San Diego

Recently, I was fortunate enough to have been sent to San Diego for a training conference for my job. I love travelling and have a continual zeal to explore new places, so I was pretty excited to go and arranged to fly out early and even take off a day of work to explore and get to know ‘America’s Finest City’ a little bit.

I flew out on a Friday after work and was able to have free time until my conference started on Tuesday. Arriving exhausted, I picked up my car for the weekend, went to check-in at my hotel, and instantly became energized about being in a new and energetic city. I got in the car and drove to the neighborhood of Hillcrest. A lady from my office grew up in San Diego, and she told me this would be a great place for me to go given its culture, nightlife, and shops. While out for a beer (or two) that night, I wound up meeting a few people that I wound up spending some extra time with during my trip; but that’s a separate blog entry.

Saturday was a little dreary, but it wound up being a gorgeous day. My close friend and her fiancée from Orange County were down for an anniversary party in northern San Diego County, so we started the day off meeting up. We drove up to Pacific Beach enjoyed the beach a little bit. With advice from my cousin (and maybe copying her—A LOT) we walked the boardwalk, watched the surfers from Crystal Pier, and ate a late lunch at the awesome PB Shore Club.

 (Trying to copy my cuz on Crystal Pier)

(Surfers in Pacific Beach) 

After lunch we drove over to Old Town Historic Park which is supposedly the earliest part of San Diego. This area was neat to see with historic buildings and a genuine effort to feel the history, but ultimately reminds me of Colonial Williamsburg with automobiles driving around and nothing but restaurants. Soon after we headed out, tired after walking and decided to call it a day. My friends headed back to Orange County and I went to dinner and out to Hillcrest (again) for a drink or two and some dancing.

 (Old Town, San Diego)

Sunday I woke up to a misty morning with the anticipation of heavy showers for the day, which being my luck does not happen frequently in Southern California, so I decided to drive to see my friend up in Orange County and where she lives. I took my time getting up there, driving along the Pacific Highway visiting La Jolla which has a gorgeous beach front park, a bay of seals, and a different feel than the rest of San Diego. I continued up the Pacific Highway along the ocean and eventually got on the freeway and headed to Orange County. Once I arrived, my friend and I didn’t do much but lounge around, talking about life, her wedding, watching movies and just enjoying our friendship. We went out to dinner at an amazing restaurant ‘Yard House’ for what turned into a little birthday celebration for me.

 (Sealsbay in La Jolla, San Diego)

 (Birthday dinner at Yard House)

Monday was my last day of freedom in Southern California before my conference and I decided to go for a hike. I went up to Black’s Beach, north of La Jolla, which is a notorious nude beach, but also one of the most beautiful beaches I have been to. I intentionally saved this for a Monday with hopes to avoid any nudists, thinking they all work on Mondays. The hike was quiet a chore, but well worth it. Once I reached the bottom, I spent a couple hours just sitting on the beach enjoying the sound of the ocean, enjoying the sun, and just soaking in the beautiful setting.  

(View on the hike to Black's Beach)

After my hike, my coworker arrived and I turned in my car and much of the exploring of larger San Diego ceased. We spent the rest of our days in the Gaslamp Quarter for our conference, exploring the restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The Gaslamp is a cool area and very different from the rest of San Diego. It is oriented for the many people that come to San Diego for conferences and for dining out, but with a few historic jewels sprinkled throughout (old houses, warehouses converted into shops, restaurants, nightlife, or hotels).

  

(San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter)

 (San Diego Convention Center)

It was a good trip. I love being in a city that has many neighborhoods to explore with different vibes to each of them. I met a few people, learned a lot about a new city, worked, ate amazing food, and thought about a little more of where I want to go with my life, which is after all an non-stop adventure. 

(California Sunset)

It's On Repeat

Since I've returned from the Netherlands, I've had an insatiable taste for Dutch music.

My cousin posted this on Facebook and I've had it on repeat.

The track is sort of tranquil with a nice blend of beat and vocals. The video has some nice shots too.

San Diego Snippets

This week I have been at a conference for work in San Diego. I flew out early for a little vacation and wanted to share some of the sights...

