Pizza Love vs. The Real Thing

If you haven't already, you just gotta be reading The Daily Love as much as you can!  I take the title quite seriously and read it DAILY, and it has changed my life.  Seems extreme, but it's so true.  Mastin Kipp is the creator of this uplifting daily blast of wisdom and I am so thankful that it found its way into my life!  He writes about life, love, and living your dreams, with a big emphasis on letting go of the things that get in the way (ie. FEAR).  I love that he includes articles from contributing writers as well as daily quotes as an intro to his own writing. 

The following is a quote he posted that really resonated with me.  I like to summarize it as, "pizza love vs. the real thing."  :)

"People use the word 'love' a lot of different ways. Take me, for instance. I am often heard saying that I love my mom and dad. I am also often heard saying that I love pizza. What am I saying when I say I love my mom and dad? I'm saying that I care about them. I'm saying that I love spending time with them and that I talk to them every chance I get. I'm saying that if they needed me, I would do every humanly possible to help them. I'm saying that I always want what's best for them. What am I saying when I say I love pizza? Am I saying that I care deeply about pizza? Am I saying that I have a relationship with pizza? Am I saying that if pizza had a problem, I would be there for the pizza? (What? Not enough pepperoni? I'll be right there!) Of course not. When I say I love pizza, I'm just saying that I enjoy eating pizza until I don't want any more pizza. Once I'm tired of the pizza, I don't care what happens to the rest of it. I'll throw it away. I'll feed it to the dog. I'll stick it in the back of the refrigerator until it gets all green and moldy. It doesn't matter to me anymore. These are two very different definition of the word 'love'. It gets confusing when people start talking about love, and especially about loving you. Which way do these people love you? Do they want what is best for you, or do they just want you around because it is good for them, and they don't really care what happens to you? Next time someone looks deeply into your eyes and says 'I love you', look very deeply right back and say, 'Would that be pizza love, or the real thing?"

- Mary Beth Bonacci

Missoula, Montana

Flying from Austin, Texas to Missoula, Montana was an awe inspiring sight.  I cozied up (partly by choice and partly by sheer necessity thanks to small seats + big people) to the window and watched with amazement as the landscape slowly shifted from green fields to bright, snowy mountains.  The pristine, untouched snow below perfectly mirrored my fresh outlook for the new year.  A new chance.  Fresh.

Missoula is a small town nestled in a valley, surrounded by snowy mountain peaks.  Although the temperature was way colder than what I'm used to, the brisk air felt really refreshing.  I couldn't help but keep thinking how DIFFERENT it was here.  Growing up in the south, and now living in Southern California, snow has always been a special treat in my world.  Snow has always meant staying home from school, sledding outside until my toes turned blue, and staying off the roads.  In Missoula, snow is just a way of life. The children run out to recess, crunching their boots in the new snow, bundled head to toe, embracing the snow as just a daily occurance.  Life goes on as normal, dusted with the bright, white glow of the season.

One of my new travel goals is to always eat healthy, local foods.  Not every city has a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, so it takes some investigating to discover healthy food options.  In Missoula, I found and LOVED a store appropriately titled "The Good Food Store."  I stocked up on the salad bar, fresh soups, and green juices.  Yum!

 
Thanks for joining me on my travel adventures!

XO,
Erin

Holiday Travelpalooza

I am so blessed to have had such great friends, family, and PUPS fill my holidays with JOY this year!  My first stop was Dallas, TX.  I squeezed in every minute with my mom, brother, aunt, uncle, cousins, and cute kiddos.  I was so lucky to be able to spend the entire week of Christmas in Dallas.  The conversations and moments I have with my family mean everything to me.  And...I experienced my first ever white Christmas!

The Saturday after Christmas, my mom and I took a road trip down to Austin, where my brother lives.  Hanging with my brother, his girlfriend, and their dog-child Griffin is always fun.  I spent four nights with them and got to celebrate New Years Eve in Austin for the first time  We got all dressed up, and Bill even wore a bow tie!  I found myself feeling very sad that last night and couldn't really sleep thinking about the whirlwind holiday week I got to have with my family. I was also excited to get back to work (I'm not sure I've ever truly said those words together?!) and get back on the road.

 Next stop...Missoula, Montana!

The Adventure Begins!

Hello, 2013!

I am so looking forward to this new year and this new beginning that we give ourselves on January 1.  While the deeper truth is that we have the power to make big changes in our lives every single second,  the new year serves as a big boost for making those positive shifts.

This new blog is my New Year's baby!  I am so blessed to have the chance to travel around the country with my job (I am a "Field Market Access Associate" in the healthcare industry- meaning I travel to Dialysis centers around the country and educate Social Workers on health insurance and reimbursement) , and this will be my outlet for documenting my travels.  My longtime obsession with photography, plus my love of writing, adventure, and "aha moments", equals the perfect storm for The Wanderlust Diaries.  

I am starting my new year in one of my favorite cities, Austin, TX, visiting my brother and his girlfriend for the holidays.  This city is one of the best, in my opinion, due to its hippie vibe, its street art-covered buildings, its healthy-yet-amazing dining, and- of course- the cute, bearded, hipster boys filling its streets!  I begin my work travels for 2013 with a trip to Missoula, Montana tomorrow.  I had never even heard of this city until it popped up in my work e-mail inbox, and am really excited to see what Montana is all about!  Be ready for lots of pictures.  You have been warned.

To you, my reader, I am sending energy and support for your resolutions today and all year long.  I hope that my blog can inspire you to see the bright side of life (even when you are in a crabby mood, which I find myself in from time to time! :) )

Peace and Love,
Erin