In a galaxy far, far away, in a time where neither texting nor the Facebooks existed, people would email these chain letter type things.  I actually enjoyed reading what other people wrote.  So, I decided to adopt one of these "Year In Review" lists for my blog.  I know I am a little late but I got knackered out with one of those colds going around at the end of last year. Better late than never, I suppose!

1. What did you do this year that you’d never done before?
Sailed through icebergs

2. What countries did you visit?
Japan, France, Switzerland, Germany, Argentina, and Antarctica (country/continent)

3. What would you like to have next year that you lacked in this one?
More peace of mind

4. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Passing grade for my wine class (wayyy harder than it sounds - mix of chemistry, biology, history, geography, & politics)

5. What was your biggest failure?
Actually, not to be all philosophical but they're all lessons, rather than failures

6. Did you suffer illness or injury?
1 bout of the flu (picked up in Japan)
1 bad burn on right hand that healed super well.  I thought I'd have a scar in the shape of Australia but it's just a little red now

7. What was the best thing you bought?
Surgery for my cat

8. Where did most of your money go?
savings

9. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
A PENGUIN STEPPED ON MY FOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was sooooo cuuuute!!!!

10. What song will always remind you of this year?
"Call me maybe" - Carly Rae Jepsen
Excellent video, totally catchy

11. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
happier

b) thinner or fatter?
thinner - Thank You, Kansai Flu!

c) richer or poorer?
richer - in a lot of ways

12. What do you wish you’d done more of?
slept

13. What do you wish you’d done less of?
stress out

14. What was your favorite TV program?
Portlandia

15. What was the best book you read?
"Call the Midwife" - Jennifer Worth

16. What was your favorite film of this year?
2 Days in New York - the follow up to 2 Days in Paris.  Chris Rock was so excellent

17. Who did you miss?
My grandmother...as always

18. What did you want and get?
A ring from Mikimoto

19. What did you want and not get?
A Stelton Carafe from Denmark.  A lady I visited in Germany had one.  The coffee had been sitting out for an hour in this carafe. When she poured coffee, it was still steaming hot.  I've never seen anything like it. I just never got around to getting one.

20. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"The last time I run away, I hope it is with you. Will you let me show you where to run?" - M. Ward

It's been a while since I blogged...for the better part of the past 2 months, I've been fortunate enough to travel around a bit.  When I came back in mid-December, I promptly got one of those rough colds going around.  It was my first Christmas holiday where I was completely knackered out enough to not leave the house.  From what I've been seeing on Facebook, it doesn't seem like I've been the only one.  But, it's now 2013...onward & upward!

Since it is January, a lot of people are mentally mapping out how they'd like their 2013 to sort out.  If traveling abroad happens to be on your wishlist this year, I would like to offer a few suggestions:

Europe:
In November, I was in Switzerland, France, & Germany.  With everything going on, Europe could be a better travel bargain this year than it has been in the past.    I highly recommend Switzerland for its chocolate, wine, sights & sounds, as well as it's absolute fastidiousness - it's orderly, quiet, & clean - which makes for an easy vacation.  However, keep in mind, it's not on the Euro so it may be a bit harder on your purse than other places in Europe.  France, on the other hand, is on the Euro and it seems to be on most wishlists.  Paris & Cote d'Azur are wonderful for sure. I highly recommend Strasbourg though - a 2.5 hour TGV trip from Paris.  Since it's in Alsace, it has a completely different French identity because of its history.  While it doesn't have the buzz of a major city, it's completely cosmopolitan and the food is wonderful (go for tarte flambee with glass of Gerwurztraminer).  Keep in mind, much like Boston, it's not a late town...but not necessarily an early one either!

