tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20735160204424290112024-03-05T03:22:26.026-08:00Summer's Epic JourneyOne Girl Shares Her Epic Journey through Self DiscoveryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-26338825948204844252016-10-12T19:45:00.000-07:002016-10-12T19:54:16.005-07:00Guest Post: Fully Alive 101<a href="http://www.fullyalive101.org/blog/adventure">Adventure</a><br />
10/12/2016<br />
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<b><i>Guest Post By Kimberly Babin</i></b><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.fullyalive101.org/">Fullyalive101 </a>is a conversation about health and wellness in mind, body and spirit. We believe that joy, success, and happiness all come from curating a life that explores fun, unique and creative ways to live FULLY ALIVE, to live the life you were born to.</i><br />
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When I was a child, there was this really unique series of books called <i>Choose Your Own Adventure.</i> They didn’t have one set outcome, they didn’t have one ending, and that is how we can view our lives, because we largely are capable of writing our own story, we are essentially the author of our own lives.<br />
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Yes, there is going to be the unexpected, the thing we never could have planned for, but when we look at it with a sense of adventure, we can see it as a plot twist rather than a setback, and it is always that curve ball and how it is overcome, how it’s dealt with that makes for a really great story. That’s the kind of book we want to read, and that is the kind of story we can write for our own epic journeys.<br />
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The human spirit is filled with a sense of longing, a thirst to explore, to take on new adventures, not to just visit unknown territories, but to see sights with new eyes. It is when we act on our desire to explore, to grow, to change, to become better… we begin to develop a sense of awe, of wonder, and we begin to gain an understanding of our infinite possibilities.<br />
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Our passion and drive and curiosity expands with each step. We aren’t here to submit to the mundane, to resign to our circumstances, we're here to change and transform them and to become more alive each day. When we develop a sense of adventure, of seeking, of doing, of curiosity we develop our power to choose, to create to curate.<br />
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We have this innate power to become fearless, to replace stagnation with forward movement. Our fears become transformed into faith, our limiting beliefs that once told us we must resign to the mundane, break down and are left at the side of the path as we journey forward.<br />
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<i><b>Guest Blogger: Kimberly Babin</b><br />“When we begin to tap into our human spirit, our own unique potential, and our divine nature of resilience, we can begin to uplift humanity; that is living fully alive”<br />Kimberly Babin is a writer & blogger, inspiring speaker, and the creator of Fully Alive 101. A firm believer in the human spirit and human potential, she has immersed herself in the art of becoming greater: greater than our fears, greater than our limiting beliefs, greater than who we were yesterday. An avid researcher, reader, yoga & meditation enthusiast, Kimberly believes that everyone can live a vibrant life in mind, body & spirit.</i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-73974945973014851982016-09-29T09:44:00.002-07:002016-09-29T12:13:39.776-07:00Marketing Research: A Story of Struggle and Casual Triumph<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Marketing From Scratch </b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have read some of my previous posts, you know that I am employed by a business owner to create and market her brand as a Hay House author and motivational speaker. I am the only one assigned with this task in a building full of people that work for her business side of things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, and I have never done anything like this before. I was a "communication specialist" for an escape room in Bloomington, which basically meant that I wrote two press releases, contacted businesses in the area, and brainstormed ideas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then I was the (Store Manager and) Marketing Director for an escape room in Champaign. This was definitely more extreme in the marketing realm. I had to create a brand for the facility, then we got sued and had to re-brand, so I had to start from scratch, make it look like nothing major had happened, and market the hell out of it for months. I did that for about a year and learned how to market a small *local* business (Side note: Want tips on that? Just ask me! [Facebook, word of mouth, and radio for the win]). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But this national author/speaker marketing platform? Yeah, this is a WHOLE 'nother ballgame, my friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am single-handedly determining what our central message is, how to best portray her, creating the website, figuring out what social media platforms to post on, what to post and when, how to build our online base, attending networking events locally, creating hooks, Brand Positioning Statements, book bios, and author bios, conducting audience research, writing website content, learning SEO, and so many other things, while trying to navigate through my first real office job (and all the weight gain, isolation, and politics that comes with that), and get experience on the side through freelancing some of my additional marketing services.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling that Marketer's Block?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>But I did not come here to complain, no, far from it.</b> This is the best experience I have ever had and I have learned a ridiculous amount of information and have been given this amazing opportunity out of the blue.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote this post to share some information that I have learned with you, my silent readers.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So this week I have written <b>the Brand Positing Statement</b>. Until last week, I did not have a clue what this was. It is the internal guidance system of sorts. You break down your objective, then write it into a sentence that becomes the central positioning that your branding team can refer to in any situation and for any post.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below, I will detail and break our statement down for you:</span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our Brand Positioning Statement</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brand
Breakdown:</span></span></b></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Audience</b></span></u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>: </b>Who are we targeting? Who finds your
brand most relevant?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzcp3LCK7oIB9-o0hx8oSTfO7x0xhTtveLBBsMSCsMwuTD6Ev2v7NEREX_5Yh1ziIi1sqgPJkK4vneqLG1n8kV1LLi94C1zFiFtYdZMpbbaeOls_0fC49SpaxtTAGrQPgB4Z0dsCZqu0t/s1600/audience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzcp3LCK7oIB9-o0hx8oSTfO7x0xhTtveLBBsMSCsMwuTD6Ev2v7NEREX_5Yh1ziIi1sqgPJkK4vneqLG1n8kV1LLi94C1zFiFtYdZMpbbaeOls_0fC49SpaxtTAGrQPgB4Z0dsCZqu0t/s200/audience.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">a)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">We
have determined that our target audience is women, ages 30-45, who are
employees, mothers, and either single or in a relationship, earning middle
income, and are ready to live a more purposeful life, where they are in control
of their decisions and opportunities. These women want to take the next step
but need help identifying what they want and/or how to get there. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Product</b></span></u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>: </b> In what market do you compete? What solutions do you provide? <o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">a)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Mary
Shores is a public speaker, teacher of self and business development, founder
and CEO of a unique collections agency, and author of a self-empowerment book
that will be published by Hay House in August 2017. Our market is primarily in
business growth and personal development. Mary seeks to change and empower
others through teaching them to focus on the words they use. She created a
system called “Words That Work” which helps individuals eliminate the negative
words they use in order to create a more positive life. This system is also
focused on determining and setting goals, and taking action toward creating a
more purposeful life. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Value</b></span></u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>:</b> How do customers benefit from your
solution?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">a)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">Mary
Shores empowers her readers to take the next step toward creating the life
where they feel in control and purposeful. We would ultimately like them to buy
Mary’s book, take one of her courses, subscribe to and follow all of our online
content, and attend her events, but the way to achieve that is to show them
that Mary genuinely wants to help them get from where they are to where they
want to be. We want to relate to the readers so that they trust Mary, take her
seriously, do her exercises, and share it with their friends. If we can empower
the readers to take control of the decisions in their life, they can discover
what they want out of life, outline their goals, take action toward their
dreams, and encourage others to do the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Uniqueness</b></span></u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>:</b> Why do customers choose you over the
competition?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">a)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">There
are many self-help authors and speakers throughout the country and world, but
what sets Mary apart is her past, and her relatability to her audience. Mary is
a self-made business owner, and successful single mother of two thriving sons.
