the jitters.

It has become a tradition that I visit my father before every big journey- this of course is an accident because we aren't a traditional family. We have never been to Disney World (except maybe at a young age but I'm pretty sure my Dad was not there) his ideal vacation is to a city he has never been- vodka cran in hand while reading in the comfort of his hotel room. 

He leaves it up to me and my little brother to plan all the events- Tom has where we eat scheduled and I look into museum tours, must-sees and non touristy attractions (or so they say where the locals go) 

I have travelled. I am comfortable traveling and this is all thanks to my father. At the age of 14 he had me alone on a plane meeting him in Mexico.. to which my young self was absolutely fearless. Looking back now I could learn a lot from my fearless self. 

This week has been a small dose of what my life will be like for the next 6-weeks. (minus the whole language barrier thing) Although I am here to see my fazja he has to work and sleep because he works nights- my brother is at school- and I am left to entertain myself. 

My dad lives in Denton so I can walk pretty easily to a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, a book store, a bar, a theatre- all of which will be at walking distance (in most cities) when I go to Europe. I can run freely with out looking like a weirdo and there is a yoga studio near by if I wanted to partake. I am comfortable here. 

BUT OF COURSE I AM. 

I have been here so many times- I am comfortable coming into my dads quiet, quaint home with 70s music playing in the background. I am comfortable with the lack of food he has and how every time I come over I tell him he cannot live off Brie Cheese, Vodka Cran and a side of Wild Turkey Shots* 

I am comfortable waking up to Dozer (the dog) barking at an inanimate object (which of course I assume is a bugler OR some sort of paranormal figure ) I am comfortable forcing conversation with my now too-cool-for-school 16 year old brother who has a cynical, jaded view of the world. 

Next week- I feel like I will be uncomfortable waking up in a dorm like room full of strangers, I might be uncomfortable feeling like a foreigner or a tourist, I won't be comfortable showering near a bunch of strangers- being lost is the ultimate "uncomfortable"- BASICALLY NOTHING ABOUT MY JOURNEY WILL BE COMFORTABLE. 

but. isn't there that diagram with your comfort zone/where the magic happens? 

I guess I will test the limits of that diagram and let you know how it goes. 

---------------------

Final thoughts-

I leave in 4 days.

I am so FREAKING EXCITED!!! 

I am going to miss my favorite buddies so much- we have been attached to each other for over a year; I cannot wait to talk to them along they way though- they make me laugh/cry/die all in one phone call. They are watching my puppy and keeping my room while I am gone so they deserve love/ good karma and an honorable mention- I love you idiots. 

lets do this.

Cheers! 

Sierra 

*My Dad does not have a problem at all/ he has drinks but its not like a HE DRINKS and I cry kind of thing. I love him and he has been brutally honest about the dangers of traveling alone- but he supports me and celebrates my bravery- he is a good dad. 

 

How to pack the perfect personal bag carry-on for an international flight.

If you chose to check your luggage on an international flight it is helpful to have a personal carry on item with necessary essentials to make your flight more enjoyable. 

From Left to Right starting with the top row

Small Liquid Bag:
Antibacterial Liquid
LUSH 9-5 Face Cleansing Lotion- this lotion is perfect because you do not have to use water to clean off the soap- all you do is put the lotion on & wipe it off with tissue; it leaves your face feeling fresh.
Face Moisturizer

I put my passport, eurail pass, ID and credit card all in a pack together in my carry on bag that way it is organized and close to me at all times.

Ipad for book reading and internet browsing

Ibuprofen & Melatonin in the walgreens pac. The Melatonin will help be go to sleep at an appropriate hour to avoid getting jet lag.

Luggage locks for my separate luggage

BOTTOM ROW:

Empty Water bottle- I can fill this up before boarding the plane and anywhere I can traveling
Packable Pillow case- I can pack this pillow with the jacket I am wearing and have a perfect little pillow

Extra clothes- I used a gallon ziplock bag to put in a tshirt, sports bra and nike leggings. You can compress the ziplock bag to be pretty flat. An extra outfit is helpful JUST in case your luggage gets lost or you have an extra long day and you just want to change!


Safe Travels!

Cheers!
Sierra

6 weeks in Europe packing tips

I could not tell you how many items on Pinterest I have pinned about packing for travel. I have dug deep into the heart of internet packing guides and I hopefully have gained a sufficient amount of packing knowledge to make my 6 week trip enjoyable.

So here is my guide;

The backpack I chose is an eBag TLS Lode  I bought it off Amazon. I liked this bag because it meets airline carry-on standards and it converts from a backpack to a duffle bag. Although I will only be using the bag as a backpack, I like that it organizes like a standard suitcase.

