Hello beautiful readers!

Wow! We've made it past the halfway point of 2018! This is crazy! I'm so happy you are all still around and survived Thano's snap (#nerdalert).

The middle of the year can definitely feel like a blur sometimes. We're either caught up with the idea of summer fun or constant work that we forget to look back at all the things we've done in the past six months. "Looking back" shouldn't be saved solely for the end of the year. We should always reflect on our day, week, month, whatever works best for you and not feel overwhelmed. 

While we should always think about our accomplishments and the many great places we've visited, we also should look at what didn't work in the first half of the year and see how we can tackle it for the second half. This is where those New Year's Resolutions come into play.

• What worked?
• What didn't work?
• Did you achieve half of your NYR list?
• Is there something you thought you would of done by now that you haven't done yet?

There are two things that automatically come into mind from my personal list of NYR and that is not being more active on my blog (sorry!) and not being more active at the gym.

While they are big on my list, I still don't let them overshadow the many great things I've been able to explore this past six months!

Up to now, I have attended 3 different comic cons, attend Spring Dapper Day at Walt Disney World, visited 15 states, saw my high school friend get married, upon many more fun moments all of which have allowed me to travel over 13,000 miles!!! That is insane! Never did I think I'd be able to travel as much as I have been fortunate enough to do so, but thats what dreaming hard and working harder is all about. So without further ado, I will now share some of my favorite highlights of the year. Enjoy!

January

Somewhere in West America

Outside my first out of state comic con in Phoenix, AZ!

Las Vegas, NV

Butterbeer at Universal Studios Hollywood

February

How can anyone get out of bed with this view?

Blessed with Sebastian Stan's autograph at Wizard World St. Louis 

Meeting Ashley Brown, Broadway's Mary Poppins at Epcot

Meeting Josh Strickland, Broadway's Tarzan at Epcot

Attending my first Festival of Arts at Epcot

Epcot's festivals always have fun photo spots! Cheers!

March

The only photo I got of myself back in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon eating Nieve Rosa

April

Going in to see Avengers: Infinity War for the first time.

Spring Dapper Day essentials for WDW

Dapper Day at Magic Kingdom, Disneybounding as Blue Fairy and Jane Porter

Having fun at Crystal Palace with Pooh and his friends!

Dapper Day at Epcot, my favorite day

May

The anticipation for Solo: A Star Wars Story was real

June

Seeing Shali get married was a magical moment. Don't you love seeing your childhood friends find happiness? <3

The fields where my family worked 20 or so years ago in Pasco, WA.

Outside the WaMu theatre getting ready for ACE Comic Con in Seattle, WA

There is no appropriate way to eat a churro at Disneyland.

"Yes, tell me sweet nothings."

True Question: who's taller Sleeping Beauty Castle or me?

Do you guys remember that episode of New Girl where Jess
gets served with a warrant? Well this guy gave it to her! 

We magically stumbled on this ICONIC place on our last trip day. WHAT! 

And there you have it! A quick visual journal of all the fun things I've done this year. I won't lie, it's hard work being able to do all the things I've done but if you hold on to the dream anything is possible.

I can't wait to see where the second half of the year takes me (or doesn't? My body could use a break hehe). 

Where have you gone in the first half of the year? Where do you hope the second half of 2018 takes you? I'd love to hear more about your stories.

Until next time!

xo, Elizabeth 

Where Have I Been?

Hello everyone!

Wow, it's been a long time since my last post! If I waited any longer, I would of gone a year without blogging (say what!). I will admit this is a long overdue post since were already a solid month into 2018 (but can we agree that January felt like an eternity?!), I'll give you a quick breakdown of where I have been this whole past year and what I have in store for 2018!

First of, I took time off from blogging because life happened and it blossomed into something I couldn't even imagine. Seriously, if you'd told me I would have experienced what I did this year (which I'll get to in a bit) back in May of 2016 as a freshly graduated college student, I wouldn't of believed you. I'm too excited to upload this post I didn't bother editing and uploading photos. Feel free to check them out on Instagram here or by following my hashtag on Instagram #erodtravels. Let's get to it!

I'll say first and foremost that 2017 was absolutely the first year were I witnessed real growth in all aspects of life. I not only grew to learn the difference between "quality vs quantity" with the people I surround myself with, but I learned to stretch my arms are really explore the world through arts, culture, and travel. It has been a beautiful journey of mine to be able to witness. Sometimes we forget to sit back and reflect on our experiences.

The year has many firsts. First time dates, first time drinking new wines and cocktails, first time attending Disney Parks events like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and my first Dapper Day event at Walt Disney World. First time going to New York City with two friends who are so special to me now. First time going through big adult like issues. First time at Disney World while the Christmas decorations were up. First time flying alone. First time really taking risks and being happy with the results.

