It's Time To Start Living

It's almost March. Where are you on your New Year's goals? Did you set any goals to "travel more," do more of "this" or "that," or simply experience life to the fullest? To take advantage of every opportunity coming your way?

As we've settled into the routine of 2015, our New Year's goals may have gone to the wayside. We've become blind to the list we've had taped to the refrigerator since we see it every day, and as we go about our days, things start to blend together. Now's the time to take a look at how you're keeping track of your goals. (The SMART goal system is my favorite method).

Have you been keeping up with them? Do you need to create a new list in a different color and tape it to a different part of the refrigerator?

Or were your goals crap? I know I've set goals in the past that were over-eager and unattainable for the time frame. Maybe you can throw away the weak goals you've had and just focus on one thing: to live life to the fullest, however you define it for yourself.

It's time to start living. Now, more than ever.

For me, that means focusing on experiences. Specifically, travel experiences. I love traveling so much and to me, traveling as much as possible is living life to the fullest.

So what have I been doing since the new year started? 

-Not traveling, unfortunately...

-Working. A lot. Full-time during the week and part-time at a restaurant on weekends. Which leads me to the next point...

-I'm quitting my weekend job. Working full-time is my priority, and while the extra money has been nice to have (and is going toward my travel savings), I'm beyond excited to have my weekends back. Being able to have the time to relax, recharge, and write is much-needed in life right now.

-I'm planning weekend trips to San Diego and the Grand Canyon, which I can finally put into motion now that my second job isn't holding me back.

-I made a logo for GSE, which was one of my blogging goals. I like it enough for now, and I may look into getting a professional design in the future.

-Reading blogs and travel books. They're enough to satiate my wanderlust while I'm not traveling.

Most of all, I'm taking another look at my goals for the year and tweaking and changing them where it's needed.

You're not tied down to the goals you made almost three months ago. You've probably even changed a little in the past three months. Reflect on if you're living life to the fullest - the way you want to live. Because it's time to start living, and you owe it to yourself to do the things that make you happy.

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Eating Around Europe: What To Try In Turkey, Croatia, Italy

#prost

It wasn't long ago that I was spooning creamy pesto onto my pasta in Italy or nibbling on a bretzel in Austria. The food in Europe is as delicious as it is diverse, and is as diverse as the countries themselves. If you're any sort of a foodie, you'll love trying different foods as you move through Europe. And if you're not a foodie, you'll be surprised how delactable each country's specialties will be. I've rounded up a few European countries with foods you must try while there - think of this as a teaser for your taste buds.

Ireland: Oh goodness, my Guinness!

Guinness is the dark ruby red beer (it's actually not black!) that hails from Ireland. While it's feels filling, it's surprisingly low in calories - only 125 per pint - making it a smart beverage choice when you pair it with heavier foods such as Shepherd's Pie or potatoes. Another staple to try in Ireland? A traditional Irish breakfast. And what's that black pudding stuff? ....Don't ask, just eat.

Germany: Prost!

#prost

You'll find the best brews in the land of Oktoberfest. My preference is Hefeweizen for a wheaty, fruity flavor, which you'll find as well as the bock, pilsner, or alt beers, to name a few. Pair your beer with soft pretzel, bratwurst, or spätzle.

Austria: Soccer-what?

Austria, similar to Germany, has some of the best beers, sausage, and pretzels. You must try sachertorte, a specialty in Austria - it's a slightly dusty chocolate ganache cake that tastes fantastic with espresso. Austrian desserts tend to be lighter and fluffier, so the sachertorte is a slight break from that.

Italy: Where you cut the pizza yourself (and it's way better that way)

Ah, Italy, the food capital of Europe. Fresh tomatoes await, adorned atop Caprese salads or sandwiched between a panini. You'll undoubtedly want to try true Italian pizza, noted by how you slice it yourself. Drizzle olive oil on top after it's served for some extra flavor.

Hand-crafted pasta of all shapes and sizes are another obvious choice for lunch and dinner eats; try different types with new sauces and you'll never be bored with the limitless variations of textures.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and pair your meal with wine. Finally, finish it off with a sweet dessert, either with tiramasu or gelato for something satiating, or with a few sips of often-complimentary limoncello.

Also read: Where to find good food in Florence on a budget and The Best Places in Italy to Eat traditional Italian foods

Turkey: Would you like fries with (in) that?

Besides shepherd's salad (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers) the food in Turkey tends to be more meat-heavy. Meat and rice make for a tasty and filling combination, so make sure you come hungry. You'll find kebaps all around Europe, and they make for a nice snack after a night out. Though you don't have to save kebaps for just late nights post-party, and in Turkey you'll see them everywhere. Meat, rice, veggies, fries, and yogurt (it's different than American yogurt, more of a garlic-sour cream sauce), are delicious all combined in a wrap.