She came from humble beginnings, and dealt with the tragic death of her
daughter at a very young age. She overcame her difficult upbringing, tragic
loss, autistic diagnosis of her son, and life-shattering divorce to develop and
run a successful multimillion dollar company. This business seeks to alleviate
the burden of debt from their debtors through using her “Words That Work”
system. Mary hopes to share the tools that she has learned throughout her life
to help others overcome their hurdles, discover their true potential, and take
action in the direction of their dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Emotion</b></span></u><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>: </b> How does your solution make your
customers feel?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">a)<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%;">The feelings
that we want to resonate with the Mary Shores brand are: charismatic, honest,
relatable, trustworthy, approachable, practical, accomplished, and credible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Statement
Breakdown:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Audience: </b> For
American mothers in their 30s and 40s, looking for the next step toward
creating a purposeful life,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Product: </b> Mary
Shores’ book, retreats, and courses<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Value Driver: </b> seek
to empower tribe members<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Uniqueness: </b> who
are able to relate to the hardships that Mary Shores overcame in motherhood,
life, and business<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Emotion: </b> so
tribe members can have a trustworthy, relatable, and knowledgeable resource for
taking control of their life and building the best version of themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brand
Positioning Statement:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>For American mothers in their 30s and 40s, looking for
the next step toward creating a purposeful life, Mary Shores’ book, retreats, and
courses seek to empower tribe members who are able to relate to the hardships
that Mary Shores overcame in motherhood, life, and business so tribe members
can have a trustworthy, relatable, and knowledgeable resource for taking
control of their life and building the best version of themselves.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The last sentence is what will be our internal driver and help us determine who we're catering to... But let me take a step back from this for a minute. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">How did we determine our audience and their likes/needs?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I would love to say that this is a simple task but to be honest, it has (and still does) consume most of my time and brain capacity.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So first, we broke down what the book was about, Mary's demographics, Mary's demographics in the book (slightly different than her current ones), and the appealing features within the context of the book.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What was to be gained from the book?</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now we can look at who wanted to gain those things.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We looked at different audiences and different value groups, attempting to determine who would be most drawn to the messages within the book and who would relate to Mary's message.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was the messy part. It came from a lot of really strange google searches. At one point, I stumbled on some really disturbing porn (see: Mom next door) and accidentally signed up for a very strange dating website (my audience liked Hi5, who knew that it was focused on fornication?), oh and side note: googling "What Women Want" is not helpful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We decided that the people that would be most responsive to our message was women who were in a point in their live where they wanted something more <i style="font-weight: bold;">and were ready to take action</i>. The last part is actually important. Mary had no intention on coaching anyone. She didn't want a bunch of excuse driven women that weren't satisfied but made excuses instead of taking action. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At first, I thought that maybe we could focus on women in their 20s, all the way to women in their 50s. A lot of women in this age group wanted something more, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But then, through my research, one central message started popping up everywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Basically: <b>If you appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, everyone promises </span>empowerment<span style="font-family: inherit;">, how are you going to stand out? (But that comes later).*</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm going to repeat that line, one more time, because it's that important.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">If you appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I was a skeptic too.</td></tr>
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A particularly helpful resource was an <a href="https://youtu.be/9u7ikTjcnKA">interview by Marie Forleo</a>. In this, it talks about how if you're looking to buy a shirt, you are more likely to buy it if you see someone like you wearing it. If the first picture is someone like you wearing it, your mouse hovers over the <i>purchase</i> button, but when you switch to the next picture, now it's a kid on a skateboard wearing that shirt (<i>ehhh)</i>, and the next one is an old guy wearing the same shirt. Now you close the window all together, because they tried to appeal to everyone one and ended up appealing to no one.</div>
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I *love* this analogy.</div>
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I was trying to do this with the Mary Shores brand. I thought that we could market to all women. But no. If we market to a 25 year old, a 50 year old is turned off. And if we market to a 50 year old, now we're loosing our 30 year olds.</div>
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So the solution? </div>
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We figure out our target demographic. Specifically, who can gain the most value from our message? What age group is the most relatable? Who can we hook? And how?</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Our Target Audience</span></b></div>