               

My goal for clothing was to only pack 13 clothing items that I wear from day to day. (this does not include sleep wear/workout outfit/rain jacket)

 I was able to keep my outfits on a color scheme and then I can mix and match- this will be another post entirely.

Along with my backpack I also purchased 3 packing cubes.  

I purchased the medium sized ones and I promise they work wonders!

 I recommend getting these packing cubes because they make packing more organized.

                

I was able to fit all of my clothing items into 3 medium packing cubes. My suggestions is to roll your clothing and make it as little as possible. It really is amazing how much one packing cube can fit.

              

In each packing cube I rolled my clothing to the smallest I could get it. I also tried to keep the cubes relatively organized- in the picture above I placed my sleeping/running clothes and my microfiber towel. I got this towel because it is easy to pack, it is super absorbent and in most hostels you have to pay for a towel.

         

         

                 After packing all the cubes they ended up fitting perfectly in the base of my backpack 

         

Next I decided to use cosmetic bags that I already owned and one I bought from target for electronics,  toiletries & makeup.

This is my electronic bag- it contains 

1. small flashlight- I know it looks tiny.. is it but the light is extremely strong.

2. Camera and batteries- I am taking a really inexpensive camera I know that I want to take pictures to remember my trip but I feel more comfortable asking someone to take my picture with this camera as opposed to my iPhone.

3. Eye mask and ear plugs- I am staying in hostels this means I will be sharing a room with 10 or more people- the eye mask and ear plugs will help me get sleep when I need it without disturbances. 

4. Universal Plug in- other countries have different types of plug ins- I need this adapter to charge my phone and iPad along the way. 

5. NOT PICTURED- Iphone/Ipad Charger

In my backpack I packed a medium sized toiletry bag- I got it from Target- the bag has two sides and a middle pouch to put misc. items in.  I will not get into all the obvious toiletry items but I would like to share some of the items I packed because I think they will help my travels. First of all I did not pack any liquids in the back. I am carrying the backpack on the plane but any liquids I take will be in my personal bag so when I go through security I can just grab my little ziploc and get going. 

In this bag 

1. Lotion bar from LUSH- all you have to do is warm the bar with your hands and it turns into lotion. I like this bar because it is easy to travel with and smells great! 

2.  LUSH no drought dry shampoo- this product will be helpful to keep my hair feeling clean 

3.  LUSH Shampoo and Conditioner Bar - these bars last for up to 85 washes- all you do is wet your hands, lather up the bar and put it on your hair. They smell great and leave my whole bag smelling wonderful. I can also use the shampoo bar to wash my clothing in hostel sinks. 

4. Face Wipes

5. Q-tips, Deodorant &Baby Powder 

Other helpful items

Ziplock bags - you can use them like compression bags and also for organization along the way.

Put socks or things inside your shoes 

luggage locks to lock your backpack

shower shoes for hostels 

headphones 

copies of your passport and I.D. 

I hope this helps! Safe Travels! 

Cheers! 

Sierra 

Friday Letter

Dear "back to school", you really suck ass, you are taking my favorite humans away from me and you are constantly reminding me that I am not going back with them.

Dear Pretty Little Liars, you are blowing my mind and I am pissed about it- I just can't quit you. 

Me after this weeks episode. 

Dear Robin Williams, thank you  for having the courage to share your talent with the world- the genie's comedy stole my very young heart- thank for for igniting a fire in all of us.

Dear PS I love you, why are you setting me up for a flawed expectation of love. 

Dear roommates all I have to say is 

Why am I traveling solo?

There have been a lot of concerns from loved ones and even strangers as to why I would chose to travel alone- "ITS SO DANGEROUS" "Have you seen taken?"


Honestly, I am terrified and I know that the world can be a scary place but I also know that I am smart and that people are generally kind.

So here are some good reasons I chose to travel alone & hopefully I will not be disappointed.

>> simply put- if I waited for someone to go with me I would probably be waiting for a very long time.

FREEDOM
My whole entire trip is completely up to me- If want to spend the day going from a theatre to an art museum to a nap to a park to a pub crawl to a bakery to another nap to my 5th crepe stand visit- I CAN.  No one's schedule but my own and there is an extreme excitement behind that.

CONFIDENCE
This trip will force me to immediately open up to people and strange situations. I will have to find my way around; I will have to figure out trains and directions- all which terrify me. (sweating thinking about it right now)

ENCOURAGEMENT 
My Dad, My Mom & My Sister - people who have known me forever - who have seen me in stressful situations; who have literally raised me to be the lady I am- they are all encouraging and they really believe in me. I could not do it with out them- its neat- they got my back.

TO LEARN
I have already learned so much about the world just by the research I have done- I cannot wait to learn more & see more.

TO MEET PEOPLE 
Working at a hotel has taught me that travelers- big or small adventurers- always want to talk and usually they are just as interested in you as you are in them!


