 Happy Almost New Year! Do you have BIG PARTY Plans? I sure do.. I'm going to spend the afternoon/night on the telephone with my husband who is ill with a nasty cold in another country. I plan on a fun filled night of crying and listening to him blowing his nose. #GoodTimes #PARTYDOWN #LifeOnTheEdge But all joking aside, in America we usually ring in the New Year with family and friends in low key private parties. A few people travel to big over-priced events, or spend the evening in Poker games, at dances or clubbing, but most of us just snuggle in and spend it with friends, rich food and too much booze.  The following day is all about snoozing and watching TV marathons or calling your friends you didn't see at the party and listening to them cry. Exciting as Hell, isn't it?  Don't get me wrong, there are fireworks and big parties, too. But as one of friends likes to say, "It's a night of amateur drunk drivers." so even though some cab companies offer free rides, lots of people are involved in accidents. Smart people book hotel packages or just sleep over for the weekend (read pass out) at house parties.  Whatever you do, I hope you have a great time.
Happy New Year from us to you!   Sadly this is NOT a river tubing post. I went to a work meeting in San Marcos, Texas recently. (And if you know me, you know now that I stopped drinking and I stopped doing silly things like river tubing!) But that aside, I have not been to San Marcos in quite awhile. (Moved to Europe and all that...) I did a proper blog post here of a Picnic and here of some random shopping, but that was years ago. #Recycle "San Marcos is home to Texas State University and the Aquarena Center. Archeologists have found evidence at the San Marcos River associated with the Clovis culture, which suggests that the river has been the site of human habitation for more than 10,000 years. The headwaters of the cool, clear river are the San Marcos Springs, fed by the Edwards Aquifer. The San Marcos Springs are the third largest collection of springs in Texas. Never in recorded history has the river run dry." Wiki Links left intact if you want to read more. If not skip on down to random ass randomness.  Along the way in Luling.  Birds on a wire~ As you can see, it was a gray, overcast day - but pleasant enough. There were tons of birds, just sitting around. More about Lulling here. It's an older post, but the town doesn't change that much. Now on to San Marcos:  All the important stuff.  Town/Uni proper- San Marcos is an odd place. It feels like a pretty, small town, but with the university it is over run with people. Parking and traffic are a nightmare also. Partly its because of all the "new drivers" college kids who have never driven anywhere are now rushing around to class and the outlet mall. Did I mention the outlet mall? It's fricken HUGE.  "There are actually 2 outlet malls. Combined, the two adjacent malls have more than 350 stores,[1][2] and an excess of 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2).[3] During peak seasons, shoppers at the malls can reach numbers that effectively triple the population of San Marcos.[4] The outlet malls in San Marcos are one of the top tourist attractions in the state.[4] The outlet malls combined are one of the top employers of San Marcos, and are the top employers of students of nearby Texas State University.[1]" -WIKI Read about some of my shopping adventures here from other posts. Today was about work, I didn't even have enough time to go out for lunch! I thankful to be working, but this month has really seen me slammed, no rest for the wicked and all that. Our meeting was held at the library ~ since everyone else was at the mall.  As I said, traffic is always bad in San Marcos. We were lucky to find a parking spot.  A sea of leaves. It must be fall here.  Excuse to use my new computer bag. Another #MerryChristmas to me purchase. #Fail  Inside the library -  Christmas tree at Southwest.  Is it winter yet? Nope, not yet still fall. The library was busy and had excellent wifi - but I think it was on a timer..because a couple of hours in we were all thrown off and had to restart our presentations/connections/projects. But we did mange to accomplish a lot during our time there.  Chauffeured, lol. :D   And we are on the road again. I had another meeting, via Skype, that evening so had to get back home and prepare. #Boring as HELL, I know. But go read my other posts on San Marcos if you need to see the city. We did slow down on the drive back. The sunset was amazing...  This was a really nice private gate we passed on the road going in to San Marcos. It was really landscaped lovely and the sitting sun really showed it off. No filter or edits on these sunset pictures...   Pardon if this is your driveway. We were just admiring the sky.  Pictures do not do the sunset justice. It was breathtaking!
I actually took about a million pictures during this adventure, but don't have time to edit work stuff out. Sadly another blogging #FAIL :( My goal is to get all the old posts uploaded before the end of the year, "out with the old" and all that crap - so expect a full on assault of random randomness ahead. I seem to be the queen of drafts, lately. Is that happening to you too? Most of my friends are reporting the same...Must be astrological. Catch you later-  I survived one round of holiday get togethers and my friends attempts at vegan treats...(It was a nice thought) ~ Now on to the next adventure!
See you at the airport-  Soon I have been suffering from a most severe case of Wanderlust lately. *Whines to anyone that will listen, "I never go anywhere." Sob ~ Sob ~ Sob There are so many good travel deals currently passing through my mail box and don't even get me started on cruise specials! OMG! I feel like just picking a direction and leaving today. Did I mention my bag is already packed? Have luggage and passport, what else do you need? Oh right, time off from work! 2016 was the year I had planned to go to Asia, but that's all up in the air right now. Who knows where I will be by this time next year? :( #MightSettle4Vegas So where are you going in 2016? Do you have a "bucket list" goal coming up or is it just time to splurge and take a real vacation for a change? I don't have a bucket list, but I do have a few places I seem to miss when I travel, so maybe 2016 will be the year to finally visit them. IDK. maybe I should just shut up crying and go back to France and just stay there?  I always seem the happiest in France. What about you? What's the number one place on your "must visit list" or do you have a spot that just make you super happy to visit?
