You always want what you can't have

I've found that saying all too true many times in my life. For example, I grew up with an oven in my house all my life, but I never really cared for baking much. I can count on two hands how many times I used my oven in my apartment that I lived in for almost two years. Then, I moved to Korea, where ovens are few and far in between. Their food just doesn't require an oven, so why would they put them in their apartments? So, naturally, I wanted to BAKE, but alas, I could not! 

Our 'oven' in Korea 

When I got home in May, after being inspired (like I needed inspiration after wanting to bake for over a year and not being able to...) by these delicious cookies at Beka's wedding, I became a baking machine! Some foods I've baked are those chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies, apple crisp, cheesecake, scones, and recently pumpkin bread and pumpkin coffee cake! 

Mmm Mmm Good! 

Who knew baking could be so much fun? It's a fun activity to do with people too. However, I write this post knowing that my baking is going on hold until Thanksgiving. Why, you may ask? Beginning tomorrow, November 1st, I'm cleansing- Alisha style. I've wanted to detox from refined/added sugars since I've been home so I'm doing that. Also, I want to focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods. Wish me luck! 

PS- Happy Halloween! How cute is this mini I found at the Y? 

¡Viva México!

Typically on vacations, or while traveling I stay in hostels or with family and friends. I love traveling this way and wouldn't change it! However this time was different. We (my mom, grandma, and I) stayed at an all-inclusive resort. This was a first for me. While I won't make this my new way to travel, I definitely enjoyed it! Below is a shot from the beach at our resort, Cancun Bay. 

Most of my time was spent swimming (laps, pool, ocean!), playing volleyball, playing card games, and relaxing in the hammocks or on the beach. I also danced my heart out two nights with some hilarious Australians I met. Generally I 'do' more on trips too. This is just what I needed this time around and I still got to see and do some amazing things.

I will warn you, don't get roped into a 'tour' of a resort like we did. There were very official, charming people at the airport that convinced us to sign up. In return we got great deals on two day trips. More on that next. I'm telling you though, the discount wasn't worth the sales pitch we endured. haha. Really though.

Our first trip was to Chichén Itzá, a Mayan town in Yucatán, México. It's one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was incredible to see! While there we learned about Mayan culture. The Maya people created a written language, probably first in the Americas, and were mathematicians. As many of you have heard of the Mayan calendar, for people feared the end of their calendar would be the end of the world, but we learned that it was just the end of an era and that's why that calendar ended.

Our second trip was to Isla Mujeres. We took a boat across the Caribbean Sea, and we snorkeled and saw tons of fish! After snorkeling we relaxed and swam in the insanely gorgeous water. 

Another day we spent the day at a beach down the road from us. It was also incredible! Being around the ocean reminds me of the depth of grace the Lord has for his children. It's so vast and overwhelming and beautiful. My latest song addiction sums it up nicely. You can listen to it here. 

That about wraps up our trip. I couldn't have asked for a better time with better company!