My Gratitude Post

Hey, I'm Ashley. 

Believe it or not, this is a recent pic. I just felt like buying a college sweatshirt. I'm the nostalgic type :) 

I grew up in San Diego and went to San Diego State for my undergrad. It's a pretty damn delightful place to grow up. Did you know it's actually dubbed "America's Finest City?"

I'm pretty grateful I grew up somewhere so pretty, friendly, and culturally diverse. I have two loving parents that raised me here. All of this set the foundation for who Ashley is.

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One of my fave traveling photos! 

I caught the travel bug so very young. My first trip out of the country was to Turkey at 7 years old. Ever since then I had an intense hunger to travel as much as possible, which continues on today. I'm grateful I'm the "always hungry" kind of girl. I can say with confidence that will never change. I plan to be 55 and still traveling away. Just watch. (I've been to 17 countries and counting!).

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That travel bug got me to move out of San Diego, twice. Once to London, and also to my current home, NYC. I'm grateful I have this awesome list of places I've lived: California, the UK, and the Big Apple.

Just looking at this on paper, I'm proud of myself.  I'm proud for making big moves despite fear. I'm grateful I have the opportunities to make said moves.

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I worked hard to get a job that caters to my "always hungry" personality. It's the most challenging and rewarding job I have EVER had.

It also allows me to work remotely certain times of the year. This means I am working from San Diego right now, even though my home is technically NYC. I loathe going to the same office everyday, so this is honestly the PERFECT job for me! It's busy and hectic at times, but I'm doing something I BELIEVE IN. I would have it no other way.

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Lastly, I'm so grateful for people. I have not only family, but friends that REALLY love me. We get into arguments and disagreements at times, because these are real relationships. I live far away from some of very best friends, yet we stay in touch. We forgive each other time and time again for being imperfect and stupid humans.

THIS IS LOVE, and I HAVE IT IN MY LIFE. I could not be more grateful for this!

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I wanted to create this post because I feel like I look too often at what I don't have. That "always hungry" personality is a double-edged sword sometimes. Writing down all the things I DO HAVE truly brings a smile to my face and provides proof I have a kick ass life. I've accomplished a lot in 31 years, and there's much more to come.

How beautiful of a thought is it that you can choose to wake up any given day and build the life you want? You can move around cities, experiences, and jobs just like chess pieces. YOU have the power. 

I'm grateful for these things, people, and places that make me who I am. I'm grateful for this beating heart, these lungs, this brain that continues to function. I'm so, so, very thankful for life.

Friendsgiving in NYC

I've got a pretty good community going, as evidenced by the fact that I forgot to take a photo of myself at my Friendsgiving gathering. You know what? I'm a lucky girl.

 Why yes, it says "Homiez" on my wall. I meant to cut out "Friendsgiving" and adhere it to the wall; my laziness prevailed. 

Oh, and I know I made everything look all classy with the black and white, but I really had to showcase my Mac N Cheese in color, which was stock full of Gruyere and Sharp White Cheddar (about 20 fancy dollars worth!).

FRIENDSGIVING...A SUCCESS. 

My New Morning Routine

I mentioned this challenge last week. I already knew the challenge would jump start a practice of thinking positively first thing in the morning, a practice I intend to keep. Here are the positive things I did everyday instead of looking at social media (and seeing that half the country is rioting right about now):

Monday: I did a special morning yoga routine. Only yoga would put me in a better mood on a Monday morning. And if all else fails, a special Monday Morning Mixtape may do the trick:

Tuesday: It was speech watchin' time! This speech reminded me that intrinsic purpose is the most important motivator for humankind.

Wednesday: Have you heard about the Five Tibetan Rites? Who knows if there is truth to all the benefits listed to these rites; however, I'm digging doing these in the morning. In fact, they may have been the best start to my morning all week, probably because they are simple and fast (I'm more likely to do them).

Thursday: I particularly loved this TED talk that explored the struggle between controlling life and letting go of control.

Friday: Read a little of the book, Happier, pictured above. Happier is not my favorite "self-help" book, but it's got some decent insights and is an easy read first thing in the morning.

Saturday: I actually got my ass out of bed and went for a 30 minute walk!! It must be a Christmas miracle!

Sunday: I watched Gilmore Girls. Does that count? It makes me pretty happy, so it counts for me!



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As suspected, thinking/seeing/doing something positive first thing in the morning had a great effect--the biggest one being discipline, which would spill over into the rest of the day: I started cleaning more, flossing more, and stressing less. I'll continue abstaining from social media first thing in the morning and instead focus on working my mind like a muscle. That muscle is on its way to getting pretty buff.

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving, all!

These Boots...

...are made for walking (yeah, I went there).

This post has a point, I promise! 

So, these boots. I wore them today to work. Taking a look down at my year old, worn-down boots, I couldn't help but smile. Do you know all the places I've been in these boots???

These babies kept my tootsies warm in Switzerland, where my friend Laura and I were stranded outside in the FREEZING COLD for a night when we learned the airport was closed (think, 15 degrees, guys!). Laura and I were stuck outside from about 1 am to 4 am. Try that in the dead of winter!

These guys helped me walk the streets of Paris navigating cobblestone roads mixed with rain (sometimes a deadly mix for a clumsy girl).

These pretties took me up and down the streets of London--the biggest feat of all! My other shoes fell apart in gritty London, but these boots stayed together through it all.

These boots. They've seen my most adventurous side, and have been my steady sidekicks through what  must have been 1,000 miles of walking. And looking at these boots, it really starts to sink in: How lucky am I? To have walked miles in all these cities! To have wandered down so many roads! To be able to afford travel! To be able to afford a steady pair of boots to go adventuring in!

