Archive for : November, 2017

By: Melissa Ann Maida November 18, 2017

Galena, Illinois Through the Eyes of a Traveler

It’s funny how we take the places around where we grew up for granted. I put places like Galena, the top of the Sears Tower, and that Thai restaurant in downtown Wheaton into a box. The box of things that have always been there, so I subconsciously assume will always be there and therefore don’t pay them any attention. Yet when I’m traveling, I get geeked over visiting a small town in The Netherlands, seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night or dining at a whole in the wall sushi joint in Brisbane…

By: Melissa Ann Maida November 16, 2017

I Booked a One-Way Ticket to Bangkok!

I gave myself Thanksgiving Day as a deadline to pick a city and book a one-way ticket. That’s only a week away and to be honest, I was already making excuses as to why I should put it off another month… or three…

I started to research all the places I’m interested in and was like effff this- everywhere has potential to be awesome. I just need to pick a starting point. With that said, for no reason other than intuition, Bangkok it is!

By: Melissa Ann Maida November 14, 2017

Sweet Home Chicago: First Month Back in My Hometown

Without the familiarity and judgement that used to accompany thoughts of Chicago, I’m free to take pleasure in everyday things. I am free to treat Chicago like any other foreign city I visit. Going places I’ve never gone and doing things I’ve never done. Revisiting places I’ve been before to see how they’ve changed, soak them in, and build new memories. I am immersing myself in the the local community and strengthening the relationships the defined my youth.

By: Melissa Ann Maida November 8, 2017

Untold History: Tennessee

As we drove toward their house outside the city, CrazyTown faded into the distance and The South came into focus. My aunt pointed out various statues, monuments and landmarks pertaining to the American Civil War. Having only ever lived in or traveled through the North and West, this was my first encounter with tangible evidence of the Civil War. It didn’t take me long to notice how Confederate-centric these Civil War displays were. At first, I assumed I wasn’t seeing the the whole picture through the sporadic car window snapshots.

About Me

My name is Melissa Ann Maida. I am a nomad. I prefer the mountains over the beach... until I'm back at the beach and am reminded of how glorious sunrise yoga beside the ocean is. You can usually find me reading or writing in a local cafe or at the library, wandering in nature or navigating public transit in a big city. My hair is always a different color and usually wrapped up in a bandanna. I don't wear make-up and rock a beat up pair of Birks. Everything I own fits in a backpack... But this hasn't always been my life… At the start of 2014, I had a successful cosmetology career, lived in a nice house in a Las Vegas suburb, drove a brand new car, and was planning my wedding...