Switching It Up

I think this is one of my longest lags between posts. It's been a busy week and I have some more great discoveries to share. But before I get to that, I want to share with you what I am currently working on.

As some of you already know, I've hung up my teaching hat (for now, not forever) and have launched myself full-on into writing. Living life as a gypsy, moving every 2-4 years, finding consistent teaching jobs has been a challenge and so I find myself moved this summer to take action. No more countless hours spent searching school web sites, or tiresome interviews in which I have to explain why it is I move around so much. I am a woman taking the steps towards fulfilling my dream, and that means no more waiting around for life to happen.

This past week I signed up with media bistro to take their online Stiletto Boot Camp, an intensive, crash-course in how to write effectively and engagingly for women's magazines such as ELLE, Self, W etc. I am totally excited about this course as it has been a lifelong goal of mine to write as we live and travel the world, sharing my experiences with others. Freelance writing is something I can do from anywhere.

In addition to sharpening my skills, I've begun posting short stories on ThingsAsian, a web site offering up a variety of articles, facts, photographs, maps - anything to do with living and traveling in Asia. Check out my post on one our favorite restaurant finds while living in Tokyo titled, Yummy Yakitori.

I am also working on making this blog more beautiful and will eventually be adding in advertisements related to the content. I am scheduled to take a blogging class and hope to also connect with writers at Boston's local writing hub, Grub Street.

September is a month for new beginnings, new projects, and for me, a new attitude. I have a stack of reading to catch up on (see photo left), which I know will give me the inspiration I need to get busy and get writing.

Decisions Decisions

As autumn approaches, so does my love for all things leather, suede and cozy. I am obsessed with two fabulous options from J.Crew - the Walker ankle boot and the MacAlister wedge boot are topping my list of favorite footwear finds. Decisions decisions.

Back to Boston - Back to Reality

After four-and-a-half weeks on the road, we finally drove into our driveway last night. But it was not without a fight - we first stopped for dinner in town at our favorite restaurant, Pad Thai Cafe, before heading home. Above is a sample of the Starbucks Collector mugs (thanks Mike!) I collected on our journey west and then back east. It's a fantastic and functional way to display my hopscotch travels.

Hometown & a Haircut

For the past four years I have managed to schedule my visits back to Ottawa with a hair appointment. After several mishaps with stylists and colorists both in Japan and Boston, I've decided that for now, I will continue to be a committed client to Saab Salon in Ottawa, Canada. It is a family-run operation with a wonderful staff of professionals. In the ten-plus years I've been going there, I've had seven stylists, who have all done an amazing job with my thick, long hair. I highly recommend this salon to anyone looking for the ultimate hair experience. Thank you Frank & Nina:)

Down & Out in Detroit

We were told to avoid 8 mile while driving thru Detroit, Michigan. Ironically, we HAD to stop in 8 mile for a bathroom break as there was construction everywhere else. But to my surprise, I found the people here to be much more pleasant than those I encountered at our hotel in Ann Arbor the night before. The city is clearly in a time of major recession - abandoned properties line the highway, closed signs on stores- but I believe the people of Detroit will pull through.

Chicago- Smiles & Tall Buildings

When in Chicago, it is imperative that you do the Chicago Architecture Foundation boat tour. It is a wonderful way to see the spectacular and diverse architecture of the windy city. Also a must, is a walk through Millennium Park. Located in the heart of downtown, it serves as the city's playground for people of all ages and interests.

I couldn't resist snapping a photo of this man (see photo right) sitting on the sidewalk. His sign made me laugh. Instead of money, I gave him a bottle of water.

More from Minneapolis

We just had to stop and marvel at the amazing pieces at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. A must-see when visiting the Twin Cities.

