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You are here: Home / Blog / 2013: A Year with a Lot of Ups and Downs

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2013: A Year with a Lot of Ups and Downs

If I have to judge the year in terms of the economic, material, and human losses, I would have to say the past 365 years have been catastrophic.  I would even dare to say this has been one of the worst years of my life.

However, the coin always has two sides.  Yes, there have been tears, crises, and drama (and semi-abused husbands) but for every bad experience I have had to live, there have been ten blessings that I have received.

I have always believed that in life, good things are more abundant. If not, there would be no point in living.  We have the power to decide how we process the situations we have to face.

This year, what I have stated above has been reaffirmed.  I may not have been at my highest point but without a doubt, a lot of joy has appeared in my way.

Plus, I haven’t stayed put.  I continued my search for beautiful things and new adventures.  Because the truth is that even when the bad things are clogging your mind, the clock continues to move forward.  So, it is better to master the art of enjoying life no matter if you are going thru good or bad situations.

As you may know, I like to reflect on the year by summarizing my ‘firsts.’ I am referring to the new experiences or the new things I have tried during the year.  Because to me, experimenting with new things is a way to advance, gain knowledge, and grow as a person.

Ok, you are not going to see me trekking the Himalayas or posing in front of the Iguazu Falls.  Most of my new experiences are local and in some way, I like that fact because it goes together with the motto of this blog: “You don’t have to travel far or spend a lot of money to have a great adventure.”

In retrospect, I can say the year brought many opportunities and I was willing to seize as many as possible.  I hope you can look back at your year and focus on the good things you received.

Bye, bye 2013! I am looking forward to 2014!

New Adventures

Celebrated 10 years of living in California (that one is hard to believe)

And, drums please, celebrated my fifth year wedding anniversary (five good years!)

Visited the lowest point in North America (Badwater in Death Valley National Park)

Learned about gratefulness from a bunch of kids

Attended the famous Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach

Had my trip to Palm Springs super ruined by strong winds

And had my trip to Temecula kind of ruined because of rain

Visited La Bufadora for the first time under sunny conditions

And did my first crossing to Mexico by myself (well, with my husband).  Finally, saw the zonkeys (zebra + donkey, do you get it?)

Ruth and Oscar with a zonkey, Tijuana, Mexico

Got a little bit obsessed with discovering new places in the Palos Verdes Peninsula (Malaga Cove, Pelican Cove, Abalone Cove, Bluff Cove, Terranea Cove, Del Cerro Park)

Ohh, and got obsessed with piers, wild beaches, and volcanic crater too (that is normal, right?)

Had the most delicious apple pie in Julian

Took a look at the rarest pine in North America

Saw the Elephant Parade debuting in the United States.

Took the ferry to Balboa Island

Found the most beautiful beaches in Los Angeles County (El Matador, Point Dume, Bluff Cove)

Dume Cove, Malibu, California

Worked for free because one of my clients gave me a thousand excuses not to pay me (believe me, that was an excuse on its own league)

Discovered a new allergy (If I only knew what caused it)

Attended my very first food festival (and it will not be the last)

Enjoyed the gastronomic side of Koreatown, Little Osaka, Little Ethiopia, and Cambodia Town

Discovered the colors and flavors of the Grand Central Market

Fell more in love with Los Angeles

Became an aunt

Met a bunch of crazy, funny, wonderful people

 New Places and Cities

Corona del Mar

Inspiration Point, Little Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, California

Julian

House, Julian, California

Borrego Springs

Dinosaur fight,  Borrego Springs, California

Oceanside

oceanside pier, ruby's dinner, ruby's dinner on pier

Encinitas

Surfing sign, Encinitas, California

San Clemente

Pier, San Clemente, California

Dana Point

Dana Cove, Dana Point, California

Seal Beach

Pier at sunset, Seal Beach, California

La Jolla

Torrey Pines

View from Yucca Point, Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California

San Juan Capistrano

Things to Do in San Juan Capistrano, California, Old Capistrano or Historic Downtown

Santa Ynez

Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara County, California

Los Olivos

J.W. Oeste, Los Olivos, California

Crystal Cove State Park (what a place!)

Treasure Cove, Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, California

Temecula

Olive Oil Company, Old Town Temecula, California

Port Hueneme

fishing in port hueneme pier, port hueneme pier, view from pier

Ventura

San Buenaventura Mission in DOwntown Ventura, Things to Do in Ventura, California

Rediscovered Places

Downtown Los Angeles

Beverly Hills

Huntington Beach

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you a wonderful and joyous new year.  And remember, never stop loving, laughing, and exploring.

What were some of the year’s “firsts” (close or far, big or small)?

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Ruth
My name is Ruth and I believe you do not have to travel far or spend a lot of money to have meaningful experiences. Let me show you how to kiss goodbye routine and add an exciting dose of adventure to your life. To learn more about me, click here.

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