Boobs. Yup. This word will conjure up different images in each of you. Some of you clicked on this post imagining an article filled with sexual innuendo and perhaps hoped for pictures of voluptuous breasts. For others, you may be thinking of someone you know who has endured breast cancer and wanted to read more. Perhaps you have been considering breast implants and are eager to see whether this article will cover that topic. Many of you may be thinking this article will cover ways to deal with some of the ridiculously foolish people you have crossed paths with during your life. Dozens of you may be curious about what crazy topic I will cover again below. Just one word with many different meanings. Each of you brings your own perspective and interest in defining this word. As a result, you have all clicked on this page with extremely different expectations. This article does not cover breasts or silly human beings. It instead covers the notion that we all have varying ideas and perspectives, even towards just one word. That brings me to my main point. Your name, which really encompasses you, evokes completely different feelings in those you interact with. If you think about it in these terms, we really all are just abstract concepts. We are a myriad of different personalities to those we encounter. Let's take me for instance. For some, my direct and honest approach is refreshing, and even appreciated, while for others it is obnoxious and over the top. Some may find me to be inspiring and motivating while others will view me as trying to show off or brag. Many who know me consider me as one who lives an authentic and genuine life yet I am sure some think I am inauthentic and overcompensating in one way or another. While a lot of folks view me as confident, in the eyes of others I am overbearing. Because everyone views me based on their own life experiences, views of themselves, and the lens they wear, I float through the universe in many different forms. So do you. This realization is crucial because many of us strive to please those around us. We have embarked on an endless quest to gain the approval of others. This is an impossible task that will never be fulfilled simply by the very fact that humans all see the world around them through their own points of view. Everyone around you will react entirely differently towards you based on their own personal perceptions. Once you absorb this concept, it's easy to understand that the only person you need to please is yourself. Are you happy in your own skin? Do your intentions feel pure? Are you a kind and generous human being? Do you face your fears and follow your dreams? Does love guide your decisions? Do you treat others well? Are you charitable? Are you honest? Do you live your best life? Do you have fun? Do you respect the planet? Do you practice gratitude? Do you cherish your body? These are a tiny fraction of some of the ideals we all aspire to as human beings. As long as we know that we are on track to be the best versions of ourselves, that is all that truly matters. You have nothing to prove to others. Realistically, even if you tried, they won't see it the same way you hoped they would so don't even bother trying. Say your name out loud for a moment. Seriously, say it. Think about how your name supplicates so many ideas in the minds of those around you. You are not who everyone thinks you are. You will never be who you want everyone to think you are. You can only be who you want to be through your eyes and in your skin. Spending time worrying about how others perceive you is a moot point. You will never have everyone around you perceive you in the same way. Never. Rather than chasing this endless battle, start sitting with your name more often so that when people call your name, you like what it arouses in you. How do you feel when you say your name out loud? Apologies to those of you who wanted more information on the female anatomy. Perhaps one day I will aim to write about a more scientific topic. Today though, I urge you to contemplate the idea that you actually do not exist in the form you believed you have been living. You are a thousand different things to a thousand different people. By the time people digest your personality, you are barely an inkling of where you hoped to be. You get lost in translation every single day. Those around us extract whatever they need from our traits and characteristics to satiate their own natural processing needs. Return to the concrete place where you are you, the real you, as well as the you that you aspire to be, and hold on to this place for yourself. Create a space where you can live in the way you want without any concerns about how others respond to you. The only perception of you that you can control is your own one. When I think about my name being tossed around and the countless associations that people have with it, I obviously would like the majority of people to have positive images when they hear it being said. Yet, I also know, and accept, that there are those who have negative feelings when my name comes up. For once, finally, I can be unapologetic to those who have their own insecurities to work through and their own lenses to defog. As long as I continue to demand of myself to live my most honest, compassionate, charitable, and adventurous life, I cannot be bogged down by those who interpret these goals differently. It took a year's worth of work to get here, self-evolvement sure is a journey! The ultimate destination of being happy in our own skin, without others' opinions of us affecting us, is well worth the effort though. Send me your name. I'd love to hear you say it out loud as you type it on your keyboard. I hope you will be smiling when you do so and if not, I truly hope that one day soon you will get to this point. If you are a subscriber to my blog then I know we have been evolving together and our journeys are similar. Knowing this will surely make me smile when I hear your name come through.

It's been so wonderful to return to New York City after thirteen months of leaving home, nine of which were spent on the road exploring the USA. One of the best things about coming back is reconnecting with friends who have asked many inquisitive questions about our experience on the road. Below is a list of the top 10 road trip myths that most of the people who heard our story seem to have in common. Myths vs Facts: "People in red states don't wear masks". This is completely untrue and quite frankly irresponsible misinformation by the media. We witnessed firsthand that people in "blue" cities like Asheville, NC were mostly unmasked, even at the start of the pandemic, while residents of "red" states, like Texas, had most of its folks' faces covered. People simply work within their personal comfort zones despite their political points of view. As much as the media is trying to pin people against one another based on politics, it just isn't true. This realization is probably one of the most shocking ones of our travels throughout the country. Seeing is believing, and I don't mean what you see on the news. "RV's are the preferred road trip means of transportation". You don't need to drive around in an RV to take a proper road trip. Although there is an exciting element to traveling this way, it's not for everyone. A road trip can be as glamorous or off the grid as you want it to be. We chose to stay in well-appointed Airbnbs while on the road but we do have dreams of one day driving through parts of the country in a Winnebago. This time around we needed our children to have solid Internet connectivity for remote schooling as well as their own bedrooms to have the space for their zoom meetings. Under other circumstances, we may have picked different accommodations. What I hear most from people is that they can't imagine traveling in an RV for long periods of time. Well, you don't have to! "Scary rednecks lurk the highways waiting to abduct you". You're unlikely to cross paths with toothless, armed rednecks threatening your safety. People are (mostly) normal, kind, and helpful. Through all our stops in many random gas stations in remote parts of the country, we never felt as if we stood out or were in any jeopardy. Leave the dramatization to Hollywood executives and don't let these imageries deter you from exploring the roads. Some of my best memories are from those very moments I interacted and locked eyes with people with deep, southern drawls who live a life completely different than the one I am accustomed to. Get to know people outside of their society-imposed titles and stereotypes. They'll surprise you. "It's dangerous to travel during Covid". While on the road we often felt like we were chasing Corona. We always seemed to be heading to the very places that had spiking cases. Yet, we were able to travel through the states safely by wearing our masks, social distancing, spending time outdoors as much as possible, and staying away from crowded areas. See my post on "How to Travel Safely During the Pandemic". It is totally possible to travel during a pandemic if you use your common sense. "Taking a road trip with kids is difficult". There is no way I would have ever enjoyed this road trip as much as I did without my children. Not only are children more adaptable and resilient than we give them credit for, but they also exude a sense of wonder and freedom which are perfect qualities in your road trip mates. Children approach situations with a different lens than the jaded ones adults often wear. They are honest and blunt. They are funny. They are adventurous. Unless your children are especially difficult, bringing your kids along will only enhance your journey. "You need special gear for a road trip." The only special equipment that we specifically purchased for our time on the road was: a first aid kit, travel johns, and chains for our tires during winter travels (which luckily we ended up not needing and were able to return them). Again, the kind of gear that you will need will depend on the type of trip you will plan. However, you do not necessarily need any special gear for your road trip travels throughout the USA. "An epic road trip must be epically expensive". Again, there is no one formula, or price point, for a long road trip adventure. Those who choose to pitch tents in National Parks throughout the country will have a very different budget than those who prefer to sleep in five-star hotels along the way. "A good road trip requires too much planning". Yes, there is planning that needs to go into a successful road trip. You'll want to plan your next stop, where you will sleep, as well as which sites you will visit. Keep in mind though, the entirety of your trip does not, and probably should not, be planned at the onset. Don't get overwhelmed by the planning. Just plan one destination at a time. This will also allow you to move more fluidly without being bogged down by any advanced bookings. "You're likely to go crazy in a car for long periods of time". We thought this would happen to us as well. During our first stretches, we uploaded podcasts and audiobooks to get us through the many hours of driving. Miraculously, after driving through a few lengthy stretches, long drives on the road became easier and easier. We no longer needed the support of entertainment that we once relied on. In fact, nowadays, a four-hour drive is truly a piece of cake, one that we would take even for a great day trip. "Land and resources are scarce". Well, this is not one that came up in the context of our conversations around our road trip. However, it is a common feeling shared by many in the country and world. There is a sense that there isn't enough land, water, food, resources, etc... Countries go into war over this notion. People are killed for these things. I am here to tell you that there is an abundance of land and resources in the United States of America. There is so much unused land, like infinite amounts of it. There are thousands of oil rigs, endless farmland, and countless pristine lakes, rivers, and streams. What we need to do is start practicing gratitude for this ample abundance rather than convince ourselves that this plentitude does not exist. Take care of our earth, it is unbelievably loyal to the very humans who often overlook how good it is to us. So, these are my responses to your most common questions. Have any others? Shoot me a message and I'd be happy to answer them for you! More importantly, start planning your road trip asap!

