Not Your Average Gal
I grew up knowing full well there was so much more of the world I needed to see outside of my Midwestern roots. Sometimes those aspirations made people cock their heads to the side, the way dogs do when they’re confused.
I started the blog as a way to not only be a story teller of my travels, but also create an encouraging community where sharing the not-so-average life together validates that we all take our own paths in life.
I’m married to a swell chap who decided to be an overachiever and become an ER doctor. He wanted to help people and save lives, or something melodramatic like that. In keeping with the unconventional life, we lived 1400 miles apart for two years while I stayed on the corporate path in Florida and he began his ER residency in Michigan.
We’re Moving! …Except For Me.
I moved back to Michigan for the last two years of residency and also plan for where the next adventure takes us. Part of the reason why I started my own small biz was because I wanted to flexibility to travel or move where we wanted. Guess what? That took us to a wonderful island chain in the Pacific called, Hawaii.
Aloha! We’re Moving to Hawaii.
We’ve been here for over two years now and I honestly feel bursts of gratitude and “pinch me” moments nearly every week. I’m grateful to learn more every day and call this community home. We occasionally are asked when we’re moving back to the Mainland because this move seemed like it would be temporary and a “crazy idea.” It’s sometimes funny to watch them squirm when we say, “We have no plans right now to move back.”
I’ve never done anything in the traditional fashion, really. I always seemed to be a bit slow on the uptake in regards to the classic milestones in life: first kisses, slow dancing, dating in adolescence, dating in college, hell…dating, getting married, having kids, buying a house. Hindsight: I’m honestly glad it’s worked out like that. I got to hone my writing skills by talking to strangers on Netscape and AIM. Those were the days. (JOKES, DAD!)
My husband and I went to something like 25 weddings before we jumped down the rabbit hole and got hitched. Even then, it was across the pond in England where the Spice Girls lyrics were used in our wedding ceremony and my dad got up to tell everyone (proudly) about how not-normal I am.
5 Reasons Why We Had A Destination Wedding
Besides, normal is just a setting on washing machine.
Truth be told, I think the American Dream is a load of crap. Our generation is saddled with so much student loan debt that I laugh in the general direction of that antiquated phrase called “a pension.” I even had big reservations about getting our first home because of how volatile the world has been for my adult life. I consider the world my home anyway. See what I did there? In the end, it was one of the best decisions we made as we settle into our 1942 vintage island home.
How I Traveled To Cuba As An American
I travel a lot, sometimes solo. I consider myself a part-time globetrotter, as I work towards securing a lifestyle that allows me to be location independent. I’ve been to 24+ countries and counting. I even recently hiked 84 miles, coast-to-coast in England because that’s what sane people choose to do with their time.
What is Travel Hacking?
Airfare: How I Flew in Business Class to Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong for Under $100
I think the best nugget I’ve learned on this not so average journey is that always striving for the next best thing can often distract you from what’s truly important, like: community, cultures and customs. I think we’re all far more alike than different.
I’m super glad your different rear is here. Thanks for stopping by.