Happy Day Trip-aversary to Us!

Superman knows I have a soft spot for day trips. He has taken me in a WWII plane, beach hopping on a bike, a river cruise to an Oktoberfest... 

But that was all so long ago. Like some new bling, we were seriously overdue. 

Luckily, Superman gets it. And so off we went for a surprise day trip to a tiny town in southern Mass. 

He called this, the "October Surprise" haha! I'll take it. 

Babymooning

We would've never imagined spending our 2nd wedding-anniversary-big-trip babymooning... but we did!

Actually, Superman hates the word "babymoon." For one, he thinks that the word denotes having a baby THEN going on the trip... just like a honeymoon.  And for two, babymoon denotes one last hoorrah before baby comes, and then never travelling big for a long long time, if ever, again. Well, if you know us, that's just not happening. I traveled the world growing up, and we hope that baby is ready for the adventures that await!

Costa Rica is a beautifully preserved country. Our American version of "environmentally friendly" and "going green" doesn't even size up to the efforts this country puts forth to preserve their ecosystem. 

So many people asked me if it would even be possible to adventure so far away from home while pregnant. Answer: yes. It is possible. I have felt great so far -- thank God -- and I felt like I could do everything I wanted to do while there.  

Although I admit, I had a bit of an anxiety attack on the plane going to and coming from Costa Rica. No seriously, it was a shameless emotional breakdown. I travel, A LOT. So it's unlike me to panic as much as I did. I chalk it up to hormones (let's hope!), and say that I'll get over it soon (let's hope!)

Here are scenes from "Behbeh"s first trip... though SHE ;) will probably not remember it... 

Baby bump makes its blog debut! 

Costa Rica!

On our honeymoon, we took our giddy love to Belize...

On our first anniversary, we cruised the Meditteranean... 

And on our 2nd anniversary, we will be conquering Costa Rica! 

And by conquer, I mean 7 days of outdoor jungle camping, rainforest hiking, white water rafting surging rapids, zip-lining, mountain biking, canoeing, snorkeling... 

No swanky hotels. No air conditioning. No sleeping in. This itinerary ain't for the weak of heart. No, but seriously though. We were told since the journey was so intense, we couldn't book the trip unless we were medically cleared. 

And I figure, after two years of bliss -- we're going to need to challenge our relationship in some "Amazing Race" fashion. 

Superman is thrilled, and not so thrilled at the same time. I promised him I'd find a way to get a pina colada in his hands at some point during the trip -- even if it means having to crack open a coconut with my own bare hands. Suck it up, Superman and get pumped! 

Here's a preview of the majesty we may see: 

I'm Ready

Dear God,

I know I have mentioned to You numerous times that because of my inherent fear of failure I have a fear of success. And I know that You have responded many times -- often in unsuspecting ways -- that when the moment is right, I will not be afraid.

But I wonder whether not being afraid means the moment is right. Because I'm ready.

A new adventure, a new opportunity, a 'yes' instead of a 'no,' a door just barely staying open to close and a new one to open -- something that will totally sweep me out of my comfort zone and into a wild new world. I'm ready.

I'm ready. I'm ready. I'm ready.

A Holiday Gift Idea: Armenia

The holiday season is here!

I'm already conjuring gift ideas in my head. I tend to over think gifts. I want to stay within our budget, but also want to get gifts that are meaningful and in the spirit of the holidays. I know that there's a way to do both -- I just have to over think it until my head explodes.

We've started fundraising for our home building trip to Armenia next year. Along with asking for your support, we'd love for you to consider making a contribution to our trip as part of the charities you'll be donating to this season. You can have the donation be a part of the "gift" you will be giving to your friends or family this year. To me, nothing is more in the "spirit" of the holidays than to give to those in need.

Your donation WON'T be going to pay an organization's overhead. It WON'T be going to pay people's salaries. It WON'T be going to the oblivion of a person or place far far away... never to know what happened.

It WILL be going towards necessary transportation and handyman materials needed for Superman and I to -- with our own two hands -- build homes for families devastated by the earthquake in Armenia, and for those who are in need.  We'll be documenting through photos and video to prove it! You'll know where to find us. ;)

Learn more HERE -- and I really hope that you'll consider supporting our efforts!

Oysterfest 2011

Superman lost alot of weight these past couple of weeks. I've been feeding the man, I promise. But I can't seem to keep enough food in him to counter all the training he's been doing for the Academy.

