Everyone knows 2016 was the “worst year ever” and we are witnessing the start of the apocalypse. But despite the celeb deaths and the captain of the lollipop guild we are now stuck with for 4 years, 2016 wasn’t entirely dire for me on a personal level. If anything, I’d say it’s been a year… Continue reading Review of 2016: One Wild Ride
Category: Reflections
The Real Reason I’m Traveling Africa Alone
Crammed into the plane with hardly an inch of personal space, tears streamed down my cheeks. Heading to a new continent, I knew I should be happy, excited, and eager for this new adventure. But the feelings were mixed and a bitterness rested on my tongue. I never wanted to go to Africa alone.… Continue reading The Real Reason I’m Traveling Africa Alone
When Travel and Real Life Collide: A Story of Love, Chaos, & Change
There is a commonly held belief that long-term travel is not “real life.” After embarking on a round the world trip 10 months ago, I can’t count the number of people who have asked me when I’m going to return to “real life” or what my plans are when I come back to “reality.” It… Continue reading When Travel and Real Life Collide: A Story of Love, Chaos, & Change
Monthly Recap: September 2015
Nervous excitement. Melancholy. Relief. These are the emotions dancing through my stomach this evening as I wait for my redeye flight out of Bali and into Australia. It’s hard to believe my two months in Indonesia have come to a close—and even stranger to comprehend that my time in Southeast Asia is ending. After living… Continue reading Monthly Recap: September 2015
Remembering How Weird My Life Is
If I hear my dad say, “that’s a good story for the blog” one more time, I might chuck a mango at his head. But I have to admit the man has a point. For the last two weeks I’ve been traveling through Bali with my parents and it’s been like seeing with fresh… Continue reading Remembering How Weird My Life Is
What I’ve Learned in 6 Months of Solo Travel
“The pumpkin spice flavors are coming out,” a friend back home told me over the phone. Caught off guard, I looked at the calendar asking, “Wait, what month is it?!” I’ve been living in perpetual summer since I started traveling and without a changing of seasons—or any kind of schedule, really—I’ve lost track of… Continue reading What I’ve Learned in 6 Months of Solo Travel
Monthly Recap: June 2015
The end of this month really snuck up on me! June was full of surprises and spontaneous decisions and most of it was pretty damn incredible. I wrote in last month’s post that Thailand was slowly stealing my heart and it’s true; after two months here, I’m head over heels for this country. But to… Continue reading Monthly Recap: June 2015
Falling in Love Under the Lanterns of Hoi An
Colorful lanterns swayed in the warm evening breeze above and around us, lending a warm and inviting glow to the crowded streets below. “All these lanterns make me want to fall in love,” my friend, Anne, quipped. We laughed and joked at how ridiculous that sounded, but she had a point. Every evening under the… Continue reading Falling in Love Under the Lanterns of Hoi An
Saying Goodbye to Korea After 2 Years
I’ve never been good at goodbyes. How can anyone be good at them, really? One goodbye never makes the next easier. What I struggle with most in saying farewell is how much emotion to put into it. Some people break down sobbing, or at least tear up and give that long, emotional gaze to show… Continue reading Saying Goodbye to Korea After 2 Years
2015: My 4 Words (Not Resolutions)
Hello world! Happy 2015! I’ve just returned from an unbelievable vacation to a tiny island in the Philippines where I surfed, swam, partied, relaxed, and stuffed myself with mangos. It was the perfect way to bring in the new year. Now that I’m back in front of a computer screen (cue the sobbing), I… Continue reading 2015: My 4 Words (Not Resolutions)
2014- Highlights from an Awesome Year
I had wanted to write another “Ridiculous Moments” post like last year’s My 13 Ridiculous Moments of 2013, but then I realized that I couldn’t really think of very many strange experiences this year. This could be the result of one of two options: a) my life has become boring, or b) I’ve been in… Continue reading 2014- Highlights from an Awesome Year
The Great Things About Being Abroad For Christmas
Facebook can be your worst enemy if you are abroad for the holidays. Seeing photos of friends and family gathering back home, reading posts about Christmas trees and peppermint lattes, and all of the general merriment of the season being expounded upon you from every outlet can give a major case of FOMO and homesickness.… Continue reading The Great Things About Being Abroad For Christmas