Looking Back on 2019 + Thoughts on the End of a Decade

2019 was full of big changes for me. I left New York City and moved back to Texas. I quit my comfortable job and started working in a different type of role at a big company in Houston. I went from living in my glamorous doorman building in Midtown Manhattan to living with my family at our home in the Houston suburbs. Truthfully, the move away from the big city was difficult for me. It was hard to adjust to a slower paced life- one where not everything could be reached in a matter or minutes or a short subway ride. I had to start thinking about driving again and making the one hour commute to my office. It wasn’t all difficult though- I realized immediately how much cheaper everything was and how much money I was able to save by not having to spend half my paycheck on rent. All of a sudden, a million vacation possibilities popped into my mind for the next year. Asia, Europe, West Coast, it was all possible! Despite the many changes I went through this year, my passion for traveling has been one of my biggest constants. Yes, the weekend trip destinations changed with my relocation, but my love for exploring never ceased. Thanks to a two month break from work I was able to squeeze in so many trips. Here’s a look at my 2019.

Nashville

Started off 2019 right with a girls trip to one of the best cities to have a girls trip in! I had time to explore the country musical capital both by myself and with 2 of my sorority sisters. It was a weekend filled with bbq, live music (duh!), and laughter.

Madrid/Lisbon

It took a lot of courage, but I finally went on my second international solo trip. Vienna (my first solo trip) was 4 years ago and I had been itching to explore somewhere in Europe again so since the timing was right I booked it! And it was amazing. Madrid was one of the best trips I’d been on in a while. It reminded me again why I love solo travel and the independence and strength it gives me. I spent 4 days wandering the windy Spanish roads, eating delicious croquettes, and celebrating the Prado Museums’ 200th anniversary.

Los Angeles

A quick weekend trip to California for a friend’s wedding turned into a fun filled weekend that included Disneyland, the most bougie wedding ever, and a reunion with a bunch of sorority sisters and college friends. A bonus was definitely getting to stop by the LA version of Smorgasburg and eating some delicious food.

Wilmington, North Carolina

I headed to North Carolina (my 32nd state!) to celebrate a good friend’s wedding in the cutest little church and most hipster little bar. And I fell in love with the state… counting the days until I can return.

Nyack, New York

A short solo day trip to upstate New York to explore the quintessential New England town. Adorable houses, good tea and donuts, and a sunshine filled my time in Nyack.

London

London called my name for a second time! I spent 4 days in Great Britain going to Cambridge to visit an old high school friend and then down to the seaside town of Brighton to see what the hype was all about. The British life definitely suites me!

Iceland

Annual Song sisters trip led us to Iceland this time around. My sister and I had a fantastic time soaking in the steamy blue waters of the Blue Lagoon, horseback riding on the smallest cutest horses, and exploring a lava tunnel created by volcanic lava millions of years ago. Renting our very own car (the first we’ve done this abroad) was a highlight of our trip. It gave us the freedom to explore to our hearts desire.

Banff, Canada

Family vacations can be stressful and this one was no different, but it was worth it for the beautiful views and amazing hikes Banff provided. I loved seeing the mesmerizing blue Lake Morraine and hiking up to drink tea at the Lake Agnes Teahouse. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but 10 days in Canadian wilderness was not enough!

Myrtle Beach and Charleston

Alpha Sigma Rho National Convention 2019- my last as a proud member of the National Board. I stepped down as National Vice President after this Convention and sadly parted with a significant part of my life. Having the opportunity to serve my sorority as an alum was such an honor and a memory I’ll always treasure. I spent 7 days in South Carolina spending time with my sorority sisters and enjoying that Southern lifestyle.

Miami

Miami’s been on my list of places to go for a while now and when my friend moved there, it was a golden opportunity to visit. I spent 5 days in sunny paradise eating sushi, kayaking, walking in the sand, and day tripping to Key West.

Hawaii

I took an 8 hour plane ride to Hawaii for my study abroad 5 year reunion where I shared an Airbnb with 15 others and had the time of my life. There aren’t enough words to describe how wonderful Hawaii is. My favorite activities included snorkeling in shark cages, stuffing myself with fresh poke, watching the sunrise after a hike, and lying on the sand to enjoy the sunset.

Austin

The first stop on my Fall tour of Texas and I spent with one of my best friends eating bbq (after waiting in a 1 hour line), taking pictures in a field of pumpkins, and enjoying delicious Korean food at the giant Korean market, HMart. It was pretty cool to visit my old stomping grounds and see how my University has changed since the days when I attended and was a proud Longhorn. There’s even a Target on campus now! I was reminded of when I use to take the city bus to the nearest HEB (taking a total of 45 minutes) and how times have now changed.

Dallas

My second stop of my Fall Texas tour where I went to the State Fair for the first time and screamed my head off for 98 degrees (Nick Lachey is older but still a dream) and stuffed myself with fried foods. I also took a ton of pumpkin photos, which pretty much cemented my obsession with Fall for all I was concerned.

San Francisco

A spur of the moment trip (created when I realized my pto days at my new job don’t roll over into the next year), but the best decision ever! I had a wonderful girls trip where I got to reunite with my sorority little sister after 5 years and reconnect with 2 other sisters. We drank delicious wine in Napa, explored the mysterious Alcatraz prison, and ate a lot of yummy food. As a major city girl, I can’t believe its taken me so long to visit San Francisco!

Big Bend National Park

Our last family trip of the year was to Texas’ famous Big Bend National Park. It was a 10 hour drive from Houston (crazy I know!) to reach the vast expanse of desert that is known as Big Bend. We spent 4 days hiking, stargazing, exploring Teralingua Ghost Town, and spending some quality family time! It was a great way to close out not only 2019, but also the decade.

I seriously can’t believe that we’re at the end of a decade again. It seems like just yesterday it was 2009 and I was preparing to enter my last semester of high school. So much has changed since I was an uncertain 17 year old! Over the past 10 years, I’ve graduated high school, graduated university, started my first (and second and third) full time job, moved to New York CIty, moved back to Texas, and made so many amazing memories. I’ve discovered my love for traveling and really refined my trip planning and travel strategies. I began Toast and Travel as a hobby and now its become a necessity in my life as a creative outlet. As a 27 year old now, I have a better grasp on life and my choices (although I”m still evolving and growing) and I’m more confident in not only myself and my abilities, but also in the strength of my relationships. I have a great group of friends from childhood, college, and New York and I’m loving the prospect of meeting and making new friends in Houston. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is to always stand up for yourself and do everything with confidence. After all, if you don’t even believe in yourself then who else will believe in you? The last 10 years have changed me and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 10 years does for me!