Ghosts of Birthdays Past
Celebrating birthdays in a new place can lead to a host of emotions—enthusiasm, joy, freedom, anxiety, or even nostalgia. This year, it was yet another reminder of how much can change in a year. In fact, if there is any date that should be an unbiased marker of a year’s change, it should be a [...]
Tropical “To Do” List
I may have come to terms with my temporary pause in plans to move, relocate, or travel long-term, but I still feel the need to justify the change of heart. So, here are a dozen adventures and other to-dos that I hope to take advantage of from my new subtropical home: Take the long highway [...]
Can Wanderlust be Stationary?
Merriam Webster defines wanderlust as “strong longing for or impulse toward wandering.” I had long assumed that wanderlust naturally implied travel to far distances, but does it necessitate a physical distance? Does it require land roving? If I consider my own opinions, I’d consider wanderlust the strong longing or inclination to continually explore anything unknown and [...]
Need a boost? Try some sunshine.
If you know my story than you know I have battled depression for the last eight years or so. My triggers come in all forms: being too stressed, recalling on a bad memory, being in unfamiliar places and being alone for long periods of time. Unfortunately all of those things are unexpected and come up [...]
Homecoming and Humble Pie
When I started this journey across the country, I had grand plans to “rush slowly,” controlling the impulse to push the speed limit and trying to appreciate even the boring aspects of the drive. This went very nicely until driving from Texas to Baton Rouge. I got halfway across the country without even a desire [...]
Sunshine for Your Soul
The ocean heals, we say. I have had quite a collection of friends come visit me in South Florida either with the conscious intention of healing by the sun and sea or expressing their surprise appreciation upon leaving. Knowing the power of the sun and waves, I am always saddened (and feel a bit guilty) [...]
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Going North to Get South…Then Walking Away
Given Florida’s lengthy north-to-south stretch, the changing latitudes also mark changing climates, cultures and accents. Funnily enough, one has to go north for at least 7 hours from West Palm Beach to end up in the South. So, as I headed to the Panhandle for a couple of days, I found myself smack in the [...]
Finding a Community Through Theater
We are scattered against the walls of the simple hardwood room, throwing out our lines quickly, and watching one of our fellow actors move enthusiastically across the floor. Passersby peek through the window, unaware of the motive behind our rehearsal but certain that the man in the center is someone worth watching. He is. We [...]
Marathon Tourism
Since 2006, “running a marathon” has also come to mean “travel excuse.” In fact, I cannot imagine myself running a marathon (whether half or full) in a town I’ve been to before. A race is a phenomenal reason to get to a place you wouldn’t have thought to visit and is a fantastic way to [...]
 in a town I’ve been to before. A race is a phenomenal reason to get to a place you wouldn’t have thought to visit and is a fantastic way to [...] "Pin It")
Boxes, Baggage, and New Beginnings
Life comes full circle after your heart breaks. In May, I proudly packed up all my remaining belongings at my parents’ house and shipped them to the east coast, only to come back for the holidays to find those same boxes now once again in my childhood bedroom. I forgot why they were there. Oh, [...]