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From there, I determined that our message appeals to women ages 30-45. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkQq66JYHa9Mm5ghlz3L5-zqguWSXWt4P-ady6d6m1_dYFe-m4CFcF_VRN1L6O_54iDFO41LI7fKN58OFRK7GN43YC6PPJY_LCj5Wu3x0PByO9i2mXtUALmZ2M1JcDo07N6NxHDr-y4u3/s1600/target+audience2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkQq66JYHa9Mm5ghlz3L5-zqguWSXWt4P-ady6d6m1_dYFe-m4CFcF_VRN1L6O_54iDFO41LI7fKN58OFRK7GN43YC6PPJY_LCj5Wu3x0PByO9i2mXtUALmZ2M1JcDo07N6NxHDr-y4u3/s200/target+audience2.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullseye!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bonus: women in their 20s might be able to relate to women in their 30s, or want to be like them, and women in their 50s may relate to women in their 40s so WIN WIN!</span></div>
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Women ages 30-45 are most receptive to our message of *empowerment because they are often at a place in their life where they know who they are but are often seeking self-improvement. They are relatively comfortable in their life, but they may be seeking something more. This is the most likely to start a life improving strategy like <a href="http://www.experian.com/assets/simmons-research/white-papers/nyr-dieting.pdf">dieting</a>. They also are at a point in adulting where they are likely to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eudie-pak/30-somethings_b_2697962.html">reassess themselves</a>, think about whether they are satisfied, and determine what could make them more happy.</div>
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I think that men have their mid-life crisis of identity in their 50s and around retirement, where as women have this in their 30s and 40s.</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">What can you get from this? </span></b></div>
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It is EXTREMELY important to determine your target audience, and narrow it down, in order to determine what they want and how you can appeal to them. If you are actually targeting the wrong audience, it is time to reassess the product and make changes before you market it. It can save you THOUSANDS in trial and error marketing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How We Can Market To Our Audience</span></b></div>
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So now that we know our target audience, we have to determine how to market to them. Which really comes from researching who they are and what they want. This google search was difficult because every result was about dating and fashion. Literally it was depressing. And this is when I started having empathy for women in their 30s. As a 24 year old, I don't really think beyond my weekend plans, but these searches were really helpful in gaining an understanding of what my 30s brought... And I didn't like it. It seemed like people were really dropping the ball for this demographic. I can't imagine women in their 30s being as fashion, sex obsessed, and depressed as the google searches led me to believe. One particularly awful article was written by a guy about why women in their 30s should lower their dating standards. I wanted to punch this fellow in his face (I'll add the link when I can find it). </div>
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But then I found a fantastic blog online about marketing to women ages 35-55 that really got me inspired. <a href="http://blog.clickbooth.com/2010/02/22/marketing-to-women-ages-35-55-part-1/">Part one</a> went into detailed specifics about who these women were, mostly single mothers and working mothers, and what they valued. <a href="http://blog.clickbooth.com/2010/03/03/marketing-to-women-ages-35-55-part-2/">Part two</a> detailed how exactly to market to this demographic through 3 steps. </div>
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This really got me inspired, but I was still at a loss as to how exactly to appeal to these mothers, when I was so far out of that demographic.</div>
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Enter: Facebook Research.</div>
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Yes, I am a bit of a research feen, but as soon as this idea hit me, I knew it was a good one... If not a bit creepy. So while I was immersing myself in the parenting culture (thank you, <a href="http://www.nbc.com/parenthood?nbc=1">Parenthood</a>), I dug through my Facebook friends list and detailed their life, searching their page for answers and scraping my own recollection for descriptions of what they were like and what they were searching for. </div>
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I went through 25 profiles and documented my observations on a sheet like this:</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qcGVyKhrtCDC1QB-CX6rnreJViUf-XzOq4AkdhoA5gbcvg1U5lokVGP1pOX_6Nn8CzQDmoZws7p452Y4S3bEUOhFScotFGBPxSLE1-OHvQLokPT2Cyqqx7kO5BRG6c9eFtiOpofSi8ER/s1600/Fb+Friend+Eval.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qcGVyKhrtCDC1QB-CX6rnreJViUf-XzOq4AkdhoA5gbcvg1U5lokVGP1pOX_6Nn8CzQDmoZws7p452Y4S3bEUOhFScotFGBPxSLE1-OHvQLokPT2Cyqqx7kO5BRG6c9eFtiOpofSi8ER/s640/Fb+Friend+Eval.JPG" width="499" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side Note: If you are one of my Facebook friends in this demographic, <br />
please don't ask me for your analysis. Love you! :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I found that my typical friend in this demographic is either a single mother or married with kids, trying to balance her social life with parenting and working full time. They are generally college educated and non-religious, with a household income around $70/80,000. Each of them could be in our target demo, and have main motivations of finding more time to spend with their kids, being the best version of themselves (for their kids), and often feel like they are disappearing into their work and family life, and would like to find something that makes them passionate and in control of their decisions. They are skeptical of advertisers, but trust their friend group, and other women that they relate to. </div>
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Relatability and trust are key. The best way to market to these women is through testimonials and word of mouth. They will relate to Mary because she is a mother first, and then want to be empowered like her, because she is a business owner and a</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">How You Can Market To Your Audience</span></b></div>
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So now to the meat and bones of why you're reading this post. I know you probably didn't just come here to read about me and my findings, but rather, you want to know how you can utilize this to make your million, right?</div>
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Well first, stop reading and start doing. Start digging into what your message is and who it appeals to. Then outline what you need to know about your audience to best market to them. Then do your own research, find out what your friends and family in that target market want and need, and encourage your team to do the same. Read about where your audience spends their time online and what they spend money on. Figure out how to adjust your product to fit their specific needs. And for god's sake, LIMIT your target market. Yes, it would be great if everyone used it, but even if only one quarter of the men in America ages 43-45 buy your drain cleaner, you are still making a fortune. So focus on them, whoever is most likely to buy your product, and sell your pants off to them.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Should You Hire a Branding Company?</span></b></div>