I am choosing to travel alone because I want a trip that is on my own terms; I want a trip that makes me become my own best friend; I want a trip that opens my eyes about how strong and smart I can be;  I want to appreciate the little things and the big thing for as long as my heart desires; I want to appreciate myself for how truly courageous I can be.

So yes, I've seen Taken and my dad is no Liam Neeson; but my roommates already told me that if anything happens my kidnapper will probably bring me back in 10 mins top. 

Cheers!
Sierra

Liebster Award! (doing it, right this time)

I am so excited because Autumn over at Nothing But Autumn  nominated me for a Liebster Award. Now a few months ago Katie at Style and Things  nominated me for this award but I didn't really understand what it was nor did I follow the instructions correctly- so here I am getting another chance! 

Here is the actual run down of the award- also you can check out my Liebster fail here.

 The Liebster Award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers in order to get them more noticed and give them recognition!  

        You have to say 11 things about yourself, then answer 11 questions the person who      nominated you gave, then nominate 11 more people and give them 11 more questions to    pass along! 

11 FACTS

>>  I am left handed- in weird groups that are meeting for the first time I always use that one; and then all the leftys give me a subtle nod. 

>> One of my life goals was to see Kristen Wiig in person and I not only got to see her last summer BUT I got to see her perform & I got to intern at The Groundlings Theatre which is where the lovely lady herself started her comedy game. 

>> Anyone who has a dog is going to say this but I really do love my dog. Sometimes I read articles like this one and I get really sad about leaving him for long periods of time

>> I want to move to Chicago someday 

>> I really really love dark chocolate 

>> My blog title actually reflects my life right now- literally Running Wild at all times 

>> I am pretty clumsy and I have an awful singing voice- yet I majored in Theatre- hash tag notatriplethreat 

>>  my current home is the homiest home I have had since leaving my moms home- I think it is the special men I live with but I am so glad we have a home (how many times can I say home..home) 

>> If I was a food- I'd want to be hummus- who doesn't love hummus?

>> I always over romanticize Carnivals or State Fairs, I think they would be such a cute date but really after the heat and all the fried food a date would probably be miserable. 

>>  I want to have an office job where I have to wear cute professional clothes and be identified as a young professional at some point (and probably a short point) in my life. 

Questions from Autumn 

Stripes or Polka Dots? 

I really love stripes; sometimes I have to refrain from buying striped items. 

Signature Starbucks drink?

Currently: Iced Coffee with sugar free hazelnut and soy milk- but most of the time black with a splash of soy (boring)

What’s your best feature, in your opinion? (Self love, y’all)

I think my best feature is my legs- they are strong and get me through some strenuous workouts 

If you could live in another era, which era would you choose? I will also require an explanation…

I am going to pick the 20s- I have recently read a lot of Fitzgerald inspired books (Thanks for the recommendations +Kelsey Fisher)  I think it would be such an interesting time to be involved in  the artistic side of the era.  

Who inspires you?

Power house female comedians; Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Lena Dunham- just waltzing in and taking comedy to a new level.  

Describe your perfect day

My perfect day would be spent with no time deadlines. No places to be. I would wake up and spend the day with my roommates doing nothing but being weirdos together also we would go to a cute coffee shop and love each other 

Favorite way to relax and de-stress?

YOGA and I am so happy that I have figured that out.. judge away. 

Describe one quirk about yourself.

 I have a  weird, under breath laugh that can fill any awkward silences just making the situation even more uncomfortable.  

What was your childhood dream?

It was to be an actress/dolphin trainer/playwright/princess- and to beat my brother in a game of checkers or dot to dot OR ANY GAME EVER! 

What is your mantra/favorite quote?

All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them- Walt Disney

Bitches get shit done- Tina Fey  

What’s one item off your bucket list?

Go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. 

My Questions

1. If you had to chance to be on any reality show which show would it be and why? 

2. If you owned a small business what would it be?

3. As a child which cartoon character did you wish you could be?

4. What has changed most about you were in since high school.. it could be dreams, style, hair color ect...

5. What is your favorite scent?

6. If you could take a celebrity in a fantasy suite who would it be?

7. Salty or Sweet?

8. What is your dream job?

9. What is your favorite city?

10. A picture that always makes you laugh.

11. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

My Perfect Nominees:

Kelly @ The Little Things
Vee @ I Write About You
Kathleen @Life With Red
Kerri @ Hey Kerri Blog
Casi @ Moore Sprinkles Please
Kristy @ Classy Kristy
Sarah @ Life of Love 
Katherine @ Thats for me to know
Ashley @ Love and The Light Houses
Ashleigh @ This Life of Mine 
Kate @ They Call Me Kate

Please comment if you participate, I'd love to read everyone's post!!!

Cheers!!