Goodbye, Prius

She sits in the lot at CarMax, her dark gray exterior even darker against the overcast winter sky in Maryland. I blink back tears, then head inside to sign her away. “Well, this is really easy,” the sales clerk says to me across his desk in the fluorescent lit office. “Just sign here and here,Continue reading “Goodbye, Prius”

Daily Wanderlust: Snow in the Mid-Atlantic

Today is Christmas … and I’m knee-deep in sunshine. The complete opposite of what I am used to having grown up in the sometimes blustery and freezing Maryland. In fact, even when I was living in Las Vegas, there were times during the winter when a thick coat was necessary. Well, that is most definitelyContinue reading “Daily Wanderlust: Snow in the Mid-Atlantic”

Giving thanks

I’m sitting in the kitchen of the house where I grew up. Around me, I can hear the happy chatter of my mom, dad and brother. I hear the jingle of metal from the tag on Barkley, our old and gorgeous springer spaniel’s collar. I look outside at the naked trees against the bright blueContinue reading “Giving thanks”

When travel sucks

Flight One: Chatty Seatmate Suck “We’ve just had two days from hell,” an older woman says, hovering over my seat in the bulkhead as I fumble (too late) to get my headphones in my ears. “You just wouldn’t believe what happened to us. First, our flight has issues, then we get stuck on the tarmac,Continue reading “When travel sucks”

Goodbye, America

I’m quiet on the drive to Dulles from my house. I’ve already cried saying goodbye to the pups, and now, staring out the window as the suns rays just begin to kiss the tops of the trees, I hold back tears. I’m leaving America. I am leaving the life I know. I don’t take myContinue reading “Goodbye, America”

Escape of the Week: America via iPhoneography

If there is one thing I did to an excess while driving cross-country, it was taking photos. Between my new camera and my iPhone, I logged thousands of photos. Because the iPhone was easy to tote around, there were so many instances when I simply pulled it our from my purse (or from the armContinue reading “Escape of the Week: America via iPhoneography”

Exploring America

So, what does one do after making the decision to leave America and become an expat? Plan an epic, massive, awesome road trip. That’s right. My time as a Las Vegan is coming to a bittersweet end in a mere few days (the movers come Monday, June 11). Then, I’m off on a cross-country roadContinue reading “Exploring America”

I am thankful for …

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. It’s the time when I get to come home from wherever I am, and spend precious moments with my parents, my brother, my gorgeous little niece, and my friends from childhood and beyond. It’s the time of year when I bundle up and head East to breatheContinue reading “I am thankful for …”