After setting up at the show to prepare for the visitors the following day, I met Zoe out at the shopping area called Zeil. I go there every time I visit. It’s always interesting to see what is new or catches my eye. I noticed a lot of stores had closed which was sad to see. Choices, as in the US, are now limited.
Meanwhile at the Heimtex venue:
It’s been a couple years since I travelled to Germany to attend the Heimtex show. This year the factory that I do freelance towel designs for offered to pay for my trip so I could come out and help set up their booth and talk to customers. I did not want to pass up that opportunity! Chaotic coming off of the holidays, off I went with Zoe to Frankfurt.
Zoe paid for her own flight and shared a hotel room with me which was expensed. She minored in German in college and wanted to explore a bit before heading back to her LA casa. Our room was teeny tiny without a mini fridge, desk or sofa- the usual European size. We couldn’t even open our suitcases fully. But we managed nonetheless.
As many times as I’ve been to Frankfurt (at least 13) I have never gone across the river. Usually I am so tired after walking all day at the show or after dinner plans in the evening, I almost always went straight back to the hotel and jumped on email to recap my finds.
Looking back, I worked my ass off. I truly regret giving so much of my time and energy to a job. I cared so much about the vendors and new opportunities found. For what? But I will say I have amazing vendor relationships still to this day because of our partnerships and growth established together at one point, and that I will never regret. The friends I made along the way.
The Germans never let the weather or cold keep them from sipping their espresso outdoors standing around tables or drinking a beer at an outdoor venue. It truly is a different culture and endurance standard.
The reason we were crossing the river was to visit a few art museums. First stop was the film museum.
My favorite part of the film museum was a place where you could sit and put on head phones in front of a computer where they had iconic movie scenes to pick from. Then you paired the scene with well known music used in movies. It was amazing to me how much sound makes a difference to a scene. You can completely change the mood of a scene simply by the music choice.
It reminded me of the war movie where Louis Armstrong’s “Its a wonderful world” played as you silently were shown images from the horrors of war. It hit hard. And obviously stuck with me.
Some of the collections I found interesting because the artist that shared also didn’t realize they were a collector until asked to participate in this project. That made me think. If someone asked me to gather a collection of objects that were meaningful together, would they also tell a story that I didn’t even realize I was writing?
Time and money well spent to on a Sunday.
The Nutcracker is something that I have only caught glimpses of on tv performances and never really experienced live before. Sometimes I think people living/growing up in bigger cities are spoiled with so many opportunities. Coming from a small town, there was just one dance school in town and the ballet was something we never even thought about. When I was younger I remember a gymnastics’ judge telling my dad I would benefit from ballet classes. Other than that, never really considered this art form.
Fast forward Zoe asked to take ballet lessons when she was older (teen-aged) and had the very best experience. I watched her grow in her grace. Literally to this day she walks and holds herself differently. It’s an art form that I admire. Requiring so much dedication, strength and discipline.
This year I wanted to treat my daughters to an evening out for Christmas, just the three of us. It was my gift to them, and us. All seeing the ballet for the first time together.
The next day, the girls and I headed to The Banks to eat at Ruth Chris Steakhouse. I wanted this night to be top notch. I don’t believe the girls have ever eaten at a nice steakhouse and I encouraged them to order whatever they wanted.
The Ballet Director tells you at the beginning of the show not to post any photos of the actual performance without consent. I wanted to honor that. I only took a photo at the end to remember it by. The sets and costumes were fantastic. I was shocked by all the families in attendance with small children but totally understood how this tradition, if affordable, would be one to continue.
I do wonder though, as children are given so much more than we ever had growing up now, what their futures will look like. Kids these days expect to travel the world, take vacations in Europe, see Broadways shows all before high school. Will it be harder for them to be in amazement and awe of what the world offers? Seeing so much so young and expecting that its easily accessible. Or will exposing them at a young age to all the luxuries be the launching pad for which they are inspired and aspire to do more?
I consider that I did not grow up with many vacations but was determined to travel the world and find a job that would pay for me to do so. (knowing I could not afford it on my own) Are you born with this drive. Or does lack inspire it?
I know it seems I do a lot, which is mostly because as I age, I know my time is limited. I can appreciate seeing my parents early in life slow deterioration which to this day reminds me to live my life while I still have health and abilities. It doesn’t help that my Instagram reels are filled with beautiful natural places to see and encouragement to live irresponsibly 🙂
It really was a beautiful time for us to cherish. We very much enjoyed and appreciated our Christmas evening out together.
Another year in the life to be appreciated and reflected on. When I started looking back, it was amazing to me how many trips I went on this year and now better understand my financial disarray. I love doing these annual recaps. It truly helps me to appreciate life and all it offers and all I have explored.
My body has gone through some changes this year, slowing down. Requiring more sleep than usual. My spunk and spark, to me, seem lost at times. But writing this and looking back helps me to see it’s there. And better understand my exhaustion 🙂
I often wonder, especially with work, what the heck I’m doing. Sedona recently sent me an Instagram reel that basically said, “There is no work- life balance, life is way more important than work. If you work as much as you do life, you are off balance.” A great reminder going into 2024.
