#Travelling with family is an amazing experience that creates long-lasting memories. When planning a trip to London

[taxiservicechaurffeur]

Why private tour in London is best for travelling with family?

Travelling with family is an amazing experience that creates long-lasting memories. When planning a trip to London, opting for a private tour chauffeur service will be best. It will also help elevate your family's travel experience to new heights.

With private tours chauffeur service, you can enjoy a range of benefits, i.e. from personalized itineraries to flexible schedules and exclusive access.

Let’s check out why private tour London vehicle serviceis an excellent choice for a family trip.

Why you should consider private tour chauffer service for a family trip?

While planning a trip with family it is important to create everlasting memories. With private tour services you can do so as they are expert in following services.

Tailored itineraries

The main advantage of private tour vehicle service is the flexibility to customize itinerary as per the interest and preference of your family.

It alsoallows you to design a personalized experience that suits your family member’s age range and needs.

Whether you want to engage in family-friendly activities like Harry Potter-themed tours or the London Eye or explore iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, or the British Museum, private tours can be tailored to match your family's specific desires.

Expert guides

A private tourchauffeur in London is an expert guide with in-depth knowledge about the city's attractions, culture and history, ensuring an educational and engaging experience for the entire family.

They can also adapt their storytelling techniques to captivate kids of your family, making the tour more entertaining and informative for everyone.

Additionally, the chauffeurs can accommodate your family's pace, allowing you to spend more time exploring areas of your interest and get answers to the questions that arise in your mind.

Flexibility and convenience

With private tour chauffeur service, you are benefited as they adapt to the schedule and preferences of your family.

You can easily choose the start time, trip duration to every attraction, and break time, ensuring a stress-free experience for every family person.

With this flexibility, families with younger travellers are benefited as they require more downtime.

Chauffer service of the private tour also provides door-to-door service, eliminating the hassle of navigating public transport and looking for parking.

They make your journey more comfortable and convenient.

Conclusion

While travelling with family, private tour London provides an array of advantages.

The ability to tailor the itinerary, coupled with an expert guide, ensures an educational and engaging experience for the entire family.

By avoiding traffic and busy roads, private tours and chauffeur services allow you to enjoy most of your time and keep younger travellers excited throughout the journey.

The flexibility and convenience provided by private tours make it easier to accommodate your family's needs and create a stress-free travel experience.

Also, while exploring the wonders of London, the chauffeur service offered by a private tour in London offer a personalized way to discover the right history, hidden gems and iconic landmark of the city.

It also allows you to create cherished memories as a family and helps to foster a deeper appreciation for the vibrant metropolis.

So, when planning a family adventure to London, consider the facilities offered by a private tour London and embark on a journey that leaves an indelible mark on the travel experience of your family.

[europeas20]

WEO Blueprint: Craft an Unforgettable Budget-Friendly Family Week in Spain

Are you looking for an amazing family holiday destination that won't break the bank? Look no further than Spain! With its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and budget-friendly options, Spain is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your loved ones. In this post, we will guide you through planning a family budget week holiday in Spain, ensuring an unforgettable experience while keeping your finances in check. #SpainWanderlust #ExploreSpain #AndalusiaAdventures #AndalusiaTravel #SpanishJourney Choose Affordable Accommodation: When planning a family budget week holiday in Spain, start by researching affordable accommodation options. Look for budget-friendly hotels, vacation rentals, or even consider camping to save on costs. Popular Spanish cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia offer a range of affordable accommodations that cater to families.

Opt for Self-Catering: Save money on dining out by opting for self-catering options. Choose accommodations with a kitchenette or a fully equipped kitchen, allowing you to prepare your meals. This way, you can enjoy delicious local produce from markets and supermarkets, giving you a taste of Spain without spending a fortune on restaurants. Explore Free or Low-Cost Activities: Spain offers plenty of free or low-cost activities that are perfect for families. Take advantage of beautiful beaches, public parks, and hiking trails, where you can spend quality time together without spending a dime. Additionally, many museums and attractions offer discounted or free admission on certain days, so plan your visits accordingly.

Discover Local Markets: Immerse yourself in Spanish culture by visiting local markets. From bustling food markets to artisanal craft fairs, these vibrant spaces offer a unique shopping experience. Explore the local flavors, buy fresh ingredients for your self-catered meals, or pick up souvenirs directly from the artisans, all while enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Plan Day Trips to Nearby Attractions: Spain is known for its rich history and stunning landmarks. Take advantage of your week-long holiday by planning day trips to nearby attractions. Whether it's exploring the Alhambra in Granada, visiting the beautiful beaches of Costa del Sol, or admiring the architectural wonders in Seville, there are countless options to choose from. Research and plan in advance to secure discounted tickets and save money. Utilize Public Transportation: To keep your family budget intact, make use of Spain's efficient public transportation system. Many cities offer cost-effective options such as metro, buses, or trains. Consider purchasing a travel pass that covers unlimited rides for a specific duration, which can result in significant savings compared to individual tickets.

A family budget week holiday in Spain can be an incredible experience without breaking the bank. By following these tips and embracing the country's affordable options, you can create lasting memories while staying within your budget. From affordable accommodation and self-catering options to free activities and day trips, Spain offers a wealth of opportunities for an unforgettable family holiday. Start planning today and get ready to explore the wonders of Spain with your loved ones! - Remember, the key to a successful family budget week holiday in Spain is to plan ahead, research deals, and take advantage of the numerous budget-friendly options available. Enjoy your trip and make lifelong memories together!

Travel Resources Hotels and Hostels Booking.com is available in 43 languages and offers more than 28 million reported accommodation listings, including over 6.6 million homes, apartments, and other unique places to stay. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel guidance platform. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, and book experiences. Klook is a booking platform on which travelers can book hotels, cars, tours and activities, tickets to attractions, and shows at great prices. Hotellook is a service that helps you find and compare prices on hotels around the world, provided by a leading reservation system. Today, Hotellook.com offered to put together information on more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries. Hostelworld, the global hostel-focused online booking platform, inspires passionate travelers to see the world, meet new people, and come back with extraordinary stories to tell. Hostelworld has more than 13 million reviews across over 17,000 hostels in more than 179 countries, making the brand the leading online hub for social travel. Tours and excursions WeGoTrip is an online service for booking audio excursions and tours on 35+ countries on different languages (mostly english). Travelers can take audio excursions created by professional tour guides and local experts. Tiqets’ innovative technology ensures that travelers can book tickets on their phone at the last minute, receive their tickets directly in a digital form, and show their mobile phones in place of physical tickets to museums, places of interest, and attractions. Offers available passes in Europe and the US.

Car Rental You can find the best car rental prices at QEEQ.COM. QEEQ.COM serves road trip travellers from different countries by working with car rental companies all over the world. The company offers its customers the widest set of car rental options and always strives to offer the most competitive price. #familybudget #weekholiday #Spain Read the full article

[europeincomingei]

Europe Tour- From student travel to Destination weddings

We are the greatest choice in the market for student travel packages to Europe. The demands of students and their comfort are taken into consideration when designing our student trip package. We offer reasonably valued accommodations, accessible transportation, a variety of food choices, picturesque trips, as well as customized plans. Our team is committed to giving you with the best travel experience feasible, allowing you to have a taste of the rich European society, language, lifestyle, and also awesome views. We offer hostel lodging or a stick with a regional family members, depending upon the needs of the pupils, to help them better recognize the regional way of life. We're committed to sharing our love of travel and our understanding with others, giving suggestions and real value for cash, as well as designing plans that allow youths discover European languages, take in a variety of societies, and further their academic efforts. We supply short- and also lasting packages with options for lodging with regional households, hostels, and low-priced resorts. As a result, trainees are better able to fit in with the regional population, practise their language capacities, and also develop genuine bonds with homeowners. Every European country you check out has its own one-of-a-kind tale to inform: what took place in the past, the gods that people venerated, the amazing art that people created, as well as more. On a  student travel Europe, you can widen your viewpoint as an international citizen while additionally producing invaluable memories with your peers. We provide individualized European instructional scenic tours to countless well-known locations, which can give your students with instructional opportunities that last a lifetime. Our group of well-informed tourists to Europe is outstanding at organizing trips for trainee educational travel teams that are both reasonably priced as well as truly rewarding. Our long-lasting collaborations with local suppliers-- a few of which go back regarding 40 years-- enable us to supply pupils budget-friendly choices. In order to guarantee that instructors completely understand the level of our services and help with travel, we additionally aid with instructor orientation trips.

In the expanding pattern of destination weddings , couples are exchanging promises in hot air balloons and under the sea. Without the flash and beauty of lush wedding propositions or various other events, you may have a tiny wedding celebration in a place of your selection. It is feasible to do a little ceremony with a couple of close friends and also family in an attractive place. This valuable occasion will not cost a fortune, but it will certainly allow you appreciate your wedding event to the max without having to worry about the costs. Because of our more than 40 years of managing logistics throughout Europe, we have the understanding as well as a great network of companions to generate the ideal wedding event for your customers. We are devoted to producing the perfect fairy tale wedding by sharing our interest and also understanding of Europe, offering guidance, assistance, as well as genuine value for cash. We collaborate with wedding organizers to see to it their customers have an extraordinary experience. When it concerns event coordination as well as logistics management, we are the experts.

[carynsilver]

Favorite Fics: Darcy Edition

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these. Things started going on that hurt my soul, and I just felt like, who cares about some fic recs when people are getting hurt? But… I don’t know. I still find solace and comfort in reading stories, even when things are hard—especially when things are hard. So, I finally felt like maybe it was time for another. If the fic writers out there are giving me escape, warm fuzzies, and enjoyment during these weird times, then they deserve some love directed back at them.

So far, I’ve listed my top 10 favorite Stucky, Drarry, and Stony fics. I love them all, but… that is a lot of dudes. I decided it was time for a little girl power in my fanfic recs. One of my favorite BAMF female characters is Darcy Lewis—one of the best and most under-rated, under-explored characters in the MCU.

I love Darcy as the every-girl who has the moxie and chutzpa to hold her own in a life full of superheroes. The girl tased the God of Thunder because he was freaking her out, for goodness sake! I love her being BFFs with Jane, being Thor’s lightening sister, and creating a found family. I love her living in the tower and caring for all the superheroes and science geniuses like they won’t care for themselves. There’s enough leeway in her backstory for fun twists, too, like being Jewish, or—one of my absolute faves—secretly being the daughter of Tony Stark.

There are a ton of good Darcy fics out there, but these are my top 10. Thank you, writers, for sharing these amazing stories with us!

Casa de Island Avengers by @inkbert

I clicked on this story because of WinterShock (Darcy/Bucky), which is a favorite ship of mine (I feel my love of Bucky has been previously discussed at length, lol), but it has become one of my favorite fics of all time. Not even just in the MCU—if I were listed my top five fanfics ever read, this one is on the list.

The concept is simple—post-Ultron, the Avengers started falling apart as a team, so Steve spearheads the effort to get them all on a two-week vacation to Tony’s private island in a last-ditch bonding effort. Every character (except Thor, but he does get some good screen time) has his or her own point of view for at least a chapter or two. Sometimes, this leads to characters sounding the same, but @inkbert really grounds each character in their own backstory and makes their inner monologues sound unique. Then, so many wacky hijinks ensue—camping, drinking, movie nights, girl bonding, sailing, pranks, and the most competitive game nights and challenges you’ve ever seen.

The ships included are Darcy/Bucky, Steve/Natasha, Pepper/Tony, and Clint/Wanda, but this story isn’t only about the ships. It’s about all these crazy characters bonding—found family at its finest. This is probably my favorite Darcy/Jane BFFs story ever, and the Bruce/Tony science bro connection is classic. The story is fully seated in cannon (up through Ultron and moving to the ccmpound), except no Clint/secret family and Pietro lives. Read it. Read it now! And if you enjoy it, there are several one-shots that follow, including a Wanda-centric one that shouldn’t be missed.

Best Supporting Soulmate by Valeris

I love a good soulmate fic, and this is an excellent one. The first thing your soulmate says to you is written on your skin, and there are both romantic and platonic soulmates. Darcy has Jane as a platonic soulmate, but it’s her other soulmate who made her life crazy before she even met them. What are you supposed to do when your soulmate’s first words to you are to let them die? 

The two primary ships in this fic are Wintershock and Stony, which work well together, but the story delves into a lot more relationships. I don’t love the whole amnesia trope in a Stucky fic because losing all that history and friendship hurts so much, but in a WinterShock fic, I have a real soft spot for Darcy being able to help post-HYDRA Bucky learn how to person again, and she does that in spades in this one. She also cultivates friendships with just about everyone in Avengers Tower and beyond. Darcy/Johnny Storm BFFs are amazing, and the deep friendship Darcy develops with Tony in this story gives me all the feels. This is a great version of BAMF Darcy who can see what the tortured characters need and is able to help them get there. And there is some interesting conflict with the Fantastic Four, as well.

This was one of the first, if not the first, WinterShock stories I ever read. I had been trying TaserHawk, but it wasn’t really my cuppa, and then somehow found this one and got hooked.

