First Day of School

Today was the first day I missed the hustle and bustle, the jittery and anxious feeling of not sleeping the night before because of the excitement of the first day of school. This is my fifteenth year in the field of education. 

Wow, it’s my Quinceanera!

The reason I missed the first day of school was because I am on a Sabbatical this year. In my district, teachers can apply for a year of Sabbatical once you’ve reached your 7th year of teaching. The selections depends on seniority but with 14 years under my belt, I was graciously granted the Gift of Sabbatical. I have been planning mine on my 15th year to coincide with my son’s departure for college. This year I am taking the year off to travel but first, I get to take my son to college! We leave in T-minus 5 days on a road trip up to Washington. It is a surreal feeling of excitement and sadness and mixed emotional colors of the rainbow. 

I celebrated today, while everyone else got ready for the first day of school, with my favorite hike. It was filled with the most absurd weather: tropical thunderstorm weather in the BAY AREA!!! Hot, humid, muggy, thunder, lightning, wind, rain and sunshine! It was an incredible experience!

Here is a picture I captured during my hike!

Here is the brunch I could not finish 

because I had to find shelter!

The storm moved in quick!

The weather was one for the books! Nothing I’ve experienced in the Bay Area. 

I hope that with Distance Learning, school will look a lot different this year but learning and growing will continue. I want to wish everyone a safe and happy first day of school. Sending everyone love, light, and positivity all year long!

My Love for Hiking

Hiking has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Hiking and exploring in nature has been a therapeutic adventure for me. The warm sunshine on my face, the sound and feel of the wind all around me, the soft earthy feel of the trail underneath my boots, the sound of water flowing down a stream or rushing over a cliff, birds chirping in a distant; all these sensory experiences are unique each and every hike. Hiking has become a whole body workout for me- from my mind to my toes and everything in between. 

Being in nature has given me an opportunity to improve my physical and mental health. The quality time I get to spend in my thoughts allows me to reflect. My mood is completely changed after a hike and my stress levels are lowered. I am more calm and somehow my anxiety has disappeared. My state of mind is completely altered. Hiking has also improved my sensory perception to really appreciate the world as Mother Nature presents herself. Gratitude is an incredible gift I receive after a day of hiking outdoors.

I've been on some amazing hikes and here's a few of my favorites. I can't wait to go on more hiking adventures and explore!

Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint

Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

2015

Moro Rock Trail

Sequoia National Park, California, U.S.A.

2015

Great Waterfall, Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia

2016

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Croatia

2016

Cinque Terre "Five Lands"

Vernazza, Liguira, Italy

2016

Mooney Falls, Havasuapai

Supai, Arizona, U.S.A.

2016

Donostia- San Sebastian

Basque Country, Spain

2017

Sunrise at Smith Rock State Park

Oregon, U.S.A.

2017

Marshall Beach, Batteries to Bluffs Trail

San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

2017

Angels Landing

Zion National Park, Utah, U.S.A.

2018

The Narrows

Zion National Park, Utah, U.S.A.

2018

Antelope Canyon

Page, Arizona, U.S.A.

2018

Keyhole Arch at Pfeiffer Beach

Big Sur, California, U.S.A.

2018

Stinson Beach, Dipsea Trail to Steep Ravine Loop Trail

Mount Tamalpais State Park, California, U.S.A.

2018

Lands End

San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

2019

Lake Louise

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

2019

Big Beehive Trail

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

2019

Sulphur Mountain Trail

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

2019

Swinging Bridge

Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

2019

Cambria Christmas Market

Cambria, California, U.S.A

2019

Cascade Falls Trail

Emerald Bay State Park, Lake Tahoe, California, U.S.A.

2020

Glacier Point, Four Mile Trail

Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

2020

Vernal Falls, The Mist Trail

Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

2020

Burney Falls

McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, California, U.S.A.

2020

First Day of My Travel Sabbatical

Hello Sabbatical! Today is my first day of my Travel Sabbatical. For the next 12 months, 365 days, 8760 hours, I am committed to making it count. Because traveling is very limited right now, I am making last minute decisions based on the guidelines set forth by the Health Department. 

My travel plans are vast, but my intentions to grow and learn about myself in the next year are bigger. To paint the picture of what my next year will look like is just a vision in my head. It is a blank canvas ready to be painted. All I can share for now is that I am committed to travel safely and utilize this time to set new goals for myself and my future. 

Here's a little bit about me. I am a Kindergarten Teacher in San Francisco, California. I have been a teacher for 14 years, almost all those years in Kindergarten! It has been my dream to be a teacher since I was in second grade. So you can say, I am living my dream!

I became a Mom at an early age and my son is going off to college this Fall. With an empty nest and having carried out my dream for the last 14 years, I am grateful for this opportunity my district has granted me to take the year off and travel. I am fortunate in many ways and over the next year, I want to give back and share my story. 

What now? Follow my journey. I'll be updating my blog here and sharing my travels through my social media platforms. Please follow me:

Facebook: Jane Lost in Wanderlust

Instagram: @qtlilfoot

TikTok: @janelostinwanderlust