Dog lover,
travel enthusiast,
homebody at heart.

Hey, it’s Marissa. Friends call me Riss. I’m a California native with a summer soul. Life’s been kind of wild lately—just trying to stay in the light, water what’s mine, and trust what’s meant to bloom.

EXPLORE

➜ My story
➜ Where I’ve been
➜ What I’m up to now
➜ Thoughts along the way

Into the Wild: On Safari in Tanzania

Two weeks surrounded by wildlife and wide open skies, slowed me down in the best way. It was a rare chance to disconnect from everything and feel deeply connected to the world around me.

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TRIP REPORTS

Trip Reports
Auckland to Sydney on Azamara Pursuit
Auckland to Sydney on Azamara Pursuit

A coastal journey on our first cruise from Auckland to Sydney, exploring New Zealand and Australia’s coastlines with iconic highlights like Milford Sound, Napier, and Hobart.

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Diving into Puerto Vallarta
Diving into Puerto Vallarta

Sun on our skin, tacos in hand, and plenty of Día de los Muertos magic.

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Dutch Detour in the Netherlands
Dutch Detour in the Netherlands

One week in the Netherlands wasn’t enough. Every city, canal, and street left us wanting more.

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the most

WE HAVE EVER TRAVELED!

The past two years brought a once-in-a-lifetime window to see more of the world than we ever have before, thanks to Nancy and Steve, who gifted us some truly incredible adventures, starting in Africa and ending in Iceland!

We said yes to big trips, faraway places, long, luxurious flights, and every little detour we could squeeze in along the way. We flew First and Business Class for the first time. We ate meals on real plates at 35,000 feet. We flew across the world lying completely flat. What a ride!

I’m still working on writing up trip reports from our last three adventures this year—and, of course, my camera roll is overflowing with photos I have yet to edit. Stay tuned!

WHERE IN THE WORLD

2025

  • Hokkaido, Japan
  • Osaka, Japan
  • Kyoto, Japan
  • Nara, Japan
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • La Paz, Mexico
  • Tanzania
  • Haarlem, Netherlands
  • Leiden, Netherlands
  • Utrecht, Netherlands
  • Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Delft, Netherlands
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

2026

  • Auckland, New Zealand
  • Bay of Islands, New Zealand
  • Napier, New Zealand
  • Wellington, New Zealand
  • Nelson, New Zealand
  • Picton, New Zealand
  • Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Milford Sound, New Zealand
  • Hobart, Australia
  • Eden, Australia
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Nagoya, Japan
  • Kobe, Japan
  • Kyoto, Japan
  • Osaka, Japan
  • Nara, Japan
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Oslo, Norway
  • Mandal, Norway
  • Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Invergordon, Scotland
  • Scrabster, Scotland
  • Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
  • Akureyri, Iceland
  • Ísafjörður, Iceland
  • Grundarfjörður, Iceland
  • Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Ortigia, Italy
  • Siracusa, Italy
  • Catania, Italy
  • Sliema, Malta
  • Valletta, Malta
  • Victoria, Gozo, Malta

WHAT’S KEEPING ME HUMAN

Thoughts along the way
Life on the Other Side of Reconstruction
Life on the Other Side of Reconstruction

A few months after my aesthetic flat closure, I’m adjusting to a new silhouette, rediscovering my closet, and enjoying the very underrated luxury of never wearing a bra again.

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The Right Decision, Twice
The Right Decision, Twice

Nearly five years ago, I chose reconstruction after breast cancer. Last week, I chose to undo it. The older I get, the more grace I have for the woman I was then and the woman I am now.

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Arriving Right on Time
Arriving Right on Time

I still can’t explain how I knew, but I did. Something in me just knew it was time to go to her.

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My Crucial Catch
My Crucial Catch

I don’t know what’s worse: finding out you have cancer, or finding out about it in an email.

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Time Feels Fragile
Time Feels Fragile

Time feels fragile, stretched between what is and what’s coming. What once felt complicated now seems surprisingly simple.

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So, Maybe This is Growth?
So, Maybe This is Growth?

Usually, these things throw me for a loop. But this time, I was ready.

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