Preparation Station (I Love Rhyming Words)

     Traveling is such a wonderful, peaceful thing, but it certainly does come with a lot of work.  There is a lot to be done.  As much as I love wandering around the world with no agenda or schedule, it is just not possible for this trip to Brazil for the World Cup.  We are meeting friends and family and we have matches to get to, so... a planning I will go.

     Firstly, spreadsheets are my best friend!  Even when I had no agenda last year, I made a spread sheet of where I wanted to go and when (roughly).  Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't.  It is just nice to have a solid document to reference.  This trip is pretty much set in stone, so a spreadsheet is really helpful.  You are about to see how organized I can be, but then again not so much because there are several question marks.

     Accommodation is probably the most annoying thing to deal with.  Looking for the best options, the right price, decent location...  I've definitely wound up in the wrong place because I booked the cheapest accommodation.  It turned out to be outside the city of where I really wanted to be.  I am also a HUGE fan of Couchsurfing, but that takes a lot of work as well.  I used this site all throughout Europe and it is wonderful!  I met a lot of great people and some true lifelong friends.  Anyways though, some people commit to you and then they back out or don't respond and it can be challenging.  I wasn't planning any accommodation at all for this trip because I thought my best friend had connections for us, but unfortunately they all bailed on her and now I am trying to work my travel magic.  It'll all work out, stay calm... I'm going to Brazil!

     Shopping!  Everyone wants to look their best while traveling.  I know I do!  Getting a new swimsuit, dresses, clothes that won't take forever to dry, appropriate clothing for all the climates you are entering... can be quite the time consuming activity.  I am also an abnormal female who hates shopping.  I'm in, I'm out... I don't want to waste any time.  When backpacking, you and your clothes can get kind of grubby, but you still try to look as good as possible.  I'll be in South America for 7 weeks, so this makes it very possible to keep a nice wardrobe.  Any longer, it would probably turn into not as attractive comfort clothes.

     ONE BIG ADVICE!  Start packing EARLY!  Do not leave packing to last minute or you'll forget something you really wanted!  Also, TRAVEL LIGHT!  You will hate carrying all this stuff around and there will be a place to do laundry.  Having too many items is just not worth it!  

Match tickets came in the mail!

I'd like to thank David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, Andres Iniesta, Gianluigi Buffon, Steven Gerrard, Xavi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and all my other wonderful teammates and managers throughout the years. Couldn't have won it without you!!! Hehe (A girl can dream)

23 DAYS UNTIL DEPARTURE!

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"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money". -Anonymous

My 100th Post!

     Welcome to my 100th post!  

     Today is filled with a lot of great things!  Although I fear the process of aging, 6 months until the big 25th birthday has come at me with excitement.  25 is essentially the final step into adulthood here in the United States with the privilege of renting a car.  Quarter of a century coming just around the corner...  How time flies!

     Today also marks exactly 1 month until I fly to Brazil with my best friend.  Our first destination is Manaus where we will spend roughly a week in the Amazon.  How amazing is that?!?!  We have basically nothing planned at the moment which is starting to stress me out.  I enjoyed not having a schedule last year, but being in a country during a huge sporting event gives me some concerns in terms of accommodation.  I have faith that everything will come together, but it is crunch time!  WORLD CUP HERE WE COME!

     I've taken a couple trips this month, one to Morro Bay and one to San Francisco.  Both are beautiful places along the west coast of California.  If you are ever in California, take a drive down Highway 1 along the coast.  It is definitely a site to see!

Morro Bay

     I unfortunately was going to Morro Bay to attend a memorial service for one of my dad's best friends, Billy.  It was really difficult, but nice to see family friends.  After my 5 hour drive, I met up with the Yates family and we all headed to the Farmer's Market in San Luis Obispo.  It was a great time.  My friend Graham and his band were playing there.  Check out Captain Nasty below!

 Captain Nasty: Check them out!

 Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo 

Morro Rock

San Francisco

     I have been coming to San Francisco for most of my life and I feel like I have barely seen what it has to offer.  I have only done completely touristy things.  I've gone to Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, and the Golden Gate... but there is just so much more.  I moved in one of my best friends, Kevin, into a room in San Francisco and we had the nicest day walking around.  I have an entirely different perception of San Francisco now and would really consider living there myself.  

 Haight and Ashbury

The Painted Ladies

     I have been working a lot trying to save up as much money as possible for my trip to Brazil.  I can't believe that I will be there soon!  Football is life for me.  First it is travel, second it is football.  I stay up late hours to read about and watch football, I wake up early...  I recently have been getting a little teary every so often knowing how lucky I am to be able to go.  You watch an awesome goal or an amazing teamwork moment on the pitch... you can't help but get emotional.  The world sport lives strongly in my heart.  You only live once, so Brazil, here I come!

Folsom, California (HOME)

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Working from home, outside on a hammock... Blessed life!

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"Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen". 

-Benjamin Disraeli