Road Trip of Champions by @leftennant

Natasha and Steve are going on a road trip. Steve wants Bucky to come with, but they feel like they need a fourth to make things even. Natasha bribes Darcy into coming with, and over the course of the trip, we get a lovely WinterShock romance. The road trip concept is fun, and Darcy and Bucky have a light enemies to friends to lovers vibe going on. Bucky is recovering, Darcy isn’t going to take anyone’s crap, and Natasha and Steve really just want a little private time along the way. And the bit at the end of the main story when they play paintball—classic and a scene that has stuck in my mind long after reading many other fics. The protective vibe Bucky has for Darcy after all this and how it even affects paintball is adorable. There are other one-shots in this ’verse as well that should not be missed. You might never think of lemons the same again.

Daybreak by @anogete

Anogete has a really good touch with snarky, caretaker Darcy. I love all her WinterShock stories, but this is the one that’s stuck with me the most. The concept of Darcy trying to help dismantle Bucky’s trigger words by creating new memories for each one was so compelling. The therapy aspect did give me pause (a personal thing; it is dealt with as respectfully as possible in the story), but it all works out in the end. The fact that I loved it so much despite a mild personal ping with the concept speaks to how well it’s written, honestly. :-) And, if this one isn’t to your taste, Anogete has plenty of great WinterShock to read, so definitely try one of them instead!

The Run ’Verse by themonkeycabal

Though it eventually becomes a WinterShock story, my favorite thing about this universe is the Tony-Stark-is-Darcy’s-father trope. This is probably my absolute favorite version of that relationship. There is also time travel, and BAMF Peggy Carter. And even though I don’t love the Darcy-becomes-a-Shield-agent thing as much as Darcy the Scientist Wrangler, this story has a great, cannon-compliant reason for why Tony, Clint, etc., weren’t able to come help Steve, Natasha, Sam, and Maria in CA:tWS. There are a ton of stories in this ’verse, and I enjoyed every single one. My favorite, though, is the one where Darcy and Tony go visit Howard’s forgotten secret bunker and have three generation’s-worth of overdue conversations.

A Morbid Taste for Ice by sitehound

This is probably my favorite TaserTricks story, though I haven’t read nearly as much Darcy/Loki as I have other Darcy ships. I think it’s because writing Loki in character and making it believable to me that Darcy would fall in love with him, especially post-Avengers 1, is a fine line. If the fic apologizes too much for Loki’s wrongdoing without enough repentance/reformation, I don’t buy that she would legit be able to fall for him, but, go too far on the redemption and Loki gets OOC.

This story hits all those beats pretty perfectly and combines them with the whole Darcy/Jane/Thor (and now Loki) found family thing, Thor/Loki brother angst, Jane/Darcy BFFs, and a really compelling murder mystery to boot. There is also an interesting subplot with Loki being what basically amounts to a magical mechanic that I found really interesting amidst the snark, romance, and mystery solving. I’m sad this writer only has the one story up because it is so good!

Bygone by @inkbert

This story is Shieldshock (Steve/Darcy), not WinterShock, so even though I do try to only choose one fic per author (mostly), I’m totally fine having two by @inkbert on this list. Besides, this fic is amazing, and it’s not like there are anyone’s rules to follow on these fic rec lists but my own, lol! This is hands down my favorite ShieldShock story ever. 

Jane’s experiment goes awry and sends Darcy into the past—specifically after Bucky left for basic but before he shipped out and Steve got tapped for Project Rebirth. Darcy ends up living with Rebecca and Mrs. Barnes, and she falls head over heels in love with tiny Steve, so much so that they get married despite not knowing what the future holds for her. Then, the night before Steve is going to report to basic, Darcy blips out again, and when she blips back in, Steve is dead. The rest of the story has Darcy blipping her way through time, making friends with Howard, Peggy, and the Howling Commandos. Ultimately, though, it’s her brother/sister relationship with Tony that is the most poignant, especially by the time they catch up to the present again. And Darcy is a complete BAMF the whole time—going on missions, learning to fly anything with wings, doing anything and everything to keep her found family together. This story also gave me a plan for what I would do if I were ever shot back into a timeline like this where I couldn’t sew or cook or make a living—become a typist… genius, Darce!

Their Hearts Said by @anogete

Another Anogete story because I just can’t resist. All her stories are really good, be they WinterShock, ShieldShock, or even her really good Loki/OC fic. I would definitely suggest giving all of them a try.

This ShieldShock story is my favorite post-Infinity War tale. It picks up a few weeks after the snap, with everyone grieving and trying to figure out what to do next. Steve is barely holding it together while the remaining Avengers try to figure out what they can do. After Jane and her family disappear, Darcy heads to Avengers Tower, hoping against hope that maybe Thor knows what’s going on. Darcy and Steve start sleeping together as more of an escape from the awfulness around them than anything else, but as the team works on a plan to save the day and bring everyone back, they develop real feelings for each other. There is also time travel and I really loved the minimalist way she wrote how the day was saved in this. It balanced well with the character stuff. This story is much preferable to End Game—too bad cannon didn’t go like this!

Good Madness by Em_Jaye

Normally, I prefer my Darcy embedded within the MCU cannon. I adore that every girl keeping up with superheroes thing. But, I do enjoy a good AU on occasion, and this is one of my faves. It’s ShieldShock and kid!fic. Darcy runs a bakery that was left to her by her mother (real You’ve Got Mail tones there, but no creepy identity porn), and Steve comes in for treats on occasion. One day, he brings his daughter, and the rest is history. I love the Steve/Darcy romance in this one, and Steve’s daughter is a sweet character. I love the Full House thing Steve has going on co-raising his daughter with Bucky and Sam. And there is a nice Bucky/Natasha subplot and some really good Tony, which I would say more about except that I don’t want to spoil the surprise. My favorite story in the series is the five rules one at the end, so definitely keep going long enough for that. And if you like Em_Jaye’s writing, you should check out The Long Way Around—a Shieldshock, time travel, Endgame fix-it WIP that is excellent, as well.

One Year by @steeleholtingon

This story is WinterShieldShock. OT3s aren’t my favorite trope, but somehow with Bucky/Darcy/Steve, it works. Maybe it’s something about the boys’ history and Darcy dragging them into the future. Kind of what she does for each of them individually in WinterShock and ShieldShock, but with even more oomph. I haven’t read the whole tag, but One Year is my favorite.

Bucky’s Winter Soldier recovery has pushed both Steve and Bucky to the edge. Steve ends up leaving (at Bucky’s demand, but also because the team is afraid he’s going to do some kind of suicide via superhero duty if he doesn’t get his head on straight). The wrinkle—the night before he left, Darcy and Steve had a comforting one-night stand that resulted in two pinks lines on the test. The resulting story takes place one month at a time. Steve tries to piece himself back together and put his feelings for Bucky in the past whilst falling for Darcy over text messages. Bucky, on the other hand, realizes how he fucked it all up and vows to be there for Darcy and Steve’s baby while Steve is gone. Darcy navigates the waters of an unplanned (but wanted) pregnancy while balancing her feelings for both of them. And all the rest of the Avengers, science crew, and other Avengers-adjacent peeps support all three of them through it all. Angst, recovery, and a happy ending. So good!

So, after all that, what are you guys waiting for? Get to reading all this Darcy goodness! :-)

And now I need to figure out what fic rec list to work on next. I have a Stranger Things one (Harringrove and Mileven) almost ready to go, and then I need to decide what to do with the ships and characters that I don’t have a full top ten for. Group them together, perhaps? Bughead and LoVe might be a good combination, lol. And WinterHawk and WinterIron.

[seeking-sanity]

thoughts on the year

its been an incredibly long year. of isolation, social distance, essential work, feelings of helplessness and despair... the year has just been HEAVY. 

the new year began for me with psych hospitals, and trying to shield my children from their fathers mental health instability. it was daily trips 45-50 minutes each way, for the one hour visit, that they never allowed the full hour for... it was coordinating teenage life with a strict visit schedule, it was navigating work and home time... it was trying to help rehab someone that didn’t want help... it was a few months of putting everything in my life on hold, to try to “do the right thing”... it was the beginning of an indescribable anxiety, this deep seeded stirring constant feeling of fear building in my chest. it was weeks of trying, and hitting reset, as i let someone else’s situations dictate my life. 

the saga of my ex and his gaslight manifest blended nicely into a pandemic that caused unprecedented shutdowns. it merged right into a million questions about food supply, safety, government, the new mutated corona virus that had caused massive outbreaks across the world... 

as the world stopped hoarding toilet paper, and some parts of life returned to “normal”, the reality of healthcare changed daily. ever changing rules, unknown variables in exposure, risks for patients... everyday for months was something new. the impending doom of trying to stay Covid-free in a congregated at-risk population... 

the endless hours of overtime... the dual income style single paychecks... the mental and physical exhaustion, every day... with no end in sight... 

a beautiful 2 week vacation, full of awesome memories, amazing experiences, and a solid foundation for moving forward... i left that vacation with a sense of calm and confidence that i have never known before... 

i had a ton of anxiety about the holidays... i had anxiety about thanksgiving, and what it would look like with all the distance i could create... i had anxiety about christmas, and the perfect opportunity my ex had to re-enact last years stunt... i had such mixed feelings on the distance i created between him and i, despite the kids... this ideal world notion of actually moving forward, separately, and raising the kids was so cemented in my brain for so long... it was truly all i wanted.  it has become apparent that the only way that can actually happen, is if/when he decides that he wants that to happen... he has taken any and every opportunity to remind me of all of my imperfections, every flaw he has ever noticed... he has taken every chance he saw, and even some he created simply for the sake of doing so- to tell me how worthless i am to the world... but that he “loves me”... he has taken every opportunity this year to try to guilt me into going back, that i owed him something more than all the years i tried and tried alone... he has missed no opportunities to blame me for his actions, repeatedly. and he will stand there, after telling me how terrible i am, and ask me why i don’t love him...  the distance, the giving up on trying to do whats right... the idea of being okay with whatever life choices he makes, has become easier day by day... 

i spent the fall planning for the holidays, entertaining the idea that this will likely be my last holidays “home”, on the east coast... my feelings go back and forth on that every other day... i’m excited to start a new life, to try new things, to trust enough to take the leap... but i sometimes wonder if there wasn’t a reason i always found my way back home... from far more beautiful places, i always came back home... maybe i just never found the right reasons to stay, or maybe this was the exact convoluted trail i was supposed to travel... 

i focused on family and friends and what would matter most moving forward. i became comfortable with walking away from everything... a house full of “stuff”, a yard full of money spent to fulfill someone else’s dreams... i held hard on to the idea of recouping something, anything at all.... they weren’t my dreams, but they were always pushed off as my failures... 

i learned that they were not my failures, nor were they my responsibility... and somewhere in that letting go, it stopped mattering if there was anything to get back out of a failed business, the assets... none of it matters. 

for christmas i focused less on the items, and more on the joy... what would bring actual feelings of excitement and joy to the people i care most about... instead of the items they simply expected, i made a concerted effort to find items and opportunities to reach something more than that small moment of instant gratification. 

i found myself far more calm these last few weeks than i expected i would be. i had given myself anxiety about my anxiety... 

learning that i do actually have the power to control what i let determine the quality of my day was the most empowering moment... i can’t even begin to describe how simple the concept is, and how easy it really is... 

for me, i had to realize that i cared more about the entirety than those i was allowing to effect a single moment... recognizing that it wasn’t my job or responsibility to save someone was hard. actually realizing what was staring me in the face for a lifetime was harder. valuing myself enough to stop allowing myself to be his prey was the hardest. 

i was conditioned to believe that love doesn’t quit. that it meant you should keep trying. that the vows i took mattered, more than any single fight or disagreement ever could. i was conditioned to believe that if it wasn’t working, i needed to try harder, do better. i was living my entire life trying to please someone that will never be pleased, nothing will ever be good enough... there will always be a flaw, the one mistake will be the condemnation they will never live down... 

i used to fight for his “love”, and it was all i lived for. fought for, for years....

this year has shown me that you shouldn’t have to endlessly fight for the smallest bit of affection. that love is meant to be reciprocated and appreciated. this year has shown me that love isn’t this depressing existence that is an endless obstacle course of trying to fix the everything wrong in the world, while someone take a sledgehammer to every bit of progress you have made... 

this year has been a roller coaster of healing, finding healthy relationships , and learning to unlearn the trauma and behaviors associated with... 

i’m looking forward to the new year. with new adventures, new hope, and i’m sure new obstacles. i am excited about moving forward with my life, building a healthy, hopeful future. i’m excited about continuing to build a beautiful relationship, and exploring the world without the burden of trying to pave the entire way... 

so here’s to 2020, to the restocking of toilet paper, and the re-invention of my life... 

[himachalholidaytrip-blog]

8 Significant Tips For Planning A Himachal Holiday Tour

Are you planning your next vacation in Himachal Pradesh? But don’t know how to plan a trip or your wonderful idea has eventually ended up as a nightmare, then don't worry because we are here with this amazing Himachal Holiday guide for you.