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So the last thing you might be wondering is whether you should do this all on your own. In my opinion, if you have the time and resources to do it, I think you should do it on your own. You are the most invested in your product/brand. You want it to succeed more than anyone else. Why should a branding company wake up in the middle of the night and write an idea in a notepad that they keep next to their bed? They shouldn't. You don't pay them enough and their future success doesn't depend on it. But yours does. This is your life. So make it your whole life. Get invested, get motivated, and get inspired. That is the best way to sell your product, and as far as I'm concerned, it's the only way,</div>
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Please tell me what marketing has worked for you, what questions you have, or what color you are wearing.</div>
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<i>Journey on, friends!</i></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-83651998528985046312016-09-29T07:46:00.000-07:002016-09-29T07:46:06.410-07:00What to Write About When You Can't Think of A TopicI'm still trying to figure this one out. I will have to find some good articles on this topic to share with you. ;)<br />
<br />
But in the meantime, here is a picture of all the delicious food I've eaten this week:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL10Ig57CxcYMp2duEymZ358ad1NTXOJRINz5MBzv9J8UGu3v2D_2CCzrbPoXQ5u5wqb_cskkpdOLDliNvggrowZn7rWiXP8fyYjoOGbc_YUY-GMxnSTAIYGS5IVLb6pG9eO6Xhwv2AlN/s1600/fooood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL10Ig57CxcYMp2duEymZ358ad1NTXOJRINz5MBzv9J8UGu3v2D_2CCzrbPoXQ5u5wqb_cskkpdOLDliNvggrowZn7rWiXP8fyYjoOGbc_YUY-GMxnSTAIYGS5IVLb6pG9eO6Xhwv2AlN/s320/fooood.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMNOMNOM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-12706118313734892982016-09-26T09:45:00.001-07:002016-09-26T15:14:44.516-07:00How To Make Every Day a Great Day... Even This One.Recently, I was stuck in a dreary place.<br />
You know the feeling... Tossing and turning at night, getting up to turn down the air, then kicking the blankets off, drinking some water, finally getting comfortable, then having to pee, only to hear the dreaded alarm in the morning and press snooze until it's too late to take a shower and do your hair.<br />
You'll just have to wear it back again.<br />
Going to work, staring at the computer, wondering how you're going to survive another... 7 1/2 hours without a nap.<br />
Finally leaving work, coming home to a sink full of dishes, a dog that needs to be walked, dinner that needs to be made, and a shower that needs to be taken. Feeling unattractive, not initiating sex, getting upset when your partner doesn't initiate it either. Feeling a constant longing for... something... you don't even know what.<br />
When the weekend finally arrives, you're excited to try to finally be able to relax, but when Saturday comes, you feel restless and unsatisfied. Should you clean? Go outside? Exercise? Watch more TV? Catch up on work? Socialize?<br />
You don't even feel like getting out of bed.<br />
Your partner already left the house, meanwhile, you feel like a lazy bum for coming back to bed after breakfast. You're lonely, even when you're not alone and you can't shake the feeling of dread for the upcoming week.<br />
<br />
We've all been here and we've left this feeling too, only to return back to it again and again.<br />
But I've figured out how to climb out of it.<br />
<br />
These things (sometimes slowly) work for me, and I want to share them with you too.<br />
<br />
Cherry pick your favorites:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4AnZxjOcNEuhAoIAhV6myi2lTLJEFbDmNXtBPcVH41MHuSoTKbTL7uXzJMNEa1XMJAwVUSzHh2L3eSL9f-0iAKPqO-4Mo7UpLj91Psi9SPB9xX4M49864oGDVz8WZEsK_H-qk89YQak9/s1600/Get+out+of+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4AnZxjOcNEuhAoIAhV6myi2lTLJEFbDmNXtBPcVH41MHuSoTKbTL7uXzJMNEa1XMJAwVUSzHh2L3eSL9f-0iAKPqO-4Mo7UpLj91Psi9SPB9xX4M49864oGDVz8WZEsK_H-qk89YQak9/s200/Get+out+of+bed.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put One Foot In Front of the Other.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Semi-nude_woman_getting_out_of_bed_(rbm-QP301M8-1887-265c~8).jpg">Taken from Wikimedia.</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>Get Out of bed. </b><i>Promise yourself that you can return to it again soon, then put one leg out and let the other one follow it.</i></li>
<li><b>Go Outside.</b><i> If it's summertime, step outside, or go to a park. If it's winter (yes, this is much more difficult), go to the bookstore or coffee shop.</i></li>
<li><b>Compliment a Stranger. </b><i>Don't be a creeper, and don't be inauthentic, but find something you like about someone around you (their eyes, shirt, purse, shoes, glasses... something) and tell them you like it.</i></li>
<li><b>Go A Step Further. </b><i>Pay for someone's order, smile at people around you, buy a stranger a cookie (preferably right in front of them... on second thought, this might not be a good idea), but do something that showed that you went out of your way (if only a little) to bless them.</i></li>
<li><b>Find Something To Be Grateful For. </b><i>Post what you're grateful for on Facebook, or write it on a note, or in your journal. Make it your phone background or say it out loud. Even if you're not feeling particularly grateful, I promise you that you have at least one thing to be grateful for. You're welcome to join my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheDailyGratitudeGroup/">daily gratitude group on Facebook</a>.</i><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWRzHA0yEJbBkVxrb8iJ0me0Fbl0uY3bTANSQK5xqt34fXOZFsevf3hVlWH66jyp1wBQTm2Sr_Q0KfZzl0rvGWdNlbEsYXIAO_FTL9smDhbRE32rPLaVmWGxGp3zyZwjrW8rioUm64qdr/s1600/call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWRzHA0yEJbBkVxrb8iJ0me0Fbl0uY3bTANSQK5xqt34fXOZFsevf3hVlWH66jyp1wBQTm2Sr_Q0KfZzl0rvGWdNlbEsYXIAO_FTL9smDhbRE32rPLaVmWGxGp3zyZwjrW8rioUm64qdr/s200/call.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make that call.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks for the image <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16210667@N02/21321525934">Flickr</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></li>
<li><b>Call Someone. </b><i>You may not be a phone talker, and this may be super unusual for you, but pick one person that you appreciate, call them up (don't text, email, or message them) and tell them how much they mean to you. Ask them how they are, don't make them worried that you're depressed, and don't make the conversation about you, just tell them how much you appreciate them. If you don't have anyone to appreciate, tell your bus driver how much they make your <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWRzHA0yEJbBkVxrb8iJ0me0Fbl0uY3bTANSQK5xqt34fXOZFsevf3hVlWH66jyp1wBQTm2Sr_Q0KfZzl0rvGWdNlbEsYXIAO_FTL9smDhbRE32rPLaVmWGxGp3zyZwjrW8rioUm64qdr/s1600/call.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
