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Wednesday, March 8, 2017

TRAVEL DIARY: DESTINATION DENVER | CHAPTER 1 - FACING REALITY


HAPPY MID-WEEK, EVERYONE!

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL HAVING A LOVELY AND PRODUCTIVE WEEK SO FAR.

I'M BACK WITH AN ADDITION TO MY TRAVEL DIARY SERIES. in it, INSTEAD OF SHARING A TRIP WITH YOU, I WILL BE DOCUMENTING MY UPCOMING MOVE to COLORADO IN A SUB-SERIES OF TRAVEL DIARY POSTS TITLED DESTINATION DENVER.

THEY WILL EXPLORE MY THOUGHTS, ANXIETIES AND EXCITEMENTS, AS WELL AS affordable MOVING TIPS, apartment hunting AND PICTURES OF THE PROCESS - BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER.

these posts will include THE FUN AND UNEXPECTED MOMENTS, AS WELL AS THE SURE TO BE MISHAPS ALONG THE WAY. ALL IN HOPES OF LANDING ON MY FEET.

I HOPE YOU'LL CHOOSE TO JOIN ME AND SEE WHAT AWAITS or at least enjoy the pictures and perhaps gain bits of inspiration! ❤

DRESS: FOREVER 21

⤷ just me twirling about, like Julie Andrews in "The Sound of Music."

location: Aspen, Colorado - SUMMER 2016

necklace: TJ MAXX


chapter 1   |   facing reality



It looks as though a new adventure is upon me and a move to Colorado is on the horizon. After spending the summer in Aspen with family the state left its mark, and as much as I'd love to live in Aspen, the Mile High City of Denver appears to be the best, most logical, next step.

This is a true leap, as I only know a handful of people in the area, similar to my situation before moving to Los Angeles after college. Yet, I know what my heart is looking for in this life, though it has yet to find me, and it makes sense to expand my blog and business in a more affordable area.

Truth be told, I’ve always been a "big city" girl, having lived in London, Adu Dhabi, Los Angeles and New York City. In fact, I left a huge part of my heart in NYC after my last 3 years living there for the 2nd time.

Honestly, if I could afford to continue following my creative passion and growing my business on my own from there, I’d move back to Manhattan in a heartbeat. I know the city so well, from transportation to areas and restaurants, don't need a car, and have my closest childhood friends nearby.

Speaking of, they are the very friends I’m still not sure I’m going to be able to cope with not being near in my new chapter.  Yet, I also know I'll be able to set more money aside to visit a few times a year.

That said, each of them, and pretty much every other good friend I have, and have had in life, is now engaged or married with families of their own. My parents are selling my childhood home and moving to Arizona, and both my sisters have been married with kids and on their own path for years now.

Each of these factors has contributed to my thoroughly researching places that might be best suited for me, myself and I in my current situation. At my age, I feel I need to be smarter about it all, and a move to good size, but smaller, city might be the right thing at this stage of my life. 

As a single gal in my mid-late 30's, even if most everyone guesses I’m about 25, reality sets in a little harder. You have to plan accordingly, keep your head up, believe things happen for a reason and try to find your way and place - no matter how long that journey may take.  I thank my lucky stars, daily, that I have the incredible support of my family to help me through.

So, as things unfold, I plan to document them here in my Travel Diary series titled Destination Denver. This feature also creates the perfect writing outlet for me to express myself and get some of my inner feelings out.

For now, I’ll end chapter 1 with a little inspiration from my fortune cookie last night. It is rather relatable and quite fitting on a few fronts.

"A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor." 



Ultimately, we must ride out the rougher, sometimes unclear, path and direction in order to find our way, reach our true potential and discover lasting happiness in life - at least that's what I'm hoping. 

Until next time . . . 

11 comments :

  1. I always admire your mature and realistic approach when it comes to making big decisions. It goes without saying how beautiful and talented you are but I hope you know how brave you are as well. As always I'm so proud of you and pray that this next chapter in your life meet you with lots of new and unexpected blessings. I like the part about visiting often! Love you! ❤️✈️��✨

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    1. What a lovely and super sweet comment, Joy, thank you so much! :) You really have been an incredible support and your words mean more than you know...I'm sending the biggest hug your way! Love you and looking forward to a fun girl's night soon! XOXO

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  2. Cheers, my friend, as you head off in search of both adventure and a place to settle in! I know all too well the feelings of displacement, discouragement, and dissatisfaction...and I hope planting your roots in your new home will finally quell some of those for you.
    Wishing you all the best as the process begins!

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    1. Cheers to you, Leanna, thank you so much! <3 You truly do leave the most incredible messages, always, and I think you and I are more alike than we might know. I'm sending the same wishes to you and will definitely keep you posted and plan to see you before I leave. You and J-Bug are welcome once I do move anytime as well! BIG hugs!!! XOXO

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  3. Liesl, I wish you all the best in this exciting new chapter! In the years I've known you, from the beginning of our friendship on the stage to a reliable Facebook friend, I've always admired your genuine kindness, fun personality, positive outlook on life, and dedicated work ethic. No matter what life has thrown your way, you have persevered with grace and style. Denver is lucky to have you! Thank you for sharing your story. I look forward to hearing about what happens next!

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    1. I can honestly say that your comment, Chemagne, truly made my day, month and possibly year so far, thank you! :) I don't think I can fully express how much what you wrote, along with you stopping by and reading my post and taking time to leave such a nice comment means to me. I always look back on our time together in the theatre, especially, doing "The Crucible," and smile. You have always been a positive ray of sunshine, genuine, kind person and friend and your support over the years, from afar via Facebook, means the world. I'm sending endless support and hugs to you and your adorable family and look forward to catching up in person one day. Please let me know if you are ever out in CO, but I will keep you posted here as well in the meantime. XOXO

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  4. How exciting! Praying for a smooth transition. Can't wait to see how the story unfolds.

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    1. How sweet of you, Charity, thank you so, so much! I hope you and your beautiful family are doing well! :)

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  5. You are on your own path...our marital status or if we have children does not define who we are or the effect we have on the world. Do not let who you think you should be get in the way of who you are meant to be. All the best wishes for you as you move onto this next adventure. Love, Stacy

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    1. Thank you SO much, Stacy, that means a lot to me and I truly appreciate your sweet words! Sending endless hugs your way!!! XOXO

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  6. Liesl, your twirling Julie Andrews a la Sound of Music photo is wonderdul! Enjoy the move, Colorado is a magical state.

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to look at my little spot in blogland!

I welcome all comments and thoughts and look forward to hearing from you! :)

by Liesl Ehardt