Hi! I'm back :) 

I apologize for the silence over here recently. First my computer died (I now have a shiny new one so I'm up and running again... did I mention it's the new MacBook in gold?? Swoon) and then I went on vacation. Before I ventured off on said adventure I also put two magazines to print... things were a little busy to say the least! But the good news is I'm back and am very happy about it.

So. How do you beat the post vacay blues? Chris and I got back from Las Vegas almost a week ago and between the jet lag, the responsibilities of everyday, normal life, and the lack of summer weather in NL, I've been feeling a little bit sad. Maybe sad isn't the right word. Nostalgic? Ho hum? Blue. Blue is better. There is a reason post vacay blues works as a saying. (Is it a saying? Do I just say it??)

We arrived home after a few days in Vegas in the early afternoon and had lunch with my mom who picked us up from the airport (thanks, mom!). After showering (who else needs to shower ASAP after travelling? I love airplanes and airports when I'm going somewhere fun... but let's be real, they are pretty gross) and picking up a few necessities from the cute local grocery store, I settled in for some relaxing alone time. I caught up on shows from our PVR and tried my best to stay awake (we caught the Red Eye from Vegas to Toronto). I, aside from a brief rest of the eyes for a few scattered minutes, was successful. I thought I had beaten jet lag when I fell asleep that night and slept solidly until about 7 a.m. the next morning when I had to get back to work. 

I wasn't so lucky, jet lag got me good. It's been a rough go getting to sleep before 4 a.m. since Friday.

So, instead of feeling down that my vacation in the sun (filled with pool lounging, eating, shopping and seeing David Copperfield) is over, I'd like to get back into the swing of things and get over these post vacay blues. Regular workouts, eating well and spending time with friends and family is on the agenda. Plus I have a mini staycation exploring Trinity with my girlfriends planned for this weekend... hey, maybe the only way to beat the blues is to go on another vacation? ;)

I'm an introvert. In fact, I'm an INFP (but that's for another post ;). I'm also a journalist by trade, so I like news you can use. If any of these posts give you inspiration or tips I'm all for it. 

Today was a day I had completely to myself. Chris had plans to golf with his friends and my girlfriends were going for a hike. [Confession: I dislike hikes. When I was a teenager my dad would take me on hikes and I'd always come home and break up with my boyfriend; the open air gave me too much time to think and contemplate (I was a dramatic teen...but then again, who wasn't?). Now I just find them long and boring. You want me to walk for 2-3 hours along the streets of Manhattan? No problem! Let's make it six. You want me to walk for 2-3 hours in the forest? No thanks.] 

Not only were Chris and the girls unavailable, but both of my parents were out of town. So, the people I usually spend my weekend days with were out for the count; I had the whole day to myself, to do with whatever I pleased. As an introvert I relish in these moments. I had a very busy and stressful work week and I needed the alone time to recharge. 

To start my day I went for my second outdoor run of the year. The sun was shining, I had music in my ears and I love starting my day with exercise and fresh air. After I came home I made one of my favourite breakfasts (an over easy egg on toast with pepper and a green juice) and realized I could do whatever I wanted with my day. So, what does one do on a solo spring Saturday? Well, I decided to pack up my new backpack and enjoy the sun and the ocean. I went to Starbucks and brought my coffee to the beach. I listened to music, people watched, journaled...it was lovely. The time alone in the sun was so good for my soul. I even saw my first iceberg of the season! 

Today was a good day <3

1. Chicago.
Oh, the Windy City. I simply adore you. The shopoholic in me thrilled at your Magnificent Mile. The journalist in me thrived breathing the air where Oprah got her start. The granddaughter in me delighted to visit my grandmother's birthplace. The Beatles fangirl in me went giddy to see and hear Paul McCartney. The (somewhat reluctant) baseball fan in me loved singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch (we also went to a White Sox game — both the Cubs and the Sox won :). I could go on and on about the coolness of Chicago. It's a must visit, in my opinion.

2. Vegas, baby!
To be honest, I thought I would hate Vegas. I'm not the biggest party girl, I'd rather spend my money on expensive skincare than gambling and Celine Dion wasn't playing during my visit (Britney wasn't even on the radar at this point — April 2013). But let me tell you, Vegas was amazing. I think everyone would love it. It's clean (a surprise to me), not as rambunctious as I imagined and not as sad as I feared (gamblers losing all their money, drunkards falling all over the streets). My four best gal pals and I ventured to the desert during a snowstorm (again, I live on a rocky, cold island in the Atlantic). The weather was beautiful, the shows were incredible (Cirque du soliel's Love. We also saw Shania Twain... she was OK) and the shopping was on point. We did the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon and fun was had by all. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

3. California Dreaming.
My boyfriend, Chris, and I flew into LAX and after a few days exploring L.A. (saw the Hollywood sign, the Dolby Theatre where the Oscars are held, the Friends set at the WB studios and, my personal favourite, the Getty Center) we rented an SUV and drove up the Pacific Coast Highway. Just. Glorious. We made stops along the way, of course (Carmel stole the show), and finished our journey in the Bay Area. I did, indeed, leave my heart in San Francisco. My dad told me I'd fall in love with the city and sheesh that was an understatement. I felt at home in the foreign city. It was chilly and foggy (something I am familiar with and try to escape at any opportunity) and it didn't matter. The sights, the museums, the food, the people, the architecture. If you ever get the chance, PLEASE take the amazing drive and visit San Fran — I can't imagine anyone would be disappointed. 

4. Turkey and Greece.
Another trip with two of my best friends (one I've known since pre-school — age 3 — and one I met in Grade 1. I'm the luckiest girl in the world to have them in my life). We did a Contiki tour and ventured to a far off land. Since this was all the way back in 2011, and it was two and a half weeks, I don't have all the details at the ready. But we saw the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sofia, the Grand Bazaar, Troy, Santorini and so much more. It was the most unique trip and one I'll never forget. My girlfriends and I went to Istanbul (via Paris, I might add :) a few days before the tour started so we could enjoy the city on our own terms. One night we shared a bottle of wine on the roof of our hotel, overlooking the ancient city. The call to prayer rang out and it was a surreal experience. I will cherish that memory for the rest of my life.

5. New York, France, Italy etc. etc. etc.
Ok, I've been to New York for every season (except "Christmas" — and I'm DYING to do that) and went to France with school in Grade 10 and Italy in Grade 12. I've been to other cities/states in my youth (including an amazing visit to Dollywood — look it up) but the majority of my adult travelling is what stands out the most. They're the trips I chose and planned. They're the trips I went on with my favourite people. They're the trips that give me the wanderlust. 

Now, where to next?!