My Gripe with Crappy Movies in 2015

This is one of my pettiest rants of all time, but it has to be done. I need to get this off my chest! 

What ever happened to good movies? You know, the kind that were REALLY entertaining, thought provoking or even life changing? These days, I feel so inundated with mediocrity, and movies are no exception. Seems they'll release any pile of crap they can throw together and the kicker is that people will not only go see them, but actually enjoy them! What am I missing here? It's hard to believe that I'm the only one who is bothered by this as of late.

Allow me to elaborate on my frustration. During the last few years, I've missed out on countless movies due to spending the majority of my time engrossed in my career or in my educational pursuits. Going to the movies, popcorn and all, is something I've missed. So now that I have more free time, I've become determined to dedicate more time to one of my favorite pastimes. For the last three weeks in a row, a friend and I made it a habit to go to the movies every Friday evening. Just painting you a picture so you can imagine my excitement and expectations.

The first movie we saw was San Andreas, with Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson. Probably one of the worst movies I've ever wasted two hours of my life on. The film was full of completely unrealistic/impossible scenarios and cliche overkill, such as the famous "What do we do now? We rebuild!" line after total and utter devastation to the entire state of California. Whenever a character miraculously survives an extreme disaster and yet still has a fresh face of make up on, I for one am very freaking annoyed. I feel like they don't even try to make this stuff even slightly believable anymore. Ugh.

The next week, we saw Jurassic World after hear mixed reviews. I was so disappointed. Yes, special effects were good in this (as well as in San Andreas) but that is not enough to wow me, especially when the main character is running from a T-Rex for hours in heels and a white blouse. The kicker? They pulled the exact same "What do we do now?" line in this one too! There's only so much over the top ridiculousness I can take. Upon discussing at work the next Monday, my coworkers loved the movie and brought up a good point. Why would anyone expect anything less than these exaggerations and this total predictability in Hollywood blockbusters these days? Especially one about dinosaurs. I guess I can understand that perspective, but come on. I remember when movies wowed you. I remember when movies were so original that you never knew what would happen next or how the movie would end. I remember movies that made a significant impact on me! And THAT is what I miss.

So do you know what I did? I went home and popped in my DVD of the original Jurassic Park, a movie I have fond memories of from many views as a child. And I enjoyed it even more than the over-produced 2015 crap I just saw hours before. Are the special effects amazing like they are now? No. But even with a concept like killer dinosaurs, the movie was  exciting, relatable, and absolutely earns its title as a classic. I probably should never set my expectations as high, but I can't help it. I know that remakes and sequels usually disappoint, but this is just one example of how the QUALITY of Hollywood releases in general has went downhill.

However, we were pleasantly surprised the last week when we went to see the movie, Dope. It was a unique concept, very well done, and totally entertaining from start to finish. The film followed a high school outcast and his two friends in the rough streets of Inglewood, California as they go from geeks obsessed with the 90's and regularly bullied at school; to cool kids who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and suddenly get forced into selling drugs. Except, in true nerd fashion, they opt to push and market their products via the online black market trade. Throughout it all, the main character never gives up his aspirations to attain a scholarship at an Ivy League school. So this was not just your typical urban drama or teen flick. At the end of the movie, the social message was clear and it was a very good one: whether you're a black kid from the streets of Compton or a white kid with rich parents, every child deserves a chance in life. No one should be limited to their environment. Following your dreams is more important than following the crowd. The movie was completely authentic, unpredictable, clever, and truly refreshing. Exactly the kind of movie I miss. 

America's fascination with the big screen is a century old obsession, but in my opinion the industry will never be the same as it used to be back when movies had substance, originality, authenticity, and innovation. Once in a while, you'll see a film like Dope that stimulates you the entire time and moves you. Even more seldom, you may encounter a film that becomes a classic, like some of my favs, the the Godfather and Pulp Fiction. But the decades where Hollywood pumped out one great film after another are over. These days Americans find reality TV entertaining, so it's no wonder their standards for movies have sunk just as low. All I'm saying is that I'm tired of the crap that our society accepts as the norm, yet haven quite given up on hope. But for now, I'll mostly stick to my books, which never seem to disappoint. 