Lately, I have become aware that I often have opposite perspectives of the people I interact with. Even more so, I recognize that I make decisions that are often the exact opposite of the current trend. I have been mulling this over trying to pinpoint when this pattern arose, why it erupted, and whether this approach has hurt me or served me well. The most recent realization struck when friends have asked why we are moving to California and whether we considered a move to Florida. While many New Yorkers have made a move to the Sunshine State for better weather and lower taxes, we did the exact opposite and chose a move cross country to a state that charges even more taxes than New York. It would have been an obvious choice for us to move to Florida, our hometown. We have family there as well as many childhood friends and friends who relocated south from New York. Yet, we resisted this option from the get-go. Suddenly, I desired to dive into other examples of times I've marched to the beat of my own drum. - When the majority of folks from New York City voted for Biden, I voted for Trump. I'm not a staunch Republican per se, I've voted for both parties in the past (in fact I voted for Hillary the term before). This last round though felt extra important to vote opposite of how those around me chose to cast their ballots. Politics became way too divisive and the overt judgment imposed on Republicans by my uber-liberal New York friends, neighbors, and colleagues really began to annoy me. I didn't want to feel like I was voting for Biden just because everyone else around me was or because I was afraid of being judged as a moron. I stepped back, assessing the bigger picture. I felt it was important to vote freely without fear of ostracization and needed to vote opposite of those around me to practice my rights to do what I want during a time politics became more threatening than ever. So, I voted for Trump. - My father recently tried to convince me to invest in real estate in a growing neighborhood. I kept telling him that while others keep buying property, we are trying to get rid of ours. For us, it's a headache to own property and to manage tenants. Yes, although property value increases over time, I just don't find it worth the effort. Unlike most, I don't buy into the American dream of property ownership. I've seen too many people work their lives away so they can own a home and then they rarely leave its walls. We've also had horrible experiences with tenants. I'm with Elon Musk on this one, we're selling everything. These are just two tiny examples of many, but I think you get the point. So, why, I wonder, do I go against the grain at every opportunity? How has this pattern affected my life? Is it a path I want to continue pursuing? An even bigger question for myself is where did this instinct to live on a perpetual opposite day come from? In digging deeper to answer these questions, I traveled back to a childhood where I never quite fit in. My hard-working, middle-class parents placed me in a private school with the help of financial aid. I was surrounded by wealthy kids who lived in Miami Beach mansions while I drove back home to our small Hollywood townhouse. During my college days, and even well into my current life stage, I always felt (and still do), conflicted between my Israeli and American roots. My family moved to the US when I was three. I practically spent my entire life in the United States, but I was raised by Israeli parents with Israeli views and perspectives. I've always felt "too Israeli" for my American friends and "too American" for my Israeli friends. I do think that eventually the circumstances of feeling out of place ironically helped formulate a sense of security and confidence in being different. I spent so many years feeling out of place, in not the best ways, that I finally stopped resisting the ways I was different than the people around me and began to embrace them instead. This acceptance catapulted me into making decisions that were different and living a life that is different. Looking back at all the many ways I made deliberate decisions to behave differently than the popular tendencies, I realize how irritating and even threatening, this may have felt to those around me. There have been those along the way who had a strong sense of security and were supportive and sometimes even inspired by my unconventional choices. These folks often inspired me too. Yet, there have been many who made it clear in their behaviors and questions, that they were obviously bothered by my choices along the way. Somehow, my unorthodox approaches threatened their safer ones. Regardless of the feedback, I plowed through the path that called my name. My message to you is to be different. My life has been so rewarding and fulfilling because I consciously decide, whenever possible, to do the exact opposite of what others are doing. The less treaded territory has almost always been the place that I have found happiness because the road less traveled truly delivers the most unexpected treasures. Humans sensibly feel most safe blending with crowds, traveling in herds. It's comforting to know that there is support in the successes and failures we share with others. It feels safe to make choices that are similar to the ones of our neighbors and friends. But, there is something extremely inhibiting about following the status quo. Write your own unusual script, despite how scary or lonely it may feel. Feeling unsafe and uncertain is healthy sometimes. Allow yourself to enter these spaces. They will ultimately take you somewhere much better than where you started off. You are living your one life this one time. All the rules and constructs that have been imposed on you do not have to exist in your life, in your script. You really can do almost anything once you break free from the chains that have seduced you into a set of norms. Do not convince yourself to be complacent. You have so much more to uncover and discover. Yet, there is so little time. Don't wait too long. Push yourself. Push yourself to be different. Push yourself now. Break the rules. Don't worry about the Joneses, it's really turf on their lawn. Face your fears and feel those butterflies in your stomach that flutter once you decide to do the very thing you have wanted to do for so long but have been too scared to pursue. When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach? For myself, every time I face the unknown and do things that may seem erratic or crazy to others, I feel those exciting flutters. Those are the very moments I know that I have made the right decision. It is when I am most afraid to try something new, and push through my fears, that I am always rewarded in the best ways. We are all unique human beings. The problem lies in pushing away our innate differences to assimilate, keep up, be accepted, follow the norms, stay under the radar, please others, etc. While following along feels safe, I think we can mostly agree that it is limiting and sometimes even an unknowingly boring path. That special quality you have, which you may try to suppress, is likely the very one you should share with the world. Those dreams you have, that you keep pushing off for another day, are probably the ones that you should pursue now. Celebrate what makes you different than everyone around you and then feed it, nurture it, nourish it. I hope you will join me on a journey that will lead to new roads of discovery, with their potholes and all. Please drop me a note and share what you have been pushing off and the ways that you are beautifully different than others. I would love to hear from you.

