So yes I am still around, and still crossing things off that life list. I have absolutely loved my time away from the blog, and I am glad to still be continuing with the list. It has been 10 years now since I started this dear old list, and I am proud to say I have accomplished a lot in those 10 years.
I made my annual trip to New Orleans, and this time I visited the Jazz Festival. It was such a great time with some amazing bands and some great southern food.
I made it to my 50th country and visited Ireland. I learned how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, kissed the Blarney Stone, visited the Cliffs of Moher, partied in Temple Bar, and walked along the Giant's Causeway.
I then spent over a month in East Africa traveling through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was probably my hardest travel experience. I camped in tents at times and even got stranded and had to be rescued when a group of hyenas and buffalos surrounded us. I would go DAYS without a decent shower, and the amount of poverty I witnessed was just heartbreaking. My first full day in Kenya I witnessed a man get hit by a car and die. It was horrifying.
I crossed the equator four times!
I also did one of the most physically difficult things I have ever done. I went gorilla trekking in Uganda!! It was probably one of my favorite travel experiences (and probably one of the most expensive).
I can officially say I saw the Big Five. That stubborn leopard made me fail my attempt to see the Big Five in 2010. This time I finally saw it. Granted the leopard ran away fairly quickly, but I saw it!! I also got to witness the Great Migration in Tanzania, and during a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater we were FREEZING cold. I often had to ask myself, "Am I in Africa or Alaska?" Camping was not fun that evening. BRR.
I managed to celebrate my birthday in style (as always).
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Fitness has been a big part of my 2014! I have really grown to love the outdoors. I LOVE hiking now, and I find myself climbing any mountain I can climb whenever I get the chance. I am still obsessed with Zumba, and I have become the favorites of many of my instructors for my enthusiasm and energy. This year I have lost over 30 pounds, and about 90 pounds from my absolute highest weight.
The above picture was taken on Christmas day, and I am happy and healthy. Sure I still have a few more pounds to lose, but I am in such a better place than I was years ago. There are enough "Before" photos on this site to see the difference.
I am also happier because I made it a point to open my heart this year. I dated a guy for a few months, and was very unhappy. I lost track of who I was being with this man, and working out was my only way of feeling alive. A few weeks after that relationship ended I met the most amazing man, and I love going into 2015 with him by my side.
2015 is going to be an amazing year. I am starting it off with a 6 week trip through Asia, specifically Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Japan. I will be traveling solo for the entire trip! Me with my backpack. I will also be traveling to New Orleans one more time for my best friends graduation, and hopefully to Costa Rica in the end of the year. I am also hoping to squeeze in a trip to San Francisco and Sedona during the year.
The new boy owns a boat so we are already planning a few trips out to the lakes and rivers for some water fun.
I am hoping to post more in 2015, but if I don't, at the very least expect one of these annual year-in-review posts.
Here's to a great 2015!
