How We Travel Hack
In 2023, we travel-hacked some pretty amazing trips, including a solo trip to Rome, a family vacation in Maui and we booked our first trip of 2024. This was the first year we really tried to take advantage of our points, and we're realizing that we've just barely scratched the surface with travel hacking. We first learned about travel hacking through the ChooseFI folks several years ago. With family all over the place, there is almost always a reason for us to plan a new trip - especially during those excruciating hot Texas summers.
Rome for One
Aging is wild. It's incredible to think of all of the versions of myself that exist in the past. Young-and-totally-confused Sarah. Young-and-totally-fearless Sarah. Move-across-the-world-alone-and-live-with-a-complete-stranger Sarah. Convertible-Corvette-driving Sarah. Expat Sarah. Working professional Sarah. Francophone Sarah. Young mom Sarah. And, recently, I feel like I'd reached the version of myself that could either be old mom Sarah or scared-of-everything Sarah. This version of myself that doesn't quite understand how to be alone for long periods of time without kids and schedules and routines and a healthy dose of chaos.
New York, again
About a month ago, I booked us all on a flight to New York for the first week of the new year. Gui and I had been thinking about taking a quick trip somewhere to break up the monotony of the 3+ week winter school break. We never really settled on going anywhere because the thought of all the planning, reserving, renting, etc. that we'd need to do ahead of time kept us both in that talking phase and incapable of moving into the action phase. Planning for trips is so exhausting now. I remember when Gui and I would make a decision to go somewhere, book a flight and jump on a plane within a few weeks without so much of a misplaced hair to show for it. Although it's easier now than it was with younger kids, I will say that planning trips for 4 instead of 2 is not something I ever look forward to doing.
In-between times
Christmas 2023
This year, I made simple goals for meals and decided to keep my stress levels as low as possible by sticking to my tried and true comfort foods. I've also gotten better at setting reasonable expectations of my time when it comes to cooking. I remember getting so overwhelmed after choosing lofty menus and complicated recipes in years past, but I've finally decided not to over-complicate things so I only feel enjoyment from the time spent in the kitchen. It doesn't make sense to feel reluctant about spending so much time cooking if I don't want to be doing it. Last year, I made the decision to order a premade duck confit Christmas dinner, and it was all the rage with everyone. This year, I knew I'd have a lot of time at home, and opted to keep it more homemade.
So, we did our usual smoked salmon, cheese and charcuterie board for Christmas Eve. We added a chocolate panettone to the mix this year for dessert because we couldn't get enough of one at a friend's house earlier in the week. For Christmas linner, I stuck to a long and slow braised beef short rib with grandpère's gratin and grilled red cabbage with mustard sauce. Avienne's gotten more curious (and helpful!) in the kitchen, so she helped me whip up a very rustic bûche de noël that managed to be tasty despite my missing a few ingredients.
It was an indulgent couple of days, and we were all reminded how grateful we are for the food and gifts we all luxuriated in this Christmas.
NYC...a month later
These days chez nous
Adventures in Paris, part deux
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