Batavia & Columbus, Ohio
March 2009

I took advantage of my family's road trip to Florida for spring break, and hitched a secret ride to Batavia, where I surprised Jared one the one-year anniversary of the day we first spoke. Needless to say, he was very surprised!

The next few days were full of breakfasts with our families, mid-afternoon naps, Brazilian movies, and even one last UFC fight night with his dad before he went to Iraq.

While visiting, I took the opportunity to meet with a few people with AmeriCorps programs in Cincinnati and Columbus. I learned more about the programs and got to see the facilities. While in Columbus, I even had time to meet with a friend and former coworker, Colleen.

The return trip proved to be a bit complicated, but it gave me an extra couple of days in Ohio. :)

Columbia, Missouri
February 2009

My friend, Emily, has found someone special to spend the rest of her life with, and she asked me to do the honor of being one of her bridesmaids. I traveled to Columbia via Megabus and spent 3 days with Emily, her family, and her friends. I even made some new friends from Josh's side from Texas.
The rehearsal dinner was lots of fun, BBQ-style with a camping theme. We even pulled a bit of a prank on the vegetarian Bride-to-be. :)
The wedding and reception were absolutely beautiful! Both went smoothly without major incident.. Except, of course, for the fact that the members of the wedding party decorated and seran-wrapped the new couple's car doors shut!

Columbus, Ohio
January 2009

The last leg of the trip involved a bus ride from the Ohio Valley to Columbus, where I had a (planned) 11-hour layover between buses. This allowed me to have lunch with a friend and former coworker (Colleen), make the mandatory stop at The Book Loft, visit the hotel where I used to work, and even have dinner with my cousin at the Happy Greek.

It was a great visit, even if it was too short. Next time I'll have to be sure to visit with the people I couldn't see this time.

Eastern Ohio
January 2009

From Cincinnati, I made my way by bus to Eastern Ohio to visit my dad's side of the family, since I didn't get a chance to see them over the holidays.

These four days were filled with relaxing, hiking around the farm, staying warm near the wood stove, catching up with relatives and friends, dining out, and catching the wrong movie at the mall.

All in all, it was just the kind of break I needed. (Especially from the cold weather in Illinois!)

Southwestern Ohio
January 2009

In January, I made my way from Chicago to the Cincinnati area on Megabus to spend a few days with friends. Four days of relaxing, listening to Jared and his friends play guitar, learning about ItsYourTurn.com with his mom, and going out to dinner with his family.

There was even time to visit with a friend from my Portuguese classes at Ohio State: Mary. We joined forces and taught Jared some more Portuguese over lunch.

I did end up with a couple souvenirs from SW Ohio this time: a sweatshirt from one of the local high school teams: the Batavia Bulldogs and a few good recordings of Jared & co. playing guitar.

I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to visit again, but hopefully soon!

Southwestern Ohio
October 2008

My mom had a business trip to Indianapolis, and she let me tag along and keep driving to the Cincinnati area to visit friends there. It was a short visit, lasting only a couple of days, but it was nice to be back in Ohio.

Hopefully, it won't be long for another opportunity like this to come up. Southwestern Ohio seems to be growing on me. :)

Columbia, Missouri
October 2008

My second trip to Columbia couldn't have been for a happier occasion! My friend from high school is getting married in February, and she chose me to be one of her bridesmaids. The other bridesmaids and I threw her a wedding shower in October, which was lots of fun!

Many gifts were given, many friends came, and the families of the betrothed finally met one another. It was a good time to be had by all.

♥ Congratulations, Emily and Josh!!! ♥

St. Louis, Missouri
August 2008

This was my second trip to St. Louis, only this time, it was to visit my little sister at college (Washington University).
Now, the trip would not be complete without a complete tour of the Wash. U. campus, a free-food welcome picnic for new art students this year, a meal at the campus cafeteria, a trip to The Loop for some bubble tea and loads of entertainment in a vintage store where we tried on several old dresses and hats!
The Wash. U. campus is very different from my school's campus (Ohio State). Many of the buildings are very new or being rebuilt. The inside of the library and the DUC have to be the coolest buildings I've seen in a while.

Eastern Ohio
August 2008

The first time I've been back to my parents' hometown since October of 2007... and it was nice to be back. It was my last stretch of time where I could be truly lazy before getting back to the real world and finding another job at my final destination.
My time on The Ridge (as we so lovingly refer to it), was spent largely with my dad, who ended up getting that entire week off, my grandparents and other relatives that live nearby on the family farm. It worked out so I could even visit with an old friend that I hadn't seen for years!

Pictures coming eventually...

Columbus, Ohio
August 2008

As an alumnus of Ohio State University, I left behind a few good friends when I left for DC after living here for over a year. This visit allowed me to play catch-up with some former coworkers and friends from school. My former roommate/co-exchange student came over from Indiana for the same days that I was in Columbus. It was a fantastic mini-reunion!
We visited the Park of Roses, got Graeter's ice cream, went to a thrift store, and even threw a birthday party for one of my friend's cats!

Pictures coming eventually...

Southwestern Ohio
August 2008

Before this summer, I could never say that I had been to this corner of Ohio... and now I can! I visited Cincinnati, Wyoming, Batavia, Williamsburg, Loveland, Fairfield Township, and Mason, Ohio in just 9 days!
I visited a new friend and made friends with his whole family for a week before heading to another town to meet friends of my parents from before I was born! The last time they had seen me, I was a couple months old, so it was neat to meet them as an adult and get to know their kids as well. They showed me around Cinci for a couple of days before I made my next stop in Columbus.

New York City
June 2008

My first trip to The Big Apple during the warmer months. It was a fun-packed couple of days, full of visiting 2 old friends from FIU and making a few new ones.
This time, I made it up to the last borough on my list to visit: The Bronx. Now that I've been to all the boroughs that make up New York City, I can die happy. :)
This may be my last trip to NYC for a while, but I think it was definitely one of my favorites. It was the first trip where I didn't partake in 'touristy' things. (But of course I bought postcards, I wouldn't be me if I hadn't!)

Missouri
May 2008

An awesome weekend trip to visit a friend from high school in the northern 'burbs of Chicago. She was my guide around downtwn St. Louis, the city zoo, and even to the top of the Arch.
We then headed to Columbia, Missouri so I could meet her friends and explore the Mizzou campus. We celebrated my birthday one night and the next day went for a 12-mile bike ride along the Missouri River. We had beautiful weather, with the exception of the rain during the few minutes we were inside the Arch.
It was great to visit a new state... And of course, I bought postcards!