Why Vacation Matters

Aloha. So I'm on my first real vacation (i would define as a week +) since I started to work.

I've been pressured by many to take a vacation and I'm finally doing it. My old manager said to me in our last 1:1 meeting together, 'If it's one thing you learn from me... take a vacation.'

I always deemphasized this when working. I don't want to have to look at my inbox when I come back to work seeing hundreds of emails to sift through. But you know what... I freaking deserve this vacation.

Now It's Day 4 of my vacation. I haven't really done too much. Some tanning, eating, exercising, touring and photography. I also went Wine Tasting at a winery in Maui.

I forgot how much perspective you gain when you're on vacation. Especially to a place like Maui where life is so slow. You have time to think. It's really refreshing. Instead of thinking about the economy, presidential election or another world crisis, you think about what your next meal or activity will be. Sure, I feel guilty. Really I do. I even told my Mom this and she felt the same way.

I'm glad I'm gaining a bit more perspective on this trip. I'm becoming more observant. Noticing the little things around me that I would otherwise skip in my everyday life. I'm rediscovering what I love about living... things often lost in the shuffle. When I get back to Cali, maybe I'll change some of the things I was more hesitant to in the past, as well.

When I get back, I'm taking a post-vacation sanity day to recoop.

More Vancouver Thoughts

I'm still trying to find words to describe the feeling in Vancouver.

It's an interesting mix, but nothing that I can quite describe based off of prior travels. If I were to compare it to places --- I'd say it's a blend of:

• Hawaii's Beauty
• A mix between the energy in DC (small town energy buzz) and San Diego (laid back lifestyle)
  

Everything is so pretty here. The architecture isn't too striking, but some of the local buildings remind me of what you'd find in Los Angeles. The multiple skylines are similar to what you'd find in Honolulu.

I'm going to try and see a bit more of the city today. I haven't ventured too off from Downtown.

Sweet Escape

Over the past 6 months I've traveled quite a bit, but nothing ever felt like a vacation. I've taken a few days off here and there but my mind rarely gets to escape reality.

I really need a break --- from work, laptops, tv, the economy, etc.

I almost feel as if I need my mind to be drained from current thoughts. My mind needs an escape. A book works for a while. Dancing at a club works for a while. Eating at a nice restaurant works for a while.

At this point I might need something a bit longer. More than a week. Maybe even more than a month. I need some time to reflect and be a bit introspective. Maybe I'm looking for an epiphany to come save me...

If You Could Read My Mind

I'm slowly approaching two years living in the Silicon Valley. That's a long time. Kinda.

A lot of things lately have made me evaluate my living situation, among other things. On My Mind:

• Cost/Benefit Analysis of Silicon Valley vs. SF. The tide may be turning.
  
• I'm still in my early to mid 20's... is living in suburbia still for me?
• What do I really value?
  
• Should I downgrade my car to something smaller and possibly more gas-friendly?
• When should I get plastic surgery? (because I WILL need it after my weight loss)
• Can I really keep up working out 3 to 4 times a week? Or will I cry into the fetal position at some point due to stress?
• Do I Miss Los Angeles? Or is it just my friends and family?
• Will I go to grad school at some point? If so, will it be for my MBA?
• I have 3 weeks of vacation stored up. How the hell am I going to use it? Should it be a lot of mini trips or one big ass vacation?