Month: January 2017

Everest Base Camp Trek – Highlights

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Trekking to Everest Base Camp was a lifelong goal that I can happily say I crossed off my bucket list. This is the first in an eight part series I’m writing about my experience, and hope that this series will help those looking to make their dream of trekking to Everest Base Camp a reality! To kick off the series, I’ve curated a list of ten pictures that capture the highlight of my 12 day trek.

#1: Enjoying the thrill of both flying into and out of Lukla Airport.  IMG_4018

#2: Pausing for a moment during our second day of hiking where we ascended 890 meters!

#3: Watching buffaloes, horses and donkeys walk across these narrow suspension bridges high up the river valley floor.  IMG_4225

#4: Stopping for a break at the Trekkers Memorial. Trekkers Memorial#5: Feeling a complete sense of solitude walking through this desolate valley. IMG_4978

#6: Feeling completely alive during our helicopter ride around Everest National Park (highly recommend!)

IMG_5147#7: Appreciating the local culture and spiritual component throughout the trek.  IMG_5086

#8: Admiring the views of Ama Dablam throughout the trek. IMG_5045#9: Taking in the scenery of the surrounding mountains at Everest Base Camp. IMG_4879

#10: Reaching Everest Base Camp! IMG_4887

There were many other highlights throughout my 12 day trek to Everest Base Camp, but these were moments were definitely the most memorable. Stay tuned for more details on how I did it!

2016 in Review

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It’s already been a week into the new year, but I wanted to take this time to reflect on last year. I’ve already done that for travel, but surprise to say, there’s a lot more to life than trying to fit in a new destination every weekend! Here are the things that really stand out in my mind from 2016:

Career

  • Made it a full year at my employer!
  • Implemented nurture programs at my job, something that had not been done before.
  • Completed my first two courses for a second bachelor’s in Computer Science. Two down, ten more to go!
  • Opened up a travel consultation service!
My workspace decorated with a nice birthday card from coworkers!

My workspace decorated with a nice birthday card from coworkers!

Signed book from one of my marketing technology sources of inspiration: Scott Brinker.

Signed book from one of my marketing technology sources of inspiration: Scott Brinker. Got this during Dreamforce 2016.

Relationships:

  • Have known my significant other for about a year!
  • Was a groomsmen for the first time in my friend’s wedding
  • Attended two weddings of longtime friends in one weekend: Saturday in Phuket and Sunday in Boston
Night before friend's wedding in Phuket!

Night before friend’s wedding in Phuket!

Travel:

  • Trekked to Everest Base Camp
  • Visited Cape Town and the Cape Winelands
  • Traveled for the first time with my mom in about a decade.
  • Visited several new places: Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Seoul, Grand Canyon, Dallas
  • Attended NYC, DC and Chicago Pride; was on the Google parade float at NYC Pride
Trekking to Everest Base Camp

Trekking to Everest Base Camp

Finances

  • Paid off $8.5k towards my student loan debt. (Have about $14k left, originally $85k)
  • Contributed about $9k towards my retirement accounts
  • Increased my contributions to max out my 403(b) and 457(b) accounts in 2017

Health & Fitness:

  • Ran three races this year: Brooklyn 15k, Philadelphia and Brooklyn Rock N Roll Half-Marathons.
  • Set a PR this year on my half marathon time (2hr 15min)
  • Walked or ran a total of 216.23 miles, over 55 days, for a total of 35hr 31min and 44 sec.
  • Maintained a fairly regular and consistent exercise routine throughout the year.
  • Maintained a consistent weight throughout the year (~120 lbs)
My pacing during the 2016 Brooklyn Rock N Roll Half Marathon.

My pacing during the 2016 Brooklyn Rock N Roll Half Marathon, a PR for me!

 

 

2017 Goals

I don’t really believe in resolutions per se, but these are some of the things that I’m looking forward to working on an improving in this new year:

  • Improve my Mandarin Chinese. I majored in Chinese in undergrad and studied abroad in Shanghai and Taipei, but have barely used the language in the last three years. I just signed up for GLN’s Nearly Native Mandarin Chinese class beginning in February!
  • Set another PR with my half-marathon time. As of this moment I’m running three half-marathons this year, all affiliated with the Rock-N-Roll Series: Raleigh in April, Chicago in July and Denver in October. Really aiming to finally get under two hours.
  • Learn how to cook. I spend way too much on eating out, and in the new year I’d like to prepare and cook at least 50% of my meals.
  • Continue working towards completing my second bachelors in Computer Science by taking at least two classes per term.
  • Continue growing at my day job and helping more people achieve their travel goals with my consultation service.

Despite the ups and downs of 2016, it definitely was a memorable year. Looking forward to laughing, growing, learning and traveling even more in the new year!