Aloha Aina Music Festival

Last night I attended the "Aloha Aina" music festival at Waikiki Shell. It was a great show with Hawaiian music and dance, as well as some reggae artists I really love. The purpose of this show was not just entertainment, but a great cause. To raise money and awareness surrounding the protection of Mauna Kea. At the end of the show, the entire crowd joined hands in a prayer chant. It was one of the most beautiful and powerful things I've ever witnessed. People coming together over what they believe in and stand for. I am so glad I got to experience, participate in and support this.

For those of you on the mainland who may not know, here is what's been going here in Hawaii. On the "big island" of Hawai'i, there is much controversy over construction of a new "thirty meter telescope" aka TMT. That is because it's set to take place on Mauna Kea, said to be the "tallest mountain in the world" and also THE MOST sacred land to native Hawaiians. These people are incredibly passionate and emotional about the whole ordeal, and have been protesting for months, even physically blocking entrance to the summit to prevent the construction project and getting arrested. Their standpoint is that the scientific benefits of this telescope do not outweigh the importance of their beliefs or the protection of their land, and that we should be focused on what's going on here on ground and all the problems we face with the environment, rather than up above in outer space. There are actually already 13 observatories on this dormant volcano, and while you may wonder what's the big deal about one more being built, tonight I saw hundreds of people in tears and praying with all their might... that's how much it means to them. This is a very spiritual place where their ancestors are buried and where the ashes of their recent family members are scattered. This was their land, or "aina", for many years, and it always will be. I never knew this until I lived here, but MANY Hawaiians do not even want to be a state and believe their aina was illegally occupied to begin with, much like the Native Americans on the mainland. Now, the one area they want to preserve is not receiving any respect or consideration. I can't imagine how anyone can brush this off. I'm not Hawaiian, but personally I would be devastated if a place so important to my people and my history was desecrated mostly for economic gain. Again, this is a case where people lack empathy. I believe that when enough people unite and demand to be heard, our elected officials should be listening!

A Historic Day Indeed!

Today, June 26th, 2015, will always be a very important day in history books. That is because it is the day that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same sex couples having the right to marry in all 50 states. The topic of gay marriage has been a very controversial item for the last several years, sparking much debate and dividing our country. However, for most of us who have evolved into appropriate 21st century mindsets and feel compassion for other fellow human beings, allowing two people who love each other to marry each other was a no brainer. So really, the first thing that came to my mind today when I heard the news was "FINALLY! It's about time!" Even still, this couldn't have come at a better time. In the wake of many police brutality and racism fueled incidents in the news recently, it's been easy to be discouraged in what our country stands for these days. We are all fighting the same war, which is the war for human rights. So when we win one battle in the name of equality, we ALL win. Homosexuals, transsexuals, minorities, immigrants, women, and all other groups facing oppression will benefit from each victory like the one we saw today. So yes, this moment was truly special to me and made me feel a sense of pride that I not only longed to feel, but one I needed to feel, as it gave me hope! We will get there one day, I know it.  But for now, it's just so amazing to know that no matter what, love conquers all in the land of the free.

My Big Move to Hawaii

So it’s officially been a full five months since I made a major life change and moved to a place rightfully known as paradise, Hawaii. It is truly a scary thing to take a leap of faith, leave everyone/everything you love behind, and move 5,000 miles away on your own. But it has been truly liberating and turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. Career-wise, this was a very strategic and smart move for my future and will bring me great opportunity. However, on a more personal note, I believe this is mostly a huge stride for me and my spirit. 

