I'm baaaack!

My how life can change in 6 months! Since my last melancholy post, enough life has happened to fill at least a year, perhaps even 2. The sad part is is much of it seems a blur to me as I have rushed through it all out of necessity. So many adventures, new and old friends, highs and lows...all part of my story. 

I visited Disneyland with my cousins, feeling like a kid again. 

I ran my third and absolute final marathon with Lacy, my friend since 3 years old...

She rocked it and I struggled tremendously. My genes (& some life circumstances) don't provide for good back health. Sadly I haven't run too terribly much since then, but I still try for my mental sanity.

That same weekend I had a wonderful visit with my Papa's 93 year old cousin, Marg who is full of life and crazy stories. 

Met my baby cousin, Claire for drinks in the city. She had to buy as this slacker was without her ID, this was a first! 

I started riding bikes rather than running. Breaks were plenty as were many stick walls to protect me from any roadside danger. I swear I'm 31. 

An opportunity to never pass, feeding the horses.

I was accepted into Arizona State for their online nutrition program. I am over the moon happy and love the freedom of doing my work at my own pace, without having to visit a campus. This plus also freed up some time to take a second job, back at Auburn Medical Group where I had worked before starting school. Two jobs, school and a near daily commute of almost an hour one way made my plate just a little full, hence the blur.

Went to Hawaii for the first time and fell in love. 

Back packed the NaPali coast for 3 days and 2 nights. It was a wee but scary, but well worth the work. Once home I found the hike listed as one of the "Top 10 Most Dangerous Hikes in the US". I can see why! There may have been a few tears. 

The final destination of 11 miles out (to be hiked back also)

This was an incredibly special trip for me on so many levels, one reason being this is where my great grandmother, Isabel's ashes had been spread over 25 years ago by my uncle (on a boat, he didn't hike with her ashes). When getting to the end of the trail I was overcome with emotions. When my grandmother had passed I was too young to understand at maybe 3 years old. My mom was emotional and walked outside to find me blowing bubbles from our apartment's balcony. She had asked what I was doing and I responded, "blowing bubbles to Grandma, each one has a prayer in it." (This tradition was continued at her daughter, Shirl's celebration of life also) At the final, most beautiful destination, the beach, I stopped in my tracks as a woman about my age was blowing bubbles. Who brings bubbles that far?! Any extra weight in your bag is avoided (unless it is wine). My grandma Izzy was there. It was magical time and I of course took my Dad along and scattered him to share the space. 

My favorite San Diego family came to visit and JJ Showed me his hilarious personality

This bike stuff is serious! 

Saw the Amgen start in Monterey, CA

Dolphins paced me on a morning run in Santa Cruz...

This run reminded me with the force of a blow to the stomach that I long to live near the ocean. My heart is so calm and happy with the salty air, sand at my feet and the sound of waves crashing. Days after this trip I woke up with the idea that I need to move to the beach instead of continuing to dream about it for ten plus years. I only have one life to live and I may as well live it how I wish. That same day I made my plans to store my belongings, have mom watch over my fur child and to go on a grand adventure before moving. In 24 hours I made all of the arrangements and contacted my landlord to get out of my lease. Don't put an idea in my head because I won't waste any time to get it done if I like it! 

June was a tough one, add moving to that list of two jobs and the start of school and I was not much fun. Many moments started to come full circle for me and show me I was headed in the right direction. The biggest of those was the passing of a long ago friend, Andy. Andy was setting off to sail from SF to Hawaii and didn't make it out of the bay. Just knowing he had set out on his lifelong dream, of epic proportions, reminded me to make my own my reality as you never know. 

This also brought me back with amazing, old, comfortable friends. The kind you can openly cry with. Despite the sadness my heart was overflowing on this beautiful day in Del Mar.

I took a break from packing and studying to go to an awesome concert at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. One guess who it was?

Bruna and I

Michael Franti, Soja and Trevor Hall!

Such a beautiful night which charged me even more for my upcoming plans. So much of my travels have been inspired so far by this music, perfect timing! 

Late June I left Sacramento and headed back home to mom's to ride out my remaining time working. Being back wasn't as tough as I had thought. I don't know if I could ever express my appreciation for my Mima and her love for me in words. She is my rock. Thank you, Mima.

Kingsford & Modie, Mom's African Gray. 

