The Friends we Have (and Lose) in our Twenties

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In your twenties you watch as a parade of friends cross the stage of your life in a brilliant display of meaningful friendships, short lived encounters and superficial acquaintances. It’s been said that our twenties are the most formative years we’ll experience for it is only in our twenties do we truly grow and learn who we are and what we want out of life. All of a sudden friendships become less about quantity over quality, and surrounding yourself with people who make your life better becomes paramount.

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The “Wellness March” Challenge

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  It’s said the night is darkest before the dawn and the end of February felt quite dark-between the frigid temperatures that wove its way around New York City to the snow turned slush that seeped into our shoes, this past month seemed to stretch on in a parade of gloomy days. Perhaps it was… [Read More]

Should you Date a traveler

Love On the Road: Should You Date a Traveler?

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Writer Virgina Wolf once wrote that “across the broad continent of a woman’s life falls the shadow of a sword.” She argued that on one side of that sword rests convention, order and tradition where the ideals of a “normal life” as dictated by society are revered. On the other side of that sword was spontaneity, chaos and confusion and that if a woman was mad enough to cross over, her life would prove perilous but infinitely more interesting.

the stigma of travelers

The Stigma of Being a Traveler

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Recently, the folks at College Humor released a new video of what it’s like to have one of those friends who seem to have a bottomless bank account and an unwavering sense of wanderlust. Admittedly, the video got me thinking about what it means to be a traveler (as well as hoping my friends never see me coming off as airy and flippant like the cartoon-ish girl in this clip).

2014: A Year in Review

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With the promise of a New Year ahead, let me take a moment to look back and count my blessings from 2014. From the places I’ve traveled, the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had it has been a year of growth. As I sit here reflecting on the past 12 months, let me think back to when I set out to start The Pin the Map Project.

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The Wings of a Dream

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In this make believe world of our own making, this love we share is warm and innocent, wide-eyed and whimsical, impervious to the trials and tribulations life can so often toss in the way of new love. My need to protect this love is how I imagine a parent must feel when holding their newborn in their arms for the very first time. That same awe-inspiring adoration, that same unwavering and unyielding love and that same inherent desire to keep something so pure and so beautiful safe and protected.

confessions of a runaway bride

Confessions of a Runaway Bride

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  When I imagined myself getting married, ironically, I pictured that ending scene in “Runaway Bride” when Julia Roberts walks through the grassy field towards Richard Gere. With her hair blowing effortlessly in the wind; the fall foliage vibrant against her ivory gown and her off-the-shoulder dress trailing behind her she finally strides up to… [Read More]

In the Pursuit of Happiness

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A wonderful man recently unveiled these mind-shattering concepts to me that have left me at both inspired and pondering the word “happiness.” As most travelers can attest to, we are quick to chalk up unhappiness to “post-vacation blues” and to attribute our happiness to the “high of wanderlust.”

When Roots Meet Wings

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  The house I grew up in had a brick ledge that marked the entrance to my parent’s flower garden. I could climb to the top of this ledge, high above the vibrant red roses and black and yellow bumblebees and watch as life unfolded in our quiet, suburban neighborhood outside Chicago. Most afternoons would find… [Read More]