In Maryland, the place where I was born and raised, I had an amazing apartment, a busy social life, a great career, just got my Master’s degree, and was taking trips almost every month. I felt pretty comfortable and content with my life. Yet, deep inside, I knew something was missing. Even after just accomplishing so many huge goals, I felt complacency looming around the corner.  My soul was calling me to make a big change. I am a firm believer that 1) listening to your intuition is important and 2) nothing good ever comes from comfort zones. It was time to spread my wings and push myself to truly live life to the fullest. 

I always knew I was destined to live in faraway lands, since my love for travel extended far beyond just visiting places I dream of. Traveling somewhere for days or weeks is a far different experience than actually living there. I have never been the kind of person who wants to live in my hometown for my whole life. And I have definitely never been afraid of taking risks. I do not think everyone is cut out to make such a big move like I did, especially on their own. But I think it’s something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Picking up and moving somewhere new really helps you to find yourself. It’s the ultimate test.

It also doesn’t hurt when you’re moving to a place like Hawaii, where it’s kind of hard to see yourself unhappy. Perhaps it’s harder to move to other places that are either less enticing or more extremely drastic than what you're used to, but I figured Hawaii was great for my first move. It’s a U.S. state, yet far enough away and such a different culture that it still feels like a foreign country. I had never even stepped foot on Hawaiian soil, yet had no doubt in my mind that this was somewhere I could really see myself and would be able to do the soul searching I knew was necessary.

So when this opportunity presented itself, I had a big decision to make. I had a good thing going at home and other job prospects to debate over. I talked to everyone I could about Hawaii to gather as much info and as many different perspectives as I could. It seemed like a no-brainer, but there were lots of cons to consider. I had to do diligent research and prepare myself by considering how high the cost of living was, how small and far away Oahu is, and how bad the traffic/bugs/time difference/expense of coming home is. I weighed out every possible aspect, but it didn’t take long for me to figure out that this is what I wanted and needed to do. 

When my mind was set, I used the law of attraction and asked the universe to help me make this happen. I applied, interviewed, and despite very heavy competition for this position, I got offered the job. It all happened so fast. Before I knew it, I was hurled into the very overwhelming Permanent Change of Station (PCS) process, and had only months to get my entire life ready to relocate to a tiny little volcanic rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It was a lot to purge all my belongings and plan what would come with me, what went to storage, what needed to get sold, and what needed to get donated. Especially since I took a 3 week trip to backpack across Europe in the middle of it all. However, everything miraculously worked itself out. The biggest point of stress was probably the House-Hunting Trip (HHT). I had 10 days to find, apply for and sign a lease for a decent, affordable place where I’d be living for probably three years, among a notoriously unfavorable rental market. I researched and examined prospects for months so I’d have an idea of what to expect, and honestly it did not look too good. Some people came back from their HHTs with nada, and ended up having to live in a hotel until they found a place. I did NOT want this to happen, but I was NOT willing to settle. Amazingly, I effortlessly found a place that overexceeded my expectations on just the 2nd day of my trip and got approved the same day. No one could believe my luck! But as cliche as it sounds, the universe works things out for a reason and I could only believe this was a sign to confirm that this was all meant to be! 

Everything else fell into place and was a piece of cake after that. I shipped my car and got a rental for my remaining days in Maryland. I arranged several farewell events to see all the important people in my life before I left. I packed everything up, sent boxes to my HI address, spent 3 days with movers to ship my household goods, and then finally that last day in Maryland came. I will NEVER in my life forget how it felt to arrive at the airport with a one-way ticket for the first time in my life, and kiss my mama goodbye not knowing when I’d be back or when I’d see her again. It was bittersweet, and I was truly overwhelmed with so many emotions. But as soon as I left, I never looked back!

