Category: Plan

Jan 6 2026

 “Paris is always a good idea.” Audrey Hepburn

“Traveling, it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” Ibn Battuta

Photo by Ono Kosuk

This weekend, my thoughts began to wander to destinations unseen. It happens every year, multiple times a year to me. I get restless when “there is nothing on the calendar” and then want to begin planning a trip. There is little else that inspires the deep research done to perfect the one week a year my family spends as a foursome.

Unfortunately, no plans can be made until new employment is solidified – working on that and hope this week proves fruitful with new role applications and networking outreach. That shared, I still am wondering what kind of summer family trip we can pull off. Could we get to a national park? Or maybe a local trip to explore an area of our own state we’ve not seen. Last year, was Paris. Two years ago, we visited family in CO. then journeyed to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. It was overwhelming to see and understand such beautiful places exist in the world, and I am grateful to have seen, hiked and visited these places.

Vail Colorado 2023 – photo is mine.

Hiking the Grand Tetons 2023 – photo is mine.

Yellowstone 2023 – photo is mine.

Horseback riding in Yellowstone 2023 – photo is mine.

Last year’s trip almost didn’t happen thanks to job loss #1 but I landed somewhere and got going on the work. This also meant I got going on planning the ultimate family vacation to Paris, visiting the usual and some unusual spots while enjoying apartment life in one of the Parisian arrondissements. I can go on and on about these trips. Our adventures have taken us on a roadtrip from California’s LA to San Francisco on Pacific Highway 1 and the southern coast of Iceland. We’ve hopped around London and sunned in Greece…Work has taken me to Cannes, Vevey, and Geneva.

Me and the Eiffel Tower 2024 – photo is mine.

A small corner of Versailles 2024 – photo is mine.

GRATEFUL: So very grateful for the ability to see these places with my favorite people. Travel changes you: you bring your exploration home with you, becoming part of your DNA. While the calendar may be bare on Jan 6… I am optimistic for a summer adventure: local or afar. Time will tell. In the meantime…

What are your travel plans this year?

Jan 2, 2025

A goal without a plan is just a wish. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Planning.

We are on day two of this new year, and all those ideas need to be put into a plan. How do you break down an idea or a dream into a plan? What is the first step? Beats me. I am sitting here writing this entry, surrounded by my notebook, coffee, and lists of to-dos I’ve blissfully ignored during the holidays.

I guess the first step is just that: starting. One step at a time will bring more creativity and more ideas, and with the help of Google, my trusty notebook (instead of a yearly planner I am fighting the desire to purchase), here we are…

BUYING: Planners? Oh my. This article from The Strategist is living in my head rent-free. Many are available on Amazon. Happy planning! And please let me know if you make the purchase – I am close to losing this battle…

WATCHED: Did you head to the movies to catch Wicked? Did you watch it streaming this week? It’s now available to rent or buy on many outlets, including AppleTV and Amazon Prime.

PLANNING: The last regular season of NFL games is this weekend, and I am excited to watch my team: Go, Bills! I grabbed this sweater to support The Bills in the playoffs!

WORK: I am again between roles while doing some advisory work. Organizing interviews, tracking roles, and networking will become my FT job next week. Maybe this is a good justification for that planner? :). The white-collar recession you may have heard about is real: middle managers and executives who were let go for budget savings. I am optimistic, though, and will update regularly.

What movie recs are on your to-watch list?