day.</i></li>
<li><b>Hug a Homeless Person. </b><i><i>I hope I don't lose you on this one. A</i>dmittedly, this one is a bit extreme, but it has never failed to turn my shitty day into something manageable. Homeless people are often not treated as human, and I don't like to hand out money to everyone I see, but I do like to just extend a small kind human interaction with them. It's really not as "unsanitary" as some might make it out to be. And if a homeless person is too extreme for you, hug someone else. Studies show that human contact will make you <a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/02/06/hugging.aspx">healthier</a> (Eight hugs a day? Whoa, I need to increase my hug ratio).</i></li>
<li><b>Watch a Commencement Speech</b><i><b>. </b>This works for me almost every time. Watching commencement speeches get me pumped up about the potential that life has, not just for recent college graduates, but for people at any stage in life. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTxUjNPL8l1mDZl-Jk9RTRASrqgldO61Y">I have made a playlist of my favorite ones here</a>. </i></li>
<li><b>Meditate. </b><i>Meditation doesn't have to be the whole process. You don't have to join a mediation group (although you could, I recommend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/practiceheartfulness/">this one</a>), find a guru, or go to a yoga session. You can mediate wherever you are for as long as you have. Just close your eyes, breathe, focus on your heartbeat, calm your thoughts, express your gratitude, sit in silence, watch something extremely funny... whatever makes you feel centered and fully present, because that's what meditation is for.</i></li>
<li><b>Talk About Your Feelings. </b><i>I know, this probably makes you cringe, but don't let it scare you away. You don't necessarily have to voice them aloud, but maybe it's time for a journal or a therapist? The stigma of therapy is falling away, and it's a good thing too, as an <a href="http://www.apa.org/monitor/julaug04/survey.aspx">increasing number of adults actually need one</a>. If there is something wrong in your relationships, your friends, family, or significant other probably can't read your mind (that would be kind of scary if they could), so maybe it's time to talk about it.</i><i><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTtxzRqsirvHSzVk17vJhsdLfVfScpndUT5ql60wkN6_RR28ZLJBR5lwNiA2wE0sYpYNz132lK0uCWA3Ltk7eKDsQyEcs9B1v81r2njT-xdpoBwvhoJUtKDP4-l9_e3uBIhSZqdrAIqFZ/s1600/yes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTtxzRqsirvHSzVk17vJhsdLfVfScpndUT5ql60wkN6_RR28ZLJBR5lwNiA2wE0sYpYNz132lK0uCWA3Ltk7eKDsQyEcs9B1v81r2njT-xdpoBwvhoJUtKDP4-l9_e3uBIhSZqdrAIqFZ/s200/yes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's time to say yes.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pic from <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jm3/9280426505">Flickr</a>.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></li>
<li><b>Start Saying Yes.</b><i> There will be times when you do not feel like going out to get a drink with an old friend, or go to a networking event, or even attend your kid's seventh soccer game, and sometimes it is okay to say no, but other times, you will not regret pushing past that immediate impulsion and just saying yes. Don't forget how short life is. You are given a very limited amount of time to live, so why say no to experiences and opportunities that might just make your life even more worth living? Plus, maybe you'll get a good story out of it, and what is life if not accumulating a bunch of good stories to tell?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTtxzRqsirvHSzVk17vJhsdLfVfScpndUT5ql60wkN6_RR28ZLJBR5lwNiA2wE0sYpYNz132lK0uCWA3Ltk7eKDsQyEcs9B1v81r2njT-xdpoBwvhoJUtKDP4-l9_e3uBIhSZqdrAIqFZ/s1600/yes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</i></li>
<li><b>Create Your Own Happiness Ritual. </b><i>What makes you happy? Do that, all of that. Take a bath, watch your favorite movie, re-read your favorite book, pick and choose some of the things on this list... whatever and make that part of your Happiness Ritual.</i></li>
</ul>
<br />
I hope that these tips can help you make you every day great!<br />
<br />
Let me know what works for you and don't forget to <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/SummersEpicJourney">subscribe to my blog</a> to get more fun updates and tips!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-17684764980343590522016-09-22T14:00:00.000-07:002016-09-23T09:48:30.123-07:00I Found My Heart In The Back of A Pet Store<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN9-JjcuWeAKpCreWT02luIdRya80YRG0j3IO69h2uaZZeQPrfau2MsG3oGjn8ATZ6Blj9qziSG67rpMYhIW8CZWuY6VDz2IokuYnbJvVpemR0fc9D3ExYO20rZK2tYAzw-3g8X2QV0HB/s1600/11181822_10206706482041123_8947322205631009799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN9-JjcuWeAKpCreWT02luIdRya80YRG0j3IO69h2uaZZeQPrfau2MsG3oGjn8ATZ6Blj9qziSG67rpMYhIW8CZWuY6VDz2IokuYnbJvVpemR0fc9D3ExYO20rZK2tYAzw-3g8X2QV0HB/s200/11181822_10206706482041123_8947322205631009799_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Two months</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> before the end of my 22<sup>nd</sup>
year on Earth, I was in my car, driving (as I often did), but this time it was
different. I didn’t have to be at work in the morning, or classes on Monday. I
had 25 hundred dollars in my bank account, a paper map in my hands, and a bed
made in the back seat of Mia, my beloved 2005 Kia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This was it</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, I was really doing it. I was taking
a cross country road trip by myself and had an entire two months to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I had quit</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> my jobs at an escape room place, and
as a test administrator, and personally assisting an author and journalist, as
well as assisting an embedded system consultant. I quit my internship at the
YWCA. I took my last class of my undergrad career online so it could be on the
road with me. I broke up with my boyfriend, and loosely cut ties with the guy I
had started seeing shortly after. I didn’t renew my apartment lease, and had
packed all of the belongings that wouldn’t fit in Mia’s rear end, away in a
storage unit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I had worked</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> hard for this. For the last four
years, I had juggled multiple jobs, yearly unpaid internships, countless
relationships, 18-21 semester hours, many mini-mesters, and a cumulative 4
point 0.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I had no</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> <b>job
</b>waiting for me when I got back, and no long-term plan. But I didn’t care.