In a place like Hawaii, it’s super easy to fall in love and forget what you left behind rather quickly. I swear that during my first month or two, I would walk around smiling, trying to convince myself that “I LIVE HERE! I REALLY DO!” My days were (and still are) filled with so much fun and adventure exploring this gorgeous island, being immersed in such diverse and foreign cultures, and learning more about the fascinafing Hawaiian people and their history. I actually surprised myself with how well I did adapting to my first relocation ever in such a new setting. I also fit in very easily, since I’m mixed and my whole life people have questioned whether or not I was Hawaiian. Here, everyone assumes I am, even the Hawaiians! So being able to blend in with the local people has also probably enhanced my experience tremendously. While I missed my loved ones back home, I still have yet to actually feel homesick or even slightly question if I made the right decision. It felt right from day one. It feels like home!

Fast-forward to today, after five whole months of living this #hilife. I must say, life is GOOD. I'm still brand spanking new here, but I definitely feel like a local now! I’ve acclimated enough to know the island pretty well, yet still have so much more to see, do, try, and explore. I go to my choice of the best beaches in the world every single weekend, sometimes even on the weekdays or after work... Something it's a dream come true to be able to say. No matter how many times I see my beautiful surroundings, it never ceases to amaze me or make me feel so unbelievably appreciative and grateful. I realize that many people only dream of visiting, let alone living, here and I am extremely fortunate. So I can promise you that I enjoy and cherish every single moment. I also recently realized that I love it so much here that I no longer feel the urge to travel so often. Of course, I still get a wanderlust bug here and there, and plan to travel to other islands and countries in the Pacific. However, there’s so much to look forward to here so I’m extremely fulfilled with my time here and don’t have to look forward to leaving to visit somewhere else just to feel the same fulfillment or get a thrill, like how I felt in Maryland. Even when I took a short trip to neighbor island Maui, I was homesick to come home to my island. I’m pretty sure that’s a telltale sign that you’re genuinely happy!

Honestly, I feel a new sense of joy and excitement about life. I tell everyone that this is truly a magical place, and not a day goes by that I don’t feel such a connection to it with my soul. But aside from how incredible Hawaii is, it’s also so exhilarating to be here and to be totally free to experience everything on my own, at my own pace, at my own leisure. This is about ME, discovering myself, and enjoying the fruits of my labor. All of this was possible because of ME. I overcomed so many obstacles and worked so incredibly hard to be here and live my dreams, so I know I deserve every bit of it. And that alone feels more amazing than anything else.

I proved a lot to myself by moving out here on my own and flourishing. I now have no doubt that I could move anywhere else in the world and do the same. I’m proud of myself for having the courage to do this, something lots of people questioned because they could never imagine doing it themselves. Now there are no limits for me and my future. I can totally see myself as a wanderer, moving from place to place every few years to conquer them one by one. This nomad lifestyle totally fits me and satisfies my soul. But for now while I’m here for the next 3-5 years, I’ll make the most of each day until I’m off to my next destination.

15 Things That Made Me Fall In Love with Paris

I grew up surrounded by French language and Mediterranean culture, so my obsession with the city of Paris has naturally been a lifelong ordeal. Ever since I can remember, I've been fantasizing and dreaming about the city of light... the Eiffel Tower, the fashion, the patisseries, and the day I would finally get to experience it all for myself.

Well, it was everything I've ever imagined about it, but yet still somehow managed to totally wow me. The Monday I arrived on a Eurostar train from London was just as I had always pictured it would be: grayish skies, chilly weather, and an air of excitement. Each day I had a full agenda of things to see and do, yet I couldn't help but just slowly strolling each street, wandering around in awe and fantasizing about the centuries of famous history that took place in this magical place. And when I looked up and saw the Eiffel Tower, I squealed just like a little girl.

I had dreamt of that day and that very moment my whole life. All my hard work in school and within my career was all to be able to travel to places my soul is calling me to... And Paris was always at the very top of my long list. It exceeded every expectation I had built, which says a lot. In fact, it made me incredibly emotional at times to witness such beauty and to be in the midst of such an amazing historic place. I was utterly overwhelmed, a powerful reaction which has only happened to me in one other place among all my travels and it was no way near this extreme. I can now say I know what it feels like to fall head over heels in love with a city. Here is a list of 15 simple things that explain why Paris captured my heart:

1. The way you can't walk for more than 5 mins (and that's pushing it) without encountering something gorgeous and captivating, and worthy of stopping to admire. 