We have planned countless Trips for our clients over the years and guided them to witness the magnificent beauty of Himachal Pradesh. In this Travel guide to Himachal Tour, we have created an efficient checklist which ensures that you to don't forget anything important during your vacations.

Whether you are traveling with family or planning a Honeymoon Trip in Himachal, you deserve priceless memories without unseen hurdles on your vacation.

In this Blog, we also have mentioned some Travel websites where you can easily book Himachal Taxi Services, Hotels, Himachal Tour Packages, and favorite Tourist Destinations. So let’s get started.

Choose Where to Go: Many of us know they want to go somewhere, but not exactly know where they should go. And this is what we are going to talk about. Picking the right destination is immensely important according to whether season and which can gives your Himachal Trip successful. If you are planning Shimla Kullu Manali Tour check out some ideal season to visit all destinations, consider cost factors, and as everyone knows Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kinnaur, Spiti & Sangla Valley is the safest destinations for travelers as well as for solo female travelers too and you can consider these locations. And the most important factor is a destination with easy accessibility.

Decide The Length of Your Travel: Once you’ve figured out your dream destination, decide the length of your trip. And our advice to you is to stay flexible while you are traveling because time matters! Make a correct estimate of days that required visiting the destination. A Kinnaur Kalpa Sangla Tour will need more time in sightseeing and require long trip duration, whereas Shimla Tour does not have enough sightseeing destinations and hence it can be a short duration trip. 

Research Your Trip Costs: After deciding travel length, research how much money you will need and how much these locations will cost you according to your travel days including Hotel, Taxi Services, and local attractions. You can contact travel websites, community & Facebook groups. Here is some website where you can request costs as per your budget:

Visit To Himachal

Travel Wikipedia 

Himachal Package Booking

Himachal Holiday Booking 

Check for Latest Deals: Before booking Tour & Taxi Packages check out some last-minute deal or do research on Google. Because there might be chances that when you plan for Dharamshala Dalhousie Tour you might get 60-70% off on Kullu Manali Tour Packages or maybe 50% off for Kinnaur Lahaul Spiti Tour Package. Well, we have some recommended websites that provide amazing deals on Complete Himachal Tour Packages from Delhi, Chandigarh, Kalka, Ambala & Pathankot. So check them out:

Book Your Taxi & Accommodation: So let’s talk about the most important part of this blog and your journey too J and that is Hotels, Flight, Train & Taxi Transfer bookings. As you know Train & Flights tickets are subject to availability & could be rise over time, and it is advisable to book tickets in advance so that it will not costs you additional on your decided budget. And our Top favorite sites for finding cheap Himachal Taxi Packages are:-

Himachal Taxi Rental Services

Shimla Manali Taxi Service

Himachal Tourism Taxi

Himachal Tourist Taxi

Himachal Taxi Online

 Plan Your Activity: Make your activity more easy by planning it before going on a trip. Outline some major local sightseeing you want to see on your trip this will help you to figure out if you require any bookings for your chosen Tours & activities. Whether it is paragliding in Solang Valley or Skiing in Rohtang Pass you need to plan according to your budget.  

Pack UP! Aaannnnddd it’s a time to pack for your Himachal Trip. Choose the right stuff and avoid over-packing for a trip. When you are going to Himachal don’t forget to take warm clothes & limited stuff because less is more! ;)

Enjoy Your Trip: Now enjoy your vacations, have fun & make wonderful memories with your loved ones. You planned very well for your trip & waited so long, so here it is you are on an amazing adventure trip to Himachal Pradesh. Be the witness of the beauty of the Himalayas and snow-capped mountains.

 So here it is! Holidays with your loved ones are experiences & affections that changes peoples for good and give an inner relaxation from a hectic lifestyle. Now you can easily plan & enjoy your Himachal Trip, whether it’s for Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Kinnaur, Kalpa, Kaza Tour or Spiti Valley Trip. And yeah! If we missed something or forgot to mention anything, so we apologies to you, and we want you to let us know right down in the comment sections or you can write to us directly on email.

[aupairadventures]

Retracing my Ancestors’ Footsteps in Budapest, Hungary

I promise that I have a good reason for not writing and publishing a blog post in over a month! Since the beginning of April, I’ve been away traveling, exploring new places, making memories, and having a blast.

After spending a little bit of time in Paris, I set off for my first destination: Budapest, Hungary. Due to my grandmother’s Hungarian family ancestry, visiting Hungary has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been very close and had a special connection with my grandmother. Ever since I was young, I always loved hearing her funny, touching, and wild stories about her childhood and growing up in a Hungarian immigrant family. I especially love my grandmother’s stories about her grandmother, a strong, bold, and colorful woman named Anna Zvolanek. As my grandmother’s story goes, Anna left Hungary when she was only 16 in search of new opportunities. She immigrated to the US, passed through Ellis Island, and then began a new life in Long Island, New York. She soon fell in love with my grandmother’s grandfather, another Hungarian immigrant named Edward Cheslock, and the two began a family of their own. According to my grandmother, Anna was a phenomenal cook and pastry maker, and was famous in the neighborhood for her incredible apple strudel, poppy seed roll cakes, and apricot “rugelach.”

According to my grandmother, Anna grew up in a small village just outside of Budapest. My grandmother says that when she was a child, she remembers seeing Anna often returning to Budapest to visit her extended family. My theory is that during my time in Budapest, I must have unknowing walked down the same street that Anna once did or visited the same place that once was familiar to her. It’s for these reasons that my journey to Budapest didn’t feel like any regular trip, but rather like an important spiritual pilgrimage. During my time in this beautiful city, I feel that I truly learned the importance of returning to your roots, learning about your family’s history, and retracing your ancestor’s footsteps. This experience made me feel even closer to my grandmother and gave me a better understanding of everything that has led to my existence and made me who I am. 

I was so happy to have my friend Gabriela by my side during this journey, and I have her to thank for this amazing time spent in Budapest. Several months ago, after Gabriela read in one of my blog posts that it was my dream to one day travel to Hungary, she reached out to me. She told me that she also had been wanting to explore this country and asked if I would want to travel there together. I responded that yes, of course, I would, and a plan was created!

I’ve known Gabriela since we were tiny students at Morris Elementary School in Lenox, Massachusetts, and our houses were on the same street. Gabriela and I both attended high school at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where we grew close while participating in our school’s Theme Committee. Since Gabriela is a year older than me and was in the grade above me, I’ve always looked up to her as a role model and thought of her as a hardworking student, compassionate community member, strong young woman, and great friend. After traveling with her, I’m glad to add “Amazing travel companion” to that list! After our time together in Budapest, I’ve become convinced that we’re a traveling-match made in Heaven. Years ago, who would have thought that Miss Hall’s two girls from Lenox would one day be living abroad, one in Italy and the other in France, and would decide to meet up in Hungary? 

Throughout the trip, the two of us had an absolute blast together. Almost every moment that we spent together was filled with the best conversations. We talked about everything from  how our adventures abroad have been to the 2020 American presidential election. We talked politics, feminism, had deep philosophical conversations that made my head hurt, re-lived old Miss Hall’s memories, shared silly stories, and laughed non-stop. I always love the conversations that the two of us share. We could talk for hours about everything and nothing all at once, and somehow never run out of things to talk about. 

The moment that I fell in love with Budapest, I fell fast and hard. While I had never visited this city before and everything was unfamiliar to me, I simultaneously felt so comfortable and so at home. Every ray of sunshine or gust of wind seemed to be calling out to me, “Welcome home, Shanti. We’re so happy to have you back.” Budapest is without a doubt one of the coolest cities that I’ve ever visited. The streets are filled with such distinctive character, and the city radiates an intriguing, funky energy that I’ve never encountered anywhere else. Whether you’re exploring the Jewish quarter, visiting a stunning cathedral, trying a new kind of traditional Hungarian food, watching a breathtaking sunset, or seeing the city’s sparking lights at night time, there’s always something new and exciting to try out. There’s never a shortage of interesting things to do, and “boring” is the last word that anyone would ever use to describe this place. This city always keeps you guessing, and there are surprises waiting around every corner. 

It goes without saying that I highly recommend visiting Budapest to my fellow travelers! Here are some of my favorite places that you absolutely have to visit:

Not too far from our hostel (a lovely little spot called “Meander Hostel” that I would recommend that my fellow travelers on a budget,) was St. Stephen’s Basilica. While this building might look a little surprising and not like a traditional church, (“Oh! I thought it was a government building!” exclaimed Gabriela when she saw it for the first time), it is nonetheless a beautiful and fascinating piece of architecture. If you think that the outside is gorgeous, just wait until you see the interior. With its colorful, golden, mosaic ceilings, the inside of this basilica was so beautiful that it made my jaw drop. On Sunday morning, I joined Gabriela as she attended an 8 am mass at St. Stephen’s. While I am not at all religious myself, I still greatly enjoyed this experience. I thought that the ceremony was so interesting and beautiful, and it made me understand why attending mass each Sunday morning is so important to so many people around the world. While I still don’t consider myself a religious person and don’t think that attending weekly mass will be a part of my life,  I will happily join my religious friends when they attend mass, if I’m invited. Thank you, Gabriela, for sharing this experience with me and answering all of my many questions!

One of my favorite places in Budapest is Fisherman’s Bastion, an absolutely gorgeous terrace located on the Buda side of the Danube river. Featuring 7 fairy-tale like towers, this site offers the perfect view of the beautiful city of Budapest. While standing on the terrace, you can see a panoramic view of the city and see some of Budapest’s most famous sites, such as the Chain Bridge,  St. Stephen's Basilica and the Hungarian Parliament Building. Budapest is beautiful at all times of day, but it’s especially breathtaking in the evening. I recommend going up to Fisherman’s Bastion to see a beautiful sunset and then watch nighttime fall over the city as the lights come up and the city begins to sparkle. 

One of the most beautiful places to visit at night time is the Parliament building. When the sun goes down, this building is lit up with gorgeous golden light and looks like a star shining at the edge of the Danube river. I highly recommend taking a stroll along the river next to the Parliament building in order to see this magnificent sight. Remember to walk to the back of the building to see the reflection in the water mirror, as pictures below:

Just behind Fisherman’s Bastion, you’ll find St. Matthias Cathedral. This cathedral, with a gleaming white exterior and an intriguingly unique and colorful roof, is another beautiful site. A short walk away from Fisherman’s Bastion, also located on the Buda Hill, you can find the Buda Castle. (We didn’t visit this site this time around, but we saved it for our next trip to Budapest!)

When in Budapest, you absolutely have to visit one of the thermal baths. Gabriela and I visited the Szechenyi Thermal Baths, and I can say with full authority that it was worth every penny. The warm, healing water felt absolutely incredible; our poor feet were so sore after all of the walking we did in the city, and the water definitely helped! The baths that we used were located in a large outdoor courtyard surrounding by a stunning, buttercup yellow, palace-like building. Going to the thermal baths was a great way to spend a sunny morning, and I highly recommend this activity to my fellow travelers. My only complaint was that this specific location was very touristy and quite crowded, as it’s the main thermal bath spot in Budapest. While we didn’t visit it, I’ve heard good things about another thermal bath location called Gellért, which I’ll check out the next time that I visit Budapest.

On my last day in Budapest, I went on a free walking tour about the history of Budapest’s monuments, which I found to be very interesting. During the tour, I learned a lot about this city’s rich and complex history, which further deepened my understanding of this place. Our tour guide was lovely and enthusiastic, and the tour was a blast. I highly recommend doing one of these tours on your first day in Budapest, as it will help you get a good understanding of the layout of the city, and your tour guide will give you great recommendations for things to do, places to see, and delicious food to eat. You can find these daily tours with the organization “Budapest Free Walking Tours”  on the steps of St. Stephen’s Basilica.  If you want to join a tour, don’t worry about signing up, just show up!

The organization offers tours about the history of Budapest, communism in Hungary, and the Jewish Quartier in both English and Spanish; just check the website to find out the schedule. And of course, remember to give your tour guide a well-deserved tip!

One of the many great things about Budapest is that the food and restaurants are super cheap, making it an ideal city for travelers on a budget. The food in Budapest was seriously amazing, and Gabriela and I truly ate our way through this city. As a result, we have lots of recommendations for must-have traditional dishes and great restaurants. Here are some of our favorite spots:

Lion’s Locker: One of the absolute best places we went to was Lion’s Locker, an adorable little cafe and breakfast spot located on a tiny side street. We were so glad that our wanderings lead us here, as the food was great and the staff were almost as sweet as the raspberry jam “Hungarian crepes” that I had for breakfast.

Espresso Embassy: If you’re searching for the perfect coffee shop, look no further than Espresso Embassy. I swear, I had the best chai tea latte of my life there, (which is really saying something as I’m quite addicted to them and tend to order one everywhere I go.)

Hummus Bar: On a tight budget, but still craving something delicious? Try Hummus Bar, a super cheap yet very healthy and insanely good hummus and falafel restaurant. This place is quite popular in Budapest, and you can find their different locations all around the city.