All I could smell was freedom… And
roadkill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhLhtwmNGW6bWg9iwMjimbjw5akLgHmI605BN-IxbdRa7gLAryRmuuUGKlaSYaqQ5GXuG-GSCXn_LuXN7Qz_aVTvSEmzB1nSxZdA637OFKwMO1NsQsMGPCoMZnjLvdSsEl57FXbWBpI5Z/s1600/11401199_10206742197293982_5870304225953092057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhLhtwmNGW6bWg9iwMjimbjw5akLgHmI605BN-IxbdRa7gLAryRmuuUGKlaSYaqQ5GXuG-GSCXn_LuXN7Qz_aVTvSEmzB1nSxZdA637OFKwMO1NsQsMGPCoMZnjLvdSsEl57FXbWBpI5Z/s200/11401199_10206742197293982_5870304225953092057_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first stop</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> of my epic journey was an organic
farm in upper Wisconsin, where my cousin worked. He got me room and board for a
week, in exchange for my daily commitment to working on the farm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">That was the most</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> exhausting, bug bitten, sunburnt… and
rewarding, week of my life. I went to bed every single night too exhausted to
regret quitting a comfortable life, and woke up every morning, too late
pressing snooze (a few times) to even consider the other ways I could be
spending the summer right after college
graduation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">On day seven</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, I took the last shower, did the last
load of laundry, and ate the last healthy breakfast I would have for a while. I
packed up my car, said goodbye to my cousin, and the new friends I had met, and
hit the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Onward to</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> Minnesota, then Iowa, then the
dreaded Nebraska drive, and to the Colorful Colorado, with only my audiobooks,
journal, and crappy virgin mobile phone to keep me company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The first time</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> I caught sight of the snow-capped
mountains, I let out a literal gasp. Never, in my life had I ever witnessed
such massive nature-made magnificence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I bee-lined</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> to the mountains, which as anyone
that has been near these mighty landscapes knows… can actually take a while.
Apparently the mountains in your eyesight are further than they appear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">By the time</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> I had arrived to the horseshoe
mountain in Fort Collins, the sun was casting shadows on everything around me,
and I was too exhausted to do anything but park my car and climb into my
backseat for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The next day</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> I awoke to the rising sun, ref</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">lecting
on the body of water that surrounded me, almost completely. I had driven right
into the valley of the canyon, engulfed in the beauty that only the mountains
can offer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt7KJvYQsEjgCCxOBrd2O2Bd5oh8jwuds0-obkIezawzWkX3bfBRQ8Lid2yEsId2L0CaZFQSEfsnqJ6QGrPJFMu5Q0RkJMZ2hIVx377qqNX4hoPW-j1m4u2M-u3wcTbqMC7P3_FOM514n/s1600/pano+of+horseshoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt7KJvYQsEjgCCxOBrd2O2Bd5oh8jwuds0-obkIezawzWkX3bfBRQ8Lid2yEsId2L0CaZFQSEfsnqJ6QGrPJFMu5Q0RkJMZ2hIVx377qqNX4hoPW-j1m4u2M-u3wcTbqMC7P3_FOM514n/s400/pano+of+horseshoe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I Woke Up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I let out</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> a laugh, took a video, and prepared
for the unknown day ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I was getting</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> a little lonely. All of my Colorado
friends, family, and friends of friends and family had fallen through on me.
Either busy or not answering my calls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">While on my way</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> to the Rocky Mountains for another
solo cruise, I saw a pet store in Loveland. I drove passed it, trying to ignore
the strange pull I felt in my heart. There is no way I needed a ginnypig,
hamster, puppy, bunny, or snake to keep me company… That would be absurd. Two
months on an unknown, largely unplanned adventure with another creature? No
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">But for some reason</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, m</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">y brain failed to communicate this
logic to my body, because suddenly I was making a u-turn in a gas station
parking lot. I drove the two miles back to the pet store, parked and stepped
inside.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I browsed around</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, eye balling the hamsters and smelly ferret,
when I heard it… The unmistakable sounds of whimpering and squealing newborn
puppies. My heart leaped and I wondered toward the sound, like a zombie sensing
nearby brains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdgrWTyZF_SHQ-A4VMhlYfi9Zkdh72PNoS4qmR-2BnTek8nRHj3h_iFweHnoc2iujnWeqzDRFel32kDExv1RM-UuNcq-SL-Byw7trcDc1zS4rjKtRl-qpP_O1xMWnUBPCYlN4ik8kiHXF/s1600/First+Pic+of+Rocky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdgrWTyZF_SHQ-A4VMhlYfi9Zkdh72PNoS4qmR-2BnTek8nRHj3h_iFweHnoc2iujnWeqzDRFel32kDExv1RM-UuNcq-SL-Byw7trcDc1zS4rjKtRl-qpP_O1xMWnUBPCYlN4ik8kiHXF/s200/First+Pic+of+Rocky.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first picture I<br />
ever took of Rocky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Long story short</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">, when my eyes connected with the
oldest, ugliest, and least pure bred dog there (appropriately and cruelly named
Monkey Face), my heart did a 360 flip and promptly melted in my chest. That was
the day I met my trip companion and soon to be best friend, Rocky Road Trip
Slevin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Yp_1wGYm4XRUYJXcBVIVcUzu2Mb7ZRGGXAStPrmD7DWjDt6HG_VNTk27lTTosd_Kb9Eo5uXNXFZEBFutonDbXPnmI09cJiao3rwVgsQ8YbFWPqXBhPXA-g7UxvizsbJHaEHZ52kH7Wwo/s1600/doggg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Yp_1wGYm4XRUYJXcBVIVcUzu2Mb7ZRGGXAStPrmD7DWjDt6HG_VNTk27lTTosd_Kb9Eo5uXNXFZEBFutonDbXPnmI09cJiao3rwVgsQ8YbFWPqXBhPXA-g7UxvizsbJHaEHZ52kH7Wwo/s200/doggg.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little companion and I.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We spent</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> the next two months crashing on the
couches of friends and family, sleeping in the backseat of Mia, visiting
