Why Travel Local?

Annapolis Rock, Middletown Maryland 

If you are a travel junkie like me, travel can morph into this grand and lofty idea. It becomes bigger than itself in the sense that so many people think that great travel can only take place when when you are off on some adventure in a far away and exotic land, in a place you need a passport to get to. It is often forgotten that there are so man beautiful places just outside our back doors.

Don't get me wrong. I am often one of those people. 

But, when you are in a situation where international travel is not exactly feasible you don't need to get on a airplane or use your passport to have a meaningful travel experience.

With gas prices lowering and insanely cheap bus tickets (thanks Bolt!) you can travel locally without breaking the bank. In the past month I have visited the Baltimore Aquarium, headed to the top of the Washington Monument and taken a cruise around Annapolis.

I always remember this quote from the movie Eat, Pray, Love. It's when the character Luca Spaghetti (yes, that's his name) says:

   "Americans. You work too hard, you get burned out. You come home and spend 

the whole weekend in your pajamas in front of the T.V."

That line stuck with me, because its so true. Trust me I love a weekend lounging on the couch, binging on some new TV show as much as the next person, but since we live in a country where half of the citizens don't use up all of their paid vacation days, weekends are precious time. So why don't we make the most of them and get out there and see what our backyards have to offer.

Have you traveled locally recently? Are there any places close to home that you have been dying to see?

Inspiring Female Movie Quotes

I'm a big movie buff. I'll watch anything and everything. Asking me what is my favorite movie is one of the hardest questions for me to answer. Have you ever been watching a movie, it could be any movie, a drama, comedy, classic even a chick flick and you hear a line and it just sticks with you. Its like someone put into words exactly what you've been thinking but could never express. Here are a few of my favorite movie quotes from over the years. 

Maggie Mayhem from Whip It: This movie is the story of a misfit teenager from a small town in Texas, Bliss Cavendar who finds where she really fits in when she discovers a women's roller derby league in Austin. This quote happens from the first night Bliss discovers the roller derby league and tells Kristen Wiig's character, Maggie Mayhem, they the girls in the league are her new heroes. Maggie Mayhem responds by saying "Put some skates on ... be your own hero." Overall I loved this movie, but when I heard this quote it definitely became a new favorite. I love the idea of not relying on other people for your happiness. That if you are in a situation in life that isn't where you want to be then you can't wait for someone else to come rescue you, you need to rescue yourself.

Elizabeth Gilbert from Eat, Pray, Love : After a tough divorce Elizabeth Gilbert leaves her life in New York to travel the world for a year visiting Italy, India and Indonesia. This quote comes from when she and a friend are visiting Naples and are eating pizza. Her friend seems to not be interested in her meal and Liz asks her what is wrong, and she says that she is embarrassed because she has gained 10 pounds from living in Italy and now has a muffin top. Liz responds by saying, "I'm so tired o saying no and waking up in the morning and recalling every single thing I ate the day before. Counting every calorie I consumed so I know exactly how much self-loathing to take into the shower. I'm going for it. I have no interest in being obese, I'm just through with the guilt." I saw this movie in the theaters and when she said this line I literally said yes out loud because I loved it so much. I've never been super thin, but, I wouldn't say I'm very overweight either and this quote just really hit home for me. I exercise and I try to eat healthy but, I love pizza, ice cream and beer, but, I think this quote goes further to the idea of shaming someone because of their body type. I saw this other quote on Facebook the other day that I loved. "Eat whatever you want, and if anyone tries to lecture you on your weight, eat them too.

Novalee Nation from Where the Heart Is: This film follows the life of Novalee Nation who is deserted, penniless and pregnant, by her boyfriend in a Walmart parking lot and how she picks her life up and moves on. This quote comes after her best friend and her children have been physically attacked by her boyfriend and talking to Novalee, her friend asks what she is supposed to tell her children now. Novalee responds by telling her to tell them, "We've all got meanness in us, but we've got goodness too. And the only thing worth living for is the good. And that's why we've got to make sure we pass it on." Being an eternal optimist this quote really struck a chord with me. I will always believe in the good in people, yes bad things happen in this world and people do bad things, but, if I'm always expecting the worst of everyone I think that is a depressing way to live. 

What are some movie quotes that have hit home with you over the years?