Have a sweet tooth? Finish your meal with baklava, Turkish tea, or freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.

Croatia: Fish...a whole fish

Croatia Fish

Seeing as the country of Croatia contains so much coastline, it's no surprise that the seafood is out of this world. You'll order fish at a restaurant, and it'll be incredibly fresh - so much so that it comes on a plate complete with the head, skin, and bones. If you haven't eaten fish that way and the thought makes you wary, at least give it a try - once you get past the skin you'll realize it is definitely worth it. And definitely delicious.

Other Croatian food is somewhat Italian inspired (they do share borders, after all), and you'll find variations of pizza, pasta, and gelato, as well as fast food restaurants.

7 Romantic Places in Europe

7 Romantic Places in Europe

With Valentine's Day on the horizon, it's that time of year to begin imagining - or actually visiting - romantic destinations around the world. Whether you choose to go with a s/o or head there solo, these 7 places in Europe ooze romantic charm.

1. The Arno River; Florence, Italy

Firenze is filled with Renaissance art and colorfully painted buildings. Walking along the Arno River past the Ponte Vecchio is the perfect setting for a romantic stroll as you take in the beauty of the city lining the river. Walk from the river up to Piazzale Michaelangelo or Miniato to watch the sunset slowly drape over the red-tiled rooftops for a wistful experience you'll never forget.

2. Cinque Terre; Monterosso al Mare (pictured), Italy

With Italy being one of the romance capitols of Europe, I had to include another Italian destination on this list. Cinque Terre, while often crowded with tourists in the summer, earns a well-deserved spot. Walk along the trails that connect the five small towns and soak up the sights of the pastel cliffside homes along the Mediterranean coast. Bonus: you can make Cinque Terre a day trip from Florence.

3. Lake Bled; Bled, Slovenia

At picturesque Lake Bled, you'll find a mini island in the middle of the water with a church. You can row boats around the lake and row up to the island. Traditionally, for weddings at the church, the groom must carry his bride all the way up the 99 steps.

4. Neuschwanstein Castle; Bavaria, Germany

By now you've probably heard of this German castle (which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle), which rests atop a hill within the Bavaria region in Southern Germany. You'll be surprised a setting this romantic exists in real life!

5. Mirabell Gardens; Salzburg, Austria

This Austrian town is where The Sound of Music takes place and was filmed. Walk by the Mirabell Gardens or among the colorful shops to feel like you stepped inside a storybook daydream.

6. Burg Square; Brugges, Belgium

You'll recognize Brussel's sibling city Brugges by the lego-like buildings in Burg Square. Stroll past the unique architecture and then head over to Minnewater Lake, where swans swimming await.

7. The Eiffel Tower; Paris, France

While in Paris, you simply must not pass up the opportunity to watch the Eiffel Tower light up at night and be there when it sparkles for the first five minutes of the hour. Even though you'll see the Eiffel Tower peeking out throughout the city, there's nothing like actually being right in front of it, marveling in its enormity. Seeing it sparkle will be something you'll never forget.

An easy and exciting way to travel (and maybe hit more than one of these destinations) is to take a cruise. Whether it's for an anniversary, honeymoon, or adventurous getaway abroad, there are endless ways to make your vacation special. Suggestion? Take an unforgettable Europe cruise with Celebrity.

These Photos Will Make You Want To Visit Croatia

sunset croatia

Croatia has been on the up-and-coming European destinations list for some time now, and it's easy to see why: sparkling, clear water on the Adriatic Sea, lush greenery and waterfalls at the National Parks (like Krka, pictured below), and medieval towns on the coast. One look at these photos and you'll be booking the next ticket to Split!

Driving-in-Croatia

Swan-in-Croatia-Krka

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Krka-Waterfalls

Trogir Croatia

Krka-waterfalls-swimming

10 Quotes To Inspire a Creative Life

1. "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." -Maya Angelou

2. "To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."

3. "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." -Albert Einstein

4. "Creativity takes courage." -Henry Matisse

5. "An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all." -Oscar Wilde

6. "Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while." -Steve Jobs

7. "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"

8. "If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got." -Albert Einstein

9. "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the soul." -Dieter F. Utchdoorf

10. "Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order look at things in a different way." -Edward de Bono

8 Reasons To Move Abroad

Moving to a foreign country is something I never thought I'd do...until I did it. I thought studying abroad for a few weeks in Italy was a long time; how was I going to last for months?

