Category: travel

my brain is still jumbled

~ NewBeginnings ~ Leave a comment

I just got back from yet another trip 🙂 in 2025 I have been blessed to have experienced Iceland (for the second time!) Ireland, Spain, and Morocco. And while the insight I will share applies to all places, it hits more certain destinations. I think I have blogged about this before when I was living in CA. I went to the beach at least 3-4 times a week, if not every day. I noticed the regulars that gathered in the mornings and afternoons, to walk their dogs and have coffee with friends and acquaintances.. Mind you, I went to the beach a lot my first 2yrs, then much more the last 5 of 12 years I lived there. I learned a lot in my last 5 years, one being how blessed I was to live where I am (more in an aesthetic sense because of the beauty, not the people, cost of living, or any other tangible fact of CA lol). And even in this realization, I had friends who were born and raised in SoCal, close enough to the beach also – who openly admitted they haven’t been in YEARS. YEARS I tell you. I had a friend tell me once, they only came because I lived so close and that’s where I hang out, and well, they would get a moment to see the ocean. I remember being more appalled at the people of CA after that LOL. I realized in my 12 years there, it was all the transplants who really dove into the nature and beauty of the coastline. Locals saw it as a distraction because #Tourists. And honestly, I can understand the annoyance living there myself, and planning my days of when I knew the seasonal people would be gone. However, it never deterred me from the beauty, and the sunsets, and the pretty mornings.

This isn’t to throw stones at CA or the people who live there, (although I am very happy to not live there anymore, lol) my point of this blog post is just sharing yet another realization on how we get desensitized in many aspects of life, not just the news. In all my travels, especially in Iceland, I wondered why people drove so fast. Like are y’all lookin around while you’re driving!? I AM, lol. Magic spews from all the baby fosses (what I like to call small waterfalls), the terrain changes as the miles increase, and the weather is like a toxic ex.. you just never know what you’re gonna get every 5min. This experience, and others alike, reminded me of living here in the US. I have always been one to appreciate nature and trees, and rivers, and lakes, and beaches.. but there always comes a time, like in CA where I’m deterred from the beauty due to “others” lol stomping in, leaving trash, and taking advantage of my parking spots lol. Now, thankfully as a seasoned traveler, I am VERY (prob too much sometimes lol) respectful of other countries, even other states in the US for goodness sake, and am very cognizant of culture. Even just visiting TN, I do all I can to be a part of whatever they consider “home”. Because isn’t that the point of visiting new places? To see a different lens? Maybe learn something.. maybe even adopt something that resonates with your beliefs? I beg those who travel to remember, the world is not here to adapt to YOU, it is YOU that needs to learn to adapt to your surroundings. That being said, In all places I have lived, New England, CA, and TX – I do have to take a step back and remember the local beauty around me.. because that’s why people are visiting. ME, MYSELF and I.. need to stop driving so fast.. and maybe look around a little more because there are many beautiful areas around where I live and some that I have yet to explore myself.

Ireland is probably the one place I have visited where they openly accepted tourists, they practically love them lol. The Irish (in my experience) help people immerse in their culture and the beauty of their country. They are so proud of what they have to offer and I think they find it a blessing that people want to experience it too. Maybe I need to pull that Irish side outa me and remember there are many people like me in the world (at least I want to believe it) who do travel for the appreciation, and the learning, and to see God’s creation.

Just as the title states, I’ve only been home like 30hr (closer to 48hr now lol) and my brain is still jumbled. I just had so many thoughts running around after this last adventure that I needed to start throwing words on electronic paper. It’s possible none of this makes sense and is a bit scattered.. It will just force me to post another idea in another week or so (can’t believe it’s been 10mo since my last post!). With all the traveling I did this year, I’m honestly surprised it took me this long to write something out loud.

I digress.. I think the best way to sum up the madness in my head, is that 1) Remember the beauty in your own home, your own surroundings. Even deep in a concrete jungle, I know there are sights that inflict emotion. Remember people might be visiting your location because they can’t get this experience at their home. 2) When visiting other places, remember it’s not their job to accommodate to you, you are in their space, their environment. Do a little bit of homework before exploring (honestly it surprises me when people don’t even look up basic lifestyle things before visiting somewhere. Like, no leaf peepers, someone’s PERSONAL HOME is not part of the peeping process – get out!).

