My destination wishlist

From my last trip to PEI. The bay at Sunset.

A couple of weeks ago I had a dream that I was travelling with a big group of friends (which I luuuv) to do. Anyway, we were all in an airport waiting for plane and discussing our trip. Our imaginary voyage was going to take us somewhere (can't remember the end destination), but we were to have a 24 hours stopover in Dubai. And in my dream I was ecstatic about the opportunity to visit this place. But why?

Why Dubai? No idea. When I woke up I started thinking about it. Do I want to go to Dubai? I know virtually nothing about it. Michael Jackson posted up there, tallest building in the world, recent real estate boom, beaches, near some body of water (no idea which one).

This all has a point, I promise. So the sudden, subconscious urge to visit Dubai symptomatic of something else? A need to visit something so foreign, so different from my own life? The thrill of the entering a land full of the complete unknown is one of life's greatest pleasures to me, but Dubai? So I chalked the dream up to being, well, a dream, and started making a travel list for this year.

2010's travel list is much different than my lifetime travel list which could go on and on. I basically want to go everywhere. This list is an effort to set attainable travel goals for the year and being realistic about it. I have a life goal that I will try to visit a foreign country every year, preferably a new one. But if it's been over 10 years since I visited, I think it still counts.

So here goes:
1. Visit California. I have never been to the West Coast of the country at all.
2. Go back to France. I intend to start grad school in the near future (I'm shooting for August) and need to get my French-brain working in high gear.
3. Colorado. I can't believe I've never been! Not a single person I have ever spoken to about visiting Colorado has anything negative to say. It's high time me and hubs make it there.
4. Further explore NYC. We are three hours away, and I can't move out of PA without a couple more trips to NYC. That city has so, so much to offer and I want to see as much of as I can. But in a cool, look like a local-way. Not in a "follow your tour guide who happens to be dressed up like Lady Liberty" sort of way.
5. Stay in an inn in Connecticut/Vermont. I think it's from watching "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney a few too many times, but I want to spend a weekend in a cozy inn by a fireplace with my man. Sounds fantastic. And while I'm in CT, we will hit New Haven. Gotta have a steamed burger.
6. Visit our dear friends in Canada again. They've made their home on Prince Edward Island and it is so lovely! So quaint, with friendly people and amazing lobster, and of course great company. I truly hope that we can visit again and this time I can take my husband along.
7. And of course.. home. Go to Nashville, see my family, hug my nieces and nephews, laugh with my sisters, brothers-in-law and my parents. Lounge in my house and sleep like a baby, where it is so quiet and dark and peaceful. Ahhh... home.

And, I think that about wraps 2010. The list is quite an undertaking! But, I am a travel junkie and just writing it made me want to pull out my camping equipment, throw Mick (dog) in the car, steal Tyler from work and hit the road!

Do you make travel goals? I am a list-maker, so I make them for just about anything. Are you a bit anal retentive like me? Or do travel by the seat of your pants? Do tell :)

Nashville. Oh Nashville!

I feel like when I say that I should have my hand over my heart.

My man and I went home (my home) for the New Year weekend and celebrated both New Year and Christmas with my side of the family. It was a ton of fun. I got to spend some time with my sisters, bro-in-laws, my parents and my adorable, hilarious nieces and nephews. All four of them! One of my nephews said more funny things than I can possibly list. He is a character in every sense of the word. You COULD NOT write the stuff that kid says.

We spent our time walking my parents precious hounddog Oakley in the woods, talking, cooking and breathing the fresh air. It was a refreshing visit. Going home always makes me feel comforted. Home for me is always safe and warm with my Mom cooking up a storm and my dad close by telling a story. I love it! And my hometown is nothing that would knock one's socks off. It looks a lot like this...

It's a blip on Highway 100 near Nashville. But it hides some special spots too. Like this...

Our beautiful Bowie Park: and there are even the more places that are special to me for varying childhood reasons. But,my family's corner of this little town is my favorite. When I get home, I don't want to leave. It's so quiet, relaxing, peaceful, simple. It's a location that I truly believe people would like to have as a country home, but I got to grow up there! How lucky am I?

Now I'm not saying I want to necessarily take up a permanent residence there. You go to eat at any of the 4-5 restaurants in town and you will see SO many people that you know and they all want to know your business... Where do ya live? Are ya married? Any kids yet? No, then when ya gonna start? It's small town overload. There's lots of "Me and you sister went to school together (and by school, they mean high school) and I just knew you had to be related. You two really favor!"

