S is for Simple pleasures

That wonderful trail of coffee aroma that says 'come and get me!'

The broad grin on the little one's face that greets you first thing in the morning.

Looking at old photographs and reliving memories.

An unexpected nap at noon.

A phone call out of the blue, from an old long lost friend.

A simple home-cooked meal at the end of a stressful day.

Meeting green lights at all the traffic signals on your way to work.

The realisation when you wake up that it is still 3 am and you can go back to sleep again.

Finding the perfect pair of shoes/dress at the first stop during a shopping spree.

A Good-hair day amidst many bad ones.

Setting foot indoors the moment it starts pouring outside.

A quiet, uninterrupted conversation with R over dinner.

Hearing an old favourite song playing somewhere, one that you haven't heard in ages.

Being at the receiving end of the first kiss from your baby.

Notes to self: Snippets from this trip

A hot bath on a cold and rainy day after dragging your heavy bags through unknown places is probably the best thing that can happen to you.

A combination of rain and the cold is killer. Give me a sunny day instead of a cold and rainy day, any day ;)

A hot cup of soup, even if it is just Campbell's in a tin cup, is amazing in this cold weather. Well, of course you knew I was gonna say that already!

It's amazing how good a scenic view can make you feel. I only say it out of experience. I didn't believe until now that the beauty you see can actually make you so happy. How can you not be happy when you are in such a beautiful place!

No matter how long the holiday is, the day will always come when you have to go back. 

I always felt we should have stayed at this place for a while longer. There is so much more to see. But I felt this in every single place I went to.

Someday I want to rent/own a caravan/ motorhome and come back and visit all these places again.

Reminder to self: try traveling lighter. Getting from point A to point B with a suitcase is ok. But not getting from A to B to C to D and back to A again.

Oh How I dread to come back to the land of doing dishes and going back to work  again. Shudder!

I really need another vacation to get over this one!

Last leg

Today is my last day in San Francisco and I'm actually feeling bad about going back.  I've enjoyed every bit of this trip. I'm not looking forward to the long flight back but I am looking forward to going home. I've learnt so much on this trip. Thought i'd just share some gyan.

• Girls really know how to have fun. It doesn't matter which country, culture or background they come from. Trust me, I think girls know how to have fun, much better than the boys.
• Most people you meet are nice to you, as long as you are nice to them.
• If you need help, you just need to ask.
• Always make sure you travel with like-minded people who at least share similar interests. It helps.
• There will always be a million ways to get from A to B. To find the easiest way, you have to ask other people!
• There is such a thing as "too much shopping".
• Don't judge people, not even random strangers. You know nothing about them.
• No matter how much fun you have had on vacation,  you'll always miss home! I know I did.