The travel, the wonder, the excitement for life--it hasn't ended since I've returned from London. It's beginning again.

I had a few months here of feeling kind of down. It wasn't completely unfounded. Moving back was a huge transition for me! But I'm starting to really feel the good again. I know there's more walking to be done in these boots. And my dears, I'm getting really excited for it. 

Just Your Average Gluttonous Christmas Event, San Diego Style

December Nights is a Christmas festival that is as merry as you can get: trees, caroling, free admission to museums (in San Diego's Balboa Park), international foods from around the world, performances and even carnie rides make this one jam-packed event!

Despite the rainy day, I knew I didn't want to miss one of my favorite festivals in my hometown.

 We were sucessfully photo-bombed by these dudes. I had to give them credit for it! 

I do love December Nights, but the gluttony of this kind of event--deep fried dessert, nachos, copius amounts of alcohol, etc.--had us discussing what those coming from third world countries might think about our wasteful, indulgent ways. On the one hand, this privilege is all we've ever known. But still, I think it's good to question just how much food we are consuming (and then humorously having to diet from), whilst there are countries out there struggling to gather a meal.

Of course, I love any festival where a city gets together in such a joyful way, so I won't complain too much. Especially when we ended the night watching one man sing his rendition of "I Believe I Can Fly," complete with back-up interpretive dancers. I mean, that made for the best night ever!

1500

This here little blog has reached 1500 posts. How very strange! From something that started as writing practice, I have kept this thing for quite a long time...

...sooo, dear reader, you're kind of a weird one, huh? I mean, some of you have read this for years!!!! What's the matter with you? Well, thanks for sticking around through my geeky, silly and even moody posts. I appreciate the feedback and honestly, I'm not quitting blogging anytime soon. 8 years and counting! 

In Sunny San Diego

This will be like my Around London Town posts, but with San Diego. This is in an effort to appreciate what I do have whilst I'm in my I'm terribly missing London phase.

This is what I've been up to in the land of endless sun...

 Drinking craft beer, which San Diego is a leading city for! We rival the likes of Portland, and dare I say it? Belgium! Above is a brewery with a cool logo, St. Archer's.

Eating Bulgogi fries. Looks gross. Tastes AMAZING. Thank you, Koreans! 

Attending a best friend's wedding. I will have more photos later, but here is a snapshot of the cake topper the bride's mom hand made! 

 Finding Mario. 

 Watching my sister's kitty. 

 Forcing my friends to stand by signs like these. Why do they stay friends with me? 

Beachin' it up as much as possible! (this is actually a picture from Santa Barbara, but you get the point)

Hey Cali, I guess you're alright! 

Dissertation, finito.

*throws microphone off stand and walks off the stage like a true gangsta*

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My New Job

With permission from my boss (yay, boss!), and since you asked...

My new position is with London SAE, a provider and specialist of study abroad and interning opportunities in London. I'm not sure what my position is called (?), but I can tell you that it is a renaissance position of sorts.

We. do. everything. We literally help the student/young professional with every step of the process, including (and what I like most) a focus on advising and helping the student with acculturating once they get here. This is key, and something a lot of study abroad programs leave out.

What's really cool about this position (for me) is I get to write ads and website content for London SAE, since they are a fairly new start-up. As a (blog) writer this makes my little heart happy. In this position, my two favorite worlds have collided! I get to exercise my creativity in writing, AND I get to help students move to a new country. Winning!

Of course, it's going to be quite the balancing act with an increased dissertation workload, but I welcome the challenge!

Switzerland, Part Three: Meeting Blog Buddies

Luzern, the third city Laura and I stayed in, had a very special reason for the visit. To those outside the blog world (i.e. Laura), it's a bit odd explaining that "we're going to be staying with one of my blog friends."  Laura went along with it just fine, but probably thought I was slightly crazy for doing so. I kept telling her, "Seriously, I know Krystal is going to be great!"

But to be honest, how much do we know about our online friends? What can we really tell from blogs? Krystal could have been, like, a crazy ax murderer or something (wink).

Obviously, from my smiley picture above with miss Krystal, that's not the case. Krystal is as fabulous and gangsta as her blog makes her out to be. Not to mention Krystal's husband Mark, who was equally as charming and welcoming. Plus, I got to meet little Wesley, who is in the running for cutest baby in the world:

What a cutie! 

The first night in Luzern, Krystal took us out to dinner and to a fun pub quiz at Shamrock (the local Irish pub) where we met her quirky, lovable friends. I found that Krystal had the same level of maturity as me when we decided on our team name for the quiz:

Great minds think alike.

The night continued on with bad jokes and bad dancing. People had to hide their kids, wives and their husbands too. 

That's all the information I will divulge. 

The next morning I was feeling chipper and ready to tour the city, and that's where Selma comes into the story--blog friend #2! This came in handy as we were now on the Swiss German side of the country, and my German is pretty non-existent. Thus, I made Selma do the talking for me.

 I am almost a whole foot taller than Selma...hehe.

I was really mesmerized by all the art and murals that could be found around the city...

We met up again with Krystal for some Burger King (no comment).

That night, after sharing the best funny, ghetto videos You Tube had to offer, Krystal treated us to a Swiss tradition of Raclette, where you melt cheese and other ingredients you desire in little spatula shaped pans (pictured below), then pour the molten cheese over potatoes. GLORIOUS! 

We ended the night at a shiny rooftop bar, complete with great-tasting Swiss beer (seriously, they have great beer)...until we had to say sad goodbyes and catch the last train out of Luzern.

Just a recap: Through blogging, I had a place to stay, my own personal tour guide(s), a translator and a homemade Swiss meal. NOT TOO SHABBY. 

I love blogging. Thanks Krystal and Selma!