I was blessed to get away for a weekend over the Fourth of July, back to Hawaii! 

Morning run views 

Quiet spots for contemplation around every corner.

The clouds here make me smile. 

My last weekend in town I shared some wine with friends at my favorite local winery, Dono Dal Cielo.

This hippie heart was happy as a clam!

I finished out my time with many meals shared with friends, making memories, sharing tears & laughter. To all who made such an effort to share time, call or text me...THANK YOU. You all make my life that much better and I know we will continue it though the years no matter where we find ourselves. 

In route to Chicago, with no planned return home until mid October. I will be enrolled full time in school for the entire journey. I have many stops in the next three months, but you will have to just wait and see! 

Fascinating how I continue to move and store belongings, yet three months fits in three bags. 

Here I goooooo!!!! Keep in touch and know I am easily accessible via Skype, text and email. 

 

42 hours of adventure later

I knew I'd be racking up hours in travel time, but it's been more of an adventure than I had imagined. 42 hours total since leaving home! 

The most gorgeous orchids I have ever seen in the Taipai airport. Absolutely flawless. 

Auburn to Sacramento, to San Fran, to Taiwan, then to Bangkok. Once in Bangkok I hopped in a cab straight to the train station. I immediately headed to the ticket counter only to find out there were no available seats for the overnight train I had originally intended to take and had attempted to make a reservation via email as well (only to find out that doesn't actually work!). The next available train was 13 hours with no air conditioning and didn't leave until after 11 pm. This would have had me camped out in the Bangkok train station (limited seats & no a/c in the building) for 10 or so hours. Despite calling myself a backpacker for this trip, I am a tired pansy after the limited sleep in the first 36 hours of travel. My poor tootsies are sausages and this sweaty Betty hasn't showered in over 50 hours! If you know me, you know this is not something I do well with!
 

I left the station and headed to a street-side cafe offering free wifi with the purchase of my first authentic Thai iced tea! I have been so excited in the weeks leading up to my trip about having the real stuff while here.

(Train station in the background)

 Although it tastes just the same as at home; the humidity, chaotic traffic zipping by (cars, busses, tuk tuks& scooters), incessant honking, smells of Thai food & smog made it the real deal! I started searching for flights and hotels for the night while sipping my first authentic indulgence. I can't imagine how I would have handled this situation without modern technology!?

I felt more at ease with the decision to spend a little more than I had planned and head back to the airport and purchase a ticket to Chiang Mai.   I saw quite a bit of Bangkok from the freeway in my two cab rides and that alone solidified my decision to leave this city ASAP! The flight is 1 hour and 10 minutes versus the 13-14 hour train ride.
 

The Bangkok airport made me so excited to get out and shop once I get settled in Chaing Mai. This was a fresh veggie stall where I purchased a good sized bag of dried mango and water for less than $2.50! Made this frugal chica mighty happy! 

Once arriving in Chiang Mai I quickly showered then headed out to grab a real meal (that wasn't served in plastic on my lap). My hotel is across the street from the bridge crossing the Ping River. Just over the bridge is the hubbub of all kinds of activity. As I was crossing the bridge I noticed there were police standing around (but their presence provided safety, not fear! All you mommas, don't you worry!) I then saw a small crowd gathered on the bridge looking towards the west side of the river. I looked to where they were facing and there was a little lit up "4th of July" sign, then instantly fireworks started firing off and exploding just above our heads. It was the most incredible way to start my time here, and by far the best fireworks experience I've ever had. Fireworks are one of my favorite things to see every year & I was a lil bummed I'd be missing them at home. We were so close you could feel it shake you with each one set off. This is when fear did get me a little, standing directly under the falling sparkles! But it was a night to never forget!! (And an A.D.D. Child's dream-sparkly!)

Absolutely incredible 

Once the works were done I kept walking to the night market where I was pulled to look at such amazing things-I will be checking a bag upon my return! (Mom & Lacy-I was able to carry my gargantuan backpack on all 3 flights!) I had to stop myself to have dinner as I had originally set out to do. My simple dinner of crab fried rice and water was less than $2.50. It's official, this girl is in frugal heaven!
 

Night market. For a girl who hates to shop, this is my heaven!
 

You can buy a variety of treasures and services. This one if for Jen, you asked for bug pictures & this is as close as I'll get! 

"Fish spa" I'm still on the fence about this one.