2. The uniform style of all buildings with exquisite details is so elegant and enchanting. I love that this city takes pride in its aesthetics, and I'm a huge fan of gothic architecture so my breath was taken away at virtually every corner. There are many beautiful places in the world, but I'm not sure anything will ever compare.

3. The way the city lacks the tackiness found in the states. There's no chain restaurants on every corner. What we know as "mom and pop shops" are the core of the city. Unique boutiques and cafes line every street. It has not lost its old world charm over to corporate greed, and seemingly never will. 

4. The fact that a woman can breast feed her baby in the middle of a busy cafe while she sips her coffee and no one even notices. No one is uptight or worried about being politically correct. I guess that's a European thing, but I love it.

5. The skies. Always heard things about "Paris skies" and now I know why. There are no words to describe them. The clouds seem to simply hug the city a certain way. 

6. The language. It's just... SO sexy.

7. The way people take their dogs everywhere with them. Don't know why, but this just made me smile every time I saw a woman stopping into a boulangerie with her little posh dog by her side. 

8. The public transportation system is very efficient. There are metro stations everywhere and it's very easy to figure out and use, although it is quite dirty and the city has a huge problem with the homeless sleeping on the trains and urinating everywhere... Ugh. It's the ONE bad thing I did find about the city.

9. The food. Crepes, croissants, baguettes, and quiche for breakfast; delicious ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch, and savory sauces with dinner entrees. Lots of cheese and bread is right up my alley. Everything I had was totally delicious.

10. The Parisian lifestyle. The way they're never too busy to sit outside at a cafe and talk, even in the cold. The way they walk around eating a baguette yet remain so thin (didn't see hardly any overweight people amazingly). The way they really are just as stuck up as everyone says (I know this is one negative aspect that many people don't like about Paris... However I find it amusing. At least they have good reason to be stuck up. That is what in fact makes them The French. They're just effortlessly, inherently COOL.).

11. The attractiveness of the general public. You constantly see beautiful men and chic women everywhere.  

12. The diversity of countless cultures found in this metropolis, yet the way the French spirit remains strongly dominant.

13. The history. The French have always been so relevant throughout world history, and are well known for their spirit of revolution and the great influence they've had on the rest of the world. I loved how much they embrace and cherish their own history. It's apparent from the amazing efforts made to preserve the very old and historic monuments, cathedrals, statues, etc. that are found EVERYWHERE. 

14. The element of romance. It really is the city of love. Whenever I caught young lovers holding hands or kissing, it was more genuine and passionate than what I see back home. You can just feel it in the air. It's beautiful!

15. The bohemian flavor that is so much apart of this city and its history lives on. Paris has always been known for its considerable contributions in art, music, fashion, film, literature, and philosophy. I absolutely love that aspect. 

The most important purchase of your [travel] life

I wanted to start off this series by discussing the topic of purchasing luggage and travel packs, the most important purchase for travel lovers like myself. What better way to begin than by sharing a great experience I had today. In preparation for my upcoming trip to Europe, I needed to buy a really good travel backpack to get me through 5 cities in 3 weeks. I did a lot of research on the best brands for travel gear and realized it would be vital to visit a store and try a few out for myself. So today, my mom accompanied me on a visit to the great outdoors store, REI.

I have visited this store before for buying spinning shoes, but today I was impressed by their huge inventory of outdoor and travel equipment, as well as their knowledgeable staff and excellent service. This is a place I HIGHLY recommend for anyone going on a big trip, or for those who participate in outdoor activities, sports, etc. They even have an excellent lifetime rewards program. This is as good as it gets!