See you at the airport-  *Warning Picture Heavy Post* It's Almost Christmas and I still feel rather like the "Grinch". I'm not proud of it, but it's a fact. Shopping was a disaster this year. I bought a truck load of stuff for me before Black Friday and it all arrived super fast and was awesome...Stuff I bought for other people is still missing. Packages are late at best, lost at worst. So that means I had to go and BUY yet MORE to replace what was missing and also be creative, just on the off hand chance the pervious orders do show up. I actually cannot remember the last time I was this unorganized. But oh, yeah...I didn't live in 2 different countries at the same time either. So thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it. So behold random Christmas time glitter and tinsel ~  I'm still experimenting with the new iPhone..but low light clarity is amazing!  Antique Ornaments - loved these as a child.   My mothers Christmas tree. It's rather special because it is the culmination of everyones childhood crafted ornaments all together in one place. I usually put up 4-5 trees at my house. One very much like this - with crafted childhood ornaments, plus one color coordinated, one themed tree, and one mini tree in Nola colors (Gold, Green and Purple!) and one tasteful tree. This year I did nothing. #FAIL No Christmas trees, no decorations, no baking (Ms Raw Vegan eats what she doesn't bake so no treats for anyone) and mostly missing gifts. Yes, this year sucks ass. :(  Except I did repot and dress up the Pine tree. That sorta counts, right?  I am constantly amazed at the random Texas junk at the markets. Most people do not decorate "Texas Western" but a few people do. I shutter to think what Buc-ee's has in stock. #OvertheTOP I'm sure! I'd go just to take pictures, but its almost Christmas and I'm sure its a total mad house of people buying last minute Deer Feeders and BBQ pits. (Oddest gas station in the world!) Speaking of odd.. A popular gift here for Christmas is a succulent plant know as 'Christmas Cactus'. It's very pretty and easy to grow.  Christmas Cactus  Ho Ho Ho -  Feeling the love from Mail Chimp - nifty socks :D  One of Vanessa's Christmas trees. :D  Tree at Southwest University Library in San Marcos, Texas. (Handmade paper ornaments - very crafty.)  Weird Texas Winter Weather - either extreme fog or extreme UV.  Dazzling Blue sky.  Hubby surprised me with Christmas flowers.  :D I'm so busy with work that I haven't been posting much. I do apologize - I hope to do better. Also I'm attempting a "year end" post with a travel time line, but its just depressing me. I'm ready to go again you see, but still do not have major problems resolved so here I sit. And there is work. I feel like all I'm doing now a days is work, work and more work. #2Stressed So now I'm walking, doing daily Yoga and meditating in an attempt to (not blog) relax more. Don't I sound calmer? lol  I hope you have a good one and a happy New Year!
See you at the airport-  So are you ready for Christmas? If you are not then stop here, this is yet More random Christmas stuff. I seem to either be working all the time or spending all my waking hours buying food...Texas is so much fun! Right? #Fail  Christmas candy does not count as food... Meanwhile at HEB.. The prayer candles seem to be selling good.  We are on the count down to Christmas and my overseas orders have not arrived yet. I did not bring Christmas gifts, when I crossed the pond last time, because I did not think I would be here this long nor did I remember that Christmas was coming. #TrueStory Amazon shows the items have shipped, but just NOT where they are currently. I just know they are not under the fucking tree! So much for a #NoStress Christmas. Hence another quick trip to the store to see if anything would be appropriate to substitute for tasteless English goodies. Most of my family doesn't want prayer candles though or bags of candy, well some do....so maybe Christmas can be saved after all. And sadly, I have no weather to report... I'm sure you are disappointed. I've been uber busy planning my next trip and don't even know if it is raining or not. Wanderlust trumps weather always~ Gotta start packing...  Catch you later-  I cannot believe how warm it is in Texas right now! It is by far, warmer here than the average day in Summer in Northwestern England! #WTF?! My body is so confused on the seasons now! Everyone out shopping is complaining about the weather - "It's too warm for Christmas." or "This weather doesn't feel like the holidays." I'm like shut the HELL up! I just returned from a summer of wearing a coat every time I left the house! For Christ sake let me enjoy this, we all know it's not going to last. But with the weather so so so crazy right now, the plants think its spring too. Which is also nice.  Bright flowers and big dramatic blue skies. :D  I have plans to finish up my holiday shopping - but I just want to be outside! I cannot believe that I am so late! I'm never this late. Amazon to the recuse, thank goodness! Now I can go out to the park and play.  And Have you seen all the travel sales? I'm racing to jump on them now! Wanderlust has really taken hold of my soul lately. #Don'tMakeMeStayAtHome #Packing
See you at the airport-  Be a Plant Nanny Ok, I confess I drink more water than anyone I know. I also feel uber good compared to the rest of my idiot friends. Do you think the two could be related? * _____ *
Anyway, I found this app while looking for a decent yoga app and couldn't resit it. I downloaded it (it was free) not to remind me to drink more water, but because the baby plants you grow are so freaking cute! It's Plant Nanny, if you need a reminder to drink more or a cute baby plant on your phone.  Make your own rules - and embrace your freedom.
Life your life the way you want, because at the end of the day the only person that is stopping you is you. See you at the airport- |
Author Welcome to my (I'm excited to travel again) blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Visit the "About Me Page" to learn more. 
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