Argentina
If Paris is a romantic city, Buenos Aires is a horny city. Everywhere you go, people are holding hands; kissing on park benches; and publicly displaying all sort of open affection.  When we were riding the subway, Phil patted my behind as I getting off the train & a guy standing near us gave him thumbs up as we walked out.  It's just that kind of city!  Portenos (as the locals are called) are not just passionate about themselves but also books, music, art, and any other kind of culture.  There are as many book kiosks on the street as food carts.  It's wonderful.  Much like Europe, the cafe culture is alive & well.  It's "de rigeur" to while away your afternoon, watching people walk by while sipping your coffee and eating your alfajore.  It's so laid back - and the best part - it's an absolute bargain.  BA is one of the more European cities I've been in outside of Europe.  While I wouldn't say you feel like you're in Paris, it's a good European style vacation on a fraction of the budget.

Antarctica
What can I say?  It's remote.  You spend 2 days crossing the Drake Passage getting there.  It's mindblowing.  Worth every penny & every bit of energy used to get there.  It's almost too big for me to process. I can't stop thinking about it - the black & white lanscape, the crazy blue icebergs, the penguins!  THE PENGUINS!!! A penguin stepped on my foot.  He did not say "excuse me" and he was very heavy.  It was awesome both literally & metaphorically.  Words don't do it justice.  Even the photos don't do it justice but I will post some on my Facebook page anyway.

Other Tips
- Airline Tickets: Like most things, you get what you pay for. If you bargain shop, you could be paying for your ticket in long layovers & lack of cabin amenities. If you with a more expensive or foreign carrier, you may pay a little more but get better service & amenities in economy class and a better layover time...it's always good to weigh out your options. A lot of times you can upgrade to premium economy or business class at the counter for a fee when you check in. It never hurts to ask!

- Airline clubs: Most clubs offer a day pass for a small fee.  Spending a 6 hour layover in a comfy chair in a quiet room with free snacks can often be worth the price - just for your sanity.

Happy 2013 & safe, fun travels!

As many of you know, I love to travel.  I love it so much that my day job, ahem, "chosen career" is in travel.  One thing you may not know about me is that for the most part, unless I am on Japan Airlines, I really dislike flying.

I am not afraid of it per se - it's just an uncomfortable experience overall unless you're on Singapore Airlines or you can cough up the cash at the counter for an upgrade (FYI - it's short money for a counter upgrade on South African Airways or Japan Airlines).  For some reason, flying gives me anxiety.  Well, everything gives me anxiety but that's a completely different post.

My great aunt told me I should take a tranquilizer with a wine cooler and then, I should be all set.

Right now, I am preparing for a trip to Europe and then, I'll be onto South America & Antarctica.  AND I am freaking out.  AND I have no tranquilizers.  AND I think Bartles & Jaymes went out of business 30 years ago.   Champagne problems...I know.

Speaking of which, maybe a glass of champagne would not be a bad idea right now...

Stay tuned for photos and anecdotes. 

I take a Japanese conversation class once a week to keep the "skillz" sharp (yeahhhh right).  My classmates are amongst the most interesting people you'll ever meet - an Art Director for a advertising agency; a grandmother who wants to be able to speak to her grandchildren; an executive who is about to head to Osaka for 6 months, etc..  Me - I just like to talk and the more languages I can do it in, the better.

A few weeks ago, I was paid the best compliment I have ever received in my life.  I came into the first class a bit late & introduced myself in Japanese.  One of the European/Mediterranean gentlemen in the class gave me a big smile - not a flirty smile but a "knowing/understanding" smile.   After class, we were walking to the T & I found out he was French.  He said to me, "When you walked into class, you just looked so French.  So, I assumed you were French like me. Then, you started speaking English and your English was way too good for you to be from France." ha ha ha YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! Merci Beaucoup, Ben-san!

Side note - I am currently reading "Stuff Parisians Like".  Apparently, Parisians like wearing black, going to the movies on Sunday, making lists, and crossing the street in a bold way.  So, I can totally see why Ben thought I was from France.

One the most formative classes I took in college was entitled, "Politics & the Novel".  Basically, it focused on books from the mid 20th century & how they reflected the political-social issues of the time - "Catch 22", "On The Beach", etc.. Randomly, up until that time, I was quite oblivious that any other media beyond news was reflective of the time in which it was created.  Now, I can't help but be hyperaware of subtle subtexts in any media I consume.