Marvelous Minneapolis

I didn’t know what to expect of this mid-west city. I had heard wonderful things but was apprehensive to totally embrace the idea of Minneapolis as a bustling metropolis. My introduction to the city was a Wal-Mart, a so-so lodging and the Mall of America (crazy!) But once inside the city center, I was instantly hooked. People looked happy and healthy – walking, biking, and running along one of the city’s many beautiful parks. At noontime, café patios were filled with workers taking a break. My husband found a pizza place uptown called Pizza Lucé that served GF pizza. For the first time in years, I ordered bruschetta. Together, we munched our way through an entire half loaf of GF French bread, smothered in olive oil and fresh cut tomatoes. The entire meal was divine. Fresh, local produce is everywhere in this state, and the idea of eating local has really taking off. After a brief detour to Minnehaha Falls Park, we sadly said goodbye to one of our favorite stops on this cross-country tour.

Demolition Derby

Tonight we happened to be driving thru Glasgow, Montana on the night of the county fair. Not only did we get to experience small-town charm first-hand, we also witnessed our first demolition derby. Awesome.

Getting Down & Dirty in Glasgow, Montana

The best way to get a feel for a town is to attend a local going on, which is exactly what we did in Glasgow, Montana this evening. On our way into town we saw that the county fair was THE place to be with a wide selection of carnival-type rides, and a demolition derby. There was no admission fee, so we went directly to the bleachers and sat down beside Jo from Texas who had relocated here to, “get away from the hustle and bustle of Texas.” After witnessing fifteen minutes of full-on demolition we took in our surroundings, who were getting progressively more and more inebriated as the evening passed on. It was a rowdy but friendly crowd, and I am sure the night would get more interesting with each beer consumed, however, we were on a mission to get out of northern Montana by morning so we said our goodbyes to Jo and headed east.

The Saddest Little Mall in America

Traveling thru northern Montana is a little like driving thru the desert – lots of wide-open spaces, endless sky, deserted, dry, and not densely populated. After breakfasting at a picnic table at the local elementary school in Conrad, MT and endless pit stops at towns too small to warrant a place on the map, we arrived in Havre. Our goal was to get to a museum on the famous dinosaur trail that runs thru the sate of Montana. Imagine our dismay when we drive up to a shopping mall – the address matching that of the museum (see photo left). We parked the car and entered what can only be described as the saddest mall in America, which was home to a dollar store, an army-recruiting center, a natural/Wicca shop, a Sears, an army surplus-type store, and the beloved museum, which was closed. The museum was a small room located in the far back corner of the mall. Basically, someone decided to rent out the space to store his or her oddball artifacts. Not a great find.

Finding Beauty on the Road

I snapped these photos south of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Yikes!

This sign posted somewhere in Montana frightened both of us - in fact, we did NOT enter the store.

Pot of Gold

We drove right into this beautiful rainbow while leaving Lake Louise after a flash rainstorm. Cars were lined up along the shoulder to capture this amazing burst of colour. It looks like that pot of gold is hiding in the hills on Rt. 1 between Lake Louise and Banff.

Smells Like Snow

Today we drove thru the Columbia Icefields between Jasper and Banff. It was cold - very cold- so be sure to bring a toque and jacket. What amazed me most about this natural wonder is the rate at which the icefields are receding.

Cross-Country & Wedding Bells

After 27 days of travel, we've arrived at our destination - Smithers, British Columbia, where my good friend D is getting married on Saturday. We've basically done a diagonal drive from the east coast to the northwest corner of Canada. Not only am I excited to be a part of her special day, but it is also an opportunity to visit with friends I have not seen in what feels like forever. With all of us living and traveling the globe, a mini-reunion is long overdue.

Reduced Visibility

With 400 forest fires burning in interior British Columbia, we are lucky that today is the first day that we encounter smoke on our drive northwest to Smithers. Most of the fires are burning in the backcountry, away from the main highway, but as the photo above shows, our visibility on the road today was greatly reduced by billows of smoke lingering in the valleys.

Nice Truck

Stopping for a quick break on our way north to Smithers I spotted this funky chevy parked in a DQ parking lot.