Làngos: Another great option for travelers on a budget are langos, a super-not-good-for-you-but-so-good traditional fast food made of fried dough, sour cream, copious amounts of cheese, and vegetable or meat toppings (A bit like a deep-fried pizza!) If you’re looking for something cheap and quick for dinner, try a langos food truck. So unhealthy, but so delicious! Just a warning: Food truck langos can be a bit difficult to eat with your hands sometimes, and can result in sour cream ending up all over your face and pieces of cheese spilled all over you: This is probably not the best option for first-date food.

If you’re craving langos but want to feel a bit fancier, try the Langos Papa restaurant. It’s just as delicious, but with toppings like arugula, goat cheese, honey, and walnuts, it feels a bit more gourmet.

Another great restaurant, located just a few doors down from Langos Papa, is a traditional Hungarian restaurant called Kantin. There, we tried some traditional dishes like goulash, creamy mushroom soup, paprika mushroom noodles, cottage cheese dumplings, and cherry strudel, all of which were incredible.

Karavana Food Truck Market: Located in the Jewish Quarter, this lively food truck market is perfect for a casual night out. Here, you can find lots of different kinds of cuisine: everything from traditional Hungarian dishes to french fries and burgers. (Or, the perfect combination of the two: Langos burgers!) My personal favorite was a food truck called Las Vegans, which offered delicious vegan veggie burgers and healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies.

Szimpla Sunday Farmers' Market: You can also find this awesome farmer’s market every Sunday morning in the Jewish Quarter. Located in an old “ruin-bar,” this was without a doubt the hippest, coolest, and the most interesting market I’ve ever been to. Gabriela and I came here for breakfast after mass on Sunday morning and ended up spending hours here. There are lots of stands with fresh, local vegetables, freshly baked bread, cheese, mouth-watering pastries, and traditional Hungarian cuisine. At the ruin-bar counter, you can also find coffee and tea, of course. The tables set up in the courtyard in the back make it the ideal place to grab breakfast or lunch, try some delicious food, and get lost in conversation.

The Great Market Hall: If you want to go to a market on a day that’s not Sunday, try the Great Market Hall. Here, you can also find lots of vegetables, meats, and yummy pastries. This is also a great place to pick up some souvenirs, gift, and postcards. However, speaking honestly, the Great Market Hall doesn’t come close to the Szimpla Sunday Farmers' Market. After hanging out in that adorable, picture-picture market, the Great Market Hall, unfortunately, felt a little bit underwhelming. But, that doesn’t mean that it’s not worth a visit! 

Gelarto Rosa: For some dessert, try the Gelarto Rosa gelato shop. The rose-shaped treats are almost too beautiful to eat, but oh-so-delicious. Located right next to St. Stephen’s Basilica, you can enjoy your treat on the church’s steps or by one of the fountains in the square. 

Chimney Cakes are another popular dessert that I highly recommend. These pastries are made of dough, cinnamon, and sugar, or chocolate, and are baked in a cylinder shape with a hollow center. When you pull a piece off, the cake begins to unravel and resembles a slinky toy. Cool, right? A cinnamon and sugar chimney cake was the perfect afternoon snack for Gabriela and I after we got caught in an unexpected rainstorm and were in need of some warmth and cheering up.

My journey to this city was nothing short of magical. I left this city feeling in love, deeply moved, and closer to my family’s heritage than ever before. I boarded my return flight to Paris with a happy heart, dreaming of my next trip to Budapest; I can’t wait to come back to this city and learn even more. I feel so proud to say that my family comes from this beautiful and fascinating place. Thank you for everything, Budapest!

[daytodaymusings]

23 things that have led me to where I am now... (24)

It’s crazy to think that I turned 24 yesterday ... this past year has been one heck of a rollercoaster (and no I am not trying to make a Jonas brother pun here). I’ve had so many experiences on both a small and big scale all of which I’ll take with me in year twenty four and more. But here’s a breakdown of the twenty three BIG ones.

1. I attended a Jonas Brothers Concert ... and it was by far THE BEST present I’ve ever given myself. After years of pining over them *looks over at life size poster in the living room* and screaming their lyrics on the top of my lungs with my best friends I finally got the chance to see THE Jonas Brothers LIVE. IN CONCERT. Not to mention, I got to touch Nick and possibly Joe? (I don’t know the night was a blur from the excitement and disbelief). Such a massive moment in my friendship with S too! 

2. I lost my Grandmother ... who I had just spoken to the night before on the phone. who I adore more than anything in the world. who got me started on soap operas and washing my hands after I touch everything. who broke her arm trying to keep me from falling out of the bed when I was younger and made fun of me for putting on make up when I was older. & who made me laugh because she was so cute and lively and had such a personality. It hurts that I was worlds away when it happened and it hurts knowing that I don’t have someone to go back to anymore, in what used to be my favorite place in the world. Hold on tight to the ones you love, kids. You never know when you’ll be saying your last “I love you”. (You love me)

3. I celebrated my other Grandmother’s birthday with a surprise trip ... we went on a cruise with the majority of the family and I had such a great time celebrating and laughing with her. May have also developed asthma from all the smoke inhalation because someone just HAD to get all the BINGO letters for the $100 prize at the casinos... *spoiler alert: we didn’t get it* But we did make it away with a bag of chocolates stolen from a secret birthday event for her and others. Grandma drunk on laughter = the best kind of drunk. 

4. I started nursing school ... because I finally realized what makes my heart skip a beat. It isn’t just having the ability to care for another human being. I love watching sick babies recover and finally get to go home, seeing the faces of first time parents and grandparents when they hold their newborn. I love the coo-ing noises the babies make when they are happy in your arms or in a bathtub. And I love how at work I am inspired by all the people and stories around me. (Low key hate myself for not realizing all of this sooner though... could’ve saved some $$$). 

5. I traveled to Australia ... an unexpected but much needed trip I decided to tag along with my parents and Grandma (and a few others), who had been planning it for awhile. I hadn’t traveled anywhere new in awhile and Australia was beyond my wildest dreams. In total in the whole week (9 days?) I was there I ate 5 meals and averaged 3 hours of sleep a night. Was it healthy though? Yes, cause I learned about a whole new culture and saw spectacular views of a lifetime. 

6. I wrote a song ... and it was SO. MUCH. FUN. I took this analogy that I had been thinking of for so long and just put it into words. It honestly came to me when I was at the casino on the cruise and looked over at the LOML and suddenly I spilled feelings that I had been hiding for a long time onto a page and added a melody that reminded me of the moment and the feelings... and I showed it to a few people who said it sounded like my idol, #TaylorSwift. AHHH!

7. And then another one ... came to fruition. Suddenly I had two songs and a whole new hobby I enjoyed that allows me to put beautiful, heartbreaking, magical, angry moments into frames filled with words. 

8. I cleaned this guy’s house ... and thought maybe for one second he’d maybe just maaayyyybeeee like me back. A part of me also did it for closure, which I got by leaving a 2 paged letter on how I felt about him and how I finally realized I had to let go, because as much as I loved him he would never see me that way...ever. Even after everything we had put each other through. And in case you were wondering, by clean, I mean I spent 4+ hours on all fours wiping up vomit and beer off the floor and washing his dishes because why stop with the floor, right? 

9. Made a couple new friends ... E.C & C.J you guys know who you are. Thank you for being the only two people who understand me and being up for drinking a margarita with me any time, any day. #PrayForOurLivers But also, I love our friendship and how I know I always have my back no matter what. 

10. Cut off some “friends” ... which was a long time coming. I hurt. Especially the moment that I realized I was depending on people who were no longer there. Who only needed me when they needed me and would tell me I owed them or they owed me. That’s just not what friendship is and not the kind of relationships I want in life. I don’t want to wake up wondering if I was used by someone I care for and wondering why we only hang out once in a blue moon when convenient for them.

11. Hosted 5 girls from Spain ... who I bonded with and learned a lot from in regards to our nursing educations. We went to DC and the beach and there was one awesome night of drunken craziness that brought back memories of when I was in Spain. #TQESPAÑA I also learned to step out of my comfort zone and make new friends even if I might not feel comfortable right away because they seem 3387420974923 times cooler. But the truth is.. (and I think I need to reread this line over and over on the bad days).... people will accept you for your generosity and hospitality. Your looks and how “cool” you are don’t matter on a large scale. It’s how you are willing to go out for people even if you don’t know them that really sticks out and makes you friend and human material. And who knows, you might even make new friends in new places. 

12. Went on a Spontaneous Busch Gardens Trip ... screamed. and shout(ed). and let it all out. It was a much needed time and a crazy ass trip. We got to ride The Gryffin, aka MY FAVORITE RIDE EVER, 5 times before we left the park. And even with the rain, we still had an amazing time together. Big lesson here? You have to make the best of every moment and create your own sunshine. You deserve it. 

13. Took a 2 hour break at work ... I NEVER take breaks. And if I do it is maybe 30 minutes total in my 12 hour day. It is something I get yelled at for but I can’t sit around knowing people need help. But one day, E and I got lunch cause we were both working and then celebrated with milkshakes later in the afternoon, totaling to 2 hours of recovered time from the year and a half I have not been taking breaks. Regrets? None. My body and mind needed it so very much. 

14. Had one awesome night playing basketball ... gosh I don’t even remember how it happened but I remember having the respect of every guy in the room. Being the only girl that plays with them can suck, especially cause testosterone runs high and boys can be rude and such ball hoggers. What’s so big about winning? NOTHING. But I definitely won that night and showed ‘em I’m just as capable if not more. *cue the song “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better”*

15. Completed my fourth Spartan Race ... the BEAST, which sucked due to the cold. (Thanks, Winter). But it was so so so so AWESOME seeing what I had been capable of accomplishing. of what my body is able to do. Even more so it was just all such a fun experience and the first time I set my mind to something and just committed and stuck it out, even though my body would ache and it was tiring driving a whole day in the car to get to places, sleep 2 hours, and race. 

16. Told what I thought was a white lie ... but even white lies can turn a rainbow dark. I felt that I was doing the right thing, and later learned how wrong I was. Especially as time passed on and I kept up with the lie. The truth can be a very scary thing to admit to, but it’s important that you tell it because it sets you free. Even if it is the biggest mistake of your life and you know that once you say it aloud it makes it will make a deafening mark on your life, you have to. There just isn’t a way around it. 

17. Finished an essay months before it was due ... I’ve never been a procrastinator and I am so thankful for it. But also for those who are... let me just say... going into a semester knowing you’ve finished the biggest project that is going to be assigned = BEST. FEELING. IN. THE. WORLD. Right next to, Nick Jonas’s soft ass hands. 

18. Learned how to play the guitar ... which made songwriting possible. I always wanted to learn it because I love hearing acoustic versions of songs and also Taylor Swift. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with the help of youtube, 4 chords, and hella determination. 

19. Finally realized that people aren’t capable of change ... and it’s ok. Sometimes we don’t need people to change who they are, we have to change ourselves and our perspectives. The world isn’t black and white. We all have the ability to see it however we want to. But most importantly, when we do decide to make a change, we need to make sure we’re doing it all for the right reasons. We shouldn’t do it for someone to want us. We shouldn’t do it because we saw someone else do it. We do it because it’s the right thing for us ... and stick to it because one change can make a hell of a difference. 

20. Finished 6 ice cream bars in one sitting ... and then went to cycle bar. 0/10 recommend. 

21. Stopped responding right away ... because NO ONE should ever spend every single second of their life glued to a small screen. There is so much life around us and it’s become such a bad habit for us to forget that and to lose ourselves in social media. 

22. Started Travel Pig’s instagram ... @itstravelpig for those who want to add her. (YES, MY FRIENDS, I’VE DECIDED IT IS A HER/SHE/GIRL.) I thought it could build some cultural awareness or atleast be a platform to share cool story about new places. But i’ve been slacking on it... oops. But traveling and learning about new cultures have been a huge part of my growing up and I wanted to share it and try to help people realize that even with all the differences in skin tone we’re all just amazing human beings capable of so much beauty. 

23. Blew out the candles on my melting cake ... without making a wish. It was there, in that moment, that I realized I am truly happy again. I have found a good group of people to surround myself with, passion, a new hobby, but most importantly MYSELF. I don’t think it all would have been possible without all the hurt and confusion that I have felt in the past two years, so I’m thankful that people took me for granted and left me out on the side of the street. But... 

a very important honorable mention is needed now. I have to say, I wouldn’t be this type of happy if it were not for a special someone, who has stayed by my side through it all. Even in the worst times, you stayed and held onto me, making sure I knew I still had a home even though I was wandering around...lost. I love you. You know who you are. 

Those who were there in the passing, those who got away, thank you for teaching me to appreciate life and the moments. Those who left without a backwards glance, you all will never be forgotten and will instead serve as gentle reminders that I am better because of them. stronger too. Those who stayed, well, let me just say, I can’t wait to see what 24 has in store. 

Cheers to one hell of a ride and the start of 24. 

[louiseeeesworld-blog]

BEAUTIFUL CREATURE

Should you be planning on an adventure way on the western part of Pangasinan, try the umbrella rocks formation or the Pristine beach of Abagatanen white sand in Agno pangasinan. The Abagatanen Beach is quite serene but mind you it would be worth the trip if your into nature and of course a beach lover, not to mention that it is way way far from the busy noise of a City. The road leading to those places will be worth a lifetime specially if you could watch the sun setting on the horizon just give it a shot.

