It's Only Up From Here

        Suprised my dad with VIP courtside tickets to NCAA Final Four matches and the NCAA All-Star game. Suprised my family with tickets to the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony along the Seine. That means we saw Aya Nakamura and Celine Dione perform life. Oh, and it rained xD. Forever grateful! The view from the Eiffel Tower is surreal even when there's inclement weather. You betcha we reserved a table and enjoyed our 5 course meal in the tower's restauraunt too! Paris is truly beautiful!   It rained while I was enjoying Versaille too, but has weather ever stopped me from exploring this world? Definitely not a materialistic person (things come and go and cannot provide sustainable happiness), but if not here, where? I absolutely partook in some luxury shopping. Quality > quantity.  Ate excellent cuisine at underrated local spots. Few things beat fresh seafood and hot butter. Watched a world class, sold-out, competitive tennis match between Djokovic an...

Outside of collecting data for my Masters/Ph.D and my teaching duties, I made time for some fun :) Volunteered to go snowshoeing in the Rockies. Things come and go, experiences and memories last a lifetime. Clearly I prioritize the latter for items alone can never fulfill a soul or solidify connections. Gave axe throwing a try. You can say I'm a natural xD   Challenged myself to successfully cross-country ski in Colorado. The views were worth the workout! Enjoyed watching a competitive NBA game on Christmas Day with my family. The Nuggets won. Enjoyed Volleyball matches (a fan this time instead of a player). This image features Team France v.s. USA. Quench your own desires- don't do things because of influencers/peer pressure/social media.  Secured tickets to watch a Gold Cup semifinal match between the US and Panama. Twas a nailbiter!   Decided to lean into my passion for gardening. A little greenery goes a long way. Delayed gratification!    Lets be real, it w...

Spent some time in the United Kingdom. Europe's birds have quite the view! Had a decent in-flight snack on the way to South Africa. Ask for a rating. Toured Windhoek and vistited Christ Church. Saw a group of wild baboons later that afternoon Made time to explore the city, shop in its local markets and malls, and visit a few museums Saw first-hand how high termite mounds can reach. Insane! Nature is full of suprises I can confirm the African Savannah is beautiful. I'll never forget the Wild Giraffes; simply majestic! Grass growing in one of the world's driest deserts? Cool indeed. Now google "fairy circles"... mindblown Live in a solar powered villa in the Namib Desert for 3 months with clear views of dunes? I did it xD You already knew I was going to scale the mountain to get this shot. Always believe in yourself! Be resilient like nature. Find a way through impasses or chart your own path. Quitting is not an option. Still can't decide what draws my attention...