The Best Place on Earth

I couldn't agree more with the new B.C. license plate (see photo above). We are now in Vancouver, a city that offers its residents spectacular mountain views; stretches of beaches; access to year-round outdoor activities; an assortment of cuisines and restaurants; fashionable finds on the well-known Robson Street, and an eclectic group of neighbourhoods. If ever we are to settle down, Vancouver would be the place to do so. With great weather, minus the months of rain of course, this city has it all. Go discover Beautiful British Columbia. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Pike Place Market

Sunday morning we walked down to Seattle's infamous Pike Place Market. Around since 1907, and famous for having the first Starbucks, Pike Place Market is a great place to grab a morning coffee while browsing stands with everything from organic produce to beaded jewelry. By noon the place is packed, so get there early to experience the market in its finest hours.

A Stopover in Seattle

Hitting the west coast always brings about a sense of "ahhh" for me. One must-see stop while in Seattle is Kerry Park at sunset. We were lucky enough to capture the perfect shot above during a full moon. There was quite a crowd - both locals and tourists- gathered at this well-known photo-op in the Queen Anne neighborhood. Be sure to get there early as parking is sparse, but know that it is legal to park facing any and all directions on either side of the road.

A Scrumptious Find in Spokane

For those of us who are GF (gluten free), finding a good, tasty burger is near impossible. While stopping over in Spokane for a night, we stumbled upon Wild Sage American Bistro just a few blocks from the historic Davenport Hotel. Not only does this upscale, hip restaurant have an entire menu of GF items - appetizers, mains and desserts- they also offer up an assortment of delicious GF mini breads while waiting for your order. It was the first time in years that I ate a burger with a BUN! In addition to serving up local produce, an on-site baker provides the restaurant with a variety of GF baked good options.

Coffee Shack

It's hard to find a Starbucks in Montana. Between Big Sky and Missoula we discovered Coffee Shack - an excellent alternative to our morning ritual. Situated on the side of the road at heavily-trafficked intersections, these tiny shack structures have gained popularity in Montana - for both locals and tourists alike.

Big Sky, Montana

I couldn't resist trying on a Stetson cowboy hat and western-style shirt at this funky second-hand shop in Western Yellowstone. But really, where does one wear a Stetson in Boston? And at $95.00, the shirt sadly had to stay put.

Stunning Geysers in Yellowstone National Park

What A View

Today we drove thru the east gate to enter Yellowstone National Park. The park touches on three states - Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. What amazes me most about Yellowstone is the natural beauty of the landscapes we encounter in our two-day exploration of the park. America's first National Park is a must-see for people of all ages.

Cross-Country day 6 Cowboy Country

Entering Cowboy Country, we feel like we are back in the days of Buffalo Bill. Driving thru Wyoming is truly a magical experience. A vast expanse of sky sits atop rolling hills lined with old, cross-hatched fences. Tonight we saw the most beautiful sunset and lots of cowboys (see photo right).

Cross-Country day 5- Badlands, SD

The Badlands are otherworldly – what I imagine the surface of the moon might look like. For miles, we’d been driving along a typical South Dakota skyline, and then suddenly they appear, like large lumps of clay dropped from above. They form a majestic, mountain-like border that weaves and wraps along the Badlands Loop road. They say after 10 photos it all starts to look the same, but I disagree; each one makes its own special statement.

Now It's Getting Interesting...

What possesses people to do this on their property? P.S. It's a dinosaur chasing a skeleton.

You Can Always Find Pho

We had all good intentions of eating corn while in Iowa, however, found ourselves drawn to this down-and-out section of Sioux City that offered up an eclectic mix of dining and drinking options at one intersection.

And a Burger & Beer

Somewhere Along I-70

I snapped this photo while pumping gas somewhere along I-70. A truly captivating skyline.

Cross-Country day 4- St. Louis, MO

Today we powered through two time zones, four states, and five rest stops to find ourselves stopping for an authentic Mexican dinner at Mi Ranchito in St. Louis, MO. The city is a scenic stretch of beautiful brick and stone buildings with interspersing greenery, mesmerizing murals and a scattering of sculptures in Citygarden - an urban oasis in downtown St. Louis. The Gateway Arch (see photo right) forms a phenomenal arc across the sky, giving the city an almost surreal sense of otherworldliness.