Umbrella Rocks is one of the Agno’s prided Attractions. These are umbrella-shaped boulders dotting the mouth of the Balincaguing River in Sabangan.

Sabangan Beach with its Umbrella Rocks has a diverse marine eco-system showcasing beautiful corals and different sea creatures. Surrounded by crystal clear blue water. A perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. This beach is surrounded by trees and rock formation on the way and little away. It harmonizes with nature and a perfectly peaceful place, where tourists may amplify their feelings and may have a retouch to their soul.

The dazzling beauty of umbrella rocks is a work of the natural elements through a number of geological periods. The rock formations that resemble gigantic umbrellas formed by the incessant lapping of tidal waves against the shore through the centuries. This picturesque view of the umbrella rocks beside the beach and mountain is the reason why the place is loved by nature lovers and photographers.

Aside from the this famous attraction, Agno Pangasinan is also known for its Sabangan beach. It has an old lighthouse wherein you can see the panoramic view of the beach. It will take less than hundred steps to the old light house.

Beach is clean with alert lifesavers on guard, huts are free, comfort rooms and shower rooms are well kept, parking is spacious, people are enterprising and warm.

Decades ago, it wasn’t a destination Filipinos would willingly spend their vacation. Of course, the internet changed all that after people started to explore its stunning beach coves and experience the idyllic life on the island.

It’s also blessed with many sights worth seeing beyond the surf including stunning off-shore islets, sandbars, tidal pools and rock formations. Rock formations perfect for photo a nature trip that combines swimming, hiking, and caving, coupled with an educational tour of local industries.

Like most beaches in Pangasinan, it boasts of beach with a somewhat creamy-colored fine sand and clear salty waters. There are cottages available for small and large families, but you have to bring food as its does not have any restaurants and other amenities.

Pangasinan is well known for its famous beaches, but this one is still left undiscovered but believe this place has a lot of potentials due to its effortless beauty. And through this vacation you can spend your time to your family or love ones. Spending time together helps to form lasting connections between family members. Sharing experiences and creating memories together. Spending time together as a family helps busy parents reconnect with their children. Children tend to share more information about their lives while enjoying an activity with you rather than when you ask them “What did you do today?” It is also a time when life lessons, like sharing, fairness and compassion, can be reinforced without conflict. Children grow and change quickly, so family time is a wonderful time to get to know your child better.

Walking barefoot on the beach sand isn’t only fun. It is also incredibly good for you! Nothing relaxes more than a long walk on the beach. Walking barefoot on the beach is also a great way to burn some excess calories you might’ve indulged in earlier.

Vacations are a departure from daily stress and noise. It puts everyone in a different kind of mind space and focus. Families that embrace new adventures will share discoveries and experiences what will them together for a lifetime. Vacations give us all a short escape from our daily stress. What better way to feel like you’re off to a fresh start than with a vacation that will inspire you even more. Vacation clears your mind before filling it with bright new ideas that will spark your creativity even more.

The summer would be the best time to visit to escape from the burning heat. The summer breeze during the sunset is absolutely amazing.

The beach is a great place to meet people: It's packed, everyone's in a good mood and sharing life experiences just kind of goes with the flow.

The beach is the best place to break-free from the routine and have fun. Sitting on the beach, sipping on your beer while listening to the sound of waves is the best high ever.

An excellent beach with great view. A huge beach with great waves that can make you feel so exotic. Lovely tourist attraction there and almost very lovely place to hang around and relax.

Feel the sea breeze blowing on your face. Feel the salt tickling your nose as you hear the sound of seagulls flocking in the distance.

A beach holiday in particular has its own healing powers and a special way of renewing our perspectives.

If you're on vacation, of course, you'll want photos of those memory-making moments. But instead of just taking your typical family shots, whip out the artsy Instagram filters and take your picture-snapping skills to the next level.

Capture the beautiful scenery: Glistening sand, rolling white-tipped waves, colorful umbrellas, sunsets, and find some cool subjects from other beach goer's. Creative photos make the best albums, and all your friends will wonder who the photographer was. Meanwhile, it was just you and your camera, but no one needs to know that. Enlarge and print the best ones for some wall decor with a personal touch.

Laptops and smartphones don’t go well with water and sand. The beach is a great place to take a break from the digital screen.

Get out there. Have fun. Meet new people. Dive into the deepest waters. Walk the path less travelled. And most of all, take home stories and memories of this great moment in your life. Go have fun and spend these days with your family. Venture to do different activities; it will fill you with joy. And surely don’t forget to make new adventures.

While you’re exploring the great unknown, always remember to be safe. 

[europeas20]

Plan a Memorable Family Budget Week Holiday in Spain

Are you looking for an amazing family holiday destination that won't break the bank? Look no further than Spain! With its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and budget-friendly options, Spain is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your loved ones. In this post, we will guide you through planning a family budget week holiday in Spain, ensuring an unforgettable experience while keeping your finances in check. Choose Affordable Accommodation: When planning a family budget week holiday in Spain, start by researching affordable accommodation options. Look for budget-friendly hotels, vacation rentals, or even consider camping to save on costs. Popular Spanish cities like Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia offer a range of affordable accommodations that cater to families.

Opt for Self-Catering: Save money on dining out by opting for self-catering options. Choose accommodations with a kitchenette or a fully equipped kitchen, allowing you to prepare your meals. This way, you can enjoy delicious local produce from markets and supermarkets, giving you a taste of Spain without spending a fortune on restaurants. Explore Free or Low-Cost Activities: Spain offers plenty of free or low-cost activities that are perfect for families. Take advantage of beautiful beaches, public parks, and hiking trails, where you can spend quality time together without spending a dime. Additionally, many museums and attractions offer discounted or free admission on certain days, so plan your visits accordingly.

Discover Local Markets: Immerse yourself in Spanish culture by visiting local markets. From bustling food markets to artisanal craft fairs, these vibrant spaces offer a unique shopping experience. Explore the local flavors, buy fresh ingredients for your self-catered meals, or pick up souvenirs directly from the artisans, all while enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Plan Day Trips to Nearby Attractions: Spain is known for its rich history and stunning landmarks. Take advantage of your week-long holiday by planning day trips to nearby attractions. Whether it's exploring the Alhambra in Granada, visiting the beautiful beaches of Costa del Sol, or admiring the architectural wonders in Seville, there are countless options to choose from. Research and plan in advance to secure discounted tickets and save money. Utilize Public Transportation: To keep your family budget intact, make use of Spain's efficient public transportation system. Many cities offer cost-effective options such as metro, buses, or trains. Consider purchasing a travel pass that covers unlimited rides for a specific duration, which can result in significant savings compared to individual tickets.

A family budget week holiday in Spain can be an incredible experience without breaking the bank. By following these tips and embracing the country's affordable options, you can create lasting memories while staying within your budget. From affordable accommodation and self-catering options to free activities and day trips, Spain offers a wealth of opportunities for an unforgettable family holiday. Start planning today and get ready to explore the wonders of Spain with your loved ones! - Remember, the key to a successful family budget week holiday in Spain is to plan ahead, research deals, and take advantage of the numerous budget-friendly options available. Enjoy your trip and make lifelong memories together!

Travel Resources Hotels and Hostels Booking.com is available in 43 languages and offers more than 28 million reported accommodation listings, including over 6.6 million homes, apartments, and other unique places to stay. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel guidance platform. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, and book experiences. Klook is a booking platform on which travelers can book hotels, cars, tours and activities, tickets to attractions, and shows at great prices. Hotellook is a service that helps you find and compare prices on hotels around the world, provided by a leading reservation system. Today, Hotellook.com offered to put together information on more than 250,000 hotels in 205 countries. Hostelworld, the global hostel-focused online booking platform, inspires passionate travelers to see the world, meet new people, and come back with extraordinary stories to tell. Hostelworld has more than 13 million reviews across over 17,000 hostels in more than 179 countries, making the brand the leading online hub for social travel. Tours and excursions WeGoTrip is an online service for booking audio excursions and tours on 35+ countries on different languages (mostly english). Travelers can take audio excursions created by professional tour guides and local experts. Tiqets’ innovative technology ensures that travelers can book tickets on their phone at the last minute, receive their tickets directly in a digital form, and show their mobile phones in place of physical tickets to museums, places of interest, and attractions. Offers available passes in Europe and the US.

Car Rental You can find the best car rental prices at QEEQ.COM. QEEQ.COM serves road trip travellers from different countries by working with car rental companies all over the world. The company offers its customers the widest set of car rental options and always strives to offer the most competitive price. #familybudget #weekholiday #Spain Read the full article

[bonduniversity]

Exchange Survival Guide: Lyon, France

Hello readers! My name is Brayden and I am studying a Bachelor of Laws at Bond University. For my final semester, I wanted to go out with a bang, so I spent the semester abroad at Universite Catholique de Lyon (UCLy) in Lyon, France. This blog will give you an idea of the highs and lows of the experience and provide you with a clear and concise outline in order to be prepared and make the most of your experience.

Preparing to go

Travelling to France on a student visa is very easy, especially as an Australian. The first thing I did (not including the Bond University Exchange application) to prepare for my travels was look into my visa. However, the process is quick and painless if you have all the right documentation and they will provide you with your visa within 2 weeks. The hardest part about getting a French student visa is travelling to the Sydney consulate to hand in all your information because they do not accept the application at the Brisbane consulate or by email (ridiculous, right?). However, once that is done, all you have to do is sit back, relax and wait for your passport to arrive with the visa. One last note about the visa; make sure you provide an envelope with your address etc. so that they send it back to you, otherwise they will wait for you to pick it up (I made this mistake).

Contacting your host university 

I got in contact with my host university rather early, to ensure the process went smoothly and I suggest you do the same. We corresponded by email which was difficult regarding the language difference, but they are very helpful and will answer any questions you may have. However, even if there is a question that is just not resonating with them, the Bond University Exchange office can get in touch with them as well and get the necessary answer.

If you are travelling in the last semester of your degree, I suggest that you plan in advance and only have your general electives to do. I had three general electives and one law elective to complete and it was a little bit harder because I had to study in two separate faculties. This may cause delays and issues with receiving the academic transcript in time for graduation.

Credit point conversion 

The French Universities use a system called ECTS. Essentially 30 ECTS equals your 40 credit points or full-time load in Australia. Specifically, at UCLy the subjects can be as little as two ECTS for a single subject; so, depending on which subjects you choose you could potentially be studying approx. eight subjects for one semester. However, do not worry because that is a full-time load at French universities, so it is not abnormal.

Staying with a family 

I chose to stay with a family on my semester abroad so that I could learn the language. This was my main reason for choosing France. The process with UCLy was simple: you get in touch with the lodgement department of the University via email (email is on the UCLy website) and they will find you a family based on a questionnaire. This questionnaire will pair you with a family with similar interests, hobbies and take into account any requests you may have. The family I stayed with were absolutely sensational. They were the stereotypical French family who looked after me as if I was there child. The food was amazing and I definitely recommend considering this option for accommodation. The only downfall was that I lived about 40 minutes away from the University. However, the public transport in Lyon is very good so it was not too bad. If you decide to stay with a family and their name is Grivot-Bruhnes, then you are in luck and will have an amazing experience!

The University 

UCLy was a great university for partying, socialising and it was in a great location. The program for exchange students was….interesting. The organisation of the program was not great. It was difficult for many students to get their subjects right and the timetable changes weekly, so you really have to pay attention to your emails. However, in saying this, the University organises some great activities for you to participate in every Thursday.

Furthermore, even though you are a foreign student you have the opportunity to participate in all University activities and clubs. For example, I played rugby for the University. If you are a sporty person, I definitely recommend joining a team because it is a great way to immerse yourself in the French culture and language.

The exchange program

As I said above, the program provides numerous activities throughout the semester. These activities include:

Tours to small French towns

 Dinner with a French family

Cooking classes

Parties

Pub Crawls

International Dinners

I highly recommend doing as much as you can while on the exchange. The more immersed you become, the more you will get from the experience. The study is secondary when you are on exchange *wink*.

The city of Lyon

Lyon is a very beautiful city, which prides itself as being the art centre of France. It has some of the most awesome churches and traditional structures. However, the best part of the city is definitely the food, being Bouchon Lyonnais. The food is unique to the area and is delicious. Further, the biggest benefit of living in Lyon is the location. It is 2.5 hours from the Italian and Swiss border and about 6 hours by bus from the Spanish border. Therefore, there is a lot to do and see while you are there, so I recommend making a plan for what you want to see because the time will fly by at a ridiculously quick rate.

The one thing you have to get used to while in Lyon is the difference in culture and attitudes. The streets outside the tourist areas are, for the lack of a better word, creepy. So I suggest always walking around with a group, especially late at night.

Destinations to visit

Annecy

Chamonix

Paris

Nice

Monaco (Monte Carlo)

Amalfi Coast (Italy)

Normandy (if you like WWII history)

Tips and tricks

Due to the exchange rate, travelling around Europe is quite expensive as an Australian. If you are on a budget, I suggest catching buses/trains everywhere as flights can be very expensive. The bus company that I highly recommend is ‘Flixbus’. Flixbus have great buses with good seats and at a very low price (23 Euro for a ticket to Paris). I travelled with them to Paris, Amsterdam, Annecy and Geneva.