This past weekend, I finally saw Matt Nathanson's video for "Modern Love"...granted it was a bit of a long week & I was overtired but I cried when I saw it (especially at the 3 legged dog).  Side note: Matt Nathanson looks less like "Evil Matt Nathanson" when he has a full beard vs. goatee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vuQucvnlAY

It's just a montage of various families singing his song - not just atypical nuclear families but all kinds of families & couples.  That made me so happy since I, myself, am not part of a traditional nuclear family.  Only a few of my friends have that atypical "mom, dad, & kids family" - most of my friends fall into that "non traditional" category being single moms, single dads, singles with their dogs, same sex partners/spouses, and friends with stepchildren & step in-laws. 

After I watched this video, it gave me some real hope that society seems to be opening up to the concept of "nontraditional" families on a greater level.   I know we have a long way to go on a lot of issues but there's hope...and it makes me happy.

(Please note: These views are mine solely and not representative of the radio station!)

In my humble opinion, life is partially about managing your expectations. Things meet your expectations, exceed your expectations, or fall wayyyyy below your expectations. 

In going with this, I will say the past 10 days have been a whirlwind of all kinds of things. So, I figured, it would be good to do a quick review of how things played out & where they fell on the expectation meter.  I'd be interested in your thoughts too - please comment here or on my FB page - I really do love to know what's up with everybody.  As a side note, that's one of the things I love about Facebook - you can follow everybody's adventures.

Here goes:

MEETS EXPECTATIONS

1. The Bolt Bus to/from NYC.  A round trip ticket cost me $27...Yeah, we were an hour late leaving on the way back and the queue to get on the bus at 34th St is a bit of CF but, for $27, I got exactly what I needed.

2. Courtyards by Marriott - clean, comfy, and free Wifi.  It's no Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town but it didn't have that Sleep Number bed I deflated & couldn't reinflate at the Pittsburgh Radisson...which is a plus.  And, by the way, who knew the Sleep Number was just a froofy air mattress? Lame!

3. Eataly - Mario Batali's Italian Marketplace.  It's exactly what I thought it would be - very European and very delicious...and very easy to impulse buy Alessi & Guzzini housewares.

4. Sex in the City marathon on the telly when you don't feel like leaving the house after a long day at work.

FALLS SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS

1. 2nd degree burns on my right hand from spilling boiling water all over me while trying to make tea at work

2. Medication for above injury that left me really nauseous & tired.

3. Trying to listen to Crozby fill in for me but I couldn't stay awake. Boo hiss. I miss hearing him on the air.

EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

1. Phil - he's my partner in crime

2. Top notch emergency room care for above burn from a 4th year Harvard Med Student from the UK who was SO nervous about taking care of me.

3. Super nice concerned co-workers, especially Crozby, who filled in for me without hesitation and Carla who brought me flowers!

4. Hanging with some of my most favoritest people ever.  It's so good to feel & give the love...It never gets old and always feels better than I remember

5. Wild mushroom pasta at Babbo (Thank you, Ken!!!) - creamy sauce, earthy mushrooms, al denta pasta...really satisfying in the way that only high fat and pasta can be

6. Kinokuniya - My new Japanese text book was $20 less than what I was going to pay for it

7. Birthday cake truffles from the Milk Bar - yes, I know they're a fancy take on Betty Crocker's Funfetti cake but, trust me, they're incredible.

8. Momofuku Ssam Bar - We just ambled in & got seats.  I've never been so blown away by a meal EVER EVER EVER!  Duck dumplings, duck buns, broccoli caesar salady thing, seasonal veggie pickles that had sunchokes (!!!), and sparkling riesling.  You need wine to cut through the fat & spice. Ohhhh my god.  I can't stop thinking about it.

So, it looks like when all is said & done, I am ahead of the game...which is a good place to be.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, EVERYBODY!!!!