I've decided to continue blogging over at my old blog. Not that I've ever been a "style" blogger but this blog is just not doing it for me. I loved writing about my travels and at this point just feel more comfortable at my old stomping grounds, so you can all subscribe at The Traveling Peach.

It was brought to my attention that I've disappeared. Sometimes life has a way of catching up to a person, making time for blogging scarce.
So where did we leave off?
My health.
Well. Turns out, it wasn't allergies but a throat abscess (TMI!!). I feel great now, after completing week 5 of 6 weeks of antibiotics. Once I'm off the meds, the infection may come back, in which case: tonsillectomy. Yikes.
Next up?
I moved to Seattle!
I moved up about two weeks ago after a month at my mom's and have been loving it. I lived here when I was 19 and only left to attend college in state in Oregon. It feels great to be back and I've been having fun getting to know the city again.
More soon. Maybe.

In which I drastically change my diet

So I've been fighting off sore throats for about two months now and needless to say it is getting old.
I've gone to doctor and they can't seem to figure it out (too much travel, allergies, etc..). I recently had a doctor who, before examining me or taking my medical history, suggested an HIV test. To say I was outraged is an understatement. What type of medical professional casually throws out tests like that without going over a patient's history? She then went on to inquire if I was a drug dealer because of my traveling. Clearly she will be reported, guess that's what you get at a tribal clinic, sadly.
Ok, back to my point.
I think my old food allergies are rearing their ugly head again and so for about two to three weeks I am embarking on a pretty intense elimination diet to try to figure out what's wrong. This means I can't eat:
Wheat, corn, rye, citrus, sugar, additives, dairy, eggs, corn syrup, coffee, tea, alcohol. Honestly, caffeine and citrus are proving to be the most difficult, one day in. Expect updates and wish me luck.

2011

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

Be present during a labor/birth.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I can't remember what my resolutions were last year, thus the motivation to fill out this lovely little meme.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My sister! 

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Sadly, none. I did travel extensively within the U.S. though.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
More stability. I would love to find a place to live that made me truly happy.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
December, 8. The night my nephew was born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting into both grad schools I applied to.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not growing professionally.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a terrible bout of strep throat and bronchitis this November, possibly the sickest I've ever been.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Awkward question, probably my brother. He dealt with my father's hospitalization amazingly, I'll always respect him for that.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine, at times and a few others.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Travel expenses and savings.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Becoming an aunt!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? The same
b) thinner or fatter? I wouldn't say fat but a few pounds heavier
c) richer or poorer? I have a few more bucks, but not much.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Take time to do what pleased me not others.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Obsessing over my body, zoning out on the computer.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
In Lake Havasu with my boyfriend and his brother. On Xmas eve we had dinner and played games with some friends. On Xmas day we hung out and made dinner. Pretty uneventful.

21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes, with my nephew (notice a theme yet?)

2. What was your favorite TV program?
Dexter, Top Chef

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I wouldn't use the word hate but last January 1st one of my best friends shunned me from her life.

24. What was the best book you read?
Hunger Games

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Sadly, I can't think of any.

26. What did you want and get by year’s end?
Acceptance into grad school.

27. What did you want and not get by year’s end?

More stability.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I never remember movies I watch...maybe 128 hours.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My boyfriend and I drove from PDX to Seattle, we went camping by a river and I woke up to a beautiful day. I turned 28.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More money. Yes, I said it.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Uh, really? Can't say I had one.

32. What kept you sane?
My therapist.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ryan Reynolds. Yes, I went there.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I can't believe I can't think of an answer. I'm ashamed.

35. Who did you miss?
Long lost friends D, Aid, G

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Oddly enough, my sister's doula Alethea and a German girl, Conny. I haven't bonded so quickly with women in years.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Easy does it, but do it. 

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Every day I'm shuffling

Happy New Year, Everyone! Let 2012 be full of joy, health, happiness and peace!

...Big Bear

We drove up to Big Bear, just east of LA on my boyfriend's birthday. Unfortunately, it was raining and we hit traffic (in LA, imagine that) and didn't make it to the base of the mountain till dark. At that high altitude it turned into a full blown snow storm and chains were required. After purchasing them and chaining up we headed up the narrow, steep, snowy road. It took us a couple hours to make it about 35 miles, it was quite the adventure.

(this was actually coming back down the mountain)

Once at Big Bear Lake (a small resort town) we headed straight to the bar to celebrate his birthday with some friends. I was immediately pulled up for some Spice Girls karaoke and handed a beer. The night progressed into one of the most fun in months. Great new friends in a great setting. That night we stumbled home to crash with our friends and woke up way too early the next day.

 Poor Wojc has seen better days.

 Big Bear is GORGEOUS. Beautiful mountain, trees, snowy roads and a lovely lake. And the people? Some of the most welcoming and friendly I've met. Definitely a great first impression.

Next Stop

Los Angeles.
My boyfriend was in LA for a few days so I changed my ticket from NYC to LAX. Unforutnately, it was pouring down rain during our stay putting a slight damper on my excitement to be in LA. But it was nice to stay a night back on the West Coast.

The next day, I was jet legged, tired and had a cold but it was my boyfriend's 30th birthday so I knew I had to keep going for one more day before crashing. We explored LA, had a nice lunch at Hermosa Beach and then braved the freeways for our next destination...

Earlier today while facebooking with my mom, I mentioned I really wanted to come home for a week or two to rest and build my immune system as I have had a cold for weeks on end, never fully recovering with all my travel. 
A few hours later, I open this email from my mom:


"I invite you to Mom's Health Spa for a 7-day Healing Retreat. Day 1: Juices for health, Day 2: Herbal foot soak, followed by a relaxing foot massage, Day 3: Yoga at Vital Current Yoga {my good friend's yoga studio}, Day 4: Herbal facial (herbal hot towel wrap and face & scalp massage), Day 5: Yoga at Vital Current Yoga, Day 6: Herbal hand soak, manicure and hand massage, Day 7: Yoga at Vital Current Yoga. Retreat is located on the rugged and isolated Oregon Coast. Other activities include: Napping, beach walks, napping, movies, napping, reading, and more napping. Retreat features home-cooked vegetarian or vegan food, herbal teas, and fresh-brewed coffee. All at no cost to you!"


Excuse my bragging, but my mother is seriously the most amazing woman!