I cannot believe we are wrapping up twenty-three years in Manhattan. No other city can compare to the vibrant energy, the throbbing pulse, and the pounding excitement that New York City exudes. I think about all the wonderful memories that we have made here and they warm my heart. Out of all the fantastic qualities Manhattan offers, I will miss our apartment most, because of the magical memories we made in it during our eleven years living within its walls. Our kids grew up in our apartment. We hosted countless dinner parties and threw pretty epic rooftop soirees. Our home is filled with the soft hums of bedtime stories, the sounds of instruments playing, a broken-in couch from our family movie nights, a kitchen that has been pushed to its fullest potential by pushing out thousands of meals, our children's friends gathering for playdates, cupcake decorating parties, and Superbowl parties. This is the home where our door is always unlocked and shoes are immediately thrown off in the foyer so that no outside street grime is tracked into our sacred space. These walls sometimes hid monsters that we had to zap with homemade monster sprays and they also well-hid those hiding in endless hide-and-seek games. This four-bedroom apartment kept all three of our children in one bedroom so they could share each other's space as long as possible and make their own bedtime memories filled with whispers, mischief, and giggles. The bathtubs live to tell stories of the many days that all three of them were young enough to take bubble baths together, and then the showers welcomed them when it was time for more privacy. The refrigerator in this apartment patiently graced us as its door was open and shut millions of times by the pudgy hands that constantly searched for snacks. This apartment has witnessed the building of massive forts and huge train tracks that spanned the living room floors. Our dining room seated dozens of guests for holiday dinners and was the core of countless conversations, many of them around the topic of poop. The floor mirror in our bedroom watched me glam up for the New York nightlife and was an honest friend who always made sure to send me off looking my best. The bean bags in our playroom are shaped in the beautiful frames of our children's bodies who jumped into them for Xbox games and quiet reading times. Our guest bedroom was frequently used by the many guests who graced us with their visits. How I loved to welcome our visitors with fresh flowers, gourmet chocolates, and thoughtful touches so that they too can immediately feel the love in our home. Our living room floor has surprisingly not caved in from the hours and hours spent sitting on its wooden floors for board games, coloring time, neighborly dog visits, dancing, and basketball bouncing. This same living room had our adult friends singing karaoke, being entertained by burlesque dancers, and everything in between. I remember the time our oldest was four and asked me to marry him while we were in the kitchen. I remember the costume chest filled with fairy wings, boa feathers, and superhero uniforms that our children would proudly wear. I remember upgrading to a King size bed so that all five of us could snuggle in one bed, I miss these days the most. I remember their little bodies sneaking into our bed at night just to be close to us. I remember pulling out their scooters almost every single day so that they could zoom up and down the city sidewalks as quickly as possible. I remember their milestones within these walls: first solid foods, first crawl, and steps, first words, first days of schools. I remember, with such clarity, the awareness of their little feet growing and growing, and still growing, and the sounds of their steps walking up and down the hallway. I remember the days of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson and the ways the characters became a part of our family. I remember the late nights my husband and I would quietly tiptoe into our rooms and miraculously wake up just four hours later with the required energy to care for fully awake kids. I remember the curls and "kid accents" and giggles bouncing through the house. I remember the tea parties I shared with my kids on tiny tables and chairs. I remember when the kids would come out of their showers smelling so fresh and wearing their proper pajamas, often matching ones. I remember the arts & crafts, and the baking of cupcakes, and the infinite lego worlds, all of which were made right in this very apartment. I realize that all these beautiful memories are stored in my heart, not in a closet. I can take these memories wherever I go. While I miss these days like crazy, and my heart yearns for them so badly that I wonder if it will physically break in half from the longing, I know these days are gone, although they still are very much still alive. The memories we have made in this apartment will be carried with me forever. New ones have been made and new ones will continue to be made. Wherever we move in the world, these memories will always travel with me. What I cannot allow, is for them to hold us back from making new memories elsewhere. Leaving this apartment in no way means leaving behind the memories made in it. While there is a soft voice asking me if I really want to leave all this behind, there is a louder voice urging me not to be lured by the memories of yesterday, which will then keep me from making tomorrow's memories. My kids no longer have little feet or the need to snuggle in our bed. With remote schooling and our road trip adventures, our apartment has sat empty for an entire year without any memories being pumped into it. Our memories over the last year were instead made throughout the USA on our various road trip stops. I need to remember that these beautiful memories are effortlessly transported to come along wherever we go. This is an extremely special home. I don't know if we will ever have the opportunity to recreate the memories we made here. Will we easily make friends who we will entertain and host? I don't know if we are making a big mistake leaving. I don't know whether I will regret this decision or whether we will return with our tails between our legs. I don't know if my kids will miss their NYC friends, whom they've known practically their entire lives, more than they realize. Honestly, I don't know what the fuck we are doing. There is just a sense of urgency to push through these unknowns and a stronger call to break through complacency that seems to permeate my thoughts. My instinct is calling me to try something new, somewhere new. My gut is telling me that leaving it all behind will be worth it. Of course, we won't know until we try. This could be the best decision we ever made, or the worst one. There is also the obvious fear of leaving such a safe space, one that has protected us so lovingly for over a decade. We are going through with a move to a place across the country where we haven't locked down a permanent housing situation. The market in La Jolla is at its peak. There are barely any homes on the market for sale or for rent. The very few homes that are available for rent are even triple the already high rates in New York City and they are mostly short-term rentals. We are proceeding knowing that we may hit many obstacles settling in quickly and finding a long-term dwelling situation. Yet, somehow, this all feels exciting, liberating, and perfectly irresponsible. It's been so long since I have taken such risks and tested new territories in such a blind way. Living a nomadic life for the past year, nine months of them spent traveling through the country, hopping from one Airbnb to another, has really changed my perspectives on what really makes me happy. The memories made always bring me back to my happy place. We were happy in each of the dozens of homes we rented along our journey all of which had no history or sentimental value to us. This was possible because we had our memories tucked in our hearts and each other to share the adventures with. I just keep coming back to the realization that we have one shot at life. When I look back on the days of youth and vitality, I need to know that I experienced as much as possible and didn't make life choices based on comfort and safety. In order to live my fullest life, I need to allow myself to try new experiences, even when I am afraid. It was in the very moments when I faced my fears, during our road trip, mostly through some uncomfortable moments in nature, that I grew, evolved, and changed. While New York City is a spectacular place, it has filled our cup. If we stay, I fear that we will never change. I'm not sure there is much more growth for my husband and me here any longer. It sure helps a ton that our kids are on board with relocating. One thing I know with certainty is that the apartment we leave behind is filled with the best energy for those who will move in to inhale and absorb. I feel a sense of excitement for the next family who lives here and I look forward to proudly passing the torch to the next dwellers. I also feel a sense of exhilaration knowing that all the precious memories created in our apartment will come along with us when we close the front door for the last time. I love this city and I love the days we lived in our home. Our reason to move is nothing personal. It's just a matter of making new memories and having new experiences somewhere else because there is too much to do, see, and explore in this short life we have all been gifted. Yes, I'm scared and a tad bit sad too, but I can't wait to find out what lies out there for us, outside of the walls we have called home for the past eleven years.

Every state has a Crazy Town and on our most recent stretch of road, we seemed to keep passing through it again and again and again. My first visit was with that mom in Santa Fe who guided me through Crazy Town like no other tour guide ever has (see the previous post). Rather than her apologizing for a misunderstanding, I was name called, insulted, and cut off from communications. Oh boy, was that a crazy Crazy Town visit. Next, our tenants recently called us to notify us that they broke our toilet tank by falling onto it and completely cracking the tank. The entire toilet needs to be replaced. They refuse to pay for the damage they caused. They also refrained from paying rent for their last month in the unit insisting that we use their security deposit to cover April's rent. We all know that's not how it works. This scenario took place in Crazy Town, Brooklyn. Have you been yet? Finally, we received a charge of $250 after we checked out of our house rental in Santa Fe. When I followed up with the management company to find out why we were charged, they said it was for a pet cleaning fee. We don't have a pet. We told them that we don't have a pet. They insisted we were lying and that even if we don't own a pet we had one in the house. Channeling in Bill Clinton here... I don't have a pet, I didn't bring a pet in, but maybe I pet a pet. Actually, we didn't even pet any four-legged creatures our entire stay. I tried to explain to them that the wool throw blanket on their couch sheds like a hairy animal but they refused to believe me, insisting that we do in fact have a pet, ultimately charging us $500 for breaking the pet policy on the contract and for a deep cleaning for a pet that doesn't exist. So, what do you do when arriving at a Crazy Town near you? Below are my top five tips when finding yourself in any of the Crazy Towns throughout the USA. Imagine the locals in Crazy Town that you make contact with are cartoon figures. This makes the town visit a lot more entertaining. I imagined Yosemite Sam pointing his guns in the air saying "show me your pet". Don't try to line up perspectives with realities. No matter how hard you will try to make sense of things, you'll quickly learn that the only reality that exists in Crazy Town is that there is no reality. Realities are really based on perspectives. Since we all have different perspectives and tend to hold on to our own firmly, there really is no actual reality. The Sheriff of Crazy Town can be standing across from you on the same street accusing you of having a pet that you don't have. In his reality, you have a pet. In your reality, you do not. So, who is right? Crazy Town loves its curveballs and its citizens love to throw them at all those who visit. Don't dodge them. They'll just keep throwing more your way. Take the curveballs, entertain the crazies, and then drive the heck out of there as fast as you can. The crazies in Crazy Town love to make accusations. They may accuse you of being an immigrant, as the mom in the Santa Fe fiasco did. Or they may accuse you of having a pet, even when you do not. Or they may accuse you of spreading the virus when you aren't wearing your mask, even though you are vaccinated. Don't take the accusations personally. Crazies are raised to be on the defensive and are bred to mistrust everyone around them. You won't change their minds so don't bother trying. When possible, document your experience at any Crazy Town location in the US. Write down what you encountered and share the stories of the native crazies you met along the way. You will delight your friends with stories from your close encounters of the crazy kind. Crazy Town exists in every neighborhood, city, state, and country on the globe. There is no escaping it. Everyone is privy to a visit and it is unknowingly the most traveled place on the planet. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the rallies of soldiers in these towns are always recruiting. Do not submit. Do not give in, no matter how adorable the cartoon figures you conjure up seem to be. Now, thanks to the crazies in Crazy Town, Santa Fe, I am actually itching for a Golden Retriever. A beautiful, always seemingly smiling, long-haired, and superbly shedding Golden Retriever. One that will lick my face and bite my toes and make my kids squeal with delight. If we do opt for a puppy, he/she will always be our souvenir from Crazy Town, Santa Fe.

