We’re all set up here in my parents’ house in Tennessee, unwinding from the last year and turning our sights to the next big thing. SVV actually didn’t wait five days after our return before starting work for my dad. My dad, among many other financial enterprises, runs a CPA firm, and as you can [...]
The Garden Route: Paddling to the Indian Ocean
February 28, 2011 By 26 Comments
Before I get to today’s main attraction, I have a little announcement to make… Yay! Appropriate timing, as the announcement was made during the Oscars—I gave my own acceptance speech inside my head (…or not)—and I’ll keep this brief but just wanted to extend a huge THANKS to every one of you who voted and/or [...]
Expecto Patronum: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
February 2, 2011 By 64 Comments
Driving 11 hours down to Florida for a mere attraction in a theme park—then turning around after a weekend and driving right back—may sound insane to some people, but those Muggles clearly haven’t experienced the magic of Harry Potter. From the time my mom, sister and I were in Orlando on vacation in 2009 and [...]
Living the High Life in Orlando
January 19, 2011 By 28 Comments
In 2009, I vacationed in Orlando. In 2010, when it was time to pick a spot for a long weekend escape, I chose the same. When people ask me “where does a travel writer vacation?” they’re shocked to learn the answer. But I’ll be frank: I will love those parks until the day I die. [...]
The New Year’s That Wasn’t, Part I
January 5, 2011 By 47 Comments
In theory, it was a good idea. We delayed our return to California until New Year’s Eve as a) it was hundreds of dollars cheaper than flying on the 28th, 29th or 30th and b) NOBODY flies on New Year’s Eve. (This theory was supported when I checked the seating chart for our two flights [...]
In 2010
January 3, 2011 By 40 Comments
For the past two Decembers in 2008 and 2009, I’ve done year-in-review posts. This one comes to you in January, as I was flying in Dec. 31, but I didn’t want to miss the chance to recap my 2010 for my own amusement, mainly because I have a short-term memory and tend to forget to [...]
Creatures of Habit
December 27, 2010 By 36 Comments
We’ve had the same holiday routine since practically 1845. OK, maybe not quite that long, but close. I usually fly in around Dec. 15, mainly because a) I work from home and my computer is just as functional in Tennessee as it is in California and b) I want to avoid the bulk of holiday [...]
The Ewoks are Coming
August 16, 2010 By 24 Comments
This weekend was adventure filled. Just hours before we (finally)(after seven months of living here) had our housewarming party, two puppies arrived on a plane. (It sounds like the setting of a made-for-TV movie, no?) My poor mother: While they were as well behaved as could be and didn’t make a peep, the little boy, [...]
Anchors Away: Discovering Ghana, Part II
June 16, 2010 By 6 Comments
My sister Kari recently wrapped up a four-month, round-the-world trip via UVA’s Semester at Sea program. She will be stopping by here periodically throughout the next few months to regale you with tales from her ports. This account follows Part I, which you can read here. ***** Our second day in Ghana is a little [...]
