A Passport is a Girl's Best Friend

The plane tickets have been purchased, the family/friends have been alerted, the Zurich apartment is confirmed.  The trip is officially official. To say that I get "excited" or "enthusiastic" about planning travel trips is probably the understatement of the year (no seriously, ask Duane). Nevertheless, my uncontrollable thrill to be going on this trip of a lifetime has brought out the obsessive compulsive researcher in me (bet you didn't know that existed....), i.e., planning out details, determining apartment I want in Paris, what French town/city I want to go to after Paris, researching activities, coordinating time to visit my family/friends, tourist destinations, the must-dos of each city and then neatly organizing them into an excel spreadsheet. Yes, I am that person, and no, I am not crazy (I am a Psychologist, I would know). Current Plan of Major Stops Munich - OKTOBERFEST BABY!!! Paris - The city of love Lyon - The  Fr...

Switzerland. The land of chocolate, banking, home of Yodlefest, 4 national languages (French, Italian, German and Romansh), the founder of the Red Cross and the newest location of Duane's Google team. Such a country provides ample opportunities for learning, exploration and fun! So why not move there for a month? That's right! This fall Duane and I will be moving to Zurich for a short jaunt in center of Europe. My job is set to end as of October 1st and Duane is conveniently scheduled to work in Zurich for a month this fall. Fate? Aligned in the Stars? Destiny? Whatever you would like to call it, I am right there with you. Because of the AMAZING timing of the two events, we (more like I) thought this would be a great opportunity to travel around Europe and live in the wonderful city of Zurich together. What a wonderful experience to share with someone you love. More deets to come soon!

Goodness it has been a while since I have written. This will change! 2012 is looking like it will be jammed packed with adventure, planes, excitement and thrills. Hold on to your hats ladies and gents, its about to get crazy! First things first. You might be asking, "Sarah, where are you off to next?" Great question! As of tomorrow I will be "adult spring breaking" (that's what you call it when you are an "adult"), in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! So off I go to soak in some sun and teach these college kids about spring break!

I leave for Panama tomorrow! The wait flew by so quickly with the holidays consuming my thoughts and all of the duties that go along with them. I am so excited to land in 85 degree weather (goodbye cold rain and 50 degree averages) and get a little sun. Wooooo vitamin D! I will say, with all of the storms and cold fronts, it has been rather odd packing sun dresses, shorts, bikinis and sun screen. The flight plan is that I fly off to Miami at 9pm and from there land in Panama City at 1230pm on the 29th. There I will be welcomed by the beautiful Catherine, who just got finished spending Christmas in Columbia. I also now have a large tag along with me. When Catherine’s parents found out I was visiting their daughter they had a favor to ask me. Cat’s Dad is apart of a Catholic Italian heritage group, The Knights of Columbus, who raised money to donate a wheel chair to Cat’s cite, to help some of the elderly to move around. It was going to cost over $1,000 to ship it, but now it will be my ...

As I start to mental and physically prepare for this next trip I think about how lucky I am to have so many opportunities to travel and experience the world like I have. I've been all over Europe, Mexico, the United States and now off I go to Panama. Now this trip will be a little (actually a lot) different from all of the others, (ie there is no all inclusive resort, and well, its not Europe in any sense), but Im excited for the challenge and the reality check. Now I have been getting many questions as to my reason to go to Panama, for those of you who do not know, one of my wonderful best friends/ old roommates is in the Peace Corps down there, Miss Catherine Fabiano. Her assignment is working on environmental conservation with a Ngabe indigenous tribe in the Bocas Del Toro region, which is in the north eastern region bordering Costa Rica in the jungle. We have been talking about all of our plans and I am so excited! Its going to be one of the best New Years and birthdays ever! C...

I am sure you are asking your self, "But wait Sarah, haven't you only been back in the country for say a little over 2 months?". Why yes that is correct. One of my best friends, Cat, is doing the Peace Corps down in the jungles of Panama with a Ngabe indigenous tribe in the northern Chiriqui region. So as my quarter century birthday is approaching and happens to be right by New Years, I have decided to celebrate the round drinking on the beach in grass huts, probably surrounded by spiders, snakes and mosquitoes. AND I'M SO EXCITED! I just signed up at a clinic to get all 5 of the required shots (yes 5. that day is going to suck) and a prescription for my malria meds (which hopefully I don't trip out on, Ive heard some horror stories.) All I need to do is buy my tickets! Which will probably happen in the next week or two! Woo!

After 32 days in Europe, it unfortunatly is time for me to head back home to reality, ie looking for a job and attemping to start my new life as an "adult". Im not going to lie, Im not looking forward to ditching this Peter Pan-esk life style. I dont think grown-up is a good look for me. Just saying. Last night there was a ridiculous thunderstorm. Right outside my window is a massive construction crane and at some points I thought the lightning was going to hit it. I got some amazing pictures though. After getting all of my things together eariler today, I headed off to the English Gardens with Fabian to relax, swim, and enjoy the Isar river. It was so nice just sitting in the shade, reading and being apart of the local city scene... its all so bitter sweet when I know Ill be cramped into a plane for about 16 hours tomorrow. So my friends\family, by this time tomorrow my feet will be firmly planted on USA soil and I will be back. I look forward to seeing\talking to you soon!!...