After a long drive from New Orleans, we didn't have much energy left in us to explore Knoxville. From the quick drive through downtown and people watching from our hotel patio, this rather small city is extremely clean, well-kept, and lively. We made a quick stop here to cut our drive to New York City. Our choice to stay at The Tennessean Hotel was a perfect one. The hotel has been nominated by Travel & Leisure for the "2021 World's Best Award" and it's easy to understand why. In this boutique hotel, the staff immediately knows your name and greets you accordingly throughout your stay. The rooms have extra-large showers, probably the largest ones I have seen in my travels, along with other unique touches like ambient lighting, incredibly soft linens, enormously fluffy towels, and modern decor. The stellar service is what stands out most at this hotel though. The entire staff goes above and beyond to make sure each guest feels welcomed and appreciated. The Drawing Room When we walked into the restaurant we thought we stumbled upon the hotel's bar. Surprisingly, the swanky dining room is furnished with leather armchairs and elegant couches instead of conventional dining room furniture. The bartender whipped up a perfect old-fashioned that arrived at the table smoking, a beautiful presentation indeed! The menu is small but the flavors were big in the dishes we ordered. The kitchen even prepared a special dish for the vegetarians in our group. The Drawing Room is a great place to unwind, enjoy a cocktail, and nibble on some great food. I wish we were able to see more of Knoxville because at a quick glimpse it looks like this city has a lot to offer. However, we have to move quickly to get back to NYC and the road is calling our name! Unfortunately, I don’t have much to recommend or share from our short stop here beyond where to lodge. I truly hope to have another opportunity to explore Knoxville in a future visit.

They say "third time's a charm" and this well-used saying certainly applied during our third visit to Austin. The first time I visited Austin was during SXSW when the city is packed with out-of-town visitors clogging the sidewalks. The second time was in September of 2020 at the start of the pandemic when the city seemed to struggle with how to best deal with the new restrictions while attempting to cope with having liberties and freedoms taken away. This third time, however, the locals seemed happier and better equipped to deal with the neverending presence of the virus. In fact, with the new "no mask mandate" recently implemented in Texas, most people walk around unmasked which is a stark contrast from the vibe we encountered here back in September. We really enjoyed this last visit and have a new sense of the city and all it offers. Please see my post detailing our last visit to Austin here where I highlighted some great meals and sites during our September visit. Below I will share some new places and activities we discovered in this third round. I hope you'll enjoy the additional tips on what to see and do on your next visit to this fun and activity-filled city. Just Walk I always say that the best way to get to know a city is by walking its streets. There are many adorable neighborhoods in Austin each offering a colorful character. Take a stroll on South Congress, Guadalupe Street, South Lamar, Rainey Street, and West 6th Street. I found these streets to be full of flavor, lively restaurants, colorful murals, and interesting shops. One of the things I admire most about Austin is the abundant patches of greenery located throughout the city, most notably in Zilker Park, which is expansive and very active. Rent a Bike We rented bikes at Barton Springs Bike Rental who offers very reasonable rates and great service. We rode the ten-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake which is truly a great way to explore the city and get a sense of downtown's architecture, the locals who flock to the trails for their fitness routines, and the coveted lake which is filled with kayakers and SUPers. The trails are fairly easy with only a couple of steep inclines and can be completed in under two hours. The ride around the lake truly delivers a beautiful perspective of the city. Pass over the Pedestrian Bridge Locals love this bridge and proudly recommend it to visitors. While it's a small bridge, the views are quite pretty. There is lush vegetation on both sides of the structure and strikingly blue waters below. It's a welcoming oasis in the middle of the city. Feast at a Food Truck Like Portland, Austin takes their food trucks seriously and you can find them all over town. From taco trucks to burger trucks to even dessert trucks, everything you'll crave will be satiated. Dine, Drink or Enjoy a Decadent Treat Austin really does have a fantastic food scene. We didn't pass any restaurant chains here. All the restaurants are just adorable with creative decor and welcoming patios. Below are some highlights from this third visit. Josephine House You know that Josephine House is a great find when locals keep pointing you in its direction. This corner restaurant has a vibrant outdoor patio, doting staff, excellent cocktails, and a fantastic menu that will appease all food lovers. You'll love the vibe here and you will find yourself recommending it to others as well. Nightcap You'll absolutely love your cocktails at Nightcap. Drinks are paired with great music and a lively crowd. The mixologists do a fantastic job creating creative cocktails that are well-balanced and delicious. My "ghost 'em gurl" signature cocktail, with Dulce Vida tequila, pineapple, lime Cointreau, ghost pepper nectar, jalapeño, and hibiscus, made me rethink whether ghosting someone is really a bad thing after all. Amy's Ice-Cream During our last visit to Austin, we checked out Amy's Ice-Cream on South Congress. During this current visit, we made a couple of stops to their West 6th location which we much preferred since you can actually enter the space, interact with the staff, and watch them mix the ingredients to prepare your perfect scoop. Their Rainbow Rock flavor is one of the dreamiest I've ever had. Since they change their flavors daily, don't be dismayed if it isn't available on the day you visit. Just ask them to combine their (not so) standard sweet cream flavor with sprinkles and mini marshmallows. It. Is. Life. Changing. Swedish Hill A neighborhood staple, Swedish Hill is always bustling. They bake their bread and pastries onsite and have a full menu of sandwiches and pastries to enjoy on their cute patio or to-go. I was easily hooked on their creamy iced-lattes and couldn't resist a daily visit to get my caffeine fix. Lodging Definitely stay in the city if you can as this will give you easy access to all the great neighborhoods. We absolutely loved our Airbnb rental in the Clarksville neighborhood of Austin which offered us a plethora of restaurants, bars, and shops right at our doorstep. In fact, I think that staying in this neighborhood played a big part in reshaping our experience in Austin. By staying here, we finally got the charm of the city. This five-bedroom home was extremely clean, well-stocked, and perfectly located. You'll find everything you need just a few steps away. I am so thankful that we gave Austin another try. We truly had a wonderful experience this time around. Sometimes, the timing of our explorations certainly plays a role in our perspectives. Between the large lake holding the city together, the beautiful parks, tons of trails, never-ending options of restaurants, and adorable shops, I finally get the buzz. I hope you get to check it out and experience it for yourself too!

