Day 363: December 29, 2011

While in PHX, I took advantage of the warm weather and ran outside, around my Grandma's community. The scenery was beautiful, there is just something about mountains that is just breathtaking.

Day 361: December 27, 2011

After I got home from the Christmas trip to Kansas, I unpacked my bags and packed a suitcase for PHX to visit my Grandma Rita and Aunt Mari!


Grandma Rita and me

It was great to see them, celebrate Christmas, relax and visit with them.

Day 320: November 16, 2011

I am thankful for all of the opportunities that I've had to travel. A few of the places I've visited just in this past year are: Phoenix, Jamaica, Minnesota, Iowa, Indianapolis, and Boston. Later in the year, I'll be spending Christmas in Kansas and then going to Phoenix again for my last trip of 2011.

Day 285: October 12, 2011

I'm quite the Starbucks lover and I collect Starbucks mugs wherever I travel.

I hit the jackpot in Boston! I got two Boston mugs and a New York mug!

Day 284: October 11, 2011

I went running every morning while in Boston- I had to work off the Clam Chowder and the cannoli! It was a beautiful way to see the city. I stopped to capture this picture- it was a beautiful fall morning in Boston.

Day 283: October 10, 2011

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is to try the local hot spots! I went to Mike's Pasty in Boston's North End.


I got the double chocolate cannoli. It was so rich and delicious!

Day 282: October 9, 2011

My final business trip of the year (I think...and hope!) was to Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston is a beautiful and historic city. I wish I would have more time to see all of the historic sites. I was most excited about trying New England Clam Chowder!



I wasn't disappointed- it was delicious! I managed to have a bowl at nearly every meal!

Day 256: September 13, 2011

I love learning new things when traveling. During my visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I learned that it is tradition to drink milk after winning the Indy 500. As an Aggie, I love traditions. I researched the tradition a bit more after I got home and here's what I learned:
From Wikipedia: "Louis Meyer requested a glass of buttermilk after winning his second Indy 500 race in 1933. After winning his third title in 1936, he requested another glass but instead received a bottle. He was captured by a photographer in the act of swigging from the bottle while holding up three fingers to signify the third win. A local dairy company executive recognized the marketing opportunity in the image and, being unaware Meyer was drinking buttermilk, offered a bottle of milk to the winners of future races. Milk has been presented each year since then apart from 1947–1955. Modern drivers are offered a choice of whole, 2%, and skim."

Day 255: September 12, 2011

During my visit to Indianapolis, my Aunt Mari took me to the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Speedway is home to the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400.

The track is over 100 years old! I could just feel the history as we took a lap around the 2.5 mile track and toured the museum. The track is often referred to as the Brickyard as it was paved with 3.2 million bricks in 1909. My cousin Michael propsed to his now wife here at the Speedway!

The start/finish line is still paved with brick, even though the track has been repaved several times, a little bit of history remains.

If I was a racecar driver, I think this would be my car. It is the perfect shade of pink.

I had a great time in Indianapolis. It was special seeing my cousin Michael get married, I enjoyed spending time with my family, and enjoyed touring around the city.

Day 252: September 9, 2011

Today, I flew to Indianapolis, Indiana to visit family and see my oldest cousin Michael get married!!

I spent Friday with my Aunt Jeannie and her husband in downtown Indianapolis. We toured around the city and went shopping at the Circle Center Mall downtown!

Day 239: August 27, 2011

Final stop- Omaha, Nebraska.



On my drive from Le Mars, Iowa, I saw endless corn fields.



And lots of flooding.



I noticed on all the bridges near the river there were huge bags with rocks and sand in them to keep the water off the roads. The flooding is devastating to the farmland in the area. As Texas is in severe drought conditions, the Midwest is suffering from extreme flooding.

Day 238: August 26, 2011

Next stop- Le Mars, Iowa.


Population: < 10,000.

One of my favorite things about traveling is experiencing the local eateries. Archie's Waeside came highly recommended. Archie's was ranked number 2 out of 64 restaurants in Rachael Rays March Madness Bracket of top Steak Houses in the Country. It was a true hometown steakhouse.

Day 237: August 25, 2011

First stop in my tri-state Midwest trek: Sioux Falls, SD!


I landed late at night, when the sun was down and the wind was blowing. I got real goosebumps. This Texas girl is used to the heat!

Day 236: August 24, 2011

As I packed for my work trip to the Midwest, I had to dig in deep in my closet for clothes appropriate for cooler weather. My trip itinerary: a late flight into Sioux Falls, SD with an overnight hotel stay, a drive to Le Mars, Iowa where my client's plant is located, with an overnight stay at the classiest hotel in town- Holiday Inn, and a drive to Omaha, Nebraska, for an overnight stay in the hip area of Old Town, for an early morning flight home.

I'm most looking forward to cooler temperatures- a much need break from the heat.

Day 235: August 23, 2011

I should keep this in mind with my trip for work to the Midwest on the horizon...

Day 211: July 30, 2011

The first Harry Potter book came out in 1997, right before I started middle school and ever since then I was hooked to the series. The first movie was released in 2001, while I was a freshman in high school. The final book came out in 2007, when I was a junior in college on an internship living in Houston. The final movie was released this year, 2011, now I'm an adult, graduated from college, with a full time job and working in Dallas. My mom and I read each book and saw every Harry Potter movie together. This past October, we went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando. It was fun sharing our love of the Harry Potter series together.


Wizarding World of Harry Potter

My mom and I saw the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II and it marks the end of the Harry Potter era. I grew up with Harry Potter. Now, I'm fourteen years older from when the series first began, but I still love the books and movies and it will forever be apart of my childhood.

Day 205: July 24, 2011

The river floating group stayed in a cute and charming house near the Comal River for the weekend.



We had the sweetest neighbors drop by to welcome us, deer!


With just a shake of a milk jug filled with corn, we had numerous deer within minutes right out the back door.

Day 204: July 23, 2011

I may be a Native Texan (and proud of it), but until today I had never floated a river.

We rented tubes from Rockin R' and floated down the Comal River (which may be easily confused with the Gruene River). The river is spring fed, so the water was nice and cool and felt great in the hot Texas heat. It was a ton of fun!

Day 173: June 22, 2011

Things I miss about my Jamaican vacation:

-where my biggest decision of the day is picking out which book to read next
-drinking hummingbirds (famous Jamaican adult beverage) out of my purple bubba mug
-hearing the sound of the waves
-this view

Alas, it is back to work today, so that I can plan for my next vacation!

Day 169: June 18, 2011

We had a wonderful and relaxing trip to paradise! I can't wait to go back!