Exactly one year ago, I had a 10:30 PM ticket in my pocket booked for Barcelona, Spain. I was set to sail away from America to embark on a journey that I will never forget. From the rich paella and fine Spanish wine to the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic that we generally see in calendars to the night markets of China, I have to admit that I am tremendously thankful (and blessed) for such opportunities in my life, and as a means of sharing this last year with my audience, I have complied a list of experiences that will always make me smile and forever remain in my heart. Enjoy and feel free to add your own experiences to the list if you were there with me.
Barcelona & the World of Europe
1. Eating paella de marisco with the Tashashes at Port Vell
2. Drinking cava and wine at a world famous Penedès cellar
3. Sharing tapas with my host mother as one of our final dinners together
4. Watching a traditional Flamenco show in Triana, Spain (it's birthplace)
5. Hiking to the top of Montjuïc to see the entire city of Barcelona (and my home)
6. Visiting Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell
7. Traveling solo to Seville for my personal mecca and retreat
8. Swimming with the White Dolphins in Amsterdam
9. Traditional Valencian dinner with my guardian angel's family
10. Being threatened in Madrid for trying to break up a fight
11. The Erasmus weekend trip with unlimited Sangria and Vodka (and the Dali Museum)
12. Family dinner with five great friends in Portugal
13. Razzmatazz
14. Seeing the Alhambra and later being invited out by complete strangers in Granada (and have everything paid for)
15. Celebrating 22 years of life with friends at George Payne (and waking up the next morning feeling like death, but also making it to my 9:00 AM class)
16. Down Jones (when the market crashes, grab some drinks)
17. La Mercè, Fireworks, Framboesa and Wine Tasting Events
17. 1 Skydiving over the coast of Spain
17. 2 Getting a tattoo (and being happy that it will stick with me forever)
The Island of Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti)
18. Brugal, Bachata, Beaches and Booty (very nice tanned ones)
19. Jumping off 27 crazy charcos (waterfalls) with my study abroad group
20. Tostones with garlic and ketchup
21. Fried Oreos and ice cream with great friends
22. Dancing to reggaeton, bachata, merengue and salsa every night
23. Surviving the 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti and the Dominican Republic
24. Volunteering for the 'Cruz Roja' (Red Cross) to aid those affected by the earthquake
25. Riding gua-guas and conchos everywhere
26. Sushi-Ya with Erin, Ali and Chelsea
27. El Monumento and Lunes de Jazz
28. Partying it up at Carnaval Vegano (Peppppeeeeee)
29. El Fogon
30. Crossing over into Haiti
31. Cheering at the National Baseball Championship game in San Francisco de Macorís
32. Dancing nights away at Vintage (and getting kicked out once for excessive affection)
33. Dinner and drinks at Puerta del Sol and 'the liquor store'
33.1 Work Retreats
Hong Kong & Made in China
34. Bubble tea
35. Riding the MTR for reconnaissance with three great co-workers
36. Seeing the Big Buddha with dozens of dreamers
37. Hiking 10 kilometers with sweaty belly-buttons
38. Chinese lovers (Mini)
39. Partying it up in Lan Kwai Fong, better known as 'LKF' and cheering on España for the World Cup
40. Puffing the shisha with great friends at "Members Only" lounges
41. Receiving smiles from lots of people with no teeth
42. Night markets and bargaining with one of my BFFs
43. Bonding Time, better known as "BT Time" with a few great dreamers
44. Noodles, fish cutlets and dumplings
45. Having the sea as my menu for dinner (and sometimes, lunch)
46. Bungy-jumping off the tallest jump in the world
47. Learning bits and pieces of Cantonese and Mandarin
48. 10,000 Buddhas and having my fortune read
49. Dancing Salsa and speaking Spanish in China
50. The Hong Kong skyline and Avenue of the Stars
51. Being accosted by street salesmen to buy a cheap ass suit
52. Temples
General
53. Inspiring myself and others each day
1. Eating paella de marisco with the Tashashes at Port Vell
2. Drinking cava and wine at a world famous Penedès cellar
3. Sharing tapas with my host mother as one of our final dinners together
4. Watching a traditional Flamenco show in Triana, Spain (it's birthplace)
5. Hiking to the top of Montjuïc to see the entire city of Barcelona (and my home)
6. Visiting Antoni Gaudí's Park Güell
7. Traveling solo to Seville for my personal mecca and retreat
8. Swimming with the White Dolphins in Amsterdam
9. Traditional Valencian dinner with my guardian angel's family
10. Being threatened in Madrid for trying to break up a fight
11. The Erasmus weekend trip with unlimited Sangria and Vodka (and the Dali Museum)
12. Family dinner with five great friends in Portugal
13. Razzmatazz
14. Seeing the Alhambra and later being invited out by complete strangers in Granada (and have everything paid for)
15. Celebrating 22 years of life with friends at George Payne (and waking up the next morning feeling like death, but also making it to my 9:00 AM class)
16. Down Jones (when the market crashes, grab some drinks)
17. La Mercè, Fireworks, Framboesa and Wine Tasting Events
17. 1 Skydiving over the coast of Spain
17. 2 Getting a tattoo (and being happy that it will stick with me forever)
The Island of Hispaniola (the Dominican Republic and Haiti)
18. Brugal, Bachata, Beaches and Booty (very nice tanned ones)
19. Jumping off 27 crazy charcos (waterfalls) with my study abroad group
20. Tostones with garlic and ketchup
21. Fried Oreos and ice cream with great friends
22. Dancing to reggaeton, bachata, merengue and salsa every night
23. Surviving the 2010 earthquake that hit Haiti and the Dominican Republic
24. Volunteering for the 'Cruz Roja' (Red Cross) to aid those affected by the earthquake
25. Riding gua-guas and conchos everywhere
26. Sushi-Ya with Erin, Ali and Chelsea
27. El Monumento and Lunes de Jazz
28. Partying it up at Carnaval Vegano (Peppppeeeeee)
29. El Fogon
30. Crossing over into Haiti
31. Cheering at the National Baseball Championship game in San Francisco de Macorís
32. Dancing nights away at Vintage (and getting kicked out once for excessive affection)
33. Dinner and drinks at Puerta del Sol and 'the liquor store'
33.1 Work Retreats
Hong Kong & Made in China
34. Bubble tea
35. Riding the MTR for reconnaissance with three great co-workers
36. Seeing the Big Buddha with dozens of dreamers
37. Hiking 10 kilometers with sweaty belly-buttons
38. Chinese lovers (Mini)
39. Partying it up in Lan Kwai Fong, better known as 'LKF' and cheering on España for the World Cup
40. Puffing the shisha with great friends at "Members Only" lounges
41. Receiving smiles from lots of people with no teeth
42. Night markets and bargaining with one of my BFFs
43. Bonding Time, better known as "BT Time" with a few great dreamers
44. Noodles, fish cutlets and dumplings
45. Having the sea as my menu for dinner (and sometimes, lunch)
46. Bungy-jumping off the tallest jump in the world
47. Learning bits and pieces of Cantonese and Mandarin
48. 10,000 Buddhas and having my fortune read
49. Dancing Salsa and speaking Spanish in China
50. The Hong Kong skyline and Avenue of the Stars
51. Being accosted by street salesmen to buy a cheap ass suit
52. Temples
General
53. Inspiring myself and others each day
Exactly one year ago, I set sail away from the United States of America to embark on a journey that I will never forget.
(That was just the beginning.)
Be You, Be Incredible
One Life, You Decide™
P.S. Euros, Pesos, Hong Kong Dollars, O My!
