For Shits and Giggles

Gotta case of the Mondays? Look no further...

My NYC Bucket List: My First Blizzard

About a month ago, I experienced my first ever blizzard. It wasn't freezing so much as it was...er, challenging. Waking up to the blizzard, I had NO INTENTIONS of even going outside. I had my french cookies, and my cup of coffee, and I was content with watching the madness from the window.

But then, my Chicagoan roommate forced me to go outside. I get abused here often, folks. 

Nah, just kidding. It was a ***winter wonderland*** outside! 

Venturing outside was pertinent; we were on a mission to get some wine for our day inside. It was all for survival, guys. A video of the journey: 

We returned to safety just in time to plug in the Christmas lights, make pancakes, and pour the bubbly. 

And so I ✓ my first NYC blizzard off my list! 

11 Years (A Blogiversary Post)

Tomorrow--Feb 15th--marks my 11-year blogiversary.

When I started this blog, I was a sophomore at San Diego State University and a mere 19-years-old.

OLD PHOTO ALERT!!! I look like a baby. A sorority baby, that is.

I'm now 30 and have lived in London and moved to New York within that 11 year time frame. I've completed both a Bachelor's and Master's degree. I've had over 8 jobs since that time, including working at an oppressive smoothie shop, being an after-school teacher with adorable kiddos, taking a job as a copy editor, and most recently, landing a career that I love as undergraduate advisor for international education (a cause I can get behind).

All I can say is...wow, life. I don't think 19-year-old Ashley knew what was going to come in the next 11 years, but she couldn't have dreamed it all up, anyway.

I took this photo the other night at my friend's bday party, and I realized I no longer look like a baby.

There's experience and life behind those eyes, now. About 11 years worth.

A Three Sentence Movie Review

1. Brooklyn

In Theaters

I saw it twice in theaters and I'll gladly proclaim it the movie of the year. This is a film with well-developed characters, top-notch acting, and a true focus on human emotion--I couldn't expect anything less from a screenplay written by Nick Hornby, the writer of High Fidelity. If you've ever moved away from your hometown, especially to a different country, you will connect with this film so fervidly you will surely be brought to tears, just as my friend and I were, sobbing in our seats as the credits rolled.


2. Making a Murderer

On Netflix

SPOILER: I'm not so convinced of the clear agenda of this documentary--that Steven Avery is innocent. I was, however, horrified by the events that led Brendan into prison, and I think it's a travesty that a young life is wasting away due to (in my opinion) unlawful practices by a clearly corrupt police force. Whatever way you lean, this is an interesting and compelling look into the theory that, yes, it's not so difficult to be framed; a chilling thought indeed.


3. You're Not You

On Netflix

Worth a watch because of the two lead ladies and their excellent acting. Hillary Swank plays a woman who is diagnosed with ALS, and her once perfect life starts to slowly dissolve around her, except that she becomes best buds with angsty Bec (Emmy Rossum). Not as touching as Tuesdays with Morrie, but still gets you in the feels.


4. World of Tomorrow

On Netflix

Only 17 minutes long, and a bit strange at first, but you NEED TO WATCH THIS. I didn't know a little cartoon could uplift me in under a half hour, but this sure did. After watching, you'll no longer fall in love with rocks.


Picture credits 1/2/3/4

2015: A Great Traveling Year

A very happy Ashley in Prague, March 2015

I didn't really realize how great of a travel year I had in 2015 until I started to pen this post. I conquered 9 new cities and one new country that I had never visited before! I'd say that's a major win; and this is what I love about blogging: in documenting, I realize how stupendous my year actually was.

Let's break down where my travel disease led me by month: 

JANUARY 

My first trip of the year brought me to artsy, weird, beautiful Portland, Oregon. I'd categorize Portland as a sleepy, yet odd city/town with a great music and food scene. 

 Also, the trees in Oregon are just loooooovely. 

FEBRUARY - APRIL

Once February rolled around, I worked quite diligently on my evil master plan: I scoured the interwebs for a way to have an extended stay in my beloved London. My job allowed for me to work from home, so first thing I did was ask the boss if she didn't mind of I, ya know, worked from halfway around the world. She said "As long as you get your work done, that's fine with me!"

Moral: If you don't ask, you shall never receive!

Next thing was accommodation. How was I going to afford a 4-6 week stay in the most expensive city in the world?? Enter trustedhousesitters.com, which provides free housing in return for petsitting.  I watched Oscar the dog for over 3 weeks. This coupled with a few nights here and there at my friends' places (and a mini Euro trip) allowed me to have a FULL 6 WEEK STAY in LONDON TOWN. 

Oscar the dog.

For my mini Euro trip, I went to Florence and Prague.

 The magnificent Il Duomo. 

 It's impossible not to fall in love with Prague. 

When I returned to England, I took one more mini trip to Birmingham and Stratford-Upon-Avon.

I then returned to London for a couple more days before I bid adieu.

MAY 

I finally took it easy on travel (my pocket book was happy about this).

JUNE
Back at it again, this time in Boston.

Going to a Red Sox game is an absolute must! 

(THEN CAME) JULY

This was a big month for me--the month I got a promotion at my job and opportunity to move to the East Coast. I chose New York City as my new home, and this month I was off to Waterloo, Canada for training (my company has a branch in Canada). 

AUGUST

I spent two whirlwind weeks saying goodbye to loved ones in San Diego, and then, August 15, 2015 is when I moved to NYC in the sweltering, crazy summer heat. 

SEPTEMBER

No travel this month, as I started to ease into my new city and build a community around me (whilst also appreciating every rooftop/skyscraper view).

OCTOBER

Took a very quick work trip to DC, went out at night and snapped a blurry photo of the white house while some guy yelled at us to "not get too close!" Okay, guy. 

NOVEMBER 

Stayed in New York, had a fun Friendsgiving.

DECEMBER

Went to Miami, which was warm and relaxing, but not terribly interesting in the winter so I never posted on it.

And finally, I took a trip back to San Diego for Christmas. I stayed for a New Year's Eve Wedding, which was magical and beautiful (and a reunion for old college roommates/sorority sisters).

What a year! Internally, 2015 was a year I was going through some struggle, knowing I had to branch out of San Diego, but was still figuring out the how/when/where. I think this was evident in my random travel to a few US cities ("should I live here?"), as well as returning to London for a long stay because I missed it so.

The move to New York was decided in a matter of days, and east just felt like the right direction. It is a city where I believe I get my "travel" in everyday--there's no shortage of things to do and interesting people to see.

I still battle my grass-is-greener syndrome, I still miss London, and I wonder if I will ever live in Europe again; however, this is home, now. In creating a post like this, I realize I don't have to envy another place, another life. My own life is pretty sweet, and I'm curious to see where 2016 will bring me, or rather, where I choose to go, because life is all about choosing and creating. 2015 is a testament to that. 

For Shits and Giggles

January is my busiest month at work; some comic relief is definitely in order.

Enjoy the things that made me laugh on the interwebs :)