We decided to skip the typical tourist agenda while in New Orleans and instead experienced life as locals for the two wonderful nights we explored this colorful city. The folks here are some of the happiest we have met along our road trip through the USA. Service at every single opportunity was at its most hospitable. New Orleans is the kind of place where no one is in a hurry, life is chill, food is fantastic, and although there obviously still is a disparity between the rich and poor, it is kept to a minimum. Those who live in the heart of the city live side by side, despite their income level, in "double shotgun" homes (think railroad-style apartments in a house version) whose facades cannot be altered in order to preserve the historic architecture. Everyone seems to know one another. There is no pretentiousness in the air. Life here is about simple living with deep relationships, great music, and incredible food. The weather this time of year is perfection. We really had the best time during our visit. We did make one stop on Bourbon Street on our first night in town. It is ridden with tourists, drunks, and sketchy characters. We actually hated it and left immedietly. We also drove through The French Quarter during daylight and found it to be extremely crowded and overwhelmingly geared towards tourists. Luckily we found the best ways to explore the city, the true life of the city outside the more famous areas, which I will share with you below. Book a Private Bike Tour with Confederacy of Cruisers This slow-paced and easy three-hour bike tour will take you on a journey through New Orlean's "French Side" and load you up with the city's history while leading you through colorful neighborhoods. The sites we encountered, and the facts we learned, really immersed us in the flavor of New Orleans. There were no tourists to be found on this itinerary. Our tour guide, Jeff, is a New York native who moved here after falling in love with the culture and people. Jeff seemed to know everyone in the Marigny Bywater area that we rode through and had a story to tell about each of his friends that we encountered along the way. A ride with the Confederacy of Cruisers was the highlight of our trip. You definitely do not want to miss the opportunity to see the local side of the city. Listen to Live Music on Frenchman Street Outside of the main French Quarter District is a beautiful little street lined with colorful bars, restaurants, and tunes of talented musicians. This part of town has no crowds or tourists and instead offers lots of insight into life in the city. Locals get together at places like d.b.a. (run by NYC folks) and clog the storefront, gathering together on the sidewalk to watch musicians jam away on just the other side of the street. It's just so cool to see people standing around a sidewalk, with a drink in hand, dancing to the tunes of musicians in the middle of the afternoon. Even cooler is watching drivers pass through the crowded street with patience and zero signs of annoyance that pedestrians are standing in their way. I'm telling you, life here is chill baby. Find Banksy Banksy left behind eleven pieces when he visited New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Unfortunately, many of them got accidentally torn down or purposefully defaced. You can still find a couple of intact pieces in the heart of the city. "Umbrella Girl" can be found on St. Claude Avenue and Kerlerec Street. "The Grafitti Eradicator" can be found on Clio and Carondelet Streets. Venture Out to the Garden District This charming part of the city boasts huge, historical homes and lavish mansions around Audobon Park and St. Charles Avenue, on the Mardi Gras parade route. Magazine Street is lined with restaurants, bars, and cute boutiques. The neighborhood is also home to Tulane University. You'll love watching the locals strolling in the park and you’ll equally enjoy passing the gigantic homes in this "American part" of the city. Unlike the "French Side" of town, houses here have large lots, expansive patios, and a surplus of square footage. Visiting this area provides a completely different perspective to life in New Orleans along with a tangible context of how life changed in the city after the American Revolution, which is most notable in the architectural changes. Binge on Beignets Beignets are an essential part of the food scene in New Orleans. These flaky, square-shaped, fried doughs are just heavenly. There is a lot of controversy around where to find the best beignets in the city. Many people rave about the ones served at Cafe Du Monde. However, if you're like me, and refuse to wait in line for over an hour then trust me on this, skip it. What most tourists don't know is that locals swear by Loretta's beignets. After binging on several to find the best ones, I can personally attest that no beignet in New Orleans' can compete with hers. Loretta is a New Orleans native who uses her family recipe to make beignets on a per-order-basis. That's right, none are pre-made so you can expect a hot, steamy, insanely delicious beignet every time. Along with the traditional flavor, please make sure to order a few of her signature praline beignets (out of this world!) and savory crab-filled beignets (OMG). These things are unreal. You can either wait in line with the tourists at Cafe Du Monde or Cafe Beignet or walk right up to the counter of Loretta's where the locals like to hang for beignets that will blow you away. Explore the American and French Sides New Orleans is packed with history mainly of its days influenced by France's control of the region. The city is split into two sections: French (pre-American Revolution) and American (post-American Revolution). The differences in architecture and design of the city are obvious and immediately noticeable. The best way to observe the period changes is simply by walking through the downtown area and exploring both sides of Canal Street. Eat. All. Day. Long. Cajun. Creole. Gumbo. Beignets. Crawfish. Po' Boys. Biscuits. The food scene here is like no other and you could, no joke, spend at least two weeks here exploring the culinary scene. We only had two nights so I knew that my researching skills had to be flawless, with little room for error in such a short visit. I am excited to share that I was spot on in selecting our eating destinations and I am even more excited to share them with you! Parkway For the best-fried shrimp po'boys, this is your place. The sandwiches are loaded with shrimp. Like with each bite, five shrimp will drop to the floor. This is a messy meal but just stuff your face into the stuffed baguette dripping in creole mustard, pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, and wild-local shrimp. Although this restaurant is outside of the main hub of the city, expect a long line or call your order in for pick-up to enjoy in a local park like we did. Willa Jean For great service and biscuits, this is your place. Breakfast in this modern and vibrant setting was the perfect way to start the day. Willa Jean whips up every biscuit variety you can think of. We opted for a fried chicken biscuit with tabasco honey, a plain biscuit with jam and butter, and an egg biscuit with pimiento cheese. Yum. Yum. Yum. Make sure to also order their delectable banana bread which is served warm, slightly seared, and will leave you oohing and aahing after each bite. Palace Cafe There are some meals that you'll never forget. Palace Cafe will offer you one of these rare experiences. When I look at the blurry pictures below I am reminded of how excited I was to devour the dishes presented to us that I didn't even take the time to check the quality of the images! Rest assured, I did check the quality of the food and it is outstanding. The crabmeat cheesecake in a pecan crust is unreal. Have you ever heard of such a thing? We also indulged ourselves on the shrimp remoulade prepared with Gulf shrimp, remoulade, fried green tomato, romaine lettuce, and chopped egg. Even the fried oyster salad was one of the most memorable salads. Really everything here is just so delicious. Make sure to end your meal with their famous table-side prepared banana foster. You'll be talking about it for days. Restaurant R'Evolution This special place makes our top ten best restaurant list in the USA. The service in this fine dining restaurant is impeccable. The cajun inspired food is flawless. The pricier-than-usual bill is worth every penny as every bite from start to finish will leave your palate doing a happy dance. Death by Gumbo is the dish that put this restaurant on the map. Because of the meats in it (I do not eat meat and really wanted in on the gumbo action!) we ordered the seafood gumbo instead, which in my opinion couldn't be any more delicious. We also enjoyed a lovely green salad with champagne vinegarette, dry age steak tartare with quail yolk, blue crab beignets that I just cannot describe in words, ricotta gnocchi with lobster which almost made our heads explode with pleasurable sensations, the special seared sea bass of the evening which was perfectly cooked, the Steen's Cane vinegar pie that was eaten in less than sixty seconds, and the dessert of the evening: carrot cake in caramel ganache. This was the perfect place to celebrate our last Friday night on the road before wrapping up this road trip. I will never forget this restaurant and I am certain you won't either. Stay at a Historic Hotel The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf-Astoria Hotel is exactly where you'll want to stay while visiting New Orleans. In true New Orleans fashion, the staff is cheerful, dotting, and accommodating in every way. The location is central to both the American and French sides of the city's hub. The hotel's three restaurants are sceny and lively. The outdoor pool has beautiful cityscape views and a fun bar staff that serves generous pours. The rooms are beautiful and spacious. Guest rooms are stocked with Salvatore Ferragamo products which I have only scene once before at The Portrait Hotel in Firenze. This hotel oozes old world class in a laid back, welcoming manner. Two nights went by too quickly. Our first visit to New Orleans years ago was mainly spent in the French Quarter so we had the impression that two nights would be enough on this second visit. However, upon discovering the other, more authentic side of the city, we had a hard time peeling away. We could have easily spent a few more nights immersed in the beautiful vibe here. Note to self: next time, stay at least four nights. I can't wait to hear about your New Orleans adventures! Please let me know if I missed any other under-the-radar sites to add to our next visit becaus will absolutely be back.

