Seven Wonders of the World

Chichen Itza, Mexico - Mayan City

The Roman Colosseum, Italy

Machu Picchu, Peru

Christ Redeemer, Brazil - Large Statue

Petra, Jordan-Ancient City

The Great Wall, China

The Taj Mahal, India

There are a lot of places I would like to travel, however my "bucket list" definitely includes the 'new' seven wonders of the world. So far I already have been to the Mayan City in Mexico, The Colosseum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in India. 3 down, 4 to go--not too shabby for a 22 year old! Not sure where I will go next, but nothing is stopping me from going (well, besides money). 

To me, going to these sites is such an accomplishment because it proves I didn't just sit at home and watch life happen, I made life happen. If you asked me 3 years ago I would have never thought I would travel to India, but I did. Everyone has their own sense of accomplishment and things they want to do--mine is to see the world, one wonder at a time!

Camping is In-tents

As summer is approaching, I am starting to think of all the fun activities I want to do! One of my favorite things to do in the summer is go camping! I typically get a group of friends and we go to a camp site in Indiana or Michigan. Now, I can't say I'm THAT outdoorsy, but I can handle a few bugs and who doesn't love hot dogs cooked on above a camp fire??

My favorite memory of camping is when I went about 4 summers ago with a group of friends from college. It was a great way to meet up with each other since we went to our separate suburbs during our months off. We went to Illinois State Park and it was so much fun. Camping is the best because it makes you get rid of technology and really enjoy the people you are with and you have to be creative to stay occupied. We went to the beach, had a few walks, and shared plenty of laughs.

Some tips I learned over the years are:
-always bring toilet paper; better safe than sorry!
-bug repellant and candles are a must
-dryer lint+toilet paper roll+newspaper=a good fire starter
-check the weather before hand and always be prepared for rain!
-"hobo" dinners are delicious and simple
-only camp with people you think you can stand for every hour you will be camping! =)

Souvenirs

R-L: India, Massachusetts, Barcelona, Jamacia, Paris, St. Kitts, Sweden, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Ireland, London

Everyone has their own special way of remembering their trips and vacations. Some collect stamps, others post cards; I even had a friend who collected patches! My thing is collecting shot glasses. I'm not sure how this started, I just bought on shot glass in Hawaii (not pictured) and it all started from there and I'm glad it did. To me, something little has so much meaning and my shot glasses sit on a shelf in my room and I see them every day. They are a representation of where I have been and inspiration to where I will be going. I have only used them every so often because if one broke, my heart would be part of the shattered pieces (dramatic, but true).

Does anyone collect anything cool when they go on vacations? I always love to hear all the different things people bring home in remembrance.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Flying is one of my favorite parts about traveling. I love the airport atmosphere (after getting through security), meeting the people who sit next to you, and the feeling my stomach gets when descending. India was the farthest place I have travelled to which was a total of 18 hours on a plane, 8 hours to Switzerland and 10 hours to New Delhi. Surprisingly, the flight was much better than expected, probably thanks to the excellent service of Swiss Air, in-flight entertainment, and the free wine. To me, I enjoy the longer flights because you know how to schedule your entertainment and sleep, whereas those shorter flights that are 3-4 hours doesn't give you enough time for a movie nor a nap.




I found this travel blog and the blogger, Hitha On The Go couldn't be more spot on when she explains what to do on long flights. If interested, take a look! I assure you it will greatly help. In my own words of advice, always make sure to get up and walk every few hours, stay hydrated, if legal--take advantage of free wine on international flights (helps to sleep), and wear comfortable clothes.

Storytellers of the World

For those of you who don't know, I work in Bradley's Study Abroad office. My #1 purpose in my position is to talk with students who are looking to study abroad and give them insight on the programs we offer as well as share my stories. Honestly, if I could make this my career, I would in a heart beat. Once I start, it is hard for me to stop. People find love in different things, people, places, and I most definitely fell in love with traveling and the world.

I liked the picture and the quote because when I'm traveling, I am filled with so many emotions and I am usually over joyed it leaves me speechless. When this happens, I take it all in, snap a picture, and make sure at some point in the day to write down what I did and how it made me feel. I kept a blog while studying in London and I also blogged during this past J-Term in Paris (for Bradley). I am glad I did both of these because my memories are written down and I am able to relate back to them when giving advice or simply when I'm going through nostalgia.

Traveling has made me a story teller and one day I hope to create my own story for everyone to read.

Dance In The Rain

In lieu of this rainy weather, I am throwing this Thursday back to my semester in London. London is a city where rain boots and umbrellas are a must, but the rain doesn't keep anyone inside. When I kept my blog while gone that semester, I wrote in my last posts that I had learned to "dance in the rain." As you can tell from previous posts, I truly did and I still stand by that.

London is full of so many fun things and the best part, they speak English (much more attractively that any American could). While there I did the typical things, went to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Abbey Road, Harrods, and all the famous bridges. Outside of these things I also spent my (not rainy) afternoons in Kensington Gardens or shopping on High Street. On the weekends when I wasn't traveling throughout Europe, I was visiting markets in Notting Hill or filling my stomach with delicious foods. I also made my way to Oxford, Chelsea Stadium, BBC Studios, and Windsor Castle.


Want to know something else that was cool while I was there? The Royal Wedding. Yup, that's right. I camped out for 18 hours outside of Buckingham Palace and I witnessed the Royal procession to the Abbey and I captured on camera the big kiss. This was an event I will never forget and it was the perfect way to end my last few days in London. One day I will be back there and I can't wait to be reunited with a place I fell in love with.

Places to go, things to see:
-majority of the museums are free, take advantage of that!!
-the best way to see all the city would be a hop-on-hop-off tour
-Westminster Abbey
-Parliament/ Big Ben
-Buckingham Palace

-Kensington Palace
-Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park
-shop down High Street
-Harrods
-Tower of London
-St. Paul's Cathedral
-Camden Market
-football (soccer) game

My Favorites (Pubs, restaurants, clubs, etc.):
-the Sussex
-Gloucester Arms
-My Old Dutch Pancake
-Mahiki
-Ice Bar
-High Tea at the Ritz
-Brick Lane for Indian food
-Gordon's Wine Bar (oldest in London)

Photo Map

When I was recently on Pinterest I came across a really cool idea, a photo map. I am one who loves to take pictures, especially when I am on vacation. I have always liked the idea of getting a world map and putting thumbtacks where you have gone and this takes it to a  new level. For me, I want to go to all 50 states at some point in my life and this would be a great way to keep track of that and share a picture of that memory at the same time. Whether it be pictures of just you, you and friends, you and family, or you and your significant other, I think this would be something really cool to have on your wall.

Making it is simple and this blogger lays it all out for you!
http://cutcraftcreate.blogspot.com/2014/02/personalized-photo-map-for-our-paper.html