The Starter Trip

To whet my appetite for more, I began my travels by spending the last week on the east coast visiting friends in Massachusetts and Washington DC. Let me preface this entry by sharing three things that became very clear on this trip: 1. pack light for Europe, 2. you can live in a gigantic house almost anywhere in this county for the price of a one bedroom condo in San Francisco, 3. friends move on, but always will always stay close if they love you...and I love being around them.

I started my trip in Boston visiting my friend Eileen, who I've known as long as I can remember. Eileen is a trooper. She moved from the Bay Area about 10 years ago and since has lived in Colorado, Connecticut, Las Vegas, Michigan and Massachusetts. She's also got 2 kids - 16 and 12...and yes, she's as young as me ;-). Although her path in life couldn't be more opposite that mine, it's amazing to me that we still want the same things from life. While she was changing diapers and building a family, I've been working on my career and traveling the world. The funny thing is - her kids are almost grown, so I have a feeling, she'll soon be travelling the world and working on her career....and I'll be in diaper changing mode. Life is very interesting. Either way - she lives in a town called Barre, about an hour and a half from Boston. She's got a great house - OK - it's a little remote - but she lives on a huge piece of land and when I went running in the morning, I didn't see a car for miles. Check out the casa in the pic. We don't get to see each other all that often, but when we so it's like not a day's gone by...

My next stop was Washington DC where I visited with my friends Kristine and Wayne. These two have been on the fast track to domestic bliss...got engaged last June, moved to DC in September, got married in October, pregnant in November got a dog in January and will have a baby in July. Kris and Wayne are two of the most spirited people I know - and despite their accelerated domestic journey, they are still as crazy as ever - and I love it! And their dog, Zoe, is the most adorable Golden Retriever I've ever seen (see for yourself!) Thier house is just beautiful...check out their casa in the pic below. Mamma mia - the kids are all grown up. Spending time with these guys inspires me. They've made compromises for the relationship, but neither of them have given up one ounce of who they are. And because of it - they make a great team.

I loved hanging out with my friends. Spending time with them, makes me realize how awesome it is to be around people you love. Seems we all live really solo lives. Before subletting my apartment and moving in with Patrick and Natalie, I lived alone for so many years. I didn't even realize how much I've really missed having people to say good night to, and to share my day with...it's really nice. Just makes me want more of it. Gotta remember that when I move back into my apartment in September.

So the countdown has begun and in a week I'll be in Ireland! I swear, I keep crossing things off my list, but then I also keep adding things....why doesn't the list get shorter? I guess I just keep telling myself that after I go, the list will disappear even if it's not finished..so I should just stop worrying. Anyway, next time I write I'll be sharing stories from my trip, so stay tuned for more!