I went in anticipating that I’d try a few brands of backpacks out and get a general idea. Not only did I get to do that, but I picked a great one out and the salesman showed me every single bell and whistle on this bad boy, put it on me, strapped me in, and even packed it with weights so I could get a real feel of how it would be to carry 30lbs of gear on my back. This was eye opening and I am SO thankful because I realized how much I will only be screwing myself by packing a lot of stuff like I usually do. So I cannot stress how important this may be to anyone else looking to travel extensively like me. These people at REIs are not only experts on this stuff, but many of them travel pretty frequently too so they know firsthand. They also do not make commissions on sales so they are totally honest. I seriously couldn’t thank our salesman enough. He was truly awesome.

We settled on the Osprey Porter Travel 65Pack, which is a nice size for a taller/stronger girl like myself that will fit 65 liters of items. I probably would not recommend this for shorter or smaller girls, but it seems like a PERFECT fit for me. The most important features are that it:

-          Is water resistant, so it can last through a small amount of rain or moisture, and will not damage or wet your items inside. This is important to consider because if your pack is NOT water resistant or waterproof, any water WILL wet your clothes inside and lead to a mess.

-          Had padded shoulder straps and additional straps for the chest and hips for extra support

-          Is expandable so it can truly stretch to hold  a lot and then can be squeezed by the two straps in the front to condense it down  quite a bit

-          Had a lot of pockets and compartments, including one at the bottom for shoes and one on the top for easy access to items of frequent use or need

-          Is a durable, quality fabric that will literally last FOREVER

-          Comes in many colors, so this bright red/orange color will be easily identifiable

-          Has zippers that can easily be locked

-          Is easy to strap on and unstrap off, for easy wear and mobility and good fit, which is important when carrying a lot of weight on your back

For me personally, this one is perfect. That is only because I do not mind checking the bag since I am only taking a roundtrip flight to and from Europe, and for the rest of my travel will utilize trains to get around within the European cities I’m visiting. For those who will fly more frequently or do not like to check their bags, you definitely want to invest in a smaller pack, such as the 46 liter pack which is small enough to be checked. This is also a better size for smaller girls like I mentioned. Also, the cost of my particular choice is $150, which is exactly what I wanted to spend. Some packs may cost up to $300. This is an investment that will last you many years and can make or break your experience when traveling abroad, so in my opinion, you don’t want to go too cheap and end up with something that isn’t practical or won’t last. Generally, both the REI and Osprey brands are reliable quality with many good reviews. But I would definitely recommend reviewing what other users have shared on Amazon reviews to decide for yourself.

I had a great experience overall with the gentleman who showed me the ins and outs of this pack, including every pocket, compartment, strap, and latch. I cannot stress how valuable this was for me, as I was tempted to just order it online and then would not have truly understood how to use it (packing it, fitting it how it’s supposed to, ensuring weight is evenly distributed, etc). Therefore, I really wanted to emphasize that buying this type of thing is always better in person.

In addition, the salesman had a few other great recommendations and product suggestions that I wanted to share. He stressed that bringing 18 days’ worth of clothes would ensure a miserable time in carrying my pack. Real backpackers and travel experts tend to pack a few LIGHT items that can be mixed and matched, and will be washed and reused the entire time. This is something I have heard numerous times throughout my research. So as much as I want to look fly and bring a ton of cute outfits with me, I realize it’s just not practical on this type of trip.

I ended up buying a travel clothesline (top right in photo above) for about $10 that will clip in almost any shower type to dry clothes.  I also bought some travel wash for my clothes (bottom right in photo above) so that I can wash my clothes in the bathroom sink of my hotels. This is something I am truly not used to having to do while on vacation, but I really believe it will come in handy and will be crucial in packing light. 

