I’ve seen the Vegas Eiffel Tower enough times, time to see the real one.
As I have mentioned before, don’t be afraid to dream big.
And one of my biggest dreams is finally becoming my reality.
While I’ve achieved quite a bit of big dreams of mine (graduate high school and graduate college with honors), there has always been the dream of traveling on my mind. My biggest travel dream was to go to Europe and spend a good amount of time there to explore.
And yes, my travelers, I am officially going to Europe in the fall of 2014 in October! And that is exactly two weeks from today I will be boarding on a plane to London, England.
I’ve seen numerous of my friends and family who have traveled to Europe multiple times. And as much as jealousy sat in me, it also drove me more to try and get my feet on European land.
But before anything, I’d like to give a big thanks to my boyfriend, Alex. He’s always pushed me saying ‘we’re going to Europe, we’re going to Europe’, and while I kept putting it off saying I don’t have the funds, one day BAM he got us tickets to Europe. In all honesty, this is all thanks to him that I am finally achieving my big dream.
So yes, while I did make up many excuses to not going to Europe this year, like money, money, money, and time, I always knew that one day my excuses will run out and I’d be left with just going out and doing it. And, once again, thanks to Alex, it became a now situation and now I am going to be living out my dream of living in a foreign land for 2 weeks!
While I am one lucky girl to have someone get me my ticket to Europe (And for the record, we are not trust fund babies, we struggle and have money hardships, but since we want it enough we go for it).
I want to say that it’s never too late to dream big and share your dreams with others because you never know who just might help you get to that first step to achieving that dream.
But no doubt in my mind, do I think that the hard part is over. Because as much as the hard part of setting a date and actually getting to Europe has been fixed, there is still so much that needs to be done before I leave in October. Money and time is still a big issue. But I keep my head up because I know everything will work out in the end.
Always dream big my fellow travelers. Once I do my European trek who knows what will be my next big dream. But for now I focus on this dream and keep fighting through all the excuses of money and time and then one day you’ll be seeing me in front of the Eiffel Tower smiling big knowing that I achieved a dream that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a young girl.
My vacation started on a Tuesday. I had a fairly early morning flight and so my dad was going to take me to the airport before he went to work. My flight was on Continental Airlines, which is now United Airlines and I was flying out of the little airport called Ontario International Airport (ONT).
Spoiler alert: This was the worst flight day I had ever had in my life. Now I’m sure you know what is going to happen now.
My dad was the one who took me to the airport, it was early in the morning and we didn’t really hit any traffic on our way to ONT, which can be a miracle sometimes for So Cal traffic. And considering how much closer this airport was to us, versus Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or San Diego International Airport (SAN), we thought with how early it was in the morning and the proximity, we can leave a little later and I’d be checked-in, security checked, and on the plane within an hour. Boy, were we wrong.
Now I’ve never been late to the airport in my life and I’ve flown from San Diego to New Jersey quite a bit, so I’m always on time. Plus, I’m a freak with being late to things so I usually end up being super early and have to wait. But I’d rather be late than sorry.
And this day, I was very sorry.
Reminder: Never underestimate wait times. Always overestimate!
I mean it too. It didn’t look too busy on the outside, or even the inside. But the line for security was a mile long and got even longer as I waited. I’ve always gone from SAN and once through LAX and their checkpoints was not as bad as ONT. Seriously, worst security checkpoint of my life and sadly, I know it’s not my last. And here I’ve devised a list of my reasons why:
1. Disorganized 2. Disorganized 3. Disorganized
How you get to the checkpoint is by taking this small escalator up and there you get your id checked and your ticket checked so you can get in line to go through the detectors. They have a small portion of the line where you go through the little maze queue and that’s really the best way to keep people in line, well that maze queue can only have so many people in it before the line ventures off into disorganization.
And hey, you guessed it, the line ventured away from the maze queue into a mile long line of people who ended up having to curve the line because you reached the other end of the airport check-in. It looked like a black Friday line at midnight. It was ridiculous. Everyone was truly so impatient, not to mention no one had any idea that the mile-long line they saw was just the security checkpoint. So there was random cutting and early morning people irritated because the line didn’t move for one whole hour.
Now I usually allocate myself about an hour to get through the security checkpoint, and that’s with being in-line and getting through A-Okay. Well that hour turned out to be just standing in the same spot as I had been an hour ago. The security line never moved.
So there I was nervous as all hell about missing my flight, one of my worst fears is missing a flight, and my departure time was getting closer and closer. I felt like I get anxiety whenever I feel late. And I had pure anxiety and was calling all my family members to tell them I might miss my flight and I didn’t know what to do.
Finally, the checkpoint line moved and I got through, slowly, of course. And I ran. Of course my gate was literally at the very end of the terminal. So I’m hauling ass, my plane was going to leave in 10 minutes and I was trying everything I could to make it.
I wasn’t the only one running too; apparently almost everyone was late to their gate. I got to my gate and the doors were closed and of course the front desk already had a line of people trying to get the next flight out.