2023 was a huge year for me and I can see that 2024 may need to be filled with smaller, long weekend moments. Not sure I can keep this up. But I have zero regrets. I am forever thankful that I have a second side hustle that helps fund these adventures and the health to keep going.
A daughter married. Another daughter moved across the country. Many trips in between. Living my best life and love seeing my daughters do the same.
Hoping to inspire others to make the trips happen, go out in the woods and spend that money you earned while you can. Hoping in 2024 I can remain in awe of nature’s beauty while appreciating all I have.
Blessed to be surrounded by amazing friends and family, a loving boyfriend and his daughter too. Adding more to my life every day as we grow together in learning while stepping through life’s trials and challenges.
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Lately I am struggling so much to find myself. I’m starting to think I get stagnant when I’m not exploring. I used to love writing, hiking, being curious about things locally and lately I feel like I am in sludge. My brain is tired. Organization of any activities is cumbersome. One Saturday I wanted to go for a hike and found a trail, and then it started raining, so I climbed back into bed and napped a few hours. The old me would’ve hiked in the rain, like New Year’s Day 2021, which gave me the best experience! What happened to my sense of adventure?
Could be the early darkness is giving me the serious winter blues. Maybe I’m just tired and working 40 hours a week is too much. I remember a client of mine saying “hold out until March/April and you will see your spirit lift.” She’s was right. But I still have 5 months to go. Yikes. Time to plan another sun warming vacation. I now understand snow birds.
Holidays tend to add additional stress to the year end for me. My counselor suggested I write down exactly what stresses me out and figure when that began. Certainly wasn’t from childhood, because I remember so many fun times around the holidays, except my Great Auntie Kay’s Christmas calls from NYC where she would be drunk and crying because she wasn’t with us. But mostly my holiday memories were around rum slush and everyone united. Believe things changed when I became the adult and then saw all the responsibilities and obligations surrounding this time of year.
Knowing my scrooge like attitude, George is determined to make my holidays better. For Thanksgiving he wanted to take on the meal completely by himself. Could be he personally needed a distraction or is a control freak, but either way, I was totally game for letting him execute Thanksgiving 2023 to his potential.
After eating we played Cards against Humanity, Family version, to test the appropriateness for Charlie. Looking forward to playing it again at Christmas. It was hilarious! We laughed so much as George continued to lose and Ki kept winning :) Thanksgiving was a success!!
During the Covid shut downs of 2020- I reunited with some co-workers from AMC, my very first job out of college in New York City. We found each other, (remarkable since some are not even on social media) and during the pandemic we would schedule Zoom meetings and reminisce about times of past. This helped as I was locked in my apartment in Phuket. It was a great outlet.
Susan, one in our group, is known for her brash potty mouth, which can be very entertaining at times. She’s a true New Yorker. The rest of us were somewhat transplants to that great city. She put together a What’s App group and named us the ‘Phuket group’- not pronounced as the island.
Fast forward to 2021 when the world opened back up we all met in Media, PA. It was a short but fun filled drunken weekend. Since then, Karen has taken a remote job with me at DPI- after seeing her again, I knew she could handle the work! May spent a stint in the ICU and we are thrilled she pulled through and is given a second chance in life. Susan has met the man of her dreams and graduated with her masters and is now working in the counseling world helping others.
A lot has changed.
We’ve been trying to plan a weekend together since our last reunion but as life, something always gets in the way. But we finally did it. Got it on the calendar and Cincinnati became the city next to explore. I was happy to host.
Susan and her man Chris arrived around 9 pm so after going for dinner, we headed back to my place to meet. I unfortunately did not have a lot of food to offer, but we nibbled on what I did have and stayed up chatting until the wee hours in the morning. Chris stayed up with me for one final drink and I so appreciated personally getting to know him. The older I get, the more I find groups trigger my anxiety, and I am much more comfortable in single situations.
As we walked OTR we hit a boutique and saw all the historic architecture. I read that morning that the Taft Brewery was going to close its refurbished church location. So I guided the crew into that spot for one last look.
We wandered another block to climb the endless staircases to one of the most famous Cincinnati breweries- Rhinegeist. Established in 2013, it started the renewal of Cincinnati’s brewery movement. Now there are supposively 80 different breweries in the Cincinnati region.
I wanted to show them the Ohio riverfront before we headed to dinner. I love how the Cincinnati Connector allows tourists to jump on and ride for free enabling the different areas to be easily visited.
I was drained and could barely keep my eyes open or brain alive. I led the crew out early and glad I did. Firetrucks arrived at the scene right as we exited. Probably shutting down the elevator enabling them to attend to an ill patron in the restroom. I don’t think after all the walking we did that day that I could’ve mustered up the energy to walk up the four plus flights taking us out to street level.
We got back to my place and made up the rules to our own game which was a fun way to get to know each other again as the night came to an end over a couple extra drinks.
Funny where life takes you. We all experience different trials that offer us different choices and lessons.
People get on and off your life trolley and some swing back around for another ride. My sister once explained people in her life that way, even mentioning that some ride the entire time but you don’t always know they are still there. Others are riding for short periods to do what they need to do before they exit. Serving their purpose in your and their journey.
