it's my one year travelersary!

forget my lame attempt at combining "travel" and "anniversary." damnit, it's time to celebrate!!!

this day last year i touched down on queenstown, new zealand to begin the most adventurous, educational, eye-opening, humbling, memorable, elating year of my life to date.

i'm worlds away from my former crackberry-fueled life of high heels and hollywood clubs, los angeles traffic and superficial shenanigans, a stressful tv job and a joke of a salary, controlled substance enthusiasm and reckless partying.

needless to say - aside from my family and friends, i don't miss a whole lot about my old life. traveling has enriched my mind and fueled my soul in ways indescribable.

i've learned to see the beauty in anything and everything.
i've been reminded every single day that i have amazing family and friends.
i've been deeply touched by the kindness of strangers.
i've laughed harder than i've ever laughed in my life.
i've cried harder than i've ever cried in my life.
i've discovered things i love about myself.
i've discovered things i don't love so much about myself.
i've witnessed and been humbled by extreme poverty.
i've met fascinating people from all walks of life and made friends i will never forget.
i've indulged in the many foods and flavors the world has to offer.
i've experienced love and romance, shame and humility, on a whole 'nother level.
i've pushed myself to physical, mental and emotional extremes i didn't know i was capable of.

i've seen just how small my life was in my american bubble.

i've come to love life. i mean, really, reeeeally love it.

and i'm not finished yet. i'm gonna keep on goin' til the money runs out. which might be soon, unfortunately. but i'm just gonna keep on keepin' on til i'm down to my last penny. i worked my ass off to treat myself to this journey, and i ain't stoppin' now!

i'm living in a dream world for the time being and i realize i'll have to return to the real one at some point. and when i do, it'll be with a new set of eyes and a freshly titillated mind. travel has changed my life forever.

so what am i doing to celebrate my one year travelersary? i'm heading to the saigon airport. to pick up my parents. and hug them for the first time in a year. couldn't ask for anything better.

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