So I guess some final jumbled thoughts are – I am blessed to be able to travel as much as I do. If you are not a traveler, honestly, thank you. Because I question if there will ever be (safe) untouched land again. And hot take: just as not everyone is meant to be a doctor, I don’t believe traveling is meant for everyone either. If you are a fellow traveler, I hope you are kind, considerate, adaptable, and patient. And lastly, remember where you are, remember your surroundings – there is beauty in your back yard too. ❤

So much for 1/mo

~ NewBeginnings ~ 2 Comments

For this blog – thought I would be posting once a month, but its been quite a year. I guess I’ll just consider this is a mid-yr reacap? This will definitely feel, and sound like a ramble, but like all my posts, if anyone gains anything from this, even just a laugh or new idea, then I’m still fulfilling my purpose of starting this.. 11 years ago!? Go check out some Archives, those originals are hilarious, lol.

I also have 4 drafts that have been sitting in my edits waiting to complete.. maybe one day my brain will be able to focus long enough to get those done. For now though, its a new day, new month – and honestly, lots of New Beginnings have occured the past 5 months. One thing for certain however… there are some things that never, or rarely change.

From topics I write about often, a few thoughts that have remained consistent this year:

  • Family is not blood. It is many things, but blood and DNA/genes is not a requirement, nor the only, or needed, factor.
  • People are still in relationships for all the wrong reasons. *Small insight that I have learned is that most people’s fear of being alone is stronger than the need, or want for happiness – hence divorce rates, toxic relationships, etc… *Second insight is that almost all relationships get pressured to advance said relationship, i.e. “when are you getting married?!” “when are you having kids?!” which in turn creates issues, even for those who are in healthy relationships for the right reasons. We all have different timelines in life, relationships are no exception, we need to stop putting other people on our personal timelines.
  • Ignorance might be bliss, but its still Ignorance.
  • Contrary to popular belief, opinions are not facts. Nor are emotions, anxiety and depression.

Now, some things I did learn so far this year:

  • We need more Ted Lasso’s – Be Curious not Judgemental.
  • Although the ocean has a very special place in my heart, it is actually just the movement of water I truly love, and need in my surroundings.
  • No matter what you believe in, if you notice recurring signs, listen to them, pay attention to them. Don’t make assumptions – per point 1 – Be Curious. Sometimes the signs are super obvious, but sometimes, they are not necessarily pointing to what’s in front of you, they are teaching you and leading you to something you have not thought about. Maybe its a YOU problem, and maybe its more a need to change your way of thinking and doing.

Overall, this has been very much a year of: Control the Controllables. I started in a new role at work (eek!), I have traveled more in the last 5 months than I can remember in any year (YaY!), I moved (YaY!), I broke a toe (gah!). It’s definitely been a typical rollercoaster of heaviness and lightness of emotion, trying to navigate all the change internally and externally. I have had many a frustration, especially the past 3 months, having to travel in a boot for 2 of the many trips I took, and also being limited in movement after finally accomplishing my first half marathon just 3.5 mo prior to the bone break. BUT, this is day 5 of no splints, no tape, and real shoes 🙂 #smallwins

My new role is challenging, and will be a great learning experience for however long I do this. I think I learned the most about controllables from this role due to the reactive nature of it. Because thats all we can do when things happen that we do not expect, react. React as best we can, based on the tools we have. Knowing my reaction is controllable, I have learned to add more tools to my EQ box. Generally speaking, the more we are curious, the more we learn, and are able to create better experiences, whether thats with people or just trying to get through TSA.

I guess moral of this mid-year randomness is I have learned to be more curious, which in turn allows me to control my controllables, which really, the only thing we CAN control is ourselves. I have been learning to be more insightful in situations, and taking my time on next steps. Not every moment in life needs a to be a dive, sometimes wading or dipping a toe in a river, or ocean, or metaphorical lake, gives perspective and the ability to make proper decisions for our actions.

till next time, hopefully sooner than 5 months, lol, cheers,

xoxo

life still happens..

~ NewBeginnings ~ Leave a comment

even if you don’t post it on social media.

I’ve never liked that saying, “If you didn’t post it, did it really happen?”

I mean, we all know the answer to that.. right? Or at least I hope my readers know the answer to that? lol – but seriously – Trees are still making noises in empty forests..

Which brings me to my all time favorite quote, possibly ever:

IMG_5513

I found an image of this last year and googled to find the origin to make sure I had it right, and boy was I in awe of reading these words, over and over, and over, and over..

It was my mantra last year.. and it will continue to be, every year going forward until I find something more amazing (if that’s even possible).

I shared this a few weeks back in a smaller scale, mentioning that I hope those reading know that this does not mean hide under a rock (although I’m not completely against that sometimes). But more so, keeping your life and your moments to yourself.

