping a train in Italy was. I really don't want to drive. I don't drive stick and can you really see me in a tiny car driving on the opposite side of the road?! So, I've had several recommendations for Germany. I've never wanted to go there, but we'll see. Looking at going in May or probably August. I'm not sure what other countries I'd add with it. I'm looking at being away for 10 days to 2 weeks and unfortunately, I'm on a pretty tight budget.

This spring break, I'm hoping for an actual vacation! Looking into possibly Savannah, GA or maybe San Antonio. We'll see.

I'm still hoping to make it to the Lake of the Ozarks this summer, not sure I can swing, but I did pick up a small side gig.

I love planning for a trip! Saving for it and picking locations is the hard part. ;)

Any suggestions on where I should travel and what sights I should see or not see? I need help to get the most out of each trip. Need a little help from my friends. :)

Italy Part Four

We left the tranquility of Cinque Terre for the busyness of the grand city, Florence. Now, I did end up liking Florence, but I was a bit overwhelmed to enter the rush of the city.

I love the cobblestone streets of Italy, but wheeling luggage through the city can be a challenge. It was surprisingly cold while we were in Italy and I started to get sick while in Cinque Terre. Once I got to Florence, I was really sick. Thankfully, I finally gave in and found a pharmacy, which helped lots.

Florence is known for the picturesque Arno River.

. We visited lots of museums. Florence had the best shopping. The markets were out of this world! Florence is known for leather, so the smell in the markets was intoxicating. I broke down and bought among other things. :)

I'm that traveler that carries a guidebook all over the place. It suggested we take a 30 minute hike outside the city for great pictures. It was now hot and I've never walked up more stairs than that day, but it was worth it.

On to our last stop; Rome. Here, I got overwhelmed with the subway/metro.

The ever-enchanting Trevi fountain.

The Vatican was a long, hot wait.

I had the best gelato at a place near the Vatican, called Old Bridge. The amaretto and crema gelato was one for the books!

Seeing the Arch of Constantine was poignant. The arch is significant to Christian faith as it commemorates the battle that led the Emperor Constantine to convert to Christianity. This changed the course of the religious landscape (info from www.sacred-destinations.com) We also saw the nearby Colosseum.

It was the 160th Birthday of the Italian Polizia (Police), so they displayed lots of their police vehicles AND officers. :)

So while texting with my mom while in Rome, my mom said she had seen an article about great gelato places in Rome. She was so excited that I agreed to pull out the map and try to make it to one place as it seemed close. It was actually near the Trevi Fountain which we visited at least once a day. It was called Giolitti and had great fruit flavored gelato topped with even more noteworthy homemade whip cream!

While in Italy, we had some pretty rough meals. So, our last day in Italy we broke down and went to Hard Rock Cafe. Everyone there was despreate for MEAT, so every order coming out of the kitchen was a hamburger and fries!

I cherished my time and kept reminding myself to soak in every bit I could. I ended up taking roughly 1,800 pictures. When it was time to go, I was ready. If given the opportunity I'd go back in a heartbeat!

Italy Part Three

Our first full day in Cinque Terre, we travelled a few minutes to the furthest of the towns. Riomaggiorre. They had beautiful rose bushes, lemon trees, and olive trees. We walked through the town and then took the trail to walk to Manarola.

It was a short, but very scenic walk to Manarola.

Along the walk there was a spot that lovers from Riomaggiore and Manarola met.

I had breakfast, a berry crostata, midway through the hike on the edge of a cliff.
Next was breath-taking Manarolo.

I loved the little shops in the towns. What was neat about Cinque Terre is that we saw a lot of the same tourists exploring in the little towns.
After Manarolo, I took a train to Corniglia. The best views where in Corniglia. Unfortunately, there was a 1,000 stair climb to get to the actual town. The views and gelato were worth the climb. I read in my Rick Steve's guidebook, that a little shop there had miel (honey) gelato. It was wonderful and refreshing. Here, I took my favorite picture of my entire trip!
I hope to go back someday!

Italy Part Two

Cinque Terre was the place in Italy I most wanted to go. I researched it and knew I'd love it and I did. It's a series of 5 towns, some along cliffs and some on the ocean. I was the most peaceful part of the trip. Away from the craziness of city life. The cities are a few minutes away from each other via train or you can hike to most the cities. Less than a year before, several or the towns had been devastated by mudslides. I read the accounts, some residents even died and businesses went out of business. Each town is fairly tiny, but picturesque. We stayed in the largest of the five, Monterosso, my favorite. We loved eating at Miky's Cantina. It was slightly cold while we were there, so we didn't have much beach time. It was also the only of the five that had a beach.

We stayed there two nights. I wished it would've been longer. We arrived mid-afternoon and checked out Monterosso. Once we'd checked out Monterosso we went to nearby Vernazza. Vernazza was hard hit by the mudslides. It had beautiful ocean views.

Italy Part 1

In May of 2012, I got to go to Italy. It was the trip of a lifetime! I went for 10 days with a friend I met in college. We picked to visit Milan, Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome.

Stop 1: In Milan, I received my first stamp in my passport! My friend picked Milan since it's known for fashion. We were kind of bored by Milan, but they did have the nicest Duomo.

Stop 2: Venice was unusually cold and rainy. Here I experienced my first EARTHQUAKE! It was our first night there. Sometime early morning, my friend shook my arm and said that someone was breaking into our room. I listened for a second and realized the bed and furniture were rocking. At first I thought earthquake, but I didn't think Italy had earthquakes. So, I finally said, "I think it's an earthquake." We sat in silence until it stopped about 45 seconds later. I heard sirens sound, but didn't hear people going outside. We'd had such a hard time getting into our building, I was scared to vacate the building and not be able to get back in. So, I did what I thought was logical; I smelled for gas and checked to see if the building was shifting or anything. Then, I went back to sleep. About an hour later, we felt one of two aftershocks. It wasn't until later that morning that we were able to confirm with locals that it had been an earthquake. We happened to be in Venice while they were having the American Cup, so it was crazy crowded and getting a water taxi to nearby Murano was nearly impossible. The Grand Canal was much wider than I thought it would be. I thought it'd be 10 feet wide or something like that. Nope, it had to of been nearly a mile wide.

While in Venice, we also took a trip to nearby Murano which is known for glass.