Another thing I bought was some good “walking socks” (left in photo above, left). I never even knew these existed until now. These socks are made with some good padding to reduce any pain caused by tons of walking while sightseeing. They are also as thin as possible and designed to eliminate any odor or sweating so they can be worn for multiple days if needed. They were kind of pricey at $16 a pair, but I figure 2-3 pairs will definitely come in handy, since I plan to be on my feet pretty much the entire trip.

So after my visit to REI, I feel a lot better and more prepared for my Europe trip, and am more excited than ever that I will finally be going soon.

In addition to this experience today, I wanted to share my recent experience on buying actual luggage. I have been searching for a new suitcase for many months. This is something that is NOT easy to find when you’re as picky as me! So I have literally lost count of how many stores and websites I’ve visited during my hunt. Again, I think it’s much more ideal to purchase this type of item in person so you can really inspect it and know exactly what you’re buying, which unfortunately online shopping cannot offer. I believe luggage is an investment for those of us who travel a lot, and therefore is something you don’t want to skimp on too much. At the same time, luggage is NOT meant to last forever, and will inevitably get messed up when it’s thrown around throughout airports, and therefore isn’t something you want to spend a TON on. I just can’t see myself spending thousands on designer luggage that will get scratched up, torn up and will need to be replaced within a few years. Therefore, this is the criteria I was looking for in my luggage:

-          A hard shell: I had never bought this type before as I was loyal to fabric suitcases…. However, these have become insanely popular in the last few years due to its increased durability in being thrown around by baggage handlers. My soft suitcases have gotten torn the hell up in just a couple years and have also got soaking wet in the rain, which damaged my items inside. So despite the disadvantage that hard-shell luggage does get scratched up, I was looking to give it a try.

-          Light-weight: I tend to push that 50lb weight limit on baggage a lot of times, so I need as much of that weight to be from my actual items rather than from the luggage itself. Some larger suitcases can weigh up to 15lbs, leaving you with less weight for your belongings. Therefore, I was hoping for something under 10lbs.

-          Colorful: I cannot stand waiting at the luggage carousel and seeing 90% of the bags being black and plain, so every single person thinks it’s theirs. I think this leads to a higher chance of someone else “accidentally” picking up your luggage, plus it’s harder to spot your own. So I always aim for some bright color or pattern that will make my bag easier to distinguish as my own.

-          Compartments: I am a sucker for organization. So I was hoping to find something with at least a few zipper and straps to better organize and hold my stuff.

-          Four wheels: This makes life a LOT easier when your luggage has smooth mobility with four high-quality wheels. You will know exactly what I mean if you’ve ever had one of your wheels break or keep getting jammed.

-          A price range of $80-120. I believe this is reasonable for a large size luggage that is good quality and long-lasting. Some can be up to $500 and I just refuse to pay that much for something I do not anticipate lasting over 5-10 years at my rate of travel anyway. 

After many trips all over the damn place (mostly multiple TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall’s in different cities as these are my favorites stores that offer a variety of luggage brands at a great bargain), I finally found my baby. I found her at the TJ Maxx in Laurel, Maryland. I saw her from across the store, and it was love at first sight. She is a hard-shell beauty with a glossy pale peach cover, a unique color that I have never seen in other luggage and I feel totally fits me and my personality… peach is actually one of my favorite colors! She has 4 wheels, multiple compartments and straps inside, an easy to use and smooth handle; and cost only $90. Also, she weighs about 9lbs, which is impressive for a hard shell suitcase. So she absolutely fit every one of my criteria! Also, she is an “It” suitcase, a British brand has gotten a great reputation for being affordable, practical and good quality luggage of all types. Oh, and yes, she IS a she. I could NOT be happier.

Isn’t she pretty?!

The real test was when I finally put her to use on an actual trip. I flew Southwest to Miami a few weeks ago and she held up very well. She got scratched up pretty badly, which I had expected. However, I wiped the scuffs and scratches down with rubbing alcohol and most of them went away quite easily. As you can see in the pictures above, she still looks brand new. This luggage is sure to get me through many trips over the next few years, as I will be traveling back and forth to Hawaii, and visiting God knows where else. So I could not be happier. Waiting until I found the right luggage to make that purchase was definitely worth it!