It is also very easy to rent a car. I rented a car with my friends and travelled to Chamonix. I was nervous to drive on the other side of the road, but it does not take long for you to get used to the difference.

Final words 

I hope this guide is helpful for you in making your decision or preparing to go to France. If you are unsure about whether to go or not, GO! It is honestly an insane experience. At the start of my trip, I wanted to go home because it was overwhelming and I missed my girlfriend and family, but I stuck it out and I am so glad I got past that moment. I met the most amazing people from all around the world and it is true that you make lifelong friends on exchange. I have heard that exchange is not for everyone, but I disagree. You will learn so much about yourself and create great connections and memories. It is difficult at times but the difficulties are worth it for the experience.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. You can look me up on Facebook (Brayden Williams). I wish I had someone to consult with beforehand so please contact me if you need any advice.

Find out more about going on Exchange as part of your studies at Bond University.

[avhphoto]

Northern Nights

There was a period of time where I didn't go home often. In ten years I had made two trips north. Over the last few years, I've been heading back to Yellowknife in September for some photography work. A family friend owns a salon, and she brings me up every year to shoot her staff headshots and her annual sale. The north in September is pretty awesome. There aren't that many bugs flying around and the weather can be relatively mild compared to the dead of winter. And then there are the lights. Having been in Yellowknife the last couple years in September, I've noticed one commonality: the Aurora is back and I don't have to wear a parka to shoot them. I started thinking of all the times I've been asked about the Northern Lights. I saw them when I was going to school. I saw them driving home from work. Gassing up my car. Eating a donair on Range Street. They were always just there and I definitely took them for granted. I had been to Blachford Lake when I was younger, probably 20 years ago. It was a summer camp with two friends, and although all our stories are different on what our time there was like, there was one common denominator: it was awesome. I started thinking that this would be a perfect place to host a photography workshop. The thrill of the float plane ride to the remote lodge. The sounds of a crackling fire which warms the cabins and lodge. The sauna and hot tub which can be accessed 24/7. The food, which is prepared using local ingredients whenever possible, including greens fresh out of the lodge's garden. The abundance of activities that you can participate in such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing etc all added to the allure of hosting a workshop here. Then, of course, is the pièce de résistance, the nightly Aurora Borealis shows. DAY ONE The float plane out of Yellowknife left shortly after noon. When we arrived at the lodge we were greeted by the staff and volunteers who keep the place going. After a short introduction and quick lunch, we continued on our tour of the resort grounds and were given a safety orientation. We checked into our cabins and planned to meet up in a few hours at the lodge for a presentation on night photography to get primed for shooting over the next three nights. While I set up and prepped for the presentation, Lys and Fern headed out and did some stand-up paddling while other guests sat in the lodge and made dream catchers.

                                      My cabin.

Before heading out for shooting, I made sure I came home to a hot cabin. After dinner, we headed back to our cabins to put on warmer clothes and we headed out down by the dock where we arrived earlier that day. There weren't too many clouds in the sky at this point, and we were just practicing some light painting and long exposures when I looked at the back of the LCD on one of the participant's cameras and saw the faint glow of Aurora. We stopped what we were shooting and focused more on compositions that were better suited for shooting the aurora. The lights were off in the distance, not the greatest show and it only lasted for about 30-45 minutes before the thick cloud cover rolled in, but we managed to get some shots and stayed out until about 2am playing in the dark.

DAY TWO The next day saw us meeting after breakfast for a little hike of the area to scout out some potential shooting locations for that evening. It was much colder this day than the previous, and the clouds overhead were thick with little sign of reprieve. I crossed my fingers and hoped that the alleged "clear" forecast would actually hold up. We headed back to the lodge for lunch and a couple hours of downtime before meeting up later in the afternoon for an editing session. We looked over the images we had taken the night before and how to process them and bring out the colours that can often be hidden amongst the darker parts in images of the Aurora.

After dinner, we suited up once again, this time with a little more clothing as it was COLD. The cloud cover hadn't dissipated at all, so we decided to stay closer to the lodge so we could have a fire while we practiced some light painting and multiple exposures. As we were shooting, the thick cloud cover overhead started to crack. We could see the Aurora through the clouds, and they were moving and dancing so fast and so bright. Little by little, the clouds went away and the sky opened right up. There wasn't a dull spot in the sky as the Aurora danced overhead, filling the darkness with beautiful movement and colours. We were joined by some other guests staying at the lodge as we all shared in the wonderment that was being gifted to us after what seemed like a no-show. After taking photos of the lights for a while, we decided to set up our cameras to take some star trails. This gave us a chance to sit around the fire and watch the lights whilst our cameras stayed working. I'm a firm believer in "the moment" and having photographs of this amazing event wouldn't mean anything if we didn't have our own memories and feelings to associate with the pictures.

Photo by participant Lys Olson DAY THREE Having finished shooting mere hours ago (around 3am), we opted to have a slow morning and meet up around lunch. I headed to the hot tub to soak and read while Lys and Fern went for a little walk and took some photos of the area. It was a perfect start to the day after two late nights. This day was much warmer than the day before, but again, a thick layer of clouds had rolled in and wasn't looking too promising. We had lunch and headed out on a little boat tour of Blachford Lake before heading back to the lodge for more editing, showcasing how to blend multiple exposures to create a single image. We all got such great photos from the night before, and my excitement was rampant. I so wanted to skies to clear up for our final night, although two of three was a blessing already.

After dinner, we headed to the tipi which had since had its cover put back on. We watched and listened as Randy, a Dene man and Blachford regular, performed songs in his language on his drum for us. It reminded me of a lot of cultural activities I took part in growing up in the north, and a feeling of nostalgia washed over me. It put me in a trance. I don't know what was being said, but I know that I felt it. When the drum circle ended, Lys, Fern, and I headed to our cabins once more to gear up for our final night.

We found ourselves by the tipi again, wanting to shoot it with the cover on while the red fire burned inside. This didn't last very long. The wind picked up and the rain started. The wind was so strong that it started to blow the fire throughout the tipi and really shaking the structure. A wind-turbine was howling, and I won't deny that it was a terrifying sound. A shrieking that masked any other sound and made it impossible to hear. As the rain continued to fall, we decided to head back into the lodge to practice more light painting and multiple exposures. It didn't look like the lights would come out to play that night.

Around 1130pm, Jacob, one of the lodge staff, came to inform us that the clouds had actually lifted and the stars were out. Oh goodie. I popped my head out and sure enough, the sky was darker than it had been the previous nights, and the stars were brighter than most skies I've seen. We were finishing our shooting inside before heading out, and not five minutes after the announcement of clear skies, Jacob came back to tell us that the Aurora was out and going crazy. We stopped what we were doing and headed outdoors right away. I could go into detail about the scenes that were unfolding in front of our eyes, but I won't. There are far too many adjectives to describe the skies that night. The abundance of stars, the Milky Way (which I had never seen before in the NWT and was SO happy to have), and of course, the dancing Aurora Borealis. Out of all three nights, the night that looked the least promising was by far the best night for shooting. The lights made arcs in the sky. The water a mirror, reflecting the lights on the lake. There was almost too much going on that it was overwhelming. You couldn't look around and not find something to shoot. I was absolutely ecstatic for my workshop participants. They had travelled so long and far to come north and got to experience these lights all three nights, but also for myself, who had spent so many years taking the lights for granted. I got to sit and watch and truly enjoy them, and the memories I have from those nights are far better than any of the pictures I took.

Day 4 I woke up this day having not slept well at all. It's not that I didn't sleep well. I should say that I didn't sleep much. I went to bed with a lot of adrenaline still pumping as I was quite excited about the shots we got and I had a hard time winding down. When I did wake up, I packed up my cabin, albeit quite reluctantly. I wasn't ready to go. I headed up to the lodge for a final breakfast before having to say goodbye to Lys. She was on the first float plane out of camp so she'd be able to make her flight out of Yellowknife on time. Fern and I lounged around the lodge waiting for our ride, as new guests were arriving. I was very envious of the experience I hoped they would have. When it was time for us to leave, the flight seemed surreal at first. Taxiing out on the lake, flying over the lodge, heading back to civilization. I didn't want to do any of it. I wanted to stay right where I was. I was happy there.

I really want people to come north. I really want people to understand and experience what a small town and a remote lifestyle is all about. An area where bush planes are the norm. Where snowmobiles make up for the lack of motorcycles. Most importantly, no matter how much a small town can feel overcrowded, there are so many opportunities to be alone. I realize our time in Yellowknife as a group was very limited, but I always love hearing of people going there for the first time and what their impressions are. Take that, and fly someone out to a remote place like Blachford, and it's even more exciting to have people be thrilled about things you might otherwise have overlooked. That is why I created this workshop, and want to continue to do it annually. You might night get to experience -40 Celsius and ice roads, but there are certain aspects of living in the north I don't miss. Ok, well, I do miss the ice roads. Those were always fun. Instead, you get to experience the north in its very short season of transition from summer to winter. We say fall is about two weeks long if you're lucky. In those two weeks, the temperatures are mild, the bugs are few, and the lights can be absolutely incredible. The "Northern Nights 2019" workshop launches Sunday, September 16th at 6pm PST. If you're interested in joining me next year on this excellent adventure, please sign up for my mailing list and you'll be informed of when registration begins, or to stay up to date with any other workshops or events. You can email me if you have any questions! IMAGES AND TESTIMONTIAL FROM PARTICIPANT LYS OLSON

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[mubal4]

The Taper

 Mentioned this concept a little last week as we lead up to the next race, the Silverheels 100, in beautiful & high 😊 Fairplay, CO.  The race is next Saturday, July 11th, and training has been going, pretty much since February.  But things intensified starting in late March/early April. Covid certainly played an interesting role this year, in many ways.  There were a couple tune-up races I had scheduled that were canceled.  Hell, much of the ultramarathons across the world have been canceled.  We were not 100% sure until about 2-3 weeks ago when we were notified that it was on. The RD, and the team and Human Potential Running, have done a super job, working their butts off to ensure they have all the necessary permits, insurance, and policies/procedures in place to protect the health and well being of the racers, volunteers, staff, crews, pacers, and families attending.  Is there a chance that things may go south, and it will be canceled in the next 8-9 days? Sure, with many states’ numbers increasing, anything is possible but no matter what, we will be running 100 miles race or not 😊; more to come on that!

 So, the taper, simple concept and prior to getting into this sport 5-6 years ago, I had no idea what it was or that the term existed.  Essentially it is just slowing down, decreasing your miles and intensity leading up to a race. I’ve read countless of reports and it ranges from 1-4 weeks prior to the race is when you begin to taper, depending on the distance of said race. I usually go a week out for most races but for this one, figured 2 weeks would be best.  Although the pandemic did play havoc on the race scheduled, it enabled me (more like forced me) to get creative and uncomfortable.  Historically, I would have done about 60% of my training on the trails, 20% of my training on roads, and the rest on a treadmill.  With my travel schedule the way it was in hotels often and up early so it was convenient to get a run in on hotel treadmill prior to my meetings on the road.  Even when at home, when the temps began to soar, the treadmill was an ideal excuse not to go outside.  Well, the last time I was on a treadmill was mid-February.  Therefore, 70% of my training has been on the trails (hills, hills, hills) and the rest road work, outside, soaking up some wonderful Vitamin D, sunshine, and sunrises!  It has been a long and interesting road.  I’ve been fortunate – I got to see some new land, new trails, and climbed new mountains that I don’t know if I would have considering the circumstances.  There had always been “something I had to do” or that I felt like I had to do but really could have been left for later.  What I mean is that, in the past, I wouldn’t have jumped in the car, drove 5 hours round trip to run a particular trail or mountain because, “I had to do this thing.”  I guess there is some silver lining with this pandemic.  It got me out of my comfort zone, or my “convenient zone” and enabled me to experience some new adventures.  And, if you have been following some of the Facebook Live Time on the Trails stuff, you would have seen some of the awesome sights I got to soak in.

 As I look back on the last few months, there were a ton of new adventures I am fortunate to have experienced.  I guess that’s what is meant when they say, “it is about the journey, not the destination.” Kind of rings true this week.  We head out on our road trip soon, so this is the last week running the trails in AZ; those trails that I’ve been circulating through over the last few months.  There are a few routes that I do weekly and this morning I did one for the last time before the race.  It is a trail, close to the house, where I go to do hill repeats and as I was finishing up that, “huh, this is the last time on here for a while.” Pretty surreal feeling, I guess. With the timing of this race, in July, my recovery, summer, high temps, it is possibly that I may not run that trail again until September, don’t know.  I do know that it was the last training run for this race, and that felt good. Gave me the sense that we’ve come a long distance, worked hard, and it will be exciting to see how this all plays out.

