Ouch! It hurts my eyes a little to see my bank account after the traveling bug bites. I have already made it down to Monterrey, Mexico 3 times in my first 2 quarters at UCSD, but the flights from Tijuana are great deals, and I need the traveling high.
This all started years ago! I have been so lucky to have traveled to the places I have. Experiencing things and meeting people who have made me who I am.
I could write pages and pages on each place I've been, and have written quite a few, but never in an organized fashion all on one site. So I want to sum up my travels each with a few, well chosen, words:

Ensenada, Mexico: 2 mission trips with my church allowed me to love the huge difference in culture, the laid back Mexican feel, the food and the language.

Australia and New Zealand: I traveled with my parents, road tripping the south island of N.Z., had a little adventure, fell in love with travel photography, and wanted more.

Honduras, Belize, Mexico Cruise: My parents and my great friend went. Had a blast with my friend, met crazy people from the US and fell deeper for the Latin culture.

Acapulco, Taxco, Mexico City: EF Tours!!! Best part was that tons of friends went. Met some people who have become quite important to me and who I visit often in their home city Monterrey Mexico. Was able to experience inland Mexico and loved it still.

France (Toulouse): Worked here for the summer as an Au Pair. Met some great people on facebook and couchsurfing and was able to have a friend base in the city. Met people from Colombia, Spain, Chile, England, and a few French. Loved the metropolitan city, enjoyed getting to know the culture, but decided that it was not as different as I would prefer.

France (Cannes): First and favorite couch surfing experience. I stayed with the Count of Holland, a 41 year old guy, who also hosted 4 American guys and an Australian girl the same nights I was there. He was an amazing host and took us out to the best places. I needed the sun and the sand and Mediterranean water!

Paris weekend: Finally got to see my boyfriend from back home after 2 months in Toulouse! But just for a weekend! We explored, took tons of photos, and were enchanted by the romantic city.

London Weekend: Was able to hang out with my boyfriend and stay at his cousins place in the city. London is full of beautiful history, but it was SOOOO expensive. In London I actually meet up with 2 of the American guys I met in Cannes couchsurfing, and actually still keep in touch with them, since they are living in California near me.

Italy (Rome and Florence): My mom came to see me and we were able to travel to places neither of us had been. Rome was the most amazing city I have ever been too. You don't know "old" until you walk though that city and realize that the forefathers of the US and the civil war are not old but this city and its ruins are some of the oldest things from human history. I LOVED Rome, the culture, the rich history, and the food!

Greece (Mykonos, Paros, Sifnos): I Easycruised around the Greek islands with my mom. The Greeks were by far the best looking and nicest people I encountered in Europe. The islands were warm, welcoming, and beautiful. I met some great friends on the ship. And had a great time exploring the maze-like streets (which were actually used to confuse invading pirates)!

Greece (Athens): Athens was huge! I was worn out from the islands, but was still totally interested in the ancient history of the city. There were so many dogs hanging around all of the ancient ruins, but they were not the sick skinny ones like in Mexico, they were all healthy and just seemed to be protecting the city. It was cool!

Monterrey, Mexico: I stayed in contact with some of the people I met in Acapulco during spring break. They lived in Monterrey and when I moved to San Diego, it was a quick flight to go see them. The city far exceeded any expectations I had for a Mexican city, even after seeing Mexico City. Monterrey is one of my favorite cities in the world. The people were beautiful, every one was super nice and welcoming, the asadas were the best. I've been to Monterrey 3 times so far and am sad that I wont be able to go back again for a while.

Other places from before: Caribbean islands, Cayman islands, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Mazatlan (Mexico)

This is what has made me who I am. These travels, these peoples, these cultures. I am now majoring in International Studies Economics, Latin American Studies with a minor in History.

My favorite country of all is Mexico, but not the Mexico of spring breaks or border towns, but the real genuine culture and villages of Mexico.

In August I will be studying abroad and Buenos Aires and Bariloche, Argentina, and will make sure to keep up with my blog. I know the experience will be amazing and there is a huge chance that I will fall in love with the country and the culture and never want to leave, its what I live for.