Five travel things

I hope that everyone had a great weekend. Personally, I spent most of it at home after being sick on Friday. Torsten was also sick--he seems to be about a week behind me on the same cold. But after lots of sleep we are both feeling a lot better than we were on Friday. And we have decided to go to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon. So that is an exciting decision made.

Also, you guys all had really interesting things to say about the whole "not that into you" question on Friday. From your comments, I drew a basic conclusion: sometimes needing space is a legitimate concern. But a bunch of conflict-avoiding types have ruined it for the rest of us. And if someone says they aren't interested in dating right now, unless they have just gotten out of a serious relationship, then what they really mean is they aren't interested in dating you right now.

See? I learn so much from you guys.

Now, onto today's actual subject: I was tagged by Shelly at notthedaddy to share five facts about myself. It seems that everybody who does this meme selects a particular theme to focus on. Since I have been so honeymoon-focused recently, I think I'll make mine about travel.

1. I have been to three of the seven continents: North America, Europe, and Africa. My goal is to visit all seven. For Antarctica, I want to do one of those really cool cruises that cost five figures. This will clearly have to wait until I win the lottery. Also, did you guys know that in Europe, conventional wisdom holds that there are only five continents? Antarctica doesn't count and North and South America are considered as one. If you try to argue with anyone about that, they will tell you, "But they're connected!" The fact that Europe and Asia are a hell of a lot more connected does not seem to matter.

2. I have been to 35 of the 50 US states. Almost all of the states I haven't visited are in the midwest or northwest. Of the states I haven't yet visited, Alaska is on the top of my places I want to see, followed by Wyoming and Colorado. Torsten and I would love to do a US road trip but we are more interested in the western half of the country, starting at about the Dakotas, so that would be a lot of wasted driving between here and there.

3. When I was one year old, my family drove from my aunt and uncle's house in Washington state to California in two days. Apparently I cried the entire first day. Literally, the whole way, which was at least ten hours in the car, until we stopped at a hotel for the night. The next day when my parents put me back in my car seat, I started crying again, and then gave up. I am surprised I didn't wind up in a cardboard box on the side of the highway somewhere in Oregon.

4. I wish Asia weren't so far away, because it has most of the countries that I really want to visit. Specifically, Japan, China, and Thailand. And not just because of the cuisine, either.

5. I am still not used to traveling with just Torsten and planning the trips myself. It is such a difference from a family vacation where my parents planned everything. Not that they didn't do a good job planning our family trips. But it's a new feeling for me to be scheduling hotels, restaurant reservations, flights, and itineraries myself. I still kind of feel like I should call my mom to confirm our plans before I hand over my credit card. This makes me wonder if I will ever truly feel grown up.