With each visit to Santa Fe, I become more enthralled with the city. On this third visit, there was still so much left to discover in this land of adobe homes, art galore, desert landscapes, and spectacular scenery. Every building and every structure blends perfectly into our beautiful earth. The city is drenched in a rich history that continues to celebrate the strong influences of the Native American and Mexican cultures that are woven into the culinary, music, textile, architectural, and artistic scenes that thrive here. There is a soothing element when in Santa Fe, an instant calming effect upon my soul and spirit. This is one of my favorite cities in the United States and one I hope to continue to revisit and further explore. In October we spent two weeks in Santa Fe and you can read about our highlights from that visit here. Below I will share with you some additional discoveries and insights on places to visit, dine, and experience when in this magical part of the USA. Please read both posts for a comprehensive list of places to visit while in the area. La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs Hundreds of petroglyphs remain intact from the 13th-17th centuries when the Puebloan people inhabited the areas. Experiencing this area is more than satisfying in many ways. Firstly, the scenery is breathtaking. The desert landscape spans for miles until hitting a horizon lined with mountain peaks. Secondly, the hike to the marked rocks is quite adventurous, and not so easy to find. Trekkers are easily deterred by the path, which is comprised of a jungle of rocks that make visitors second guess the very clearly marked white arrow pointing to the right direction all along. Just follow the arrows exactly as they are, despite the tendency to question whether you will be heading in the right direction. If you follow the white arrows they will loyally take you to the top of the cliff, through a steep and unpaved rocky trail to the very top where the petroglyphs will greet you and share their stories. Finally, the most exciting part of this excursion is obviously the connection to the people of the land who left these carved drawings hundreds of years ago and imaging what life was like for them while trying to decipher some of the cryptic imagery. La Cienguilla Petroglyphs are a wonderful escapade to be enjoyed just twenty minutes outside of downtown Santa Fe. Pecos National Historical Park Just outside of Santa Fe is a well-preserved national park that tells the story of the 2,000 Puebloan people that once lived in this vast space surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This park holds so much history beyond the Puebloans. The Spaniards tried to conquer the area, ultimately failing when the Puebloans revolted. Many explorers and traders passed through on the Santa Fe Trail and well-known Route 66. This area bursts with a rich past, most notably through the remains of the Pecos Puebloan village. The Pecos National Historical Park offers free access to a clean, easy trail through the ruins with opportunities to interact with the landmarks. We were able to climb down into a Kiva, an underground gathering site, and walk through what remains of a Spanish church built by missionaries. Also, the surrounding landscape is alone worth a visit. A Drive Down the Turquoise Trail This historic trail spans through fifty miles of breathtaking scenery and will take you through some surprisingly quirky art colonies in areas that have once been abandoned mining towns. This is at least a half-day trip that you don't want to miss when visiting Santa Fe. We had such a wonderful time discovering the not-so-ghostly towns along the route. Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid) is a colorfully revived mining town packed with galleries, turquoise jewelry stores, a cafe called Java Junction (with great lattes!), restaurants, small lodges, and loads of character. This town is right smack in the middle of nowhere and certainly deserves more attention. The best part is speaking with the shop owners and locals. Make sure to get to know them and ask them how they arrived in Madrid, each one will have an interesting story to share. I absolutely adore this town and everything about it. (Note: Tinker Town Museum, packed with whimsical wooden western figurines, is approximately a twenty-minute drive outside of Madrid towards Alberquerque). Shugarman Chocolate, Madrid You know I am obsessed with local chocolate shops. I waited very patiently for Shugarman's Little Chocolate Shop to open later in the day on a Sunday. They specialize in chocolate turtles and interesting chocolate bark creations, like the margarita salt/lemon/cashew dark chocolate bark that I ordered, which was delicious. The husband and wife team run the shop and bring a lot of character to the experience. Harvey moved from the East Coast upon falling in love with Madrid during a visit in 2012. Anthony Bourdain also visited this shop. Make sure to stop by and see what all the sweet buzz is about for yourself. Mineshaft Tavern, Madrid This tavern dates back to 1895 and is one of Madrid's biggest draws. The dining institution has become a mecca not only for bikers but for artists, musicians, and movie stars who visit this historic site, which many folks claim is haunted. Mineshaft Tavern serves a mean Mad Chili burger that absolutely deserves its hype! My favorite part of the meal was chatting with Tina, our server, who lives off the grid in the nearby hills and has the cutest southern drawl. Connie's Photo Park, Madrid Connie's Photo Park is run by Connie herself who painted all the fun cutout boards for visitors to enjoy for just a suggested donation of $2 per person. She is another interesting person to speak to. A native of Keywest, Florida, Connie moved to the area thirty years ago and hasn't left since. Ten years ago she purchased two lots and turned them into a bright and cheerful art exhibit that makes people happy. She has big dreams for these lots and I hope to one day return to see her visions manifest. Cerrillos, on the Turquoise Trail Cerrillos was once considered the capital of New Mexico and lives to tell the story of its Old West roots. This tiny town is a scene out of a western movie with dirt roads and all. The buildings that line the main street literally look like they haven't been touched since the 1850s during the town's mining peak. This place is of another era and will leave you wondering about the history of its past, and current, dwellers. Origami in the Garden, on the Turquoise Trail Unfortunately, this incredible outdoor sculpture garden, packed with Origami inspiration, is closed until 2023. However, you can still pull over to view some of the road-side masterpieces. Dining Santa Fe has one of the most incredible food scenes in the country. There are a plethora of fantastic options, mostly Mexican-inspired, to be enjoyed at every price point. With each visit, food was always an essential part of our experience in Santa Fe. Here are our favorites from this time around. La Choza Restaurant This colorful restaurant is loved by locals. By 5:00 pm, their dinner opening time, there was already a long line of patrons waiting to be seated. La Choza is the sister restaurant of The Shed (which I wrote about in our previous visit) and both deliver fantastic Mexican fare. One of the more creative dishes at La Choza is the green chili clam chowder. This dish is soo good. I also ordered my first sopapilla here and can't believe I have missed this my entire life. The kitchen stuffs the fluffy, crispy dough with beans and cheese and tops it with a spicy Rojo sauce. I devoured this dish even though I was already stuffed with their insanely loaded nachos and the clam chowder. In fact, we made a return visit as I found myself craving more of this fantastic dish. Their margaritas are well balanced too bringing together a perfect meal. Zacatlan If you ever dream of a brunch that masterfully whips up flautas, chilaquiles, and huevos rancheros in a harmonically authentic way, Zacatlan is your place. From the moment you enter the bright restaurant, you'll be warmed by their thoughtful touches of fresh flowers throughout their space along with their cheerful greetings. Their mole sauce is out of this world with a perfectly deep, rich, and spicy homemade creation. We absolutely loved our experience here. La Boca If you find yourself itching for delicious Spanish tapas then La Boca will satisfy all your cravings. In fact, for those of you who have traveled to Barcelona, you'll feel right back in Barca as this restaurant recreates the most delicious Spanish flavors in their small dishes to be shared by your group. As usual, we couldn't resist ordering a bunch of menu items and seriously devoured every morsel. On our tasting agenda was grilled artichoke with queso de Cabra, cauliflower trio of BBQ harissa, baked in manchego, and fried with aioli, patatas bravas, bruschetta cooked with mushrooms and cream, shrimp tacos with pimento sauce, vegetable paella, and roasted red peppers with queso de Cabra pintxos. The blood orange sangria was a perfect complement to our meal. This place is awesome and left us talking about our meal here for days. Clafoutis I am obsessed with this bakery and make multiple stops here with each visit to Santa Fe. This French bakery is as close to France as you will get in the USA. Each morning their case is filled with freshly bakes quiches, pastries, and sandwiches. The staff greets you in French and throws around lots of "merci beaucoups" and "comment ca vas". My morning addiction in Santa Fe is a creamy latte paired with a pain au chocolate at Clafoutis. I seriously cannot imagine a better way to start the day. Coyote Cafe & Rooftop Cantina I was really excited to check out this cantina that has a cult following but must admit, we were really disappointed with their food. All five of us agreed that we experienced just an overall bad meal here. The reason I am including Coyote Cafe on this list is that it would make a great spot for evening margaritas and delicious nachos. The ambiance is the highlight here delivering a lively atmosphere with graffiti walls, colorful decor, and pumping music. We tried to stop by one evening but it was packed with others who surely were enjoying these great qualities of the