OHio

While checking into our hotel this evening, we discovered the "OH" in Ohio. Need I say more?

Cross-Country day 3 - Pittsburgh, PA

After spending two wonderful days with my Aunt J in Pennsylvania, we headed west today towards Pittsburgh with the goal of getting in to the Andy Warhol Museum before it closed at 5 p.m. We made it just in time, with a full hour to explore 7 floors of his innovative and inspiring works. Each floor was under watch by a tortured artist type which really lent authenticity to the Warhol experience. It's a real gem of a find in Steel Town.

GF French Baguette

Sweet Discovery

Today, for the first time in five years, I ate a baguette. This isn't because I was on the Atkins diet but because since I was diagnosed with celiac (wheat & gluten intolerance) I had yet to find a bakery that made my favorite kind of carb. Sweet Christine's is located in the quaint and quiet Kennett Square, PA.

Sweet Christine's offers up an assortment of delicious and nutrient-dense GF baked goods. After sampling a mini-glazed donut, my attention was quickly diverted to a stack of loaves of bread on the counter. French baguette! Made from a combination of white rice flour and tapioca starch, it is by far the best bread I have had in five years.

Sweet Christine's will do shipping. Please go to the link below to learn more about their delectable treats:

www.sweetchristinesglutenfree.com/

Cross-Country day 1- The Jersey Turnpike

Today marks the first day of our four-week cross-country road trip. We're heading west, first stopping in Pennsylvania to see family, then onto Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Washington. From there we'll drive north to Vancouver to see more family for a few days and then begin the drive up towards Smithers where my dear friend D is getting married. We're still deciding on the route to take back to Boston, but will for sure be stopping in beautiful Banff, Alberta as well as Chicago.

When we moved to the U.S. last summer we decided that we would like to see as much of the country as possible. What I love about the U.S. is that each state, section and coast is unique and offers a wealth of new places to explore. But first we'll have to get thru Jersey and this insane merge (see photo).

Chile & Lime Corn

I first came across this yummy recipe while working in Mexico back in 1999 and then again while reading my husbands' Men's Health magazine. With corn on the cob in season right now, this is a perfect summer side dish.

Directions:

1. Unhusk corn
2. Bring a large pot of water to boil
3. Place unhusked corn in pot for 6-8 minutes
4. Allow corn to cool on a plate
5. Cut 1-2 limes into wedges
6. Squeeze lime over corn (butter is a delicious option to add here)
7. Sprinkle chili powder and salt to taste

Enjoy!

Cuban Style

I spotted this guy sitting in front of my favorite coffee shop in Ottawa, Canada back in June. He looks like he stepped off the streets of Havana with his effortless sense of cool Cuban style. From the fedora to the simple navy blue sneaks, he is an example and inspiration of classic summer style.

Making A Splash

This photo of model Gisele in the April 2010 issue of Vogue inspired me to get back into the pool. See more fantastic photos of the Brazilian bombshell taken by the talented Patrick Demarchalier at http://www.vogue.com/feature/2010_April_Gisele_Bundchen/.

Point & Shoot

I came across Doug Kim's web site while browsing the internet in search of one of my new favorite photos (see left).

Click on the following link to see Doug Kim's phenomenal work: http://blog.ricecracker.net/

I first saw the photo at left taken by Dennis Hopper in the July 2010 issue of Vogue magazine. It is featured in the 'People Are Talking About' section in mention of a retrospective of the famous actor's photography being put on by the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Los Angeles.

The photo titled, 'Jane Fonda, Target Practice, Malibu, 1965' captures a beautiful, buff F0nda in a positively powerful yet provocative pose. Perhaps something to aspire to this summer...

July 4th Sky

A beautiful wave of clouds rolled in around 7:30 p.m. tonight. The sky had an iridescent glow that seemed to linger until the sun finally set. I snapped this photo from my front step. It's not fireworks, but it is kind of spectacular.