Endangered Kakapo
Aruba adventures!
Island life
Pina Colada in a pineapple....yes please!
Gorgeous sunset views
Somewhere on a beach
Thanksgiving breakfast
ATV tours
Signature beach picture
Tasting the local cuisine
Aruba
Why Dogs and Holiday Scraps Don't Mix
Endangered Kakapo
Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry." ~Jack Kerouac
We had an excellent time in the laid-back Aruba! It is only two square miles larger than St Kitts! We ate and drank until we were beyond full, soaked up a little sun, and of course relaxed. We ate at Atardi, Bugaloe Beach Bar, Two Fools and a Bull, Faro Blanco, Big Momma's Grill, and Madama Janette's, We went all around the island while seeing the California light house, Baby beach, and Arikok National Park. Now back to reality for a few days.
Endangered Kakapo
Plan Your Next Trip
The Pangolin Men
I don't have a lot to write about this week as I have just been planning and prepping for my upcoming trips, while still living in the present ;) I have also been catching up on some very overdue reading. I was reminded of an old website that helps me keep track of all the books I have read: Goodreads
I've had a few people ask me how exactly I plan my trips because I'm the type that likes flexibility yet a plan at the same time.So let's start at the beginning!
1) Location
Where do you want to go? I personally have a travel bucket list of countries that I want to visit and what I would like to do in them. I want to go everywhere so narrowing down where to go is always the hardest part for me.
2) Time frame
What is the length of time you have to travel? Make sure your flight is included in that time frame. Depending on where you are flying out of, it may take you an entire day to travel to your location.
3) Travel advisories
Don't let the media scare you into not traveling to a certain location but be mindful. Check out the Travel Alerts here to ensure your safety.
4) Know your budget
Obviously some places are going to be more expensive than others. Be sure to know how much you're willing to spend and the local conversion rate. Travel rewards credit cards tend to help. They can knock off your international fees which will help save you a little money as well. Speaking of credit cards, be sure to tell your bank that you will be traveling so your card won't get declined. I like to convert a little bit of cash to the local currency as well. Not only does it make a memorable souvenir, it's nice to have on hand for those little local markets that don't take cards.
5) Book Your Flight
There are a ton of websites that can help you look for the cheapest flight. My personal favorites (I do not get paid from these companies; these are my personal opinions): orbtiz.com; google flights; momondo; or the actual airline. I will let you in on a little secret, check for flights on Tuesday afternoons and use the incognito window on your browser in order to get the cheapest option. Although, sometimes last mintue deals are cheap - I personally wouldn't do that for a big trip though.
6) Pick your hotel
What kind of experience are you looking for? Do you want just a place to crash at night or the resort/all inclusive experience? A few websites that can help you out are Airbnb; hostelworld; tripadvisor; or any chain hotels.
7) Vaccines
If you are traveling internationally, chances are you're going to need vaccines. Check out the CDC in order to see the government recommendations.
8) Must-dos
What do you want to do when you get there? Outdoor activities, see wildlife, museums, historic memorials, food tours, shows? Tripadvisor is a great website to help you find what you are looking for as well as reviews of all the tours. Pinterest, as most people know, is a website I'm constantly on, and it can help you figure out what the "must-dos" in your location are. Make sure to check the distance of the tours and restaurants from your hotels to give you a better idea of what you might be spending on transportation.
9) What Other To Dos?
I always make sure that I check out what local food that you need to try while there. What better chance to experience the real culture of a place than to immerse yourself in it with the food. Some people like to bring souvenirs back for themselves as token of remembrance. I know some people like plates, spoons, shot glasses, etc. I like to bring back the local currency and locally made items. For example, in Costa Rica, I brought back a wooden craving, coffee, and a miniature ox-cart.
11) What to pack
Be sure to check the local weather, local culture, and local holidays. All of these things will influence what you can and cannot, or should and shouldn't wear in your specific location. For example, the king of Thailand recently died and it's custom to wear all black for a year while the country is in mourning, but yellow on his birthday.
12) Phone
Check with your phone provider to see if you have international calling. Know the phone numbers to your hotels as well as the local emergency services.
13) Ready, Set?
Print your itinerary, grab your passport, charge all your electronics, make sure all your last minute plans at home are finalized. Be prepared with back up plans in case something on your schedule falls through. You need to be flexible when traveling or else you won't enjoy the spontaneity of the adventure!
13) Enjoy!
Bon Voyage! Take lots of pictures and videos!
