Predictable?

It's time for an all-too-expected post about how badly I want to explore the world. I'm coming up on my last year in college and am planning a galvanizing foray into Europe as a celebration. One last hurrah before I attempt to enter the working world. Although I'm a year out, I can't help but daydream about my plans. It sure doesn't help that I keep making pseudo-plans with various friends about where we will go. England, of course... London, Manchester. Then Dublin, or Glasgow. Then Bruges. Off to Paris, naturally, followed by Strasbourg and Marseille. Follow that up with Berlin, Goettingen, Marburg. Munich is a must. Then Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Dubrovnik. Go back east a bit to Barcalona, Madrid, and Lisbon. Back west to Venice, Florence, Pisa, Tuscany in general. Keep going south... Rome, Pompeii, the Almalfi Coast. Hop around some Mediterranean islands, visit Athens and Crete.

Of course it's ambitious. Of course it will cost an unfortunately absurd amount of money. Yet ever since I left Europe just shy of one year ago, I've been itching to go back ever since. And what a perfect opportunity to do so (and perhaps my only opportunity for some time). To pass the time and help with planning, I've been perusing travel blogs (perhaps a bad idea for my Wanderlust). Here are some of my favorites:

I just discovered Fathom. It's an awesome collection of travel ideas and blog posts for everyone's traveling desires. I haven't gotten very far in it yet, but I can guarantee I'll be immersed in the website for quite a while. Check it out here: Fathom

I've recently started following this guy on Twitter and I just discovered his blog today. Andrew Evans works for National Geographic and has, what I can only presume to be, the dang coolest job in the whole entire world. He goes on trips and blogs and tweets all over the place, which is perfect for someone like me who is forced to live vicariously through those who have the means to travel ALL THE TIME. Or in this case, gets paid to travel ALL THE TIME. Check out his blog here: Digital Nomad or follow him on Twitter @WheresAndrew.

I'd say I've got 11 months to go until travel time. Wish me luck in my money saving endeavors!

Settled

Whoa, apologies for my complete lack of blogging. Life just kept getting in the way of my blogging intentions. Let me elaborate: in the past month, I've enjoyed some time at home, moved all of my stuff into the new apartment, spent half a week in Brattleboro, VT enjoying the Strolling of the Heifers weekend while eating inordinate amounts of Thai food, finally got to Rochester, unpacked everything, started work again, celebrated Josh's 21st birthday, visited my best friend in Washington D.C., and cooked a lot.

Despite the crazy rush to get things done, I'm feeling great. Josh and I have been greatly enjoying our CSA produce, and we even wake up at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings to beat the rush to the Rochester Public Market (well, attempt to beat the rush). Each weekend, our refrigerator is bursting with leafy greens and delicious veggies. Our fruit basket and surrounding countertop is covered in apples, peaches, plums, mangoes, bananas, strawberries, and fresh bread. Sometimes even a pineapple makes it's way into our apartment. While we can control what we purchase at the Public Market, the CSA continues to be a surprise each week. Since our first CSA pick up two weeks ago, I've since learned how to cook bok choy, turnips, and kale (which I absolutely love!) This week we're destined to receive some swiss chard, so that will be a whole new adventure! Each evening I plan out dinner and try to have it ready for when Josh gets home. Although he feels guilty for being so busy while I'm left to do the cooking, cleaning, and shopping, I really can't complain about about the food. I love the cooking I get to do (and sometimes baking!) and I look forward to it every night.

Veggie lasagna for Josh's birthday :)

Tie-dye cupcakes for Josh!

Basil-garlic pasta, roasted kale, fresh salads, and garlic bread

Our haul from the Public Market two weeks ago :)

Healthy blueberry-banana bread - sweetened with honey and full of oats!

Bok choy attempt #1 - pretty successful, but I've gotten better since then

Roasting some kale with salt, pepper, and garlic - perfect combo!

It's great being back in Rochester (and, more importantly, with Josh!) for the summer. I do miss being home, though, so it'll be great to enjoy some time there next weekend for the 4th of July. Time is, as always, absolutely flying by. Not sure when it became almost July, but I'm just going to ignore the fact that I start my senior year of college in 2 months and simply enjoy the beautiful summer and delicious food!