Thankfully, this weekend -- our final weekend together before he starts the Academy -- we quit the running around, took a few days off from training, and laid back with our friends and family. This weekend also happened to be Oysterfest on the Cape. So what better excuse to hang with my old roommate Julie and her fun fam, and just...

EAT.

AND EAT...

AND EAT...

I think we did a proper sendoff for Superman as he embarks on the toughest 5 months of his life. 

This trip to Oysterfest was a year in the making. Julie and I planned my presence at Oysterfest since last October, and I really wanted to make good on that deal. The added bonus was that Superman was around to experience it too.

Oysterfest was everything I ever hoped it would be and more... and as always, the Ferro fam did not disappoint.

 I don't think we could've asked for a better way to spend the last free weekend we'll have in a while!

The Big Easy

Superman and I are down in New Orleans this week.

Technically we're down here because I'm speaking at a conference , but of course it's also a chance to catch up with my family that lives nearby. And dunk our faces in some darn good beignets.

My cousin and my aunt drove in from Baton Rouge last night, and they showed us all the pretty (and not so pretty) sites of New Orleans. We absolutely had a blast.

Bourbon St. is ridiculous. Seriously, the innocence in me is totally gone. At one point, a not so sober man decided he wanted to whisk my aunt away. Really. He wanted to marry her.

Yes. We almost married my aunt off last night...

I can only imagine what tonight will bring!

My Childhood

It's a pretty weird feeling introducing a husband of the present and the future to a pretty significant part of the past. Superman and I met toward the end of college, so besides just hearing stories about each other's childhoods, and visiting the area where we grew up, our history is really just that: stories.

But last weekend, Superman got to actually experience a significant part of my childhood: Mackinac Island. Every year since I was 3 years old, my family would spend the last weekend of summer in Mackinac Island. My dad attended a conference there and we spent our time riding horses and playing by the lake.

I think at some point in my 14-year-old head, I imagined one day being able to continue the tradition with my future husband... okay, that's a lie. I don't think I ever thought about that. In fact, introducing the past to the future was... weird. 

Like when I showed Superman the haunted theater that I finally had the guts to go into after walking by it every year, only to pee my pants (don't ask me how old I was).  Enh, we're way past the point of having any shame...

Or walking into the Grand Hotel and knowing every square inch of the place enough to point out the order of the shops on the bottom floor and the store hours. 

I think Superman really got a sense of a part of me that has never really left just by experiencing where I came from. And I saw the Island in a way I never have before. 

I think for the first time in more than 20 years, I really internalized that Mackinac Island was an actual military fort. It's one of those things I always knew, but never really thought about -- until a few years and an army wife status later...



Horse & Carriage ride to the Grand Hotel



Arch Rock

Dinner at Joe's Crab Shack on the way back

One of the many absolutely stunning Michigan Lighthouses

Armenia

If you guessed Armenia... you guessed right!

While the thought of vegging on a remote beach somewhere sounds tempting, a two-week volunteer mission to build homes in Armenia seems even more tempting for this Super household.

I've been itching to go to Armenia for a reallllyyy long time. In fact, three years ago I was accepted into a summer program in Armenia, but I was graduating college at the time and thought I need to be a grown up and get into that dwindling job market, fast. In some ways I regretted it because I thought the Armenia trip would be a once in a lifetime chance, and I passed it up. Now I know that might not necessarily be true.

And while I feel a larger connection to my roots in Syria (since we're part of the diaspora in Syria and my whole family is now from there) than I do to the land of Armenia, I do think this would be the chance of a lifetime to connect to my roots, my language, and to share that experience with Superman, who is totally game for all things foreign and fun (and happens to be pretty good at Armenian too!). More importantly, it'll be a chance for us to give to others and leave the best of ourselves in a place that holds a lot.

Here's to Armenia, 2012!

Parev!

We have decided on our big trip for 2012!

I know you're thinking it's kind of early (and who knows if the planning powers that be will let us plan that far in advance). You're probably also thinking we're being a bit hasty on coveting vacations. But this trip is going to be a little different. We'll be going for 2 weeks on a volunteer mission to build homes in this country.

What country you ask? Well, how about you guess! There's a hint above, and here's a hint below...

 

Happy guessing!

Lara Loves Travel

Earlier this year when Superman was getting ready to deploy, I started a photography "ramped-up hobby." a.k.a. -- business.

