Travels Home And Abroad

The above photo is a picture of the map that hangs in my room. I'm challenging myself to spend my money on experiences rather than things, so, unfortunately, this scratch off as your travel map (an awesome gift from sister in law, Jackie) is the only form of decoration that has taken up residency on my barren apartment walls. I feel like I've seen a lot of the world, but judging by all the gold, I still have so much more I have to see!

Travelling is addictive. I've never sought professional help for this issue, as I'm still able to function semi normally on a day to day basis, but it is, without a doubt, a disease. Take heart, it is not contagious, as the majority of my friends nor family, whom I have encouraged so heavily to come visit me, have not shown any symptoms to date, (cough cough). This past month's travels brought me to Zurich (Switzerland), Singapore, Melbourne, and Cairo (Egypt). Next month's travels look equally as promising with trips to Frankfurt (Germany), Lagos (Nigeria), and London all lined up.

Zurich, Switzerland

Although nothing compares to the feeling I get when I first lay my eyes on a famous landmark I've only ever seen in a text book, try a crazy local dish for the first time (and discover I actually like it), or successfully navigate through a city's public transportation system that has no English signage...sometimes I just crave a little slice of normalcy. Thankfully, I have this little corner of the world, in the middle of corn fields and open roads, that to me, is home in every way, shape, and form.

Sure, the people who are physically there change. People I love have passed away, people I love just as equally are born, but the feeling I get when I go home is always the same! Going back to Illinois may not get any new foil scratched off the map, but being there just makes my heart happy!

The actual reason for the trip to Illinois, was for my friend Allison's wedding. Allison and I met our freshman year of college, when we were both placed on the same dorm room floor. We bonded quickly, and have stuck together for six years, throughout lots of ups and downs. Unfortunately, we've had to face some pretty severe downs together during these past few months, loosing my mom in February, and sadly, her dad passing away the Tuesday before her wedding.

I am blessed to know the Lam Family. I have never felt anything but love when I am in their home. To Wayne, for giving me one of my very best friends, I will always be grateful! Her wedding was beautiful, and again left me in amazement at the amount of strength and resilience that awesome family possesses!

Getting Ready For Allison's Big Day

Besides the wedding, I spent a lot of the week doing some of my favorite activities that can only be done when I'm at home. Mowing the yard, having impromptu slumber parties with my best friends (why yes, we are 24...), eating way too much food during family dinners, going on Semi rides with my dad, attending a Spartan football game, and cramming blankets and above mentioned best friends into the back of a mini truck for a late night, country drive, were all among the list of shananagans I divulged in while visiting home. The only thing I wanted to do, but didn't get ticked off the list was new born baby cuddling....as my newest family member didn't find it necessary to enter the world until four days after I left. If she weren't sooooo freaking cute, I'd be extremely pissed at her!

 

Taylor Marie...Named After Grandma Gail Marie

I jumped right back into the swing of things after I returned to Dubai, and departed for a six day trip to Singapore and Melbourne. I've already been to both places, but there's still tons to see and do in each city. In Singapore I visited Universal Studious, which was much smaller than the one I've been to in Orlando, but was still super cool. In Melbourne I met up with two of my Disney friends, Erica and Jess for dinner, followed by drinks on a rooftop bar.

Jess, Erica, and I in Melbourne.

And now for the rando of the week....my friend Sara and I attended a Harlem Globetrotters basketball game in Abu Dhabi this week. Never had that one on my bucket list, so I guess I can add it and tick it off all in one!

Obviously, it was a private event!

Hope you all have a great week =)