2o19

new year, same me. i totally forgot to even start this post so it could be posted in the beginning of the new year, but oh well. not much reflection going on here. that may have to do with a healthier mind this year, but i don't know. i was fortunate to travel this year, but definitely not as much as in 2017 (it's expensive even on a budget!). also, i used up my vacation for my euro trip in 2017 & roadtrip of the south in 2018, so the rest of this year was really just trying to utilize weekends & government holidays.

first up was a weekend visit to visit my sister in sacramento. the next month, i took a train/road trip to monterey, ca with my aunt. i am still hoping to post this one, but i still have to finish my big 2017 solo euro trip (only taking 14+ months).

fisherman's warf

next was the big trip of the year; a solo road trip through north carolina, south carolina, & georgia in april. originally, it was not meant to be solo, but shit happens & i laid down too much money to jsee it go to waste. even though i hate driving, i really did enjoy a solo road trip which surprised me. i only hated driving through atlanta (it was the worst).

duke homestead state historic site, durham, nc.

mcleod plantation historic site, charleston, sc

savannah, ga

next was a weekend trip to ojai. this trip was the calmest and shortest trip of them all (also hoping to still post this one as a 'suburban adventure')

los padres national forest

and the last was a long weekend trip to sequoia national park.

giant forest (and me!)

as opposed to years past, no resolutions. i lacked aha moments this year, but i think that is just me getting older and knowing more about myself & want i want in life. i just want to keep on keeping on, you know? on just news in general, i started a new job in december (via promotion), so that has kept me & my mind busy. i also invested in a digital piano, but haven't played it much recently.

my piano, georgiana. yes it is a reference to pride & prejudice. the joe wright adaptation featured a piece of score that first perked my ears to the piano. it's called 'dawn.'

now for next year, i am planning a solo train trip through italy (and possibly another nearby country/city)! i am still in the logistical, boring planning stagess (i.e. where to go for how long so i can buy my plane tickets hopefully by march). also possibly i may go on a little weekend trip during one of the government holidays in february, but that is still in the works.

now for a song! i thought i would choose the first song i learned on my piano, beethoven's 'fure elise.' this song makes me think of a kiddo in ballet. i remember this song playing one day. enjoy!