 The taper, from my perspective, gives me that time to reflect on things.  Most times I am out trying to get in the miles, working on my time, getting it in, getting it done.  Sometimes I lose sight of what I am getting to do, run all these beautiful trails with the amazing scenery.  Even before the taper, I have to tell myself to slow down and soak it in.  Need to work on that.  But these two weeks of tapering does slow things down a bit for you and I begin to think about the race, visualizing how things could go, even though they usually don’t go how you think they will 😊.  Anything and everything typically happen, especially when you are running 100 miles.  I think about the training that I’ve been able to do and the travels I’ve been fortunate to take in.  I feel grateful to Robin and the girls for the sacrifices and support they provide. I am appreciative of my family and friends for their encouragement and kind words, although most thing this is asinine 😊.  I typically get excited about all the good food and sustenance I will get to shove in my pie hole, however, another Covid silver lining maybe 😊, I’ve been stuffing my face with pretty much everything these last few months anyway but hey, still fun to think about.  

 This race though, there is some uniqueness to it.  Yes, it is actually taking place for one.  But there are a few other components; it is in Fairplay, CO.  A town of about 600 folks that I have grown to love very much.  Over the years we’ve been fortunate enough to visit several times and I feel welcomed every time there.  It is also home to my training partner, Bryan Shane.  We’ve been doing this crazy shit for several years and this will be the first race we actually run together in 3 years.  We’ve paced each other during that time but never ran together.  It is at elevation, pretty much all above 10,000’, a lot of climbing…….IT IS A MOUNTAIN RACE!!  It is something I’ve been wanting to do, experience, and test myself in. Overall, most of everything leading up to this moment next Saturday has been much different than any other race I’ve done.  And, the crazy thing is that it could still be canceled.  Either way, as I mentioned, Bryan and I still plan to run 100 miles, together, above 10,000’, in the Colorado Rockies.  There are so many things I am excited for, spending 10 days in the high country, out of the heat, in CO.  We will have that time with the Shane Family and enjoying small town living. Yes, we will be on vacation and yes, we will be doing a 100-mile race while on it; don’t judge, this is the shit we do 😊. There will be new experiences and memories created and a lot of stories to tell.

 As crazy as it may sound though, and this is not taking away anything from all the great things we will get to create, I am most looking forward to spending 30+ hours in the mountains, with my great friend.  No media, no pandemic, no news, TV, or bullshit.  Sure, that stuff won’t go away but we won’t know.  We will just be relentlessly moving forward; left foot, right foot, smooth and steady. There are not expectations other than there are moments that will suck, we will be tested, and it will hurt.  However, they will far be outweighed by the memories and stories we will create, the laughter we will have, the great people we will meet and be surrounded with and the support from the best crew in the business.

 Won’t be ideal but will sure be a hell of an adventure.

[vtruq]

My thoughts on things that are essential to me

For my future, I want to build my life around the voice from inside rather than the noise outside. I ended the last week's post with this sentence. And it raised the fundamental question behind all of this talking about essentialism and also this blog in general: What is essential to me?

Approach 1: Going through the twelve areas of life and writing whatever comes to my mind in the respective area. After that, review the results and see which area got the most attention and why. Finally decide what is essential.

Love Relationships Love and affection play a huge role in my life. I don´t want a girlfriend for the sake of having a girlfriend but I definitely miss someone around me. I wrote about a “perfect” week in ~5 or 10 years. This is the goal. I definitely see myself in a relationship. I am a peoples pleaser. Effortlessly I am making jokes to make everyone laugh. And so many thoughts that I want to share with someone. I can only be who I want to be with people around me. I need an audience.

Friendships Friendship and time with friends is something that I have had too little over the last couple of years. On the one hand, I want to be part of many nice memories in many people´s life. But on the other hand, I feel like I am burning time when meeting with friends sometimes. I feel like there is a very very limited number of people that give me energy back. I still need to find the balance here. But I guess this is something that just happens and I can´t plan that. I think minimalism/essentialism is going to help me a lot in terms of freeing time for these people and also for other friends/contacts. Over the last year, I developed a kind of anxiety whenever I meet an old friend or someone from my studies and it is time to say goodbye again. I think the anxiety stems from the fact that “everyone goes back to his/her own life” and I am not happy with mine currently. But once again it is just about me to make it better...

Adventures I have no problem to spend 400€ on a jacket or hoodie because I love fashion and craftsmanship. When it comes to vacation and especially holidays on my own I am always reluctant. I love to go out from time to time. But firstly, my focus is currently to build something and secondly, I only want to do holidays I really fancy doing; diving with amazing animals, water sport activities, learning to sail etc. These things cost money and I do not have it at the moment. I´d say it is important for me but I kind of want to invest the money also in other areas and there are travel destinations closer to my home, so it does not always have to be a crazy trip to India. As a “new years resolution” I want to spend at least 2 weeks in another country. Either on my own or preferably with friends. I think it is essential to free up time and experience something new. As Tim Ferris mentions it in “The 4 Hour Work Week” it does not cost a million and travelling is always a valuable thing to do.

Environment This is the quality of the general spaces where you spend your time. This is huge for me. The reason is that I am busy and this is not going to change in the future. I still want to achieve a lot. I just want to be happy with the things I do again and I want to be productive again. I want to have a home that is filled with self-build furniture, smells like I want it and just jells:” Come in feel home, feel loved”. I will spend a lot of time there. And even though I want to have a partner and more friends around than before, I still need a place I love to help me to overcome lonely moments. As mentioned many times before I value craftsmanship and valence a lot. One of the things I learned is that no matter if you only work 5 hours a day or 12, I come home and I am tired and exhausted. Thus I need things closeby - a lake or the sea to have a walk, waves or a gym to do some sports, mountains to calm down etc.

Community &contribution Currently, I do not have a core skill yet – or let's say I am still developing it. I try to give something back to the community as often as possible and I need to find a new extracurricular activity that is essential. But I think I need to develop much more as a professional person to achieve the contribution I want to. Still, I think this is one of the most important things in life. Give something back and be thankful for what you have and what happens or happened to you. I strongly believe that happiness is something one can never have on his/her own. Happiness is owned by two or more people as a group. I think that happiness is something one can never find but only give to others and therefore participate and be part of their happiness.

Family life Important when it comes to my own family/the family I am going to have. My current family is also important but differently. I don´t connect with cousins that well and I only stop by every once and again. It is nice to be home for Christmas, to hear what went on in their life. But after some time it is about the time to kick it. It is kind of the same feeling I have towards the end of my travels; that feeling of confidence and willingness to go back to “my life” and work on the stuff that I want again. Funny enough, travels and time with my family are the times when Piet comes around most often/ is almost always with me.

Creative Creative work is the reason why I started this blog. There is not that much to add to it. This might never get bigger than a hobby but I still need to pursue it.

Career The best question of the day. For the moment I think that the driver behind my actions is learning. To become the person I always wanted to be (charismatic and a leader/entrepreneur). My recent experience and failures give me the feeling that I chose the wrong path of studies and that I am competing in disciplines I will never master.  Hopefully, essentialism and the energy I source from it help me to fuel myself again and find my path...

Spiritual During my time here in India I learned a lot about my personal connection to God. I think it ties in with things like anxieties and the need&search for belongingness. I do not need to go to a church regularly or meditate every day. But whenever I do it feels good. It is one of the things that are very important/essential but it does not take much time, power or energy. My belief helps me to be more relaxed, to be generous to myself and others around me, to trust people and to be happier.

Skills that make you unique do you master them I want to learn many skills: become a bartender, a barrister, a sailer, a massage specialist, a fitness coach and a nutrition coach, a management coach, a musician and an entrepreneur. But I only want to master skills that lead to what I have been looking for such a long time – Charisma and a fulfilled and happy life. For now, I know that my strength is to read and to communicate with people and I have to find a way to leverage that.

Intellectual This has always been in me and goes hand in hand with my deepest motivation. The willingness to learn livelong. I want to be in a high-performance environment where people discuss issues, share the general interest in subjects such as politics etc.. I want to achieve a lot and by a lot I mean become a pro in what I am doing, love what I am doing and actually see a value for the society created by my work. Weirdly enough I have the feeling that the older I get the harder I need to leverage my “remaining young years” to learn as much as possible and to grow as a person. This train of thought ties in with my current belief that the “career race” is over once you started your first job. Which is, of course, flawed and wrong because “career” is nothing else but the professional part of self-fulfilment to me; still, I do have that believe because of peer pressure I feel.

Health and fitness Health and fitness is something that has always been with me. During my last year, I had very little time to work out and kind of lost the focus in my gym workouts. I wrote a whole article about this last week and I think the one thing I am thinking right now, that sports and good food will always be an essential part of my life. I need it to feel balanced and happy. And I think a good phenotype not only helps to be confident but also is a part of charisma for me. One specific goal until the end of this gap year is to beat my acne once and for all.

Approach 2: Ok the first approach did not lead anywhere. Now I want to use some lessons learned already to get somewhere:

Interests come and go in waves, and there are only very little things that stay with me, I want to be great in what I do and therefore I need passion, essentialism will be the constant challenge against myself of "I could have done more". Also knowing that I am not Elon Musk and that I am going to lose focus and myself and the quality of my work if I take on to many things.

Things that stay with me for a long time right now are my interests in psychology and communication, in charisma and power, in fashion and esthetic, and my interest in craftsmanship and the process of creation. Another vision I do have is one of me building my own furniture and living in a home where every detail is like I want it. A human-centred home. A place to feel home: many plants and flowers, old wooden floor, a piano and guitars, a huge sofa with space for everyone. Bandanas on the wall and warm light. A minimalistic office with a hammock. And a bedroom that makes everyone say "oh my god" Or "waaaaaow" as soon as they enter.

I want this to be mine. … Ok, screw anything that I have written so far in this article.

This blog is meant to be an open online diary. And I realised that the fact I had to sit down more than 5 times to continue writing on this article is probably a sort of cramping and shows that I am not happy with where this article went. I guess I have to write another article on my progress in essentialism somewhere in the future. Essentialism is just a term. I want to use it to overcome my “Youtube addiction”, to learn to balance free time and work time and to start projects I wanted to start for a long time. And don´t get me wrong it is totally fine to sprint from time to time and leaves the “rules” behind. I feel like I just need these guidelines at the moment to balance.

 But what is actually essentialism for me right now? I guess that it means that I have to set concrete and measurable rules of how many hours of the week I want to commit to what. These rules will also serve as a control indicator in the process. In a second step, I have to define my criteria to include/exclude options in my life. I guess these rules will in the first place be used to realise in which areas I do not want to accept follow up projects. But of course, it also helps to realise in which areas I should start to work. And for now, it ends there. I want to implement or redefine these steps first and apply them to my life. As McKeown describes it. Elimination and definition comes before execution. So let's start with this:

A rough time plan including buffering and time to play: The week has 168 hours of which I spend ~68h sleeping. So I am on my feet for 100 hours per week. Generally, I want to spend 60% of the time with work/ career stuff and 40% with “me time”. Another general consideration is that even though I already use Pi as a factor to plan for individual projects I also only plan for 95 hours of the week. It is just another control instance to not overwork and to not overload myself with projects. I have a problem to say f.e. the maximum number of projects is X. So I go by these buffer rules. So 95h -14h because Sunday is a full day (Sunday) to chill, to not do anything but enjoyable stuff like trips, spending time with friends, having a walk or journaling. It is important to have that day for quality time. To regularly ask myself where I am and where I want to go from here. Also, one day to spend time with friends and family or at least call many people. That leaves me with 81h. The 60% rule leaves me with 57 hours for work/ career stuff. Of course, this will not be true during exam periods but this is the rough guideline I am setting for now. Career stuff includes uni, studying, working and also seminars for my professional career. Thus I have 24 more hours to spend per week. 24 hours for “me stuff”. Which means work on projects that are important to me at the time. For example the fashion idea, my music, learning Spanish, also time to think about where I want to live in the future and how I want my life to be. Me time includes sports, music, building furniture with my uncle and time to visit and call friends and family. Overall that sounds reasonable. I guess what will stay with me is not more than 57h per week on work, at least one full day (Sunday I guess) per week off to reflect and 24 hours for my stuff and friends. Again: I don´t want to cramp on this concept – it is ok to sprint from time to time. This split just sounds reasonable to me right now to make sure I don´t burn out, don´t overload myself with projects or lose the balance between long and short term satisfaction things or lose focus. For at least 2 weeks a year, I want to go on vacation. See a new country, city or culture. Do things I love. Like diving, becoming a bartender, surfing, learning to sail etc. Just go out, ask people to join and make things that I fancy. This, of course, is related to creating financial buffering as well as time buffering. I guess for my further future I wish that I could spend 1 to 3 month a year in another place. That would be the ideal case to have a place to focus on work stuff and one place to primarily focus on “me stuff”. Bill Gates has his reading week with no internet or any connection to the world except for an emergency phone, somewhere in the mountains. If he can take the time to do that I can aswell.

The extreme criteria framework This uses the WIN-framework in it: What is Important Now? Here is my list of criteria that have to be fulfilled to 90 % or more to consider a new option. It is basically a checklist I want to use to put a structure to the question: Is this essential to me? Since I will mostly use this framework towards professional and extracurricular activities it is kind of targeted in that direction.