Be true to yourself. Do you boo.

I use this as a way to live my life on my terms. There is SO MUCH  N O I S E  out there. Never mind from society, but from family, friends, and even those old high school FB “friends” who look at your life and make assumptions. I know plenty of people judge my life. For me, I just worry that some aren’t as happy as social media makes them out to be due to the expectations of over-sharing. Whats that other wonderful quote?

“Expectation is the root of all heartache” -William Shakespeare

And that’s why this idea of keeping certain things, like in this example: travel, love, and happiness to yourself is important. Because these things: Travel, Love, Happiness – they involve emotion, experiences, and memories. They are not supposed to be measured or compared, or shown to outshine others. Emotions are our own, no one really, truly understands how another feels because emotions are personal.

I hope for everyone in 2018 we learn to actually experience something wonderful – without expectation, and the need for approval or recognition by others. Because those who matter will probably be with you, or they’ll know your travels because they’re that person who needs to know in case you are stolen, amiright?! Or is that just a personal fear? lol.

Get out there friends! And make beautiful things ❤

old lady staus

~ NewBeginnings ~ Leave a comment

I’ve said this before, I’m a planner.

But the other day I was thinking.. WHY AM I LIKE THIS?!

There was a time, you know, where planning, to me, meant: Oh what are we doing RIGHT NOW?! Compared to my current need of wanting to control every minute of every day.

My thoughts continued.. I know where this comes from – all the consequences in my actions from the past. They have all caught up to me. So now I’m constantly bombarded with thoughts of “If, Then, What”.

Maybe this is a good thing. But in my old age – LMAO – there are still things I want to do that I shouldn’t be so worried about. Like, idk – living, loving, and being happy!?

I mean, I’m an Aquarian after all, free-spirit, gypsy wanderer.. Maybe that’s why I love the water so much.. because I’m an Air sign? Lol – but I AM the Water Bearer. I bear the water people. Water: giver-of-life, ever-changing and can either calm or destroy you. Muahahaha (lol)

A wonderful person I know once told me:

“..but the one thing I appreciated about you.. Your willingness to throw logic to the wind and go with your gut. I could never do it. But the world needs Kara’s.”

The world needs me! Well that me anyway ^^

Throw logic to the wind.. I do make decisions with my heart more than my brain that’s for sure.. Or, I feel like, I did. I mean do we remember 10/11/2012?!

Recently, however, I have found myself in more brain-space. Which again, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I honestly feel like I’m missing out on something greater that I could be sort-of chasing, if you will. Or maybe I’m just missing a piece of myself?

One thing is certain: I normally have a pretty good balance of emotion-to-brain ratio when it comes to life. I’ve had therapists, doctors, and other professionals tell me that I am very self-aware. This apparently is surprising to others. I understand why I do things, and because of this, I also have a very good understanding of others. I have great intuition on needs vs wants, and even when “mistakes” are made, I look at myself before I look at others.

I know my boundaries. Which is interesting because the one thing that seems to mystify even the bestest of friends, is when I know I’m doing something which may potentially hurt me, yet I always feel the need to push further for myself, until I am ready to let go (if there is any letting-go involved). And I don’t quite understand why that may be a bad thing.. I know my limits, and I learn from my mistakes more than making them again. But that’s it there – mistakes. I also know and remember the feeling of those mistakes. And it’s in never wanting to experience some of those again that I think has kept me here in this “safe” brain space.

Why am I even blogging about this? I have no clue – maybe I just needed to get something out. Express an emotion I can’t quite explain, but can you really explain an emotion? You just feel it.

And I have this feeling I have been thinking too much. Lol.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still be stimulating my mind with wonderful things, still using a planner, and also making sure I don’t jump into the deep-end without my floaties. But I want to start making some decisions again from my heart, my gut, my inner being. I’m tired of being afraid of what tomorrow may do to me. I miss that little gypsy heart of mine.. and I want to wander a bit.

After my recent travels, I keep finding myself in conversations about more exploration and more adventures – new experiences, near and far. For the first time in a long time, I have a free and open heart to add to my free and open spirit. Those combined can only lead to amazing things – or trouble, lol 😉

Those of you out there who live these in-the-moment lives, I take advice and recommendations to heart. I want to travel alone, learn to love without expectation, and find something new about life everyday. Share your wisdom! And maybe I’ll have better stories/posts to share. lol

“You’ll never be able to escape from your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say.” – Paul Coelho

❤