Savant.
Beer connoisseur.
In jest I've said: I work to pay for the beer which I drink because of my job.
However, based on my Untappd account, this is not necessarily the case - I merely love beer, the mechanics and process of its coming to be, the smell of some good hops & bitters, and exploring the divine world of beercrafting.
Trying new things is not inherently a bad habit - one of curiosity and bravery to tease the palate with new tastes, delicious or not so much, according to one's individual taste preferences.
In accordance to this curiosity, I'm making it a summer goal of mine to branch out and explore as many breweries as I can as I feel I have only begun to scratch the surface of what these fine establishments have to offer.
Microbrewing is a staple in Germany with a majority of its restaurants having their own house brew concocted above and around the heads of its dining patrons. While I would love to take a spontaneous trip out east across to the magical Beer Wonderland, paying too far ahead on bills has put a bittersweet damper on the wallet - hurray to loans nearly being paid off, boo to not budgeting better for surprise expenses.
I do admit, however, I can be a creature of habit, resorting back to my absolute favorites such as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy or the delicious new limited edition Redd's blueberry ale. The blueberry ale is new, though, so that counts as branching out, right? Otter Creek's Fresh Slice white IPA is fairly delish and was a new taste for my tongue earlier this week.
Thank goodness for the ever-resourceful Google for seeking places new adventures and stomping grounds...which I've found myself doing as I await anxiously amid the storm, perking my ears to hear the door creak through the din of the thunder, and contemplating the emotional swirl in my heart which my brain is always trying to unweave in order to understand.
Current reflection: that no one will see the tears you cry if they're shed behind closed doors, the ruined mascara saved for a private showing with the only viewer staring back at you in the mirror.
I guess it's rather fitting the weather is coinciding with the flaring tempers and upset feelings of those among us... As I sip my fruity-tooty strawberry wine, I'm feeling oddly at peace finishing up my thoughts and the adventure-planning wheels are whirling inside.
....and to all a good night.
xxxx
I've posted on wanderlust before, a bittersweet mentality which causes euphoria and excitement during travels, yet anxiety when the same-old, same-old routine has spun 'round far too many times without a change of circulation...
Albeit bed is one of my favorite places in the world, with a beer in hand, no less...{case in point depicted in IG post below}
...traveling remains one of my favorite activities - I can't truly call it a hobby as it's a way of life....traveling, exploring, leaving no rock unturned, so to speak...
As Superman just returned from his trip to the Bahamas, I could not help but reflect on what I have recently coined the "wander-dumps," the opposite of wanderlust after a rude awakening and return to reality after a grand adventure.
After London, I found myself spiraling into the dark emotional hole of borderline depression and anxiety, attempting to assimilate into a college and friend culture which had changed in my absence, with unhappy thoughts of returning from such a wonderful three months and also overweight, which absolutely crushed my self-image.
After those life-changing three months in which I had lifelong friends and made memories of which I never would have dreamed possible in my dizziest daydreams, it was hard to leave a city in which I had always imagined living. Leaving meant never again will life nor time be the same. Those lovely friends I had made during that brief time would never be together in the same place, same time, in that perfect blink of a moment.
After Ireland, going back to work the following day was not the smartest idea as I did not allow time to decompress, to unwind, and deescalate from the traveling high which fellow explorers can appreciate....
As I see Superman struggle with this after only a few days of "perfection" on his cruise, I see commonalities in our thinking....desire to go out and traverse the world, to have fun, to break away from the mundane. It's hard to see that in someone else when I know the dark consequences of not being able to cope with returning from the place of my dreams and hope-to-be-future-home.
The wander-dumps are quite real and can, quite frankly, bite. However, this is why we seek out companionship in those who appreciate the rollercoaster of feelings associated with wanderlust and adventure.
Is it possible to get cabin fever if you can leave the apartment?
After being cooped up either in the hospital or briefly in my apartment for the past few days due to the shit storm of the century, I'm beginning to feel a little stir-crazy... 16 days until I leave for Ireland, exploring the Irish motherland for a few days and anticipating falling in love with yet another foreign country {England still holds my heart, followed closely by Switzerland}.
Reading travel blog posts and finding travel tips on Pinterest only instigates my extreme case of wanderlust and makes me yearn for the next adventure, whether it be state-side or any direction outside our borders.
This post explores this sweet gal's first 11 foreign countries, with much excited anticipation for the next 11+.
I've read about so many wondrous and brave people leaving "corporate USA" to fulfill their lifelong dream of traveling the world and you know, that doesn't sound all too shabby... Travel tips here on how to {basically} travel for free.
I'm just starting off my career, but know I'm not where I want to spend the rest of my life.... However, money is a necessary evil, particularly with nasty student loans {<$10K to go!!!} so I have to hang in there and make time to travel in between the craziness of operations while building my resume and bank reserves for such a daring and audacious action...
Oh! I have a travel tip! If you're planning on visiting Niagara Falls, you may want to do it sooner rather than later...according to this, they'll be shutting the falls off momentarily to allow for major repairs. So happy I went to see the magnificent falls in summer 2014 {holy cow, it's been that long??}.
I'm planning on taking a grand adventure back to Europe, scoping out the best way of going about this, with my sights focusing on this Ultimate Europe Adventure, but alas, this all depends on my grand life scheme career plan. Here's to hoping I have the proverbial balls audacity to pull this thing off....timing is everything, after all ;)
For now, looking forward to a mental getaway to the motherland in Bumfuck, PA and getting as many hugs from my mummy as I can before working a buttload and packing in between shifts.
Ireland and more adventures await!!
This gal's ready to jet off!