restaurant. The rooftop deck is the coveted seating area which offers great sunset views and of people walking by below. Come by for cocktails and a great vibe, but trust me on this, stay away from anything but the nachos. Terra Restaurant The Four Seasons The setting at this secluded property is truly an experience in itself. Tucked away in the desert, away from everything but mountain ranges, this Four Seasons property is one of the nicest we have ever visited. Terra Restaurant prepares Traditional American cuisine dishes with a Mexican flare. The cucumber quinoa salad with cherry heirloom tomato, red quinoa, smoked queso fresco, chayote, cilantro, chili-lime vinaigrette, and smoked queso fresco was a delight. The crispy Brussels sprouts, grilled swordfish Ajillo, and build your own pasta dishes were unanimously a hit as well. The highlight was in the dessert finale. The Mexican chocolate mousse is an outstanding, perfectly prepared combination of hazelnut praline pastry cream, black sesame tuile, dark cherry, and Mexican chocolate pop rocks. The chocolate pop rocks is a truly brilliant culinary creation that I, personally, have never seen on a menu before. A meal here should certainly be on your list of masterful dining experiences while in the Santa Fe area. Kakawa Well-loved for their decadent chocolate elixirs, Kakawa prepares exquisite chocolate drinks, in six indulgent flavors, and a host of delicious chocolate truffles as well. Their Mexican hot chocolate is so intense, even for me, who always loves a spicy kick. I couldn't decide if I could sip an entire cup of that hot stuff and the barista quickly offered to create a blend of the Mexican chocolate with their house favorite, the contemporary, which created a beautiful result. Their truffles also come in wonderful flavors like milk chocolate lime mezcal, goat cheese and sage, cherry chili, and green chili margarita truffles. Since I had this treasure just a few steps from our rental home I was fortunate enough to get acquainted with their fantastic flavors of chocolate creations. You can also pick up some of their products off their retail shelf to take a piece of this heaven home with you. Lodging The pictures barely capture this gorgeous adobe home in Santa Fe. Every single part of the home is appointed with beautiful southwestern touches and details. The art collection throughout the home adds to the serene ambiance created by the woods and earthen colors that permeate the space. The house is modern, possibly just renovated, yet it maintains a classic adobe decor and we just never wanted to leave. I can't stress enough how perfect this four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home, with indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and every detail you could ever hope for in a vacation rental, is. You will make wonderful memories here. We had some other sites on our list that we were unable to get to due to weather conditions or work issues that came up. An afternoon day trip to Chimayo was on our list followed by dinner at Rancho de Chimayo. We also had to cancel a day trip to Taos which is an absolutely stunning city with a spectacularly scenic drive 90 minutes outside of Santa Fe. We have visited Taos before and loved it so much we hoped to catch it a second time during this visit. I highly recommend a drive there taking the high road on the way to Taos and the low road on the way back to Santa Fe. Also, make sure to stop on the Rio Grande Bridge on the way for some breathtaking vistas. Finally, no visit to Taos is complete without a visit to Taos Pueblo Village where natives continue to reside in the traditions of their ancestors who have lived in the area for almost one thousand years. Santa Fe continues to be one of my favorite cities in the United States. Its art and culinary scene are unmatched. The colors of the city that blend into the desert landscapes are soothing and inspiring. Luckily, it is a hard-to-access city that requires a flight from any large city which keeps it less crowded and one of America's best-kept secrets.

Yesterday my goal was to write about the importance of lining up our intentions with the ultimate results that they deliver. I quickly realized the irony in that the very thing I wrote about was a failed lesson on my end. My intention to share a positive learning lesson did not line up with the negative impact that ensued. After posting, I wrote the mom that I referenced, notifying her of the article with the hopes of letting her know that there are no hard feelings and that nothing was taken personally so that she would approach reading it with the proper lens. I let her know that my goal was to share how we can all personally improve by being aware of the impact we often unknowingly make. I really did try to line up my intention and impact by reaching out to her shortly after publishing my thoughts to avoid any hurt feelings on her end. From that moment, I became the recipient of cruel comments, hurtful jabs, and direct insults. I was also blocked from texting her, she unsubscribed from my blog, and unfollowed me (while also removing me as her follower) from Instagram. Never ever did I expect such a reaction. Yes, I was fully aware of the possibility that perhaps she may be taken aback and caught off guard by my article. That's why I immediately wrote her to provide some context to my post. I never thought, however, that by being truthful about an experience and the ways that I experienced them, I would then be completely canceled out. Not only was the opportunity to respond to very wounding comments taken away from me, but I have also been removed from ever being allowed to contact her again. Cancel culture at its finest. This whole experience has left me distraught and upset. I am saddened that I triggered someone to react so negatively when the intention was to trigger positive, introspective contemplation of how all of us are guilty of not lining up our intentions with our actions. I am frustrated that I was so misread and misunderstood. I am most upset that as mature adults we can no longer agree to have different perspectives. Are we really so willing to completely shut people out over differing perspectives? So, yesterday I learned the hard way how easy it is to be tuned out for actually trying harder than ever to be tuned in. I now need to figure out how my message was so easily derailed. So what have I learned from this encounter? 1) I have learned that sometimes no matter how hard we try to line up our intentions with their actual outcomes, it's just not always possible to do so. 2) I now realize that although I really thought that I have arrived at a wonderful place of no longer taking things personally, I still totally do. I have much more work to do in this area. 3) I acknowledge that I need to come to terms with the fact that most people do not handle any criticism well and that sadly very few adults are emotionally mature enough to be able to accept another perspective without getting defensive. This is making me question how safe we all really feel being honest with one another. If the consequences are as grand as being insulted followed by being shut out entirely, how could any of us feel safe to express our feelings? It seems so much easier to go about our days with a smile on our faces and robotically interact with one another. Luckily, I am not yet at that point nor is it on my destination list. 4) I now know that my words may resonate with some of you and trigger you in the best ways possible while others may be negatively triggered by my points of view. Some of you kindly share how you relate to my posts or how I inspire you in some ways. On the other hand, yesterday I learned that some of you may have the direct opposite experience when reading my words. I am more aware of this now but please understand that I must continue to be honest in how I feel in order for me to figure out what I need to. My intention is never to hurt anyone. 5) Sadly, I learned that seemingly stable adults can easily be pushed to the brink and are so ready to unleash insults, direct blows, and threats. Then, with the push of a few buttons, they can shut you up and discard you. Poof! People are complex. Life is hard. Growing up is a process. I still stand firmly in my position that we can simplify situations and experiences by just practicing awareness and holding ourselves accountable when we mess up. I screwed up yesterday by writing about an aspiration that ironically was executed in the most opposite way possible. But I was truthful in my intentions and hold myself accountable for the poor delivery. More importantly, I never even considered canceling her out because I disapproved of her behavior. This blog documents my journey. It's my story. You may have a totally different lens when reading my posts. I do hope though, that occasionally I evoke in you a new way of looking at things as I continue to figure out my own life with all of its enigmas, characters, and experiences. In fact, I hope that occasionally we can figure things out together. Putting my thoughts into words is merely a vehicle for me to sort things out. Please don't jump into the new trend of canceling out others just because you may strongly disagree with them. If we can't be respected for our points of view and not allowed to have a voice, then we'll end up in a society of inauthentic people fearing the repercussions that await if their truth is spoken. Cancel culture sucks. I bore a tiny, miniscule brunt of its wrath. There are people out there standing up for much more meaningful values that are removed from their job positions, forced into humiliating apologies, publicly rebuked, and worst of all scared to ever share their views again. Can we agree to disagree? Can we agree that sometimes we just screw up and that being given the leeway to do so allows us to evolve and grow? Can we support one another in our journeys? I am still processing the hurtful and unexpected reaction to yesterday's post. I am definitely trying to explore the ways I have played a role in her extreme outburst. Since I can't speak with her, I am speaking to you. Thank you for giving me the support and space to grow, evolve, and express myself. More so, thank you for not canceling me out of your lives, even when you disagree with me most.

