Tap, tap… is this thing on?

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In case you noticed, it was a bit quiet here the last few weeks (in case you didn’t, which is totally possible, that’s ok, too. Welcome back!). But I had a good reason to abandon this space for a little bit.
As you might have already figured from Instagram updates (again, if you follow me there), I took a spontaneous, intentionally-unannounced-kind-of-secret trip to Germany to see my family the last few weeks.

In case you’re just finding out about it now and feel kind of puzzled or even a bit disappointed as to why I didn’t tell you about my travel plans, I want you to know: it was nothing personal. This was not about you or our friendship, this trip was about me. I didn’t tell anyone in advance. Only my parents knew.

I didn’t plan or even expect to travel home this summer. It was a last minute decision and there were some good reasons for me to go. My Mom called a few weeks ago, still blissfully happy after the wonderful surprise my sister and I were able to pull off for my parents’ 40th anniversary in May, and all she said was: it’s time to surprise someone else.

My niece Greta started school in August (WHAT?) and my Mom thought it would be a really great surprise for my sister if I showed up unannounced for this once-in-a-lifetime event. After all, I am also Greta’s godmother, and obviously I couldn’t agree fast enough. After getting the OK from my supervisor and scouring the internet for more or less (less being the operative word) affordable flight deals, the decision was made quickly.

Since I couldn’t tell my sister that I was coming (do you have any idea how hard it is to keep a secret from your own sister??), I decided to not tell anyone else either.
A) I didn’t want to put anyone in the situation of accidentally spilling the beans and B) I kinda liked the idea of having this secret trip coming up that nobody else knew about.

Most of my trips back home are meticulously planned in advance and packed to the brim with plans, events, family gatherings and get-togethers. It’s always fun and I always love seeing everyone, but to be honest, it’s never much of a vacation. Since nobody knew that I was coming, I decided to take this time for just myself and my family. It was going to be a real vacation this time.

22 days later and I am back in CA with a big smile on my face, sparkling eyes and a feeling of having gotten much needed rest and a full dose of family recharge. I didn’t realize how stressed out (in some ways) I had been over the summer and how much I needed this time to slow down, unplug and spend time with the people I love most.

The first few days back here, I always feel a little off, but I am ready to jump back into my life here and hopefully restart regular posting on this ol’ blog. There definitely are some things that I need to catch up on! I haven’t told you about the fantastic belated anniversary trip that J and I took in July, I also haven’t blogged about the wonderful weekend that I spent with  Caryn in Los Angeles, and I am sure you want to know how surprising my sister played out. I promise, I’ll get to all of that… stay tuned!

  1. Welcome home!! Spontaneous and mysterious….that’s my kind of vacation! Can’t wait to hear more!

  2. Spontaneous trips are the best! Glad you had a great time :)

  3. I love that you got to surprise them and I cannot wait to hear all about it! I bet it was so much fun spending time with your loved ones! Hugs xxx

  4. I love surprises and I’m sure it was tough to keep it to yourself! Can’t wait to hear/read about your sisters face :)
    Welcome back in CA.

  5. Oh my, what a delightful surprise for everyone involved! Yaaaay!

    xox

  6. That’s such a fantastic surprise! I would love to fly home to surprise my mom sometime … I keep watching for seat sales, maybe I’ll be able to do it in February! Welcome back :)

  7. What fun! So glad you were able to spend that time with your family.

  8. Oh this sounds fun! Looking forward to hearing the whole story. And I bet it is tough to not talk about when it’s so exciting.

  9. No apologies necessary at all! And you never have to tell anyone where you’re going or what your plans are! Sounds like such a wonderful trip (also based off of the Instagram photos I saw). So glad you got to see your family! I know how close you are to them and how important they are to you. I’m still hoping my parents will be able to come and visit this fall/winter.

  10. Spontaneous is great! It sounds like an amazing time- glad you soaked up every minute of it & of our family!

  11. Welcome back! Glad to hear the trip went well.

  12. Welcome back! So glad you had such a wonderful trip and what a great surprise that must have been for everyone, love it.

  13. That is so cool that you were able to pull off this surprise. I can understand why you didn’t tell anyone as it’s hard to tell even a couple of people without risking having more find out. I am glad you had a good trip home and that it was relaxing and refreshing. I am sure it was great to not have such a jam-packed schedule like you usually do when you go home.

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