mission accomplished

boracay // beach hair // my life for the past 3 weeks

we are back, and I don't even know where to start. maybe my brain is still on island time. back-to-back beach vacations. two completely different experiences. I want to share everything. and at the same time continue doing little to nothing internet related. so, the what is likely to be dozens of posts about my recent travels to follow may be slow in coming, but I hope to give you more than just the guidebook version. [though you'll probably get that too.]

I intentionally left my cameras at home a few days, but I still have so. many. photos. including several series of beach/sunset where there are literally a hundred almost identical photos all completely gorgeous and I'm just lost for what to do with them all. but... I'd rather have too many photos than not enough.

these trips were very different from what I am used to in traveling, but I think I handled the experience well. I definitely overpacked. but still had space in my bag for some souvenirs and didn't go over luggage weight. I wore sunscreen every day. spf 30 sunscreen. [I really must be growing up if I'm taking skin protection seriously.] I packed gluten-free snacks which saved me from starving to death in airports. I filled 17 pages in my new journal and shot 2 packs of instant film. I drank out of coconuts and ate real bacon. I went out in public... without mascara.

but mostly, I tried not to overthink things. to enjoy the moment. to relax. and to just be open to whatever new experience or crazy adventure happened to show up that day.

mission accomplished.

currently [on the vine]

my first #vine video: hanging up instant photos from vacation.#instax #stopmotion vine.co/v/b1BVEEhMl25
— Jamie Walker (@jamiethewalker) January 31, 2013

obsessed with: the vine app. it's like instagram for video. on a 6 second loop. I'm already plotting a million little things to film, but above was my first attempt [the only way I could get the video to embed was by using the tweet] I just wish I would have had this for Thailand... but expect a few posts from the Philippines. currently only available for iPhone, but you can follow me @jamiethewalker or just search for Jamie Walker. warning though- it's addicting.

reading: The Hollows series by Kim Harrison. one of my best friends always gives me a book for Christmas, and this year she sent me the first in this series. it's paranormal/fantasy/mystery/suspense stuff, set in an alternate reality where many of the earth's humans were wiped out by a biochemical weapons experiment gone wrong. paranormal creatures [known as Inderlanders] such as witches, vampires, pixies, fairies, wereanimals and the like decided to come out of the closet after they realized they were immune to the virus [and now outnumbered the humans.] it's a really interesting premise, and a very well-constructed universe. also interesting plot and quick reading for beach/travel time.

watching: the layover. Anthony Bourdain can be a little abrasive for some people, but I like him. and just about every episode of this show I watch makes me want to visit the featured city. definitely check out the episode on Taipei... he goes to Din Tai Fung for soup dumplings [as seen here and here]. the episode on Philly is also incredible. and makes me miss Philly. and the food.

making me smile: being featured as a recommended read on skin & blister! this time of year I always get a lot of emails for permission to link up with my football cake pops post [which also makes me happy, and has gained this blog a few followers] but having someone recommend my personal blog gives me the warm fuzzies. be sure to check out Anna's blog if you are looking for some new reads!

waiting: for the car to come pick us up to head for the airport in about 15 minutes. we are going to be traveling overnight to get to the Philippines, including a 3 to 6am layover in the Manila airport. not really looking forward to that part of the trip, but it's going to be gorgeous once we get there.

["currently" post inspired by Danielle at Sometimes Sweet]