national parks from Wyoming, to Washington, California, Nevada, Arizona, and
Utah, picking up a pine cone in every state we stopped in, making friends with
nearly every stranger (and stray) we met, and saying yes to (almost) every
opportunity that was presented to us. I learned how to surf, went deep sea
fishing (getting pinched by a crab, that I promptly revenge ate that evening),
and discovered who I wanted to be a little more every single day I was on the
road, and every single journal entry I wrote. The formerly abused Rocky learned
how to love and be loved by her adoring owner (ahem, me) and by every passerby
that looked upon her little scruffy face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhluVBfD-SN6i1ghVklbJud1LTh207vcLFwmlukI_xhQOBn-ViDt5L-bwEFEsVoAIzWKexHay6PlDlDBYTQSMEVdIXxv-MwC4muKWVYFHmliU_6K9Gd4tEt9BBVdznyaQypfV_AmYju3v/s1600/anchor+Pupt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhluVBfD-SN6i1ghVklbJud1LTh207vcLFwmlukI_xhQOBn-ViDt5L-bwEFEsVoAIzWKexHay6PlDlDBYTQSMEVdIXxv-MwC4muKWVYFHmliU_6K9Gd4tEt9BBVdznyaQypfV_AmYju3v/s200/anchor+Pupt.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My anchor. <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">This pup taught</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> me that sometimes logic doesn’t
prevail, sometimes the biggest adventures arise when you just follow your gut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">I found</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> myself while traveling cross country
on an epic road trip, because I found my heart in an unlikely place… in the
back of a pet store in Loveland, Colorado.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">~~~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Given As My First Toastmaster's Speech on September 22, 2016.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-2371620653133239792016-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:002016-09-23T07:50:42.003-07:00Why I wanted to go to Jury Duty..<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Yes, it's true, I wanted to go to Jury Duty this week. Once I realized I had been picked, it felt like I had won a lottery of sorts. No, it's not just about the idea of being apart of one of those juicy court hearings that you see on tv (admittedly that WAS in the back of my mind). It wasn't about being able to miss work, although I did look forward to catching up on some research and reading I've been meaning to do. It wasn't about being ab<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">le to step away from all my stressful day-to-day thoughts. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZzH5AcEK4nYUiS7uezQlMXhyphenhyphenewJGZKPkEHWIR5diGRb5_IGWXgjQ2dloKOCA9FcLEyFdXFXaktiyMGfVZq0y6n2a4Z0DUMVTiKYjbCetu0IhcCE1J94Jlg0XRi1X5cG3QBCGIhd1e0Z5/s1600/Jury+Duty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZzH5AcEK4nYUiS7uezQlMXhyphenhyphenewJGZKPkEHWIR5diGRb5_IGWXgjQ2dloKOCA9FcLEyFdXFXaktiyMGfVZq0y6n2a4Z0DUMVTiKYjbCetu0IhcCE1J94Jlg0XRi1X5cG3QBCGIhd1e0Z5/s320/Jury+Duty.jpg" width="256" /></a><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">I was excited about Jury Duty because it is one of the reasons why I love this country.<br />Now, I don't want to give the impression that I am a huge patriot and I ignore all of the injustices taking place daily here, and I'm not trying to romanticize all of the terrible, tragic things that are happening to undeserving people.<br />But, regardless, there is a lot to love about America.<br />To me, Jury Duty represents democracy, justice, and freedom of the people.<br />Of course it could be implemented better, of course! Everything could, really. But there is something so beautiful about looking around me and seeing people of all different races, ages, education backgrounds, classes, opinions, wealth, and opportunities sitting with me as peers, getting 100% of the same say as one another.<br />Isn't that just a little beautiful?<br />Okay, so it is scary that all of these strangers might have totally different morals and biases than me and we may be deciding on very serious consequences for someone, but it all comes back to what makes America so wonderful.<br />Who's to say that my one option is correct or that my individual bias, or education has given me the right answer in a specific case? Nothing. But with 12 minds, morals, backgrounds and options working together, we can reach the most balanced decision possible.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
It's a beautiful thing.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I don't really get to see how my individual vote changes an election, or how my tax dollars really make a difference, but when I sit in the chair at the courthouse with all my peers, I feel like I am making a teeny difference in what makes America a democracy.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Each of us will probably have to serve on a jury at one time or another, why not change your perspective about the whole thing and instead see what an instrumental part you get to play that week.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-4226035098892375912016-09-20T16:41:00.000-07:002016-09-20T18:51:35.799-07:00Marketing to EmotionToday I did <b>a lot </b>of research for our target audience, for SEO, for content marketing, etc, etc.<br />
All and all I think what marketing is all about (and this is going to sound obvious) is building value.<br />
Bare with me here.<br />
I know this sounds all easier said than done, but if I am stepping back and taking a look at the bigger picture of every marketing campaign I've seen and everything that has appealed to me, it's really about very few things:<br />
a) Making my life easier (cleaning, errands, work)<br />
b) Lessening my stress (money, obligations, time)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Side Note: People will pay a lot of money to save time</span></b></i></div>
c) Making something feel achievable or attainable (beauty, money, luxury, fame)<br />
d) Giving me valuable information (step-by-step, how to, cheat sheet)<br />
c) Making my concerns valid... then offering a solution (debt, debt, debt)<br />
e) Appealing to my emotions (I know, super broad-- Fear [of missing out], jealousy, desire)<br />
f) Puts me in control (or so it seems)<br />
g) Makes a promise (guarantees a result)<br />
<br />
I'm sure I'm missing some things here, and I will probably add to the list as my research gets more thorough.<br />
<br />