Does the opportunity offer a strong learning potential in a field I am interested in?

Offer a great opportunity to unfold my potential so that I can/will be as good as I want to be in anything I do?

Does this opportunity help me not only on the hard skill side (learning curve) but also, improve my soft skills (leadership skills and a mentoring model) and help me to get closer to my goal (=financial freedom, the fashion shop, coaching institute and C-level consulting, all with enough time for family&friends and my own projects (see time split above))? In other words: Does it offer strong opportunities to grow as a person?

Is it targeted towards my game plan (make a good living, work part-time and have my own business + fashion store/café on the side and still enough time for friends and family and hobbies)?

Do the people there fit with my personal style of living, being and working (professional but also a joke from time to time, travel and explore, entrepreneurial) and can I imagine having a very good time there? Is the boss nice (personally) and can I learn a lot from him? Is the vibe I am getting a good one?

Are the people like-minded? (entrepreneurial, nature and eco-friendly, love to explore and try out things, extroverted, open to new experience, sometimes creative)

Does it hold a chance to be/work in an environment I feel very happy and able to perform?

Do I think I can be as good as I want to be in everything I do?

Does it boost my career and provide me with new skills and abilities to be better at what I am doing?

Does it offer enough time to try out different things either at work or beside? (work-life balance)

Does it connect me with people I want to spend more time with or can help me to open new doors?

Does it make me happy on a daily based because it is fun to do it and I feel good about what I am doing?

Do I believe in it so much that I can be really passionate about it?

Does it help me in other projects I am facing or does it connect me with people who might help me?

Is the job in line with my location goals (= close to very nice nature: Lakes, mountains for hikes, the ocean or a sea to surf, sailor or dive or is the office at a very sunny place (not only in summer))?

Does the job offer the chance to work remotely?

Can I imagine settling in the environment for at least 2 years? Are there things closeby I enjoy? (=Environment, city I like and party life, likeminded people, nice music/art/comedy scene, close distances to work, the gym, the market etc.)

Can I adapt the timing and job schedule to my individual preference? And does it offer enough time for friends and family?

Does the opportunity have a sabbatical option?

Is the payment fair? Is it more than 50.000€ per year for not more than 57h but rather less?

Will it be an impossible challenge for me or doable to be a high achiever

Do I want the problems associated with this choice in my life? (The answer is no if I can think of 3 or more I do not want in my life)

18 of these 20 criteria have to be fulfilled as a rule of thumb. As mentioned in an earlier post the difficulty will be to not say “no” to early because you never know how it is until you are there. Anyway, I think this framework in mind combined with things that might come up over time (WIN-framework) will help me to ask the right questions to get an idea of how things are at the respective company/institution.

The things listed here are essential to me. Things might change a little bit over time but will most probably be constant because they represent the values I have been holding up all my life. I hope and I am confident that this will help to listen to the inner voice instead of the outer noise at any given time.

[taemdeul]

KR:/ LET’S GO ON VACATION

a vacation questionnaire.

how long has it been since your last vacation time?

“ah, my last vacation... wasn’t it in april? so it’s been about five months since i’ve had a vacation. when i went, it was also the first trip i’d taken in awhile, too. i don’t think i’m the type to take breaks often, but when i do they end up being fun and meaningful. you’re probably curious about where i went, right..~? i think it was floating around on sns, but i managed to run away to cebu with my friends. i was even able to get my scuba diving license while i was there. it was fun, the scenery was seriously beautiful, and i got to try a lot of things that i had been dreaming about.”

would you be the type to go on a vacation with your members, family, friends, or alone?

“personally, i think it’s the most fun to take a trip with friends, but since the members and i have never taken a vacation together, i think something like that would be nice too. my family tends to take their own vacations since i’m busy working, but i like to meet with friends to travel and play at least once a year— even if it’s just within korea.”

would you leave the city, state, country?

“it’s hard to go far when my schedule is busy, but if i could... i’d travel really far! to europe? or america? i don’t mind compromising on something closer, though, like a ski resort in the mountains or a trip to japan, or a beach vacation in jeju. i think any place can be fun as long as you’re traveling with the right people.”

describe your ideal travel plan & destination:

“this is a really tough question, because it’s one that i think about a lot. since my last vacation was at a resort-like place, a tropical paradise, i think something in europe might be fun. i’ve been to switzerland before for a vacation, but it was during the winter and it made it hard to travel. i think, for now, my ideal would be traveling there in the summer so i could see the beauty of the greenery instead of the snow. it seems like it would be really beautiful, and i could try different things that i didn’t get to try before! i could try skydiving again, or go hiking since the weather would be nice. i’m not good at planning things, so that’s all i can think of at the moment~.”

do you consider tour stops as vacations?

“in the past, i would stay in the hotel when we were touring different places, even if it were a place i had never been to before, like toronto and other interesting cities, but i think that i’ve changed that habit? it was kind of a shame to visit a place and have no memories, so i’ve started making an effort to explore despite having schedules. i had a lot of fun when touring in japan last year, and this year, too. there were a lot of things i got to try and see that i hadn’t before, despite working there for eight years... it was really amazing! i think the experiences helped me relate to the fans in each area, too, and i could speak to them more confidently.”

what is something you worry about when you go on vacation?

“something i worry about a lot is the planning. i don’t usually plan trips because i’m not very good at it, but for example, a few years ago, i was the one responsible for making the plans for a trip to sapporo with two of my closest friends. i think it turned out alright since they know how i am, but i didn’t even know the address to the hotel when we got there. it was seriously messy! in the end, it turned out to be fun though. i also have a bad habit of losing things or doing things carelessly, so that’s always a concern when traveling, too. losing a passport is a scary thing! i’ve done it before. would you like to travel with me~?”

what are a few things you would take with you?

“the only things i need are my phone, charger, and a change of clothes! that’s right— just one. i’m not a picky person.”

what are the first three places you wish to visit the most?

“i should pick places that i haven’t been to for vacation before, right? so i won’t say switzerland again. how about: spain, netherlands, and bali.”

would you create rules for your travels, or go with the flow?

“you might be able to tell what my answer is going to be by what i said about planning, but i really don’t think rules are important. since we deal with a lot of rules in our day-to-day life, going with the flow while you’re on a break seems like the best way to do things. it’s more relaxing that way.”

what time of the year do you believe is the best time to go on vacation?

“doesn’t it depend on where you’re traveling? there’s places that are really nice during different times of the year— switzerland is beautiful in both the summer and winter, the netherlands have beautiful winters too... of course, the beach is best when it’s warmest, but it’s nice to visit when everywhere else is cold too. it depends on the person’s preference, but i don’t have one. i’m happy with any time, because there’s always something to experience.”

[nanonaturalist]

Hello! I actually live in Abilene, TX. I am still in high school, but I really want to become an entomologist. I was wondering if you knew about anything in Texas that can help me on my way to becoming an entomologist, or if you have any tips? Thanks! :) I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hi there! Yes, I absolutely know some things you can do.

Entomology for Beginners: Solitary Activities

Go out and look for bugs! Even if you don’t have time to go on hikes or walks specifically to look for bugs, you’d be surprised what you can find in your daily life if you look closely enough. A few years ago, I would walk through a park to campus every day. The walk was only 10-15 minutes long, but I saw so many fun things just from looking around me.

Pay attention to the common thingsLook closely at them. Ants, flies, bees, spiders, cockroaches, crickets, etc. See how close you can get to them. Pay attention to their anatomy–how does one ant differ from another you’ve seen? What do you notice about the shape of the fly’s eyes? Does the cricket have wings or not? How long are the antennae? You could do this very casually, or you could keep a little notepad to take notes. Look up some anatomy diagrams for different orders of insects and find them on living individuals.

Hatch eggs/raise youngA few months ago, I started finding insect eggs in my yard. I took them to watch them hatch and document each life stage. Some eggs were moth/butterfly eggs, some were stinkbug eggs. I wasn’t able to identify the stinkbug eggs, and when stinkbugs are growing, they change dramatically in appearance between each molt. Each species of stinkbug can have 6 or more totally different coloration patterns, all of which look nothing like the adult. I wanted to raise them to document each life stage and create a record linking them to the adults. I learned so much doing this, and if you have the time and resources, see if you can find a caterpillar or a nymph and raise it to adulthood. You’ll learn the importance of host plants, you’ll see what happens when they grow and molt, you’ll see very interesting behaviors you wouldn’t normally see in the wild. If you don’t have a container to raise bugs in, use a mason jar with a canning ring holding fabric or paper towel over the opening (don’t poke holes in a lid, the insects can get injured on the sharp edges). I’m planning to write up a guide to raising insects at some point, but for now, feel free to ask more questions and I’ll help you out.

Browse BugGuide [link]! Find a bug you see all the time, and take its photo (or keep it in a jar) so you can look at it while trying to identify it as far as you can go. I may not know a lot of insect families from memory, but I’ve had a lot of practice going through the guides and looking for distinguishing features. It took me a long time to figure out how the site is organized. Start with the guide page [link], and click on the taxa that fits your bug. Use the tabs at the top to go between Browse (compares all taxa within the selected group), Info (in-depth information about the selected taxa), and Photos (all user submitted photos with verified IDs). 

If you see something and you are totally stuck, you can submit a photo to their ID Request page, and somebody will usually tell you what it is and provide a link to a guide page within a few days. If your photo quality is good enough, they’ll even add it to the guide.

Document your observations on iNaturalist [link]! I LOVE iNaturalist, and I credit it for helping me learn most of what I know. You take photos and upload them to your profile. If you take photos with your cellphone, iNaturalist will use the GPS data and time/data data to document where and when you took the photo, and this information is used to document what species are present in an area at any given time. A lot of university and state projects use iNaturalist data for their research and for obtaining grant money. 

Another thing I love about iNaturalist: it has tools that help you identify what you’ve seen. If you know something is a stinkbug, but you have no idea what kind, iNaturalist’s “compare” tool will show you the most common stinkbugs in your area. Just last year, I didn’t know the difference between a rice stink bug and a brown stink bug, but thanks to iNaturalist and the community of people who use it, now I can instantly identify most stink bugs to species level without looking them up. A screenshot of iNaturalist’s compare tool page is below.

Even better: iNaturalist is a community of people who love nature. It’s a mix of amateurs (like me!), state wildlife employees, and professional naturalists (professors of entomology, ornithology, etc). These people will go through observations and provide IDs, and they will comment on things telling you how you know it’s one species vs another, why it can’t be what you thought it was, etc. Even though it’s online and seems impersonal, I have “met” a ton of people on iNaturalist–everybody is friendly and very willing to help you learn. I have interacted with some people enough that when we end up unexpectedly meeting in person (which has happened a few times!), we both get very excited to finally meet! If you join iNaturalist, send me a message there and I will follow you and help you learn. My profile is here (username: nanofishology) [link]

Entomology for Beginners: Social Activities/Formal Education

Contact the Big Country Master NaturalistsThis is the Master Naturalist chapter for Abilene [link] and the surrounding area. Master Naturalists are a group of trained volunteers in Texas who aim to increase the public’s appreciation of natural resources in Texas. I don’t know how active their chapter is, but according to their facebook page [link], they have regular guided hikes in Abilene State Park. If you let them know you are interested in entomology, they might be able to connect you with somebody who can mentor you.

Summer Research ProgramsThere are a few universities that run formal summer research programs for high school students. It’s too late to apply for this summer, but keep these in mind for next year. Not all are entomology, but even a general biology program will expose you to useful information. A couple sites that list multiple opportunities:Biology & Biotechnology Paid Co-op/Internship OpportunitiesPathways to Science - High School Programs

Outside of formal programs, there are many professors who will take in high school students to work on research projects during the summer. I looked at colleges around Abilene and didn’t see any specific entomology departments, but you could contact professors at other universities and see if they offered paid summer internships. To find professors: go to a university’s website and navigate to the biology department. There will be a “faculty” page, typically with the professors’ areas of research listed, and you can scroll through until you find one who studies something that interests you. Look at their lab’s website, and when you find somebody who does research that sounds interesting to you, email them! Introduce yourself, ask if they offer summer internships for high school students or if they have a colleague who does. You may not find anything, but it never hurts to ask!

Zoos and MuseumsZoos and museums are a great place to learn about insects. If you have a chance to volunteer at one, that would definitely give you some good experience. I didn’t see a natural history museum in Abilene, but there is the Abilene Zoo. They have a summer teen internship program, and while it doesn’t seem to have any entomology component, you’d still get experience with animals and husbandry. When you are first starting out, it’s a good idea to have a solid foundation in the basics of biology, so that when you learn about arthropods, the concepts are more intuitive and you can see connections between all different forms of life.

More informally, if you have a chance to travel to a science museum, definitely do it. If you go on a trip, say to Dallas or Houston, and you have plans to visit a natural history museum, try emailing them in advance and request a behind-the-scenes tour with the entomology department. You’d be amazed the opportunities you can get if you know to ask for them. Most people who work in biology at museums or universities LOVE sharing their passion with people, and making connections earlier will help you build a strong network of mentors and colleagues as you progress in your education and career.