(Mission Beach Park)

(Gaslamp Quarter)

 (Black's Beach)

I've had blast exploring all the neighborhoods and enjoying Southern California. Will share more details and thoughts soon!

Restlessness

Since my trip to the Netherlands, I have been thinking about where I am at in life a lot. Life in the Netherlands is so much different than it is here in Kentucky; to me it may even be a bit glorified. Being in the development realm and having a passion for Urban Planning, I think about densities and transportation a lot, so naturally any European country would be superior to the American South. But my mind wanders about lot more since this past trip. 

(Dutch and European Union Flag)

I find myself thinking about the sense of culture, the attitudes of the Dutch (be it cultural acceptance, daily customs, etc), and even the food supply. The Dutch are for the most part, very laid-back and lackadaisical about being different. Women/men, black/white, gay/straight, whatever it is, people are people; each one an individual. It's very refreshing to be there and having people exist alongside each other rather than judge or isolate. Even something as simple as daily tea makes me feel that life is simpler there. That being said, I realize every culture and practice has some issues that come along with it. I was on vacation there, but it is still a large part of my upbringing and who I am, so it is very intriguing to me.

Aside from romanticizing about the Netherlands and Dutch culture, I have felt a little restless here at home in Kentucky. I rarely sit still and have spent a weekend in the Red River Gorge and one in Louisville, but still feel a little restless. The feeling is similar to that of being stuck but not completely. I have a lot of freedom in my life; being a bachelor, having a nice apartment, a robust career in my early-twenties, and the privilege to travel about the world but I also feel like I am limited in my opportunities here in Kentucky.


I have talked with a few close friends that apparently feel very similar and I wonder if it may just be a part of life for people in their early- to mid-twenties. I know one thing is that I feel like I want more. Not more in terms of materials, but more opportunities. The problem I am having is identifying those opportunities. Better entertainment? A more ambitious job? More adventure? More education? More time with family? Whatever it is, I know I am not going to figure out anytime soon. It is something that I am going to have to reflect on, test out, and feel through. 


In the meantime, the dynamic adventure of life continues on. I am heading to California for a conference for work next week and have taken some extra time off to explore. I will be sure to share tons of pictures. 

Louisville in a Different Light

About a week ago I went to Louisville for the weekend. I stayed in Old Louisville, close to downtown and the University of Louisville campus.

Every time I go to Louisville in my free time, I see it in a different light. Each area is completely different from another and has a different feel to it. As a result, every time I go I leave feeling different about the city.

(Houses in Old Louisville)

(Row houses in Old Louisville)

I cannot say I left "loving" or "hating" Louisville because this last trip was strange. I spent the weekend meeting new people, trying new things, and being out of my comfort zone, but even a short time later I think I grew as a result of it. A mere nine days later I have a little bit of a different perspective about the life I have built for myself, my relationships (acquaintances, friendships, dating, etc), what I want out of life, and even self-reflection for how I evaluate (virtually) everything.

Sometimes it is nice to have that self perspective smack you in the face without even wanting it. It makes you appreciate yourself for what you are and all you've accomplished; it even helps you to relax a little and let things happen as they may.

Red River Gorge

Two weeks ago a few friends and I spent the weekend in a cabin in the Red River Gorge. Kentucky is a very diverse state in terms of its terrain, from the Appalachian Mountains to the plains of the Mississippi Valley, making it fun to explore the vast differences. The cabin was perfect, set down in a hollow (or holler) at the end of a gravel road. 

(Cabin at the end of the road)

This weekend was a change of pace to the fast travel I usually partake in. We cooked every meal in the house which included barbecue pork, roasted potatoes, homemade fried chicken, mac-n-cheese, and so much more. Cooking with friends is always a blast and this was no different; it even included a mouse crawling out of the kitchen!  In addition to eating way too much, we spent a lot of time in the hot tub just talking, telling stories, and laughing. 

(View from the hot tub)

We hiked a little too, but spent most of the weekend in the cabin. I have been through a lot with these friends and a lot is in store with a wedding and possibly buying a house. It was nice to pause a little, out of our Lexington home, and reconnect as close friends.