Yes, I’m serious! As I type this, I’m sitting in my treetop bungalow listening to the crickets and other jungle creatures from under a full moon…it doesn’t get much more relaxing than this! And relaxing is exactly what I’ve needed for quite some time.

As you’ve probably noticed, I’ve taken a serious hiatus from this blog. And for good reason–my life has been moving at nearly the speed of light for a while now in terms of change & personal growth and I’m finally ready to sit down, enjoy the fruits of my labor, and let it all sink in.

Making My Travel Dreams Come True

In my opinion, there’s no better way to do so than with a trip around the world. In the past 12 days, I’ve been to Fiji, New Zealand, Singapore, and now Bali. It’s a whirlwind tour, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m fulfilling lifelong dreams each and every day; from sunrise hikes in the fields of Fiji above crystal clear water to sleeping in a real tree house in Bali.

Up next is Thailand (Bangkok and Chiang Mai), followed by Cambodia, Egypt (TBD where given the current chaos ensuing–I have a good friend who lives there who is helping me figure out a safe, fun game plan), Istanbul, Bucharest, Transylvania, Budapest, and finally ending in Lisbon.

Returning Home to Peace, Quiet, and Consistency

On Friday, August 9th, I closed on the sale of my condo. Upon signing the final document, I was handed the largest check I’ve ever received–a six-figure beauty that was promptly deposited into my bank account. Then I was on a plane to Fiji the very next day.

Before the closing, I had already moved into my new apartment and have begun to work out some very happy details of my personal life (I’m meeting a certain someone in Lisbon to end my trip with…). 

Let’s just say that despite all the turmoil of this summer, life is pretty damn good when I return home in four weeks (this whirlwind tour is 40 days long for a variety of personal, professional, and web-related reasons. While it’s a quick tour, it’s nothing less than epic so far!).

The Beauty of Air Conditioning

Yes, I’m ending this post with a bit of a zinger. In my travels thus far, I’ve grown an immense appreciation for air conditioning (if you’re looking to purchase a new air conditioner, check out: http://www.carrier.ca/en/products/air-conditioners/38). It might sound superficial or silly, but I can’t fathom how people live in places like Singapore and Bali and Fiji (during the summer months for the latter two; Singapore pretty much all the time!) without A/C. But I now know first-hand that the majority of people do, and I feel for them; especially after walking a mere 5 minutes and being drenched in sweat. The humidity alone literally hits you like a wall!

It’s been an interesting juxtaposition for me; traveling to less developed countries where poverty is rampant yet being able to enjoy first-class amenities such as A/C as well as being able to spend more freely than I ever have before given the healthy budget I’ve allowed for this trip (more on that in a future post). I feel an overwhelming desire to give back to these beautiful, enchanting people I’ve met, and I hope to figure out a plan once I’m home that will allow me (and others) to do just that.

But for now, I need to kick back, hang out with the lizards & frogs, and look forward to the Balinese cooking school program I’m enrolled in for the day tomorrow…

What’s new in your life?