I was working a job in Florence, Italy for about six months last year, and it was one of the best things I've ever done. While I wasn't fully immersed (my roommates/co-workers were American and our customers - students - were American), living in an Italian apartment in the heart of Florence was a whirlwind of an adventure. If you are considering taking the plunge and moving across the world, I urge you to do it.

These are a few of many reasons to move to another country, be it for a few months, a year, or indefinitely!

1. Experience Living Like Someone Else

You buy groceries, do your laundry, and go out to eat like a local. You learn to communicate with new phrases and understand different body language. You are living your everyday life like it's from someone else's perspective.

Living like the locals starts to rub off on you, and you may not even realize it.

2. Travel Slow

Being on the go is exciting but exhausting.

There were weeks at a time where I'd be traveling to a new country every weekend (the best part about the job) and returning to Italy during the week. While getting the opportunity to see a new city even for just a few days was awesome, I didn't get to know the culture as well as I did in Italy.

Slow travel allows you to notice the little things, to stop and smell the roses, and to appreciate everyday life. If you move abroad short-term, traveling slow will allow you to soak up as much as you can before you leave.

3. Learn a New Language

If you move somewhere where the main language is foreign to you, then that's all the more reason to learn it. And what better way to learn a new language than to be fully immersed in a country that's constantly speaking it?

4. Cut Down Your Living Costs

Moving abroad might actually save you money, depending where you live. Central and Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America are great regions that tend to have a lower cost of living than your average western country.

Plus, living abroad tends to be cheaper than vacationing. Especially if you're traveling slower, you're more likely saving on extra costs by not staying in a hotel, cooking most of your meals, and doing everyday life activities.

5. Have a Fresh Start

No one knows you there. You have an opportunity to be whoever you want to be; to fully be yourself if you've been holding back. There are new friends to be meeting and new things to be doing. Be the person you want to be, surround yourself with positive people, and try the things you've always wanted to do (perhaps, for example, getting TEFL-certified in Peru or learning yoga in India).

6. Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Move abroad to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. you'd be surprised at what you can handle, and it makes everyday #firstworldproblems seem minuscule.

London

7. Find Work Opportunities

International work experience is resume gold. Going abroad in general is a great boost for your resume, but working on top of that provides even more value.

Also Read: 11 Ways To Make Money While You Travel

8. Make Memories and Be Adventurous

Do it because you know you want to. And that burning desire deep within you will continue to grow until you just do it.

10 Tips For Visiting Italy

Bellagio Lake Como

Heading to Italy? If so, I'm jealous really excited for you. It's a beautiful country with so much to see, do, and explore. Read on for tips on how "grazie" is actually pronounced, what the bread on the table is really for, and how to drink coffee at an espresso bar.

10 Tips For Visiting Italy

10 tips italy

1. Go to the Amalfi Coast, despite the number of tourists. The beauty of the pastel houses built into the side of the cliffs, citrus scent in the air from the lemon groves, swimming in the Blue Grotto, and boating around the Mediterranean make it totally worth it.

2. Pack light. Those narrow sidewalks and cobblestone streets will not be friendly to heavy luggage.

Florence

3. Drinking coffee: go to the bar (sometimes called snack bar) and order espresso or whatever coffee you want. Stand at the bar while you have your espresso and then leave. If you decide to sit at a table, be prepared to pay a little extra for table service.

4. Look before you cross the street. If you're in the street at the wrong time - when cars and scooters are flying towards you - be prepared to get yelled/honked at and jump out of the way as quickly as possible.

5. Pronounce the E in "grazie." It's "grah-zee-eh." I have NO idea why there is some misconception in the US that it's grazi without the e. I've seen it misspelled a number of times in the US.

6. Go wine tasting in Tuscany. Wine tasting anywhere else is tough to beat.

Andiamo Bellevue Food

7. The bread on the table is to mop up your leftover pasta sauce; the olive oil is to add extra flavor to your food.

8. If you're in Florence, you must go to a secret bakery at 2am and order a nutella croissant. There is nothing better than to have chocolate- or lemon-filled pastries after a late night out.

9. Dress to impress. Italians know their fashion: think of every street like a runway. Being "dressed down" in sneakers and skinny jeans still means fabulous hair, Ray-Ban aviators, and designer extras - for women and men.

10. Wear comfortable shoes. The aforementioned cobblestone streets won't be nice to your feet, either. To save your soles, try sneakers (Converse, Nike, and New Balance are good brands to try), comfortable flats (break them in before you go), or boots (there are many shops in Italy that sell quality leather boots).

Book a Place to Stay in Italy

My all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!