Trekking with Mountain Gorillas

/
Trekking with Mountain Gorillas

From all of my experiences traveling, my favorite memories are always the ones that are unexpected or unplanned. Trekking with mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains was one of those experiences. We set off on a long journey from Kigali to the Virunga National Park. Virunga is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the border of Rwanda and Uganda, and is home to about a quarter of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Read More

Finding Beauty Beyond the Voice

/
Finding Beauty Beyond the Voice

How often do you listen to the voice in your head? Like really, stop and listen. Are the things that it's saying kind, motivating, and confident? Or are they negative and degrading? I heard an interesting perspective on this in a recent yoga class. The instructor invited us to take the things the voice is saying and make it about someone else. Would you say to another person what the voice is telling you? You're Ugly. You can't do that. No one likes you. Chances are you wouldn't say those things to another person, so why do you say them to yourself? 

Read More

Unprepared for the Climb

/
Unprepared for the Climb

I recently spent 2 weeks in Guatemala -- a country filled with luscious green trees, rolling hills, and active volcanoes. I knew prior to the trip that I would be hiking up a volcano while visiting Antigua. I had heard that it wasn't a major hike so hiking boots weren't needed (and I didn't want to take up the extra space by bringing them). Lesson #1: When going hiking, always pack proper shoes

Read More

My Southwest Airlines Companion

/
My Southwest Airlines Companion

At the end of 2016, I achieved the coveted Companion Pass level with Southwest Airlines which entitles me to designate one person to fly with me for free. I (of course) had many offers and proposals from friends as to why I should pick them. Unfortunately for them, they don’t live near me, so logistically it wasn’t in their favor. Being a single, wandering aunt my choices were limited. So, I went with the logical choice – my 4-year old niece, Mila. I lost some friends and family over this choice, yet it was ideal at the time. Okay so that didn’t really happen…but there was a little envy. 

Read More

Learning to Relax

/
Learning to Relax

There are a lot of things to learn and remember in diving - breathing, remaining calm, underwater sign language, how to clear a mask filled with water, and more. It was challenging (for me) to say the least. The instructor kept telling me to stay calm and relax. And in the end after many failed attempts, he told me that I am too tense and don't know how to relax. Too tense. Don't know how to relax. Hmm...that sounds familiar.

Read More

Stand with Refugees

/
Stand with Refugees

We are living in a time of a global refugee crisis. The number of refugees resettling to the US has diminished greatly under this new administration. And now more than ever, it is important that we stand together and speak up for the voiceless and vulnerable.

Read More

Guatemala: Wildhearted Retreat Part 1

/
Guatemala: Wildhearted Retreat Part 1

In less than one month, I will embark on a deep meditative, spiritual journey with 8 to 10 other women at Wildhearted Retreat on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. Led by my dear friend, mentor, and beautiful soul, Ashlie Woods, Wildhearted will dive deep into the inner workings of oneself and unleash your wildheart.  

Read More

Work to Travel

/
Work to Travel

When is the last time you took a real vacation? Not a staycation (where you take time off and stay in your hometown) or drop your kids off at summer camp (although time away from them can be a vacation in itself), but a real vacation; one where you pack your bags, hop in the car for a cross-country road trip or grab your passport and jet-set across the world. 

Read More

Wait for it, Wait for it...I'm No Different

/
Wait for it, Wait for it...I'm No Different

This obsession and repetitive behavior with watching the same thing over and over again got me thinking. What is it about these movies (Moana, Frozen, etc) that draws children (and adults...you know you like it too) in and hooks them?

Read More