thegypsygirl: February 2007

About Me

Location: San Francisco, Northern Cali

GYPSY: (noun) One inclined to a nomadic, unconventional way of life. The first time I traveled alone I was 4. My mom pinned a note to my dress then put me on a plane from Atlanta to L.A. to visit my dad for the summer. That must have marked the beginning of my insatiable wanderlust because I can't seem to get enough of running away from home. In the mean time, I've spent my life between a career in the media and years in the hospitality industry. My independence has kept me single but that's a part of life when your first love is travel. I've been robbed in Australia and slept on a park bench in Amsterdam, but at the end of the day, I was on the road and that's where I'm most at home.

Monday, February 26, 2007

First Big Test

I can't believe I am actually doing this, but I have decided to apply to be a Trip Leader for a company called Backroads, based right here in Berkeley. www.backroads.com

If chosen, I will be flown to Italy and France for training, which will begin in April. In just one week, I need to learn how to be a bike mechanic, brush up on my foreign language skills and make a presentation about something I have never done! AUGH! Anyway, I really don't have my hopes up, but I think it will just be a good idea to see how the process is done, meet other like-minded guides and travelers and practice! So, I have gone to the web to get my biking material and dug out my old language books to brush up on Italian, Spanish and French. I hope that if I do get the gig, I will be based in Italy, but I'll take any European city at this point! If this doesn't work out, I will still continue to work at the two "P's" and the other "P" and save and get to Italy in the Spring and then work the summer, hit the Burn for my birthday and then by this time next year be chasing my dreams and a flock of boys all around Europe!

Ciao!

Labels: Bike Touring at Point Reyes Station 2003

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Fast and Detox and Cleanse...Oh My!

After consuming enough beer in Europe to supply the entire Texas A & M Greek system for one year, I decided it was time for a detox. So I dusted off this photo to inspire me and remind me that I am much more attractive when I am not playing Homer Simpson's stunt double! This week, actually starting today, I am going on a liquid fast for about 4 days. This involves tons of water, vitamins, tea, juice and organic, low-sodium chicken broth and infinite discipline. I am allowing myself as much sleep as possible as well, and the only exercise will be my endless wandering around the two restaurants. After that, I am starting on proteins and vegetables, with some fruit, heavy grains and low fat dairy for the next few weeks. I am even going to give up beer! (Yes, I know and a comet will be smashing down upon earth any day...) However, it must be done. I feel like it's time to transform my body back to it's glory days so I can act like a 40 year old, but look...well, not like one. Wish me luck for I will need it by day three. Wish my roommate luck as she will have to put up with my moods. Wish the whole town of Danville luck for no matter what they do, they still have bad fashion sense. Wish Italy luck, for I will be knocking on it's door at the peak of my health and fitness craze and man, those boys are in for it! Ciao!