I'm excited to see where 2018 takes me because I know 2017 was just the beginning. I already have a handful of places and events to attend!

I can't wait to see you follow me along on this new journey of mine. I'm just getting started!

xo, Elizabeth

Breakfast at The Guenther House, San Antonio

Hello, my wonderful readers!

One keeps busy when managing many hats of the trade, but we have to keep pushing right? Being out of school has definitely made it harder to see my friends, but what always brings us together? FOOD!

 Last Wednesday, I was able to catch up with my best friend, Kala, over breakfast at a hidden gem in San Antonio's King Williams District called The Guenther House. The house used to be the home of Pioneer Flour Mills owner, Carl Hilmar Guenther.

Alamo City Comic Con, 2016

Hello lovely readers!

I hope you've all been doing exceptionally well because you all deserve wonderful things heading your way! Today I bring to you a post on the other "holiday" besides Thanksgiving that brings us all together, Comic Con Weekend.

Alamo City Comic Con hit my city a bit over a month ago and aside from the special memories I made it also is a full circle for my blog because it's the first thing I ever blogged about back in 2015. So, let's get started!

Orlando Trip, Day Four: Island of Adventure

Another Monday, another Opportunity!

Hello readers, today I finish my four part diary to my first trip to Orlando back in July. We visited the Magic Kingdom, traveled the world to Epcot, entered the magical world of Universal Studios Orlando, and now I finish it up with my last post: Island of Adventure.

Orlando Trip, Day Three: Universal Studios Orlando

Hello Monday!

It's been far too long since I last posted on here and I can't tell you how good it feels to be writing again! Work has truly kept me busy, but that's okay because I have great big adventures in the way.

Today I'm back to finish writing about my summer trip to Orlando because there needs to be more blogging about magical places!! You can read the first two parts of this four part series here and here. 

It's been a magical week or two since the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them that it felt reasonable to post about my visit that has access to Diagon Alley, Universal Studios Orlando. Again, this post is not sponsored by anyone. This is a visual diary of mine that I share with the rest of you friends. Got it? Let's get started!

You know I had to take advantage of the sun light! Sam and I on our way to the park!

 

Ah, the beautiful entrance. I will say, it was a bit nostalgic seeing this golden arch after seeing its sister arch back in Hollywood for many years.

 

Definitely not the same exterior like in Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

Taking advantage of Snapchat's Geo-Filter. I'm not the only one in the hunt for all of them, right? I am? Oh, okay....Let's move on!

 

Lon Chaney's Make Up according to the sign next to these beautiful artifacts.

 

I've been obsessed with Universal Monsters and Alfred Hitchcock since a child (thank you USH), that seeing all of the movie props, costumes and makeup made me so giddy!

This museum/show gave me **feels**! It reminded me of the long, gone show "Studio Effects" attraction in USH, where now the new Transformers ride lives.

 

Terminator. I miss you in California!

 

I couldn't tell if it was hunger talking, but the food at Mel's was SO. GOOD.  

 

I'm *dead.* Seeing this attraction and getting on it again gave 5 year old Elizabeth so much happiness! This ride means a lot to my parents since it's one of the first rides we rode in USH when we went our first year.

Now comes the portion in the post where I lose my mind and post nothing but Diagon Alley photos. You have been warned.

 

Yes, you can meet the men in charge of the Knight Bus.

 

My *death my love* face once crossing the brick wall.

 

Baby breathes fire!! Protecting the future not-so-safe-since-our-dragon-left Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

 

The wand that chose me.

 

I'M NOW A WITCH!! 

 

Seriously, the details and love that was used to bring Wizarding World of Harry Potter to life is evident everywhere you turn. Bravo, artists!

 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts attraction is amazing! The waiting area is amazing. Simply ride this ride!

 

My first Butterbeer! So tasty when it's frozen in a hot July day.

 

Leaving Knockturn Alley because #NOPE to Death Eaters.

 

When a witch attempts to go Vogue. 

 

So many wands! Which means, yours is somewhere in there too!

 

Sad attempt at making magic.

 

Once we left Diagon Alley, we decided to go #vogue once more next to this cool mural in the park.

 

Bless the folks who asked if we wanted our picture taken together.

 

We had to leave the park early due to our shuttle, but we still covered 80% of the park on a busy day. We had tons of fun! I can't wait to share our last park visit,  Island of Adventure! Read my other park visits to Magic Kingdom and Epcot!

Thank you again for reading my blog! I'll see you next time my beautiful readers! 

xo, Elizabeth