What About Our 30s?

Growing up, adults would always remind me of how amazing it is to be “young” and to live up and appreciate every moment.

It’s true, during college and in my 20s I was free as a bird— working hard, playing hard, traveling all over, and ultimately worrying only about myself and what made me happy. Which in my opinion is exactly how you should spend those years: exploring, experimenting, and “finding yourself” (as they call it).

However, as soon as I turned 30 all the friendly reminders stopped. How come no one ever speaks of the sweetness of this stage? Why aren’t my elders reminding me to hold on to these years and live up every waking moment?  For me, this has been the best decade.

My 30s have been comprised of countless celebratory hugs and tearful phone calls to learn one of my dear friends or family members got engaged, confirmed a wedding date, bought a house, landed the job of their dreams, and by far the most exciting – a pregnancy announcement.  There is no piece of news that brings more happiness to you, your spouse, your family, and your friends. Can you imagine no more than a couple months going by without learning of a new pregnancy or birth of a newborn? It’s pure bliss. And it’s all in your 30s.

I must admit, there was a nervousness about leaving my years of super independence, but what about the beauty of never having to do anything alone again? The security of knowing there is someone to support you in every new challenge life sends your way? What’s not to love about building a home, a family, and a life with someone who adores you? Or even friendships. The friendships that are lasting through your 30s are more real and valuable. You become more comfortable with yourself and certain with how you prefer to spend your time, which in turn makes you smarter and pickier with the friends you keep close.

Perhaps I wouldn’t feel so happy with where I am now if I hadn’t spent my 20s the way I did, but either way, I am here to let all my young readers know that YOUR 30s ROCK TOO. Live up your 20s and enjoy the freedom and independence to the fullest, but know there is another decade right around the corner that is going to blast you with joy and happiness!


Sincerely,
Sahra

LA vs. NYC - Can't We All Just Get Along?

The burning question, Los Angeles vs. New York City.. Which is better? Which is cooler?

As a certified New Yorker who lived in LA both before and after NYC, people often ask me if I like LA or NYC more. And my response is always the same, "Both cities are amazing, it just depends what you're looking for." 

If your priority is to be surrounded by culture, professional growth, overt intellectual stimulation, style and urban living -- you likely will not be happy in LA. If you're looking for sunshine, laid back people, space, healthy living, outdoor adventures and physical challenges -- you likely will not be happy in NYC. 

It's easy for me to answer this question because I've felt both. Toward the end of living in LA from '02-'05 I felt the former; and when I left NYC and moved back to LA eight years later I felt the latter.

I've seen numerous articles about people who prefer LA and attack NYC and vice versa. I don't understand why there can't just be a preference and stop there. Is it necessary to point out how NYC has horrible weather, nasty people, and long work hours? And that LA people seem fake and it's a real drag having to drive everywhere? 

To me, the "bad" is also what creates the charm: freezing winters can be cozy and scorching hot summers can be sexy, the no bullshit attitude makes for impeccable loyalty and friendships, and the people work hard because they are driven to achieve their goals. And on the flip side, it's actually pleasant to get smiled at when running daytime errands, and driving to work with my sunroof open while listening to NPR and sipping coffee from my cup holder is pretty sweet too. 

Both cities are beautiful. Just because they are among the top U.S. big cities to reside in doesn't mean we are inclined to choose one over the other, love one and hate the other. LA and NYC shouldn't be compared at all in my opinion. Rather, they should both be embraced for the very different awe-inspiring experiences each has to offer. I can't imagine one without the other. 


Sincerely,
Sahra

Costa Rica

I've never cried when a trip is over. I have, of course, cried when saying goodbye to loved ones at the airport, and have felt depressed when boarding that dreadful flight from Miami back to New York in early January (we've been having holiday family reunions in South Beach since 2007). But never a cry/borderline sob because I am just so... sad. Even Paris didn't do that to me. Paris was incredible, especially because it was our first trip to Europe together, but I was okay with heading home when it was time to go. Not Cost Rica though. Costa Rica is the closest experience I've had to paradise.

Waking up at six every morning slightly anxious thinking about the new adventure that awaited us, discussing the proper attire and how to pack our bags for that day. Should I wear my suit under my hiking clothes for when we swim the waterfalls? Is carrying a banana in my backpack a bad idea? Do you think we should pack towels for when we reach the lagoon in the crater of the volcano? Do you want surf lessons today or should we just rent boards? Should I take off my jewelry for the hot springs? Are my rain boots appropriate for zip lining? Do we want to go straight to the beach after we ride horses through the rainforest? 

These questions alone are a gorgeous start to any day.

Then we would proceed to breakfast stopping for iguanas crossing the sidewalk and to watch the most vibrantly colored butterflies flutter past us. And there was that one morning we walked out our front door greeted by two white faced monkeys no more than eight feet in front of us. They were tugging aggressively at the rooftop, and stopped to make eye contact with us. Joshua screamed Ruuun! and we went down the back stairs. I didn't understand their intention messing with the roofing of our hotel (since they are smart animals after all), but Joshua explained to me that this is where the term "monkeying around" comes from; there is no reasoning, they are just causing trouble. Like teenage boys, he says.

One of our tour guides told us later that the locals refer to the white faced monkeys as "the mafia." Ha.

Galavanting through the rainforest and being dominated by mother nature's territory is living on a whole new level. I went to Costa Rica ready to fight off all the creepy crawlers, but after our first day I was oohing and aahing at how cute they are. Even the lizard we found slithering through my toiletries, and the baby one we found in our bed.. Pura Vida!*

The waterfalls and streams were fresh and just cool enough. The ocean had no frightening sea creatures, great waves, and felt like bath water. And whether on a hike, swimming, or walking home from dinner -- we were always happy when it rained.

Heaven.

And for my friends that plan a trip to Costa Rica and are curious what we did:

Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna
Spent three nights here, stayed at Tabacon Hot Springs Resort (highly recommend it)
Day 1
Boat ride down Rio Frio.
Day 2
Hike Cerro Chato, a neighboring volcano. Very challenging hike. I was sore the rest of the week :) Make sure you swim in the crater when you make it to the top. This was Joshua's favorite part of the entire trip.
Visit and swim the La Fortuna waterfall.
Day 3
Hike Arenal rainforest with hanging bridges.
Zip-line.
Day 4
Fly to Quepos.

Manuel Antonio
Spent four nights here, stayed at Parador Resort and Spa (highly recommend it)
Day 5
Walk through rainforest to get to hotel's private beach (got surrounded by white faced monkeys on our way down). Snorkeled here.
Surf lessons (for me) at Manuel Antonio beach.
Day 6
Rainforest hike in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Surf Manuel Antonio Beach.
Ronnie's to watch sunset (BEST grouper fish here).
Day 7
Horseback ride to the waterfalls.
Back to Manuel Antonio Beach.
Day 8
Back to San Jose for a night. Leave next morning for home.


Sincerely,
Sahra


*A motto used in the Costa Rican dialect. People use it as a greeting, and in many other contexts. The literal translation is "Pure Life," but the true meaning is much more profound. It is a way of life, a reminder to enjoy our short time here. That no matter what your current situation, there is someone else who is in a less fortunate one. The Ticos are among the kindest people I have ever met.