I don't have a lot to write about this week as I have just been planning and prepping for my upcoming trips, while still living in the present ;) I have also been catching up on some very overdue reading. I was reminded of an old website that helps me keep track of all the books I have read: Goodreads
1) Location
Where do you want to go? I personally have a travel bucket list of countries that I want to visit and what I would like to do in them. I want to go everywhere so narrowing down where to go is always the hardest part for me.
2) Time frame
What is the length of time you have to travel? Make sure your flight is included in that time frame. Depending on where you are flying out of, it may take you an entire day to travel to your location.
3) Travel advisories
Don't let the media scare you into not traveling to a certain location but be mindful. Check out the Travel Alerts here to ensure your safety.
4) Know your budget
Obviously some places are going to be more expensive than others. Be sure to know how much you're willing to spend and the local conversion rate. Travel rewards credit cards tend to help. They can knock off your international fees which will help save you a little money as well. Speaking of credit cards, be sure to tell your bank that you will be traveling so your card won't get declined. I like to convert a little bit of cash to the local currency as well. Not only does it make a memorable souvenir, it's nice to have on hand for those little local markets that don't take cards.
5) Book Your Flight
There are a ton of websites that can help you look for the cheapest flight. My personal favorites (I do not get paid from these companies; these are my personal opinions): orbtiz.com; google flights; momondo; or the actual airline. I will let you in on a little secret, check for flights on Tuesday afternoons and use the incognito window on your browser in order to get the cheapest option. Although, sometimes last mintue deals are cheap - I personally wouldn't do that for a big trip though.
6) Pick your hotel
What kind of experience are you looking for? Do you want just a place to crash at night or the resort/all inclusive experience? A few websites that can help you out are Airbnb; hostelworld; tripadvisor; or any chain hotels.
7) Vaccines
If you are traveling internationally, chances are you're going to need vaccines. Check out the CDC in order to see the government recommendations.
8) Must-dos
What do you want to do when you get there? Outdoor activities, see wildlife, museums, historic memorials, food tours, shows? Tripadvisor is a great website to help you find what you are looking for as well as reviews of all the tours. Pinterest, as most people know, is a website I'm constantly on, and it can help you figure out what the "must-dos" in your location are. Make sure to check the distance of the tours and restaurants from your hotels to give you a better idea of what you might be spending on transportation.
9) What Other To Dos?
I always make sure that I check out what local food that you need to try while there. What better chance to experience the real culture of a place than to immerse yourself in it with the food. Some people like to bring souvenirs back for themselves as token of remembrance. I know some people like plates, spoons, shot glasses, etc. I like to bring back the local currency and locally made items. For example, in Costa Rica, I brought back a wooden craving, coffee, and a miniature ox-cart.
11) What to pack
Be sure to check the local weather, local culture, and local holidays. All of these things will influence what you can and cannot, or should and shouldn't wear in your specific location. For example, the king of Thailand recently died and it's custom to wear all black for a year while the country is in mourning, but yellow on his birthday.
12) Phone
Check with your phone provider to see if you have international calling. Know the phone numbers to your hotels as well as the local emergency services.
13) Ready, Set?
Print your itinerary, grab your passport, charge all your electronics, make sure all your last minute plans at home are finalized. Be prepared with back up plans in case something on your schedule falls through. You need to be flexible when traveling or else you won't enjoy the spontaneity of the adventure!
13) Enjoy!
Bon Voyage! Take lots of pictures and videos!
Stop The Hatred and Be The Change
4 Things SOs Never Ask Vet Professionals
Bird Brains? Just As Bright As Apes
15 Animals Poised To Win The 2016 Presidential Election
I successfully avoided Facebook after the elections because the moment I went on, there was so much outrage and hate. I've never one to rant on social media, and I don't want to start now. However, because of this headache, I will address this one time only. Yes, we are all shocked, but this happens at EVERY SINGLE election. There are always people that are upset about the outcome. I can honestly say I wasn't happy with either candidate so I wasn't going to be thrilled no matter the outcome, but this, what I'm seeing, and hearing is outrageous. There are riots (more like tantrums), derogatory banners flying, friends "defriending" each other, racist comments such as "go back to Africa", comments of "burning in hell" to homosexual people, and rants of wanting to leave this country. This is not the president-elects' doing; this is the American people and frankly it's disgusting. When did you start seeing people as who they voted for and not as the person you've known them to be. No one justified you acting this way. You are making people fear for their lives because of your violence, not the edited comments of a candidate. Half of this country is heartbroken and lost in the frustration and anxiety. Everything you do now is for your future. Is this the future you want to live in? Is this the change you voted for? We are getting lost in the hype and excitement of the news, that we are forgetting what is actually important.
