While others kick off the New Year with typical resolutions like cutting out junk food or hitting the gym, I prefer to embrace a simpler philosophy: live and learn. Each year, I enrich my life by adding three new activities—travel, athletics, and education—fueling my wanderlust, satisfying my curiosity, and keeping life exciting.
Travel? Well, that’s my perfect excuse to wander into the unknown, diving into diverse cultures, cuisines, and capers, all while racking up enough frequent flyer miles to practically start my own airline. Having lived on five continents—North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Africa—I’ve explored diverse cultures, cuisines, and adventures. From playing with lion cubs on an African safari to go-kart racing in Tokyo, every journey adds to my collection of cherished memories and stamps in my well-worn passports.
Athletics offers a mix of fun and challenge. From triathlons that push my limits to peaceful pursuits like yoga, paddleboarding, and kayaking, I enjoy staying active and connecting with nature. It’s less about competition and more about savoring the journey—whether it’s on a bike, a board, the ocean, a lake, or a mountain trail.
Education keeps me curious and inspired. One year, I learned to make pasta in a Tuscan cooking school; another, I attended grad school in Sydney. Even mishaps, like a serious attempt at gardening, which won Bethesda Maryland’s Best Small Garden Award award, only to accidentally apply grass killer—instead of week killer—the weekend before a photo shoot for a magazine. The look on the award committee members’ faces when they arrived to present my trophy as they glared at the wasteland before them was priceless. Not every endeavor is a complete success, but each one adds humor and depth to my life.
Carving out time—like implementing “No TV Tuesdays and Thursdays”—I’ve discovered how much can be achieved when you focus on participating in life instead of watching others. Whether it’s a new recipe, a foreign country, or an athletic endeavor, the triumphs and setbacks alike remind me that life is all about exploration and growth. After all, it’s the pursuit of the unknown that makes life truly exciting.
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