But there is something to said for the small town experience. While there you can feel as though the air is being sucked out of a balloon and you are trapped inside it. However, when a plane has put several hundred miles between you and town, you can reflect on how warm everyone is. I still cannot believe how many wedding presents I was given by residents in our community, even though I had lived away for nearly 6 years.

My small town's proximity to Nashville is also a great asset. In less than half an hour, I went from my quiet country home to a Turkish restaurant for dinner on New Year's Eve! Even more fun, was my bff since age 6 joined me and we had a lovely dinner, complete with really strong Turkish coffee to keep us hopping till the wee morning hours. Which it did quite successfully!

And without question, Nashville is a great town. It's got a ton of personality and makes my current location fall flat in its Pennsylvania Dutch austerity. So much music, so much to do - from high-end shopping in Green Hills to nude karaoke in Printers' Alley. Nashville truly holds something for everyone, and many days I miss it terribly.

Now it's time to pull myself up by my brand new 2010 bootstraps and look forward! I think we're already off to a great start considering I finally got around to sealing off my bedroom windows.

Hey.. the resolution list has to start somewhere! Tonight, I clean out the bookcase.

Christmas 2009 - The Highlights

We had a fantastic Christmas and I hope that you did too! We were with my in-laws and spent our long weekend goofing off.


We kicked off the weekend with my husband and his brother comparing their mustaches, which they grew to be judged by the family and friends over Christmas, much to the chagrin of everyone. No one suffered this contest more than my sister-in-law and I though. Someone told my man he looked like a pedophile at a Civil War Re-enactment.


My husband grew the stache and a little spindly chin strap (neither guy can grow much facial hair), while his bro concentrated on the stache only. The results were inconclusive, however I got a priceless shot of the two of them looking tough(to come). We inspired their mean mugs by telling them to channel Steven Segal: Lawman.


There was plenty of snow on the ground from the blizzard two weeks ago, so we spent a good deal of time rolling in the snow, then jumping the in hot tub! I had never done this before and learned that I cannot roll in snow without kicking my feet the entire time I do it! I've got the jimmy legs, what can I say.


We spent our Christmas day opening gifts together and eating, eating, eating. My mother-in-law was a real trooper and cooked the ENTIRE day. She made was a fantastic breakfast, complete with hominy (which is the most delicious thing on the planet). And a fabulous Christmas dinner of turkey, homemade dressing, sauerkraut, fresh cranberry sauce, homemade, hand-mashed potatoes, and so much more! And... sweet tea. Real, authentic, brewed sweet, sweet tea. It was fantastic!

Saturday, we made a plan. Shopping in the morning to cash in on the sales on Christmas cards, gift wrap, etc. My mother-in-law and hubby's aunt got some great deals, but everything I looked at made me think, "I will be packing this when I move." And I know myself well-enough to say that it wouldn't have made it. Into the recycling bin in would have gone.

After our shopping adventure we hit Jack Brown's. It's officially my favorite place in Harrisonburg for the fact that it does one thing, and does it well - burgers. They take American Kobe beef, stick it on a bun, top it with cheese and send it out into the world.

This is what Jack Brown's looks like. It's a tiny little place with a nice selection of beverages, burger, cheeseburgers and we cannot forget the DEEPFRIED OREOS. I thought this delicacy was only available at the local Fair, but I was wrong. This is the icing on top of the already perfect Jack Brown's cupcake. A warm, melty oreo surrounded by what taste like funnel cake. It's outrageous!

This is Aaron Ludwig, one of the people we have to credit for giving us JB's, which is now such a staple of the JMU student body that getting a seat after 7 pm is virtually impossible. We met and chatted with Aaron on our first visit to JB's and he's an awesome guy with a vast knowledge of beer who was picking out my hub's beers for him by the time we left. He's got a good thing going at this place and we will be back!

Sunday was a quiet day of church and time with family before we headed back to PA and for me, back to ze cube. But, fear not, I am a mere three days away from take off for Nashville, TN, to spend New Year celebrating Christmas with my side of the fam and the hubs.

I am looking forward to seeing my friends and enjoying some of Nashville's best! I've got my eye on Bosco's (a staple), Pizza Perfect (my first job!), maybe that soul food restaurant in the Factory? What was that place called? And Krispy Kreme.... And J. Alexander's.... And Calypso Cafe....

Why do I write so much about food?? Gotta quit doing this on my lunch hour!