OUT with the OLD and IN with the NEW

2009 is coming around and I have decided that this is the time for change. My new years resolution (which I really hope I can stick to) is out with the old and in with the new. I'm one who both likes and does not like change. I like the same things and things that are just the way they are. When I'm at sushi, I ALWAYS order salmon first. When I can't decide on what to order at the Cheesecake Factory, I just decide to get the usual Mediterranean Salmon (which by the way is superb!). And if it comes down to two in a restaurant, a usual dish and a new dish, I usually end up with the usual dish. It's not like I am afraid to try something new because I'm not, but I'm actually not sure why I do the things that I do. I'm one for adventure, hence my HUGE backpacking trip in South America in the new year! Definitely looking forward to try new things, the food, the culture, and the experience. I'm one for being active and being one with the wilderness and all that. Why am I the way I am? Why are most people like this? We all say we like change but when it comes down to it, some can actually do it and others can't.

I want to try new things. When I am at that new restaurant (I'm thinking Moroccan because I want to try something new and interesting), I want to order something that I have never tried before. When I go to sushi, I want to order eel first or even order a roll before I think about salmon. And this out with the old and in with the new does not just apply to only food, but it also applies to life in general, like traveling, sports, adventure, friends, jobs, and new people too.

I've graduated from college. It's my time to do things on my own; I have for most of my life, but this time it's different because I could be on my own now, any day, month, or year. I need to be more outgoing, get that dream job, take the next flight out to a different country, learn that new language (which I am in the process of doing now), take that chance, and experience everything that life has to offer. I have seen that movie "Bucket List" and how we should all write down what we want to accomplish in our life before we leave. But why make that list later on in life? Why not make that list now? We put things off because we think we can do it later, but what if we can't? Why not try something new? Can it help us or does it only hurt? I'm going to leave pondering that question and hopefully you will too.

Why do we do the things that we do?

Writer's Block..Letting it all flow.

Ok so I've been having a writer's block moment for a month now and still don't know what to write about so I'm just going to let it flow. I'm about to take my last final of the semester and will finally be a college graduate! I am so excited about that! I have been waiting for this day to come ever since I started going to college back in 2002. Wow how time does fly! I'm starting to get that nervous feeling that most people get when it is now time to look for a job in the real world. I think this makes me even more nervous now because of the economy. I just want to make something in the kitchen now and forget about what I am feeling for the moment! I also have to try and figure out where I want to live. Not sure where but I do plan on setting a couple days aside to figure this out and the job situation.

Next week I finally get to sit down with my lovely friend Nicole and start planning our South America amazing race! As the days come closer to when we want to leave, that is also starting to scare me too! Don't get me wrong, I am REALLY excited to do this. I have been waiting for a trip like this for a long time now. I think the anticipation is getting to me now. Adventurous is my middle name but I can also get pretty nervous easily, especially since this will be my first big travel adventure.

¡Quero viajar ao redor do mundo!

Almost crossing the finish line...

My life is a whirlwind...too fast paced! I will finally graduate in December..YA! But now the pressure is on to find a job, a new place to live, and save up money for my 2009-early 2010 travels..which I am still excited about. Besides my 4 country travels in South America plus Falkland Island in late Jan 2009-February, I have also made plans with a friend to go out to Greece and Australia (my dream!) in mid to late 2009! I'm also looking forward to an Alaska trip in early 2010! My life for the next 2 years will be filled of finally having some dreams of mine come true! I'm going from traveling to just Catalina Island and throughout other states in the US to traveling to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, Falkland Island, Greece, Australia, and Alaska in the next 2 years! I believe this is definitely well deserved. So definitely looking forward to working 50 hours a week to pay for all of this!

Besides all of this, school is starting to become to overwhelming for me. It's too the point that my weekends are pretty much the same. School during the week. One day to relax. The rest of the weekend to type up the usual 3-6 papers a week. :o( Sometimes it goes by fast and sometimes I feel like I'm wasting away in my last semester of school when I should be enjoying it. I guess it also doesn't help that I can't concentrate on anything anymore because all I can think of right now are my dream travels and moving out and living a new life!

In food news, I tried the 4 cheese gnocchi at Spumoni in Stevenson Ranch and it was fabulous! Haven't tried this dish before and wow I wasted years by missing out on this! I also just discovered the Pampas Cafe in Northridge so I'm interested in trying that out, just to get a better feel of Argentine cuisine.

I'm also really excited about my 5k racing times this year! I feel like I am running 3x better than when I was at my best. The times have definitely improved and I feel that I am pretty much ready to race in my first 10k in mid-December. Nervous about it but excited to upgrade and try something new.


Do one thing a day that scares you.

It's a start..

My first blog...HELLO to all who will be reading (if any!).

Anyways, this blog is for me to just open up about my thoughts on love, life, my travels (have really only been to Catalina Island in recent years, but will soon expand my horizons to different places), and FOOD...the good, the bad, and what you should and should NOT try (the only thing on my mind at the moment is sea urchin...do NOT try it! Did not like it much but try escargot. It is definitely worth trying!)

I'm also looking forward to my VERY FIRST backpacking experience throughout South America in early 2009!! Over a month of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, and Falkland Island! I am SO excited about this experience and really cannot focus on anything else! I can't wait for the Andes Mountains, Falkland Island, the tango in Argentina, Buenos Aires, yerba mate, Copacabana beach, Carnival, Rio de Janeiro, the samba in Brazil, the AMAZON RAINFOREST (my dream!!), Iguazu Falls, Georgetown, the people, the FOOD, the nightlife, the appreciation, and just experiencing new things that I will NEVER see in CA or the United States, for that matter. ADVENTUROUS is my middle name! :o)

¡Vive una vida por completo de la aventura!