Just blogging my way through these memories is tiring. We did a lot. And all of it was fabulous. I couldn’t have had a better vacation. Definitely helped not being ill this time or having the anxiety of my daughter moving half way across the country.
Zoe planned a Sunday Funday for us. She booked us rooftop cinema tickets to a Halloween movie and a tasting at a new distillery in the Arts District.
We arrived back to LA Thursday mid day. We both had to work late to catch up from our amazing days off. We were exhausted as you can imagine and crashed hard.
Friday, although a bit drained, we decided to at least get out and see a few things. From the balcony of Zoe’s Koreatown apartment building, you can see the Hollywood sign and the observatory up in the mountains. I suggested we go there. Although touristy, something I wanted to see.
The place we were staying at recommended Cafe Brio in Arcata for breakfast and they were not wrong. Expensive a bit, but well worth it. A great way for us to start our hiking day.
We drove around the square and then headed toward our first destination. We only determined where to go while eating breakfast= Wedding Rock.
I love travelling with someone who loves exploring and pit stopping to soak in a new view. We got back into our Big Blue SUV and set the map to Fern Canyon. I read great reviews of it on Tiktok, people claiming it as a “must see”.
We hiked another trail after emerging from the canyon to the beach. It was one of the best spots we found. I could’ve sat there all day.
We weren’t sure where to go to next. But decided to hike Prairie Trail, another recommendation from our Airbnb host in Arcata.
We got back in the car and were getting hungry. Zoe found a small restaurant in Trinidad that served mashed potatoes in a waffle cone. So of course we aimed for that!
Along the way, I started screaming ” elk in the water, elk in the water”- and we spotted a elk finally in its natural habitat in a stream by the highway. Was really cool.
After eating we drove around Trinidad a bit, there was a lighthouse which was a landmark. We found the beach and then decided to hike the Lighthouse Trail. Mind you, when we decided to hike this trail I imagined it to be very short and not steep. I was pooped from an already full day of activity.
On our way back to Arcata, we stopped at a Vista Point and were able to see a little bit of the sun set and a lot of seals in the alcove.
Our trip to the Redwoods was amazing and now it was time to trek back to Los Angeles. It was not going to be as fun filled or adventurous as we had no stops planned along the way. But just like life, plans change. I love the quote, if you want to see God’s sense of humor, make a plan.
As we were driving we stopped for an excellent road side coffee where I purchased my new favorite crochet winter hat. ($20 hand made- Love)
Zoe saw a billboard about a missing person from the area where we got the coffee and she google searched the mystery surrounding it. Another murder mystery. Zoe was well into the middle of her book reading to me every night before I went to sleep. Such a loving gesture that will live in my heart forever.
Another billboard that caught her eye, one of a retro photo of a man wearing a bikini bottom advertising a champagne spring. Well we of course had to detour and take a look at what the heck that was all about. As everyone knows, I love bubbles! Drinking them, blowing them, you name it. Why not soak in them?
I thought this would be great for George’s arthritis. Zoe was wanting to give it a test run, but bathing suits were required. I didn’t bring one with me on this trip. The woman behind the desk offered that I borrow one. She brought out a laundry basket of swim suits, all promised to be sterilized and clean 🙂
You know how hard it is to shop for a swimming suit. I was sure there wasn’t going to be any that would cover me right- but I grabbed two to try on and I paid the $35.00 fee to stay two hours at the resort. It was cold and rainy. The springs were not “hot” and were located in a covered outdoor venue. Challenge excepted.
The first set of tubs was for mineral water that was great for your skin. We sat in them for awhile until we got cold. I wore my new hat the whole time to stay warm. Then we wandered out in the rain and sat in the hot tub for a bit. That was awesome. I didn’t want to get out.
We then walked around and asked a couple of ladies if they knew where the champagne tubs were and they steered us in the right direction. Zoe and I shared a room with two tubs. This one functioned the same way, where you pulled out the pole and then the water filled up, but the water didn’t drain. Instead it overflowed onto the floor to the floor drain. We both scrambled to get our clothing up.
We were told there are only 3 of these world wide but did not fact check. One was here of course, one is in Vichy France but you need a prescription to soak, and the last one is in Madagascar. This one in CA was allowed to remain open during Covid helping those that needed it.
After walking out I felt 10 lbs lighter. I can’t explain it. Definitely something went on in there and it was such a great experience. Happy Zoe convinced me to go.
We decided to stop and stay in SLO- San Luis Obispo. We drove through this town on our way to the Redwoods, but didn’t stop because it seemed really busy. We couldn’t find parking, so decided to just keep moving along. Later Rhonda told us it was parent’s weekend and that is a college community. Makes sense now.
She then recommended some of her favorite dinner spots there and we google mapped our way for dinner.
After dinner we found our way to the Airbnb which was an adorable historically rehabbed carriage house named “Goddess meets Cowboy”. I loved it. Zoe read to me again and I passed out, not ready for the following morning when I would have to return to work.
Tonya Takes Thailand 