2016 Postcards from Amanda
My main takeaway from 2016 is that the "one thing I can tell you is you got to be free." (Abbey Road, London)
2016 FUN STATS
> Welcomed a new family member into my life.
> Moved into my 5th apartment in San Francisco. I've lived in the city since June 2012!
> Visited 5 countries I had never been before.
> Flew on 19 planes.
> Spent 4 weekends at Lake Tahoe.
> Stayed in 16 Airbnb listings.
> Started TBP!
2017 PLANS
> Spend New Year's Eve in Havana, Cuba. I'll be sipping rum on the Malecón but *not* smoking Cuban cigars because Morgan told me I'm not allowed to promote smoking on our blog. Touché, friend.
> Spend a day in Monterey to see the aquarium and stroll down Cannery Row.
> Go to Yosemite and learn how to camp.
2017 BUCKET LIST
> Beijing and/or Tokyo
> Teach Max new tricks.
> Plan a trip with Morgan!
JANUARY
celebrated the new year in Sa Pa, Vietnam. I spent a day trekking through gorgeous rice terraces and learning about the culture of the Hmong tribe. This year, I’ll celebrate in Havana, Cuba. ¡Feliz año nuevo!
went to lake tahoe for the first trip of the winter and took a snowboarding class.
One of the Sapa Sisters tour guides of the Hmong minority group. We spent the day exploring rice terraces and eating local cuisine. (January, 2016)
february
my second tahoe trip of the year.
celebrated galentines day with some gal friends.
Snow in Tahoe! I'm rocking my 90's onesie snowsuit that I found on Poshmark. (February, 2016)
MARCH
Went on my final tahoe trip of the winter.
Taught Aimee how to schuck oysters at hog island in tomales bay, ca and spent a night in a treehouse in Petaluma.
wished morgan and dan an incredible adventure as they took off for dublin. during our last dinner in san francisco, morgan and i brainstormed how we could keep in touch and the result was tbp.
Took my friend Aimee on an adventure in the North Bay of San Francisco and stayed overnight at this adorable tree house. (March, 2016)
May
fostered max for a weekend and never gave him back. i rescued him from copper's dream rescue.
spent memorial day weekend dancing at the lightning in a bottle music festival in central california.
Views from Lightning in a Bottle's Woogie stage. I took this picture from backstage at the Lee Burridge show. (May, 2016)
A Charlie and the Chocolate factory themed "Tea Time" in London with my little sister. This is my happy face. (June, 2016)
july
spent a summer day floating the russian river in guerneville.
A summer day in Guerneville with some incredible co-workers. That's me with the pineapple float! (July, 2016)
It's a very pink wall. You can find it at 8221 Melrose Ave in LA. I recommend taking off the hair-tie around your wrist for your own picture :). (August, 2016)
Lake Tahoe is only a ~4 hour drive from San Francisco. Keep Tahoe Blue! (September, 2016)
October
attended grace hopper, the largest women in tech conference in the world. it was in houston, tx and i found a few picture-worthy spots.
visited hawaii for the first time. i was on the island of maui and drove the road to hana!
attended a digital nomad girls meetup at sutro baths, sf. it was hosted by the lovely tour de lust and I met new blogger friends, lavi and shem.
dressed in a couple's costume with max. i was a monkey, he was a banana.
Check out this giant water wall in Houston, TX. You can find it here. (October, 2016)
november
hosted my family in san francisco for thanksgiving. we explored golden gate park, strolled through the japanese tea garden and hiked land's end.
Hiking Land's End with my family. It was the perfect day with clear skies to see the Golden Gate Bridge. (November, 2016)
december
went to see the nutcracker at the san francisco ballet.
celebrated my birthday in philadelphia, my original hometown.
spending christmas and new years in cuba! i'll be in havana and viñales.
A night at the ballet with friends and bubbly. (December, 2016)
What did you learn this year?
What's on your bucket list for 2017?
Share in the comments below!
Amanda's 2017 adventures.