Currently May 2023

Currently | 05.08.23

This July, Misadventures with Andi will celebrate its 15th blogiversary. I have been doing the Currently series since 2014 and have decided to change when I publish this post. Instead of doing it at the end of the month in a recap, I will do it towards the beginning of the month which feels more in line with what I am CURRENTLY doing. I don't know why I overlooked that before, but it struck me recently and I am making the change!

We haven't done much traveling of late, but not for lack of trying. For the past 6 weeks, it has been gorgeous during the week, but rainy on the weekend. So many camping trips canceled! We were all set to go to the mountains this weekend, but guess what? Yeah, you guessed it. Rain. So now we are shifting to the coast. We'll have a better chance of seeing black bears (at Alligator River) and cubs than the mountains anyway.

I will be heading to Boston the third week of May for a trade show for my day job. Haven't been in a while and am looking forward to seafood, Boston cream pie anything, and seeing colleagues I haven't seen since the pandemic.

This week we completed reserving our vacation plans for the remainder of the year. We have a month in France, 2 months in the Southwest, and now time in Maine. I will also be heading to Phoenix in June. Not being able to go to France in March was a bummer, so when we can't travel, we plan!

Now, onto May and what's happening in the Misadventures world.

Watching | Transatlantic

Transatlantic (on Netflix) is the story of a group of Americans who rescued artists, writers, and other (mostly Jewish) refugees fleeing from Nazi Germany. The story takes place in Marseilles and its surroundings and is based on the 2019 novel, The Flight Portfolio. While I enjoyed this book (and the series) I much preferred The Postmistress of Paris book which is basically the same story. If you like historical fiction (specifically France during WWII), these 2 books along with Code Name Hélène are for you!

Also watched:

The Diplomat (loved), Mandalorian Season 3 (liked), and Seasons 4 and 5 of The Last Kingdom, and the movie The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, which completed the story. Ah Uhtred, couldn't get enough of you!

Can't Wait to Watch:

• John Wick 4 – lots of it was filmed in Paris – streaming May 23!
• And Just Like That Season 2 coming in June, we will turn HBO Max back on and also watch The Last of Us.

Reading | Swan Light

Now I just started this book so I don't have much to say yet, but Swan Light popped up on my radar and has 2 intertwined stories weaved around a lighthouse in Newfoundland. The writing is evocative and reinforces my wish to travel to this part of the world, something I have wanted to do for a while!

Up Next…

• Mastering the Art of French Murder (came out in April)
• Meet Me at the Lake (came out yesterday!)

Best Bite | Keto Blueberry Nut Granola

I have been eating a bowl of NuTrail's Keto Blueberry Nut Granola Healthy Breakfast Cereal every single morning! It is low carb, has a wonderful balance of sweetness, and pairs perfectly with almond milk. I add a teaspoon of chia seeds and collagen as well. You get the best deal on the blueberry at Costco. We have purchased a few other flavors on Amazon and Walmart carries them.

Working On | 2024

With 2023 travel planned, we set our eyes on 2024. With the Olympics in Paris, we will for sure head to France, we will do another big trip to the Southwest, and we are also planning another long (4-6 weeks) in Portugal, focused in the north. We live and work to go on the next trip. One day we will slow down, but not yet!

Feeling | Cautious + Sad

I think many of you know that I have a day job. Misadventures with Andi is my passion project. By day, I am a corporate gal who has been working in Corporate America for more than 30 years, mainly in tech, and mainly in Silicon Valley. I have seen everything and experienced all the ups and downs, but some things you just don't get used to.

The current company I work for has been around for 30 years and had its first official layoff including on the team I manage, since then, it has been stressful and sad, but I have faith the company continues to have a bright future. However, prior to my sabbatical, I worked for First Republic Bank for 3 years. I built an incredible team from scratch with extremely talented people. I am sad to see the impact of their seizure and sale on so many good people who worked there and who I worked with. My hearts are with them.

Loving | Kristin Luna's Africa

Frankly, Africa isn't top on my list of places to visit. Of course, I would love to see the wildlife, but I get mentally tired when I think about planning a trip, as it does require a good amount of planning to get it right. Or you could just duplicate the trip that the amazing Kristin Luna of Camels & Chocolate recently did to Namibia. If you aren't following her on Instagram, you should.

I have so much respect for Kristin. First, she is a talented writer, but most importantly she is a good person. She has an incredible amount of integrity, has never given in to the hype, is completely transparent about her life and travel, and shares what she learns so that others can have a good experience.

All that to say, if I could have Kristin Luna's Africa, I'd take it!

Published or Updated this month

• NEW: The Best Food Markets in Paris
• NEW: Find Your Paris Hotel with Eiffel Tower View Here!
• Nishiki Market Kyoto: Paradise of Seasonal Food
• Wearing a Kimono in Kyoto: Kyoto’s Kimono Culture
• Pasteis de Nata and Pasteis de Belem – A Taste of Heaven in Lisbon
• Procacci Florence
• My Review: Florence Food Tour with Context Travel
• The French Tuck
• Baguette to Bistro: Context Travel Paris Food Tour

That’s my month, what’s CURRENTLY going on with you?