I built last June and July around some big-ticket 30 by 30 goals, and was able to knock off five items in six weeks. In fact, it was such a monumental time for me that I totally forgot to update this blog. Subsequently, here is a belated taste of that summer:

1. Obtain a graduate degree

Getting by with a little help from my friends.

I can’t say this goal was in doubt over the past year or so, but it is certainly the most important accomplishment to me on this list. It’s hard to reflect on such an impactful 21-month experience, but my Masters in Public Affairs Program was more than I could have hoped for. I conquered my fear of numbers, gained considerable proficiency in urban planning fundamentals, and honed my ability to write and think critically. However, my most substantial take-away may very well be the people – and not just in the proverbial “network” sense. (Although Princeton has that in spades.) It’s safe to say that my classmates are the most brilliant, committed, and interesting single group of people I’ve ever met. I think we’re all in pretty good hands as long as these people are “in the service of the nation and all nations.” Moreover, in the professors and staff of Orange Bubble I found inspiration and comradery to sustain a lifetime. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have found such a community.

7. Attend a major music festival (Coachella, South by Southwest, Bonnaroo)

Team Roo

And the 30 by 30 music festival winner is…Bonnaroo! But really, we all won here. I went to the famous Tennessee music festival with three classmates and two friends the day after graduation. It was also the first stop on a cross-country road trip – more on that below. With 80,000 people and over 100 bands, the only downside was realizing that we could only realistically get to 4 or 5 shows a day. Some highlights for me were the Alabama Shakes (high energy), The Avett Brothers (staples of my summer playlist), Radiohead (an experience more than a show), Dispatch (they’re back – my tenth time seeing them), Bon Iver (memorizing, haunting, epic), and LP. I listened to LP’s hit “Somebody Left the Gates Open” on repeat during finals so it was pretty incredible to see her live.

11. Drive across country 

Our meandering version of the Northern Route.

15 states in 29 days – check! I could not have asked for a better graduation present to myself and could not have chosen a better traveling companion than my grad school classmate and better half, Farah Ahmad. One of the best decisions we made was “banning” hotels and relying entirely on the kindness of friends and affordability of campgrounds. On the decidedly non-linear drive between New Jersey to California, I learned the following things: the National Park System is the federal government’s greatest gift to Americans, the summer sun doesn’t set in Fargo until 10:30pm, PB&J is a highly versatile road snack, some of the best seats at a Cubs game are outside Wrigley, and bourbon-tasting is a perfect compliment to couch-surfing.

2. Visit two new national parks

Dueling Vistas: Badlands & Yelowstone

National Parks were a central feature of the road trip so we hit way more than just two. For the sake of brevity, I will highlight the two that left the most lasting impression: the Badlands and Yellowstone. The jagged barren rocks of the aptly-named Badlands are one of he most stunning places I’ve ever been. The drama was heightened when Farah and I arrived after dark and had to navigate through the massive rock formations eerily illuminated by Black Ninja’s headlights. We knew Yellowstone was going to be special, but could not have predicted how magical a place it was. A theme park for adults – in good ways and bad – we were able to get off the beaten track and see tons of wildlife (from omnipresent bison to more elusive wolves and black bears), brilliantly colored thermal features, and enormous waterfalls. We even got our history-buff on by checking out the Museum of the Park Ranger and attending a Ranger-led talks at dusk.

3. Go to South America (preferably Peru)

Obligatory Machu Picchu Vantage Point

I am still in awe of my 12 days in Peru. Departing on the 4th of July, I was able to tag-along to a meticulously-planned 10-person trip organized by a friend from college. Machu Picchu far surpassed my expectations and I was stunned by the diversity of the Sacred Valley, including the Moras salt mines and the Moray agriculture circles. However, some of the more impressive experiences came from non-touristy engagements. Most notable were the two afternoons my friends and I spent at the Hogar de Ninas, a girls orphanage just outside Cusco. The facility supports and educates High School 30 girls (as well as come through college) and is primarily funded by the American non-profit Peruvian Hearts, run by our trip organizer and his family. It is an incredible operation to be a part of and the girls we met could not have been more inspiring. The trip was capped off by a fantastic 36 hours in Lima, complete with a tour of the San Francisco catacombs and the best ceviche I’ve ever had (not experienced simultaneously).