We all still need to be wholesome to each other. We are all so privileged to be living in THIS COUNTRY at THIS AGE. Did you forget that others, across this world, have no right to complain, hate, judge, and slander the complete heritage of their country. They have no laws protecting them. No hero, no source, and no rightfully chosen leader to save them from a world of pain and struggle. They have no solution, no answer, and no hope of any change of life. They starve, they fade, and they exist, not live. They see the hate we have here in the very country they would love to be a part of. They live and die in a place around this world that you would never ever survive in. The entire world is noticing how weak our souls can be over such a wonderful right that a privileged human being can have. It breaks my heart that I can travel to so many places around this world and yet be forced to stand in the hate and misunderstandings that this country is pouring upon itself.
There is a way forward and away from this madness. Use these frustrations and struggles to motivate you. You can't change what has already happened and worrying about something you can't change will forever be the biggest waste of your time. Be mindful. Be proud that you voted. Smile and feel accomplished for providing to your cause and country. Do you realize how blessed we are to have food to eat, to be able to pray to who or whatever we believe in, to laugh, cry, and feel love. Small changes, little random acts of kindness, empathy for other, forgiveness, and simply loving others....despite their race, religion, beliefs, background, opinions, views, or who they voted for. You voted for change in this country, be that change. Be the acceptance and effort to make the world a better place for each other. We can't control what happens to us, only how we react to it. Don't let this negativity around us make you hard and cold. Transform the world with your love.
Bird Brains? Just As Bright As Apes
15 Animals Poised To Win The 2016 Presidential Election
I successfully avoided Facebook after the elections because the moment I went on, there was so much outrage and hate. I've never one to rant on social media, and I don't want to start now. However, because of this headache, I will address this one time only. Yes, we are all shocked, but this happens at EVERY SINGLE election. There are always people that are upset about the outcome. I can honestly say I wasn't happy with either candidate so I wasn't going to be thrilled no matter the outcome, but this, what I'm seeing, and hearing is outrageous. There are riots (more like tantrums), derogatory banners flying, friends "defriending" each other, racist comments such as "go back to Africa", comments of "burning in hell" to homosexual people, and rants of wanting to leave this country. This is not the president-elects' doing; this is the American people and frankly it's disgusting. When did you start seeing people as who they voted for and not as the person you've known them to be. No one justified you acting this way. You are making people fear for their lives because of your violence, not the edited comments of a candidate. Half of this country is heartbroken and lost in the frustration and anxiety. Everything you do now is for your future. Is this the future you want to live in? Is this the change you voted for? We are getting lost in the hype and excitement of the news, that we are forgetting what is actually important.
We all still need to be wholesome to each other. We are all so privileged to be living in THIS COUNTRY at THIS AGE. Did you forget that others, across this world, have no right to complain, hate, judge, and slander the complete heritage of their country. They have no laws protecting them. No hero, no source, and no rightfully chosen leader to save them from a world of pain and struggle. They have no solution, no answer, and no hope of any change of life. They starve, they fade, and they exist, not live. They see the hate we have here in the very country they would love to be a part of. They live and die in a place around this world that you would never ever survive in. The entire world is noticing how weak our souls can be over such a wonderful right that a privileged human being can have. It breaks my heart that I can travel to so many places around this world and yet be forced to stand in the hate and misunderstandings that this country is pouring upon itself.
There is a way forward and away from this madness. Use these frustrations and struggles to motivate you. You can't change what has already happened and worrying about something you can't change will forever be the biggest waste of your time. Be mindful. Be proud that you voted. Smile and feel accomplished for providing to your cause and country. Do you realize how blessed we are to have food to eat, to be able to pray to who or whatever we believe in, to laugh, cry, and feel love. Small changes, little random acts of kindness, empathy for other, forgiveness, and simply loving others....despite their race, religion, beliefs, background, opinions, views, or who they voted for. You voted for change in this country, be that change. Be the acceptance and effort to make the world a better place for each other. We can't control what happens to us, only how we react to it. Don't let this negativity around us make you hard and cold. Transform the world with your love.
World Series Champs
Well the Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series! I wish I could have been there to celebrate, but I celebrated with the delicious Gino's East pizza. In true Chicago fashion, the river was dyed blue during the parade. Gotta love that city! Chicago Cubs World Series 2016
Some post-Halloween pointers:
I am guilty of this as well; I do think these brachycephalic (squished-faced) breeds are adorable but they are in fact anatomical disasters.
I'm not one that will do these procedures and the only reason that a few vets are still doing these procedures is because the public is still asking them to. It surprises me how many people believe that the dogs are actually born looking like that. I personally think your dog looks much better in its natural state.
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