Our spaceship is soon landing back on earth and I can't help feeling like an alien. It's been over a year since we have been home in New York City and so much has changed. Mostly, I have changed. With these new changes come wonderful things yet they also bring me a struggle of how to reconnect with those I was once tethered to in my daily life. We've barely had any face-to-face human contact with our friends on this road trip. Early on we met up with friends in Texas and California but that was months ago. By coincidence, we ended up in Santa Fe with another family we know from NYC. What started as joyous feelings and the exciting creation of many plans to hike, share a holiday, and get our girls together, who have become good friends, oddly turned into a situation full of drama, broken plans, and disappointment. My daughter who is truly the sweetest, kindest, and most thoughtful ten-year-old you will ever meet, was forced to face so much disappointment in the wake of her friend's mother who just couldn't keep the plans we made for the girls to spend time together. This morning they had plans to meet, which were once again broken, and my daughter's awareness of how something so simple can turn into something so complicated has affected her too much. Last night she waited so patiently for her friend's mother to confirm their playdate today, as promised. She went to bed unsettled for the second night in a row. This morning she woke up at 4:00 am hoping to receive a text from me that their plan to see each other is actually on. But it isn't. So, that's the quick background. The deeper, more purposeful meaning I take from all this is the realization that while we are all human beings with the best intentions if our resulting impact is negative, what good do our positive intentions mean? We can't just walk around claiming we have good intentions while not practicing the awareness of converting them into good actions. In this case, while the mom I am referring to had the best intentions to connect our daughters, who both mutually wanted more than anything to spend time together, her delivery was poor. She put my ten-year-old on a roller coaster ride of three broken plans in four days. As a ten-year-old should be in this situation, my daughter was confused and couldn't make sense of why the plans could not be fulfilled. As usual, there were many discussions around not taking things personally and the importance of practicing awareness so that we don't make others feel hurt or upset. But deep down inside, I felt sad that a ten-year-old needs to learn these lessons so soon. She just wanted a play date that was promised to her. She craved connection with a friend after being relationship starved for the past eight months on the road. Now, in no way do I think this mother is a horrible person. Nor do I think that she is aware of how deeply her lack of ability to carry out her commitment impacted my daughter, and ultimately my family as we all had to talk her through this situation. Instead, this is my point, the message I am trying to get across: while we lay on one side of a situation we often have no window into how our actions are unfolding on just the other side of the door. While we may think something is no big deal, someone on the other side is experiencing the complete opposite. The only possible way to line up our intentions with our actions is to also include awareness; we must ask ourselves how does this affects that. Without awareness, we blindly convince ourselves that we have good intentions and that we have no responsibility for their actual outcome. If our intentions are good, then we are good, right? Wrong. This lesson has taught me, and I am so eager to share it with you too, that it is crucial that we consciously ensure that our intentions line up with the actual impact they make. We really must take responsibility for our actions and not justify our choices, even when they hurt others. I don't want to feel like an alien. I want to experience a completely natural flow with my fellow humans. However, I refuse to dumb down my awareness of how my words and actions affect others. I refuse to be less sensitive because we already have too many hardened people walking around hurt and let down. I refuse to have my daughter think even for one second that any of this had anything to do with her. I refuse to believe that anyone reading this wouldn't take a moment to truly reflect on whether our intentions line up with our actions because I do believe we all have the best intentions and therefore want the most positive outcomes. I wholeheartedly believe that there will be at least one dozen people who walk away from this post, asking themselves regularly, "do my intentions line up with my impact?" and that those people will positively affect dozens of others. So, my question to you is will you be one of those dozens whose intention lines up with their actions? It's never too late to recalibrate. This journey has taken me to such faraway places both physically and spiritually yet I feel closer to home than ever. Suddenly leaving home, one year ago, does continue to feel otherworldly. At the same time, I feel more grounded than ever. I intend to balance these opposing experiences hoping that the impact will be one where I can inspire others to think more deeply about their purpose, their fears, their impact. Really, I am taking you along my journey as I try to figure out all these things myself. I am in no way an expert in human behavior but I do want to expertly be the best human I can be. Thank you for joining me on this journey to work through how we can be the best versions of ourselves, on planet earth.

Yesterday I experienced what most would label as a bad day. It came as a surprise as I have been in pretty good spirits the past few months. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, all the tools I've been pocketing that have given me the skills needed to practice awareness, positivity, and mindfulness just slipped away. Right at dawn, I noticed my meditation practice was off but I didn't pay too much attention to it not being as useful as usual. Then, as part of my early morning educational routine, I watched an interview with Oprah and the monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who beautifully shared his views on peace, compassion, and ways to deeply connect with ourselves and others. Normally, a talk like this would carry me through the day. But not yesterday. The gloomy mood began with the resistance of my older son refusing to at least attempt implementing a schedule to help his day have more structure. In these crazy remote-learning days, we find that he isn't challenging himself as much as he could be. Regardless of how hard I tried to convince him that a set schedule is a key to a successful and productive day, even referencing several accomplished people who swear by the importance of doing so, he just refused to listen. Then, while trying to watch a video together which explains how to select classes for the Fall at his new high school, my impatience was further tested. He kept wanting to skip through slides, moving the cursor all over the screen, standing up to "shoot hoops" with table placemats. Miraculously, I somehow didn't lose my cool... yet. During my pleading of him to focus, Instacart rang our doorbell. My husband, sitting in just the other room, was calmly typing away through all this as if no doorbells were ringing, no children were yelling, or no signs of a mother struggling on the verge of tears, were all happening in one room over. When that bell rang, it served as my warning that I was about to snap. Being aware of the delicate moment, I nicely asked my care-free husband to accept the delivery. He happily did so and even put the groceries away. Another potentially volatile moment diffused, or so I thought. In poor timing, my daughter joined the chaos by overreacting when I wanted to review something with her to give her the feedback that she asked for. I just couldn't contain myself anymore. During the one-hour window that I just described in this short paragraph, I felt like I was in crazy land and wanted out. That's when I snapped. My mind traveled to all these unattractive places: the tower of tears, the palace of pathetic, the fort of frustration. I was SO irate that my son couldn't sit still and be attentive while we were making decisions for his life, beyond irritated that my husband could sit through my pleas for my son to concentrate AND a delivery doorbell without intervening. I was more than annoyed by my daughter's huge fuss about me simply wanting to review her project with her. So that you don't wrongly assume that my middle one was an angel, I should clarify that he, too, was in on the plan to torture me yesterday. During lunch, while I was trying to get a smile out of him, he kept telling me to "stop" and repeatedly pointed out that I'm "not funny". Jeez, thanks. I actually think I am pretty funny. Yesterday I was mad. Mad at all of them. Then it occurred to me that I was actually infuriated with myself. More so, I was disconcerted that I caved into anger and a thought process that would only serve me negatively. Disappointed that I allowed myself to wallow in my contempt. In fact, I consciously decided not to snap out of it and instead encouraged myself to continue down the path of bitterness which is the complete opposite of everything I have been learning and practicing the past several months. In an odd turn of events, rather than rebuking myself for faltering, I learned that I actually wanted to revel in a little resentment and so I permitted myself to do so. I reminded myself that I am a pretty awesome mom. I also allowed myself to have a tantrum once every few months which usually results from months of tapping into my deepest reserves of tolerance and compassion. Magically, I was no longer upset at myself. Furthermore, I was determined to show my nonchalant crew that sometimes mom actually DOES get impacted by their behaviors and that she can't always be happy-go-lucky. They needed to know that people get PISSED OFF when you push them too much. In my case, yesterday they pushed me off the cliff and I had zero guilt over taking the plunge. The beautiful outcome of yesterday's scenario is that for the first time in my role as a mother, I didn't beat myself up over yelling nor did I blame myself for overreacting. Instead, I granted myself the freedom to be angry, to not speak to them for the first hour of our sightseeing excursion, and to be OK with being upset. My daughter was the first one to come to me to apologize for her earlier behavior. Her beautiful spirit quickly drew me back into a world of love that saved us from the silence we all sulked in. Then my sons chimed in. By dinner time, we were all back to the chatty, not-stop-conversing group that we are. My husband, on the other hand, I didn't forgive quite as quickly. Despite his several attempts to apologize for checking out while I was struggling to swim, I needed him to know just a little bit longer that I could follow his lead and conveniently check out too. So, what's the lesson here? What did I learn from yesterday's tumultuous mood? I learned that sometimes a bad day is actually a good day. I learned that it is perfectly fine to stray from a certain path, in my case a road towards positivity and patience, in order to regain direction. Most importantly I learned to never torture myself again when I do lose my way. In reality, I wasn't lost at all and needed to take that detour to find what I was looking for yesterday: permission to be flawed, freedom to be angry, and the liberty to teach my family that mom has feelings too. Unless you are Thich Nhat Hanh, it is impossible to always remain grounded, nonreactive, and even-keeled. Sometimes we need to be wrong so that we could ultimately be right. Maybe, just maybe, sometimes it is acceptable to just have a bad day.