My primary business goal was to cater to military families whose loved ones were deployed. I really wanted to make sure to capture the moments that a loved one couldn't be there to see. There have been so many great opportunities that have led to some really great shots...

And while I continue to work with military families (and love every minute that I do!), I've started a more public collection of prints to sell called, "Lara Loves Travel."

So, in the next few days, when you're sitting in your office, or in class, or in your room... counting the hours... and instead, wishing you could be here:

Or here:

Or hangin with him:

You can. Through the "Lara Loves Travel" collection. Some are on Etsy now! More to come.

Feta

I am convinced that all problems can be solved by Greek food.

While Apple-ites are debating whether restaurants should disclose calorie counts on their menus, and even provide a healthy rating scale for eateries, you can just find me in Athens, dunking my head in a bowl of feta.

At one point, I decided to keep eating -- not because I was hungry, but because the food tasted so amazing.

I've realized that food is one of the most delicious and affordable things you can get in Europe. And it's probably one of the things that I miss the most -- especially since now that we're back in our Apple neighborhood, we're realizing that the closest grocery store is Whole Paycheck, and no matter what Gelato bar we go to, it just doesn't compare.  

I'm beginning to think that our magical Greek experience is going to get us in real trouble in the real world.

Project 52(23): Summer

Week 23: Summer

This summer, we're not messing around.

Well, besides climbing to the top of Mount Etna in Sicily...

We're Back!

Recovering from our pre-1 year anniversary trip! Details to come.

Friday Roundup

In case y'all missed it... this week, these Appleites:

Told the military (which hates when we plan things) to take a hike and booked a Mediterranean cruise! While I've visited Turkey once before, we'll be stopping in cities neither of us have ever been. We're super pumped, but I'm super anxious! Can we afford everything we'll want to do once we get there? Will the military/life/work try to foil our plans before we even get there?

But before we get there, there's so much work to be done! Day and Night has been work work work. This is why I don't have any fun Manhattan shots to show...  I've been working so much, in fact, that Gatto has picked up on my habits!

And now, I'm out of breath.

What are you up to this weekend? I need to know so I can live vicariously through you!

Pullin Out the Stops

A few answers to my last post...

We'll be stopping at various places in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. We are so excited. In fact, we just dug up our passports, and I've secretly started packing 2 months ahead of schedule!

I guess that's why Superman's asking where all his socks went...

Bonjourno! Yasas! Merhaba!

July is going to be an amazing month... because we're cruising here:

And here:

And here:

Yes, we just booked a Mediterranean cruise. And now we've gotta work hard and save up so we can enjoy it even more!

Can you guess these three locations?

Scheme Scheme Plot Plot

The furthest out Superman and I have ever planned was our wedding day. We picked our wedding date a year in advance and, after putting thousands of dollars down on all of our vendors, we prayed that the date would work. In fact, we had deployment clauses placed in all of our contracts so we could get a refund in case the military found out about our plans (shhh!! it's listening!!!) and decided to have its way with us. Luckily it worked out for us.

Now that I'm an Army wife, I'm completely convinced that'll be the furthest we will ever plan ever again.

We'd really like to take another honeymoon for our first anniversary, but we're not sure where our lives will be come October. I know. Even October, which is only a few months away is too far out!

For now, the furthest out we can plan is July -- so we're taking full advantage! Nowhere is off limits!

Where in the world should we go???

History Buff

If you've married a man in the military, chances are you've married a future history professor. Lately we've been taking alot of American history trips -- like our latest weekend getaway to Philadelphia.

I was there to attend a professional conference. Superman on the other hand found it to be the perfect opportunity to brush up on his history trivia. We checked out the Liberty Bell, city hall (where the constitution and decleration were signed) and the nation's oldest tavern.

But the best part -- we met my parents half way!

Washington D.C.

Harper's Ferry, WV - February 2011

Today we're heading back to Washington D.C.! Tonight, we'll be attending a shmancy banquet and I'll be accepting my first professional journalism award.

This will be our second trip to D.C. this year.  Honestly, what more can I do to get Superman's wheels turning about moving to D.C.? Don't make me win another award, kid.

While I have us finding reasons to get our bums to the capital, he keeps finding reasons to get us back to the only town he's ever really lived. Ah, sometimes I wish there was a magic ambitious adventure potion I could get running through his veins.