So the moral of the story is, buying luggage and travel packs is not easy. It definitely takes time and patience. It will require shopping around and is NOT something you can just buy on an impulse or without some good legwork involved. Decide what criteria is important to you, ask for help by the pros when you need it, and do not give up until you find it. And you will!

To travel is to live!

During my 27 years of life, I have traveled over 70,000 miles by air alone so far, not to mention the MANY other trips by bus, train and car. I still have over 10,000 miles of travel left in the remaining months of 2014. I am officially moving 5,000 miles away to Oahu, Hawaii in the beginning of 2015. And in case you're wondering, yes, I am 100% nerdy enough to calculate this shit. The point is. I like to travel and for my age, I have definitely done quite a bit so far. 

Within the last couple years, I’ve been doing a considerable amount more traveling. The main reason for this is because I took care of my grandma for several years before she passed in January 2013, and it made me realize how unbelievably precious and short life really is. I made a vow to myself to make every day count and that by any means necessary, I would go after my true passion in life, which is to travel and explore new cities, countries and cultures. The loss of the most important person in my life was devastating and is still hard to deal with almost two years later. However, in a way, it’s really become inspiration and motivation for me to live life to the fullest, even if just for my grandma and to make her proud.

So I just go for it. I decide where I want to go, and somehow I make it happen. It doesn’t have to cost a lot or be a huge deal either. Once you begin traveling on a frequent basis, it actually becomes a quite simple routine. If I don’t say so myself, I have become quite a pro at booking cheap trips, planning, packing, and the entire travel/flight/airport ordeal. So I've decided to dedicate this blog to my passion by sharing my experiences and travel tips. I am constantly researching travel info and reading excellent travel blogs written by real experts and nomads who make my travels look elementary. Plus I have gained some good experience myself so far. So due to popular demand, I’d like to put it all together and shade if here!

To start, I want to address the MANY inquiries I have been receiving from very curious people. I seriously cannot even count how many times I’ve gotten questions like “How do you afford it?” “Do you have a hook-up or something?” “Which website do you use?” “Who is your travel agent?” “Can you help me plan/book a trip?” This kind of baffles me since while I have been getting around and traveling about once a month, I travel no way near as much as REAL jet-setters and world travelers. I'm a peon in the scheme of things. So I'm a little surprised at these inquiries. I have even had people ask me some of these questions WHILE I am on a trip, as if I should stop my vacation and help them with theirs. Kind of blows my mind.

For the record… This may sound kind of mean, but I need to make this clear. I am NOT a travel agent, nor do I use one that I can recommend. I am not here to book your trips or plan your vacations. Sorry! I spend a LOT of time researching my plans and monitoring prices for my own trips. I have a full-time job just like everyone else, so I simply cannot do that for others, and can't even imagine how others expect someone else to anyway. However, there are numerous travel agencies and online resources available for you. I am more than happy to share my tips/advice, and I don’t mind helping people out (which is what I'm hoping to do here) but this is something you have to do yourself and will get better with in time, just as I did!

Listen. There is NO magic tricks or secrets to this thing. If you want to plan epic and unforgettable trips, it takes time and effort. But it doesn’t have to be as complex as people think it is. If you really want something, you make it happen. If you set your mind on going somewhere, you will find a way. Simple as that. You can put it off and keep saying “one day I will go there” or “someday when I have more money” but guess what? That may never come. Before you know it, you will be older or in a situation where you're unable to do those things, and will live to regret it. That is why I decided to change my approach and attitude, and I realized how feasible and affordable travel can be if you really want it bad enough.

So for those who share my passion for travel and want to know what advice I have to offer, this is for you. I have quite a few helpful tricks and pieces of advice I’ve picked up along the way that may be able to help or assist others. Stay tuned!