I will give props to the workers; they were very kind and courteous and did their best to get me to my next flight. So they told me there may be a spot in a flight that was going to leave in 15 minutes, so I needed to hurry over there and see if they could squeeze in one person. I got there and of course, there was another line. I got put on standby. They told me if one person doesn’t show up they’ll let me on the plane.
I was literally the next standby person in line and bam that darn guy came right at the last minute and I was SOL. They tried once again to get me on another flight and I was put on standby. And once again, I was denied. That was two denials within a half an hour. I was frustrated.
Finally, they told me in two hours there was a semi-full flight that they can guarantee me to get on and thank god for that. Finally, after worrying my family to the point of anxiety attacks, I was finally in the air on my way to Jersey so I can get on my cruise.
I had a layover in Chicago and my connecting was supposed to be right away. Well, lucky me, it got delayed two hours. So I was stuck. I ended up falling asleep in my seat. So my usual 6 hour direct flight to Jersey turned into an all-day event. All the while my luggage was still on the other plane making its way to Jersey before me.
FINALLY, my plane took off and I landed at the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and there was my jersey family glad to see me as I was to see them. I was absolutely exhausted from my day of missed flights, denied standbys and delayed connections. Thank god my luggage was okay as it traveled without me for most of the day. And finally I could relax and actually start to enjoy my vacation.
Goodbye New York, time to relax on my cruise.
So moral of the story, ALWAYS allocate enough time (+an hour), to get into your flight.
After that day of headaches I vow to never miss a flight again, especially with my European trip just around the corner. I will be at the airport two hours before I have to, I don’t care. But I would rather be way early, than be so late everything gets pushed back. I was lucky I still made it that day, because if I didn’t make it to EWR by that day, I would’ve missed my cruise altogether because my ship would be sailing the very next morning. And yes, they will leave you, I’ve seen it happen.
Do you have any transportation horror stories? Share below!
With summer coming to an end (officially on September 23), I figured I’d give you all a small taste of a Caribbean cruise I experienced. A last getaway before all the leaves start to turn that golden color and the fall crisp air starts rolling in.
In March of 2013, I boarded my first ever cruise ship. As a recent grad from Cal State Fullerton, family members were constantly asking what I wanted as a graduation present. While I already had the laptop and basically everything I ever need or want as a recent grad, the one thing I did want was the experience to travel.
My Aunt Annie, or as said in my language my Tita Annie, and my Uncle Rene, Tito Rene, have been going on cruises quite a bit. So as they were trying to book their next one, they added me onto their itinerary. So as my graduation present they booked me a 10-day cruise to the eastern Caribbean with them. While it’s been well over a year since I went on that cruise, I did take a lot of photos and videos that I still haven’t shared to the world yet.
So I have decided to relive this wonderful getaway and share the experience with you in my Eastern Caribbean Diary series. In the next few weeks I will share photos, videos and tell you all about my good and bad experiences while on my vacation. It’ll be a getaway for everyone to see.
So today is September 12, 2014 and yesterday marked the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centers in New York City and the Pentagon.
Freedom towers under construction.
Here is a picture of the new freedom towers being built back in March 2013, in honor of the World Trade Centers that went down. I took this photo while I was on my cruise leaving for the Caribbean. It was cold and the air was crisp, but seeing these freedom towers brought a tear in my eye.
I’ve lived on the east coast before, and I have some close family that work in New York City, so when the September 11, 2001 attacks happened it broke my young heart at the mere age of 9.
Now, I don’t want to go into full detail of how I felt and how I feel now. That could take years; I just wanted to show a post of how far our country has come since these attacks. While, I’m not going to get into any political debates into anything happening now since then, I just merely want to take a moment to reflect on all the lives that were lost on this day 13 years ago. So many strangers banded together to help each other out, so many people lost their lives to help someone, and to everyone that was there and to anyone that had family there, they are all heroes in my heart.
I decided to post this after September 11 because I believe that while we will never forget 9/11 in America and we will take the time on that day every year to reflect upon the past and our future. I want to show that we will never forget it every day of our lives. I want you to remember to hold your loved ones close and always tell them you love them. And always remember all those heroes that lived and all those heroes that passed away.
God Bless America
But on another note, as of 2011, September 12 has been officially called National Day of Encouragement! I didn’t know of this day until my work gave us a nice piece of paper that we would put on our desk walls.
The paper starts with “The National Day of Encouragement is about inspiring Americans to make deliberate words and acts of encouragement a part of this day first, then a part of every day of their lives.”
Now I love this idea, so here are some quotes that my work decided to give us as words of encouragement.
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” – Joshua J. Marine
“In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” – Bill Cosby.
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible!” – Audrey Hepburn
“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you sit there.” – Will Rogers
“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.” – Jesse Jackson.
CHEERS my travelers. Spread your words of encouragement and tell the world about this day. Also hug your loved ones while you’re at it.
Do you have any inspiring encouraging quotes, post a comment with it below or tweet me @lostwithyvonne
Tonight marks the last pre-season game for the San Diego Chargers before the real games begin!
After 22 years, this born and raised San Diego girl has finally made her way to a Chargers game at Qualcomm Stadium! And we’ve got FIELD tickets!
Watch out for this Thursday night football game at 7 p.m. PST where the Chargers will play against the Arizona Cardinals!
Keep an eye out, I’ll be somewhere in the stands by the field goal! I’ll be the tall girl with the tall boyfriend proudly wearing her Phillip Rivers #17 Jersey. Bolt up!
“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own and you know what you know, you are the guy (or girl) who’ll decide where to go.”
Dr. Seuss
Decided to share a little inspirational Dr. Seuss with all my travelers. Remember to dream big and believe in yourself. There is so much out there in the world to explore and see. You just have to get up and go. by Lost With Yvonne | 0 comments
I’m a huge Despicable Me fan. Ha Banana. So upon hearing that Universal Studios Hollywood added in an area dedicated to Despicable Me, that is when I jumped on the annual pass train for Universal.
So for my first Theme Parkaholics post I present you, Universal Studios Hollywood. While Universal is a bit more of a drive than Disneyland is, it’s still a fun place to go to. The last time I went to Universal Studios Back to the Future was still there and no one knew of what a Transformer was, well at least movie wise to all my comic book fans.
So with the great success of Despicable Me, Universal Studios decided to invest lots of money and make Super Silly Funland into a reality for kids. You see, Universal Studios used to be geared towards teens and adults because how can you compete with Disneyland not too far south of you. But with the new addition, it’s making Universal Studios a more kid friendly place.To get to Super Silly Funland you have to walk through the streets of Europe until you reach the Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem ride. The first time I went to Universal, this ride was only a 30 minute wait, but as soon as summer came along it jumped to a 2 hour wait. Safe to say, we didn’t go the second time.
While in line you have misters spraying at you to help protect you from the wonderful LA heat, TVs with minions, and even workers playing catch with you or spraying you with a water gun. The ride itself is a fun 3D simulator. You basically get to become a minion and part of Gru’s top secret mission, which will first be led by the girls putting you through basic minion training.
So if you’re a fan of minions, bananas, and just love Despicable Me, you’ll surely love this ride as much as I did. And hey, at the end you get to be a part of a dance party.
But after you get out of the Minion Mayhem, the fun doesn’t stop there. You end up in the Despicable Me store filled with everything Despicable me, I ended up buying my very own minion cup and I love it!
And then you end up outside in none other than SUPER SILLY FUNLAND! AGH! This little corner of the park includes a ride for small children, game booths filled with fluffies (and cheating workers who don’t let older kids win), and a mini waterpark all the while blasting songs like Happy by Pharrel (one of my favorite songs) and the whole Despicable Me soundtrack.
And yes, I said waterpark. During the summer this place is filled with dripping wet children in their bathing suits, if they’re a veteran, or just in their t-shirt and shorts. I have not had the pleasure to go through this waterpark, but I have passed by it and I would definitely have my bathing suit and change of clothes ready if I were to go through it.
But my favorite part of Super Silly Funland is hidden behind the waterpark. There is this balcony with little view finders and you can see the whole Universal Back lot and the mountains behind it. It was a beautiful site, unfortunately this is where smokers can smoke, but on a slow day it’s quite beautiful to overlook studio city from high above. Check out my video here.
Overall Super Silly Funland in Universal Studios is a great place to take the kids during the summertime and maybe even take a picture with a minion or two. Cheers my travelers. Hope you enjoyed the first edition of Theme Parkaholics!
These posts are simple, it’s about theme parks. I simply love going to theme parks. I’m an adventure seeker and roller coasters, expensive food, and scary mazes help fill some void in my life.
I currently hold annual passes for Disneyland/California Adventure, Universal Studios Hollywood and Knotts Berry Farm/ Knotts Soak City. So at least once every month I’ll feature a theme park, ride or food found in a theme park and maybe even a tip or two and blog about it. I’ll post awesome pictures and some videos and show you how fun theme parks can be. I’ll probably even include zoos and fairs and things of the like.
I hope all you travelers enjoy my Theme Parkaholics posts because I know we’ve all been to a theme park at least once in our lives and whether you bring your children there now or still run around in a theme park with the child within you, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.
Do you have a favorite theme park that brings out the inner child in you? Comment below or tweet me @lostwithyvonne.
So San Diego Comic Con 2014 has come and passed. And I was not there again this year and I’m okay with that.
Why would I be okay with it? Well that answer is as simple as saying that I don’t like crowds and waiting in lines (a reason why Disneyland can be conflicting to me).
But I have had the great privilege and pleasure to have gone to TWO Comic-Con Internationals in San Diego in my life. That’s two more than a lot of people.
On the Trolley to Comic-Con, just a tad excited.
It’s been years since my last Comic-Con experience and every year I hear how it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Comic-Con in San Diego is the biggest event that San Diego holds every summer. And big name celebs and directors all come here to reveal movie, book, and TV plots and pilots.
I want to throw it back to the old Comic-Con years I went to and how I felt so out of place at the convention they call ‘for the nerds’.