But here's the thing, once you know what appeals to you, now you can start to break that down, figure out what makes it appealing, and determine how this can help you create a effective marketing strategy with whatever brand, product or message you have.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG8GB31qkCHbiu-HwZfOuvszXCqgeFt3CF5WZsU4skZMkEo6IVCYTwq4qvzx-M8vTjkT8nGsb6mXhjq4P3NeLxUCfzVHijVlRdnMDb4WOaHS2hK2SMBK9s0uD9gcYDLBkMN_neThoLClj/s1600/mask1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWG8GB31qkCHbiu-HwZfOuvszXCqgeFt3CF5WZsU4skZMkEo6IVCYTwq4qvzx-M8vTjkT8nGsb6mXhjq4P3NeLxUCfzVHijVlRdnMDb4WOaHS2hK2SMBK9s0uD9gcYDLBkMN_neThoLClj/s200/mask1.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The initial face mask</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0Qo9r1nfV0kB8cWNnSQ21zc4JXuFT3FlPIWFwiZMdZ3168viiDd6ZNSYitHrudEaJE3XEpxfCigoFdAkdm9ExnaqJDPhfXUHbBZFeEwoZ5wnENMm_rkPkT-rLQcBiDlBJIZLOtf3mG0-/s1600/dog+reaction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0Qo9r1nfV0kB8cWNnSQ21zc4JXuFT3FlPIWFwiZMdZ3168viiDd6ZNSYitHrudEaJE3XEpxfCigoFdAkdm9ExnaqJDPhfXUHbBZFeEwoZ5wnENMm_rkPkT-rLQcBiDlBJIZLOtf3mG0-/s200/dog+reaction.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was legit my dog's reaction <br />
when she saw me with <br />
the bubble mask on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just a short note: I once bought a face cleaner online because of a tutorial from a stranger. This doesn't seem all that strange, right? But it was. It was the first time I had ever bought anything because of a tutorial (and the last). It was not a product that I would have <b>ever</b> used. It was a random person that I had never seen before. And it was on Facebook (one of those random "related" videos that pop up after you watch one video). This was a totally unusual and impractical decision for me... So why did I do it? Well, first, she was a super likable and relateable person, that seemed trustworthy. The face mask bubbled on her face and she displayed all of the same reactions I would have. Second, the product was affordable enough to be an impulse buy. Third, other people were liking, and commenting on the video, vouching for the product and encouraging my initial inkling.<br />
Did the product change my life? No... But learning from my own purchasing impulse did.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Iuo6l6gW4178mI6W80C1Cjz-GUALVmkTaI7yWvHJmc3lbAw3V7rKUVR5bNy3KMEablEvpNqcSF9BRAgl_ap22G0WE1x8EE2BCXofT6z8u9pr8mlemCc4PL_n1Voe_MXuClizVZrQ2vSm/s1600/mask2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Iuo6l6gW4178mI6W80C1Cjz-GUALVmkTaI7yWvHJmc3lbAw3V7rKUVR5bNy3KMEablEvpNqcSF9BRAgl_ap22G0WE1x8EE2BCXofT6z8u9pr8mlemCc4PL_n1Voe_MXuClizVZrQ2vSm/s200/mask2.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it got so bubbly!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Moral of the Story? </b><i>Emotions are EVERYTHING. </i>People trust other people WAY more than they trust products and if they can watch someone display the same emotions they are feeling, that will hook them.<br />
<b><i>Bonus:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrG_B5TVj6M"> Here's the video!</a></i></b><br />
<b></b><br />
<b></b>
<b>Comment Your Thoughts! </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-41909882812797258942016-09-19T10:44:00.001-07:002016-09-19T10:47:47.820-07:00Enjoying Life Throughout the Ups and DownsI hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I truly did.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcDM-_MlKqzxhzgE96RU0KbfREJdnIoOpFgDUQ_ENhUGJ99kLQSb3FyhU_u1_lGR67yrtOXqCGrpfpQ9uX_4SSbIjMb15irStnAtEs-mbcyZLlYq5venctX-wzZVWG_WfJIOiUfQJtmcL/s1600/Date+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcDM-_MlKqzxhzgE96RU0KbfREJdnIoOpFgDUQ_ENhUGJ99kLQSb3FyhU_u1_lGR67yrtOXqCGrpfpQ9uX_4SSbIjMb15irStnAtEs-mbcyZLlYq5venctX-wzZVWG_WfJIOiUfQJtmcL/s200/Date+Day.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan and my Date Day yesterday, <br />
complete with a Banana Split!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was the most relaxing weekends I have had in a while, and I had quite a bit of time to reflect on what gives me happiness and satisfaction.<br />
<br />
I started reading <a href="http://www.theenergybus.com/">The Energy Bus</a> and it has really caused me to think about negativity. I really try to be an optimistic person. As I stated in my <a href="http://summersepicjourney.blogspot.com/2016/09/my-fully-alive-101-guest-post.html">last post</a>, I wasn't always this way, but I slowly began changing my negative thoughts into positive ones and eventually it changed my perspective on everything. That being said, I really think that I have some room for improvement. It is time to start putting others first and it is time to stop stressing about the things that are out of my control. I also need to make more goals and have more of a vision, in order to steer my bus in the right direction.<br />
<br />
I haven't been able to sleep very well for a few weeks, just tossing and turning and worrying about all the things I need to get done and worrying that I will not be able to complete everything, or I will disappoint others with my work or they will feel like they wasted money by investing in me... I worry about not having time to relax and about relaxing too much, and lately I have been worried about worrying. It is ridiculous. I have no idea when I got back into this spiral of negative thinking, and it is not always there, but it seems to want to keep me company at night, when I am at my most vulnerable.<br />
Right on the edge of sleep, I have a anxiety filled thought that zaps me awake, and I lay there, exhausted and stressed, with thoughts of potential failure jumping through my mind like the sheep I can never seem to concentrate on counting.<br />
Yes, I know I am not the only one that struggles with this, but it just seems like I've gotten so far with eliminating my negative thoughts and I feel so disappointed that I may be recessing back into this spiral of negativity, which makes me more negative. The constant migraines aren't helping, but I'm sure the stress isn't helping the constant migraines either.<br />
<br />
But here is the thing. I can change. I have done it before many times, and I can do it again.<br />
First, I will start by stopping myself from complaining more. I will stop from beating myself up about having these negative thoughts. I will also surround myself with more positivity. This weekend was so wonderful because it was filled with loved ones, and that is exactly what I need to make priority.<br />
It is easy to forget and put pleasure as the last thing on the priority list, but it is necessary to make it one of the most important things on that list. It is the motivation that keeps the ride fueled.<br />
I will also express my gratitude more frequently. <b><i>I will start now.</i></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tKk8QLvl_Y7CvRJcEJM0JC6xdhheWad7sFA56EfAV-g1YgswiGCvRbipY56s4CBHQxOhEFYvplZv7FDVJG7UlJJT7k69mFo6QO1jnRRXcm6fdXYqmccI4Fk7uluVfoZIElNVRpubbtgJ/s1600/Best+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tKk8QLvl_Y7CvRJcEJM0JC6xdhheWad7sFA56EfAV-g1YgswiGCvRbipY56s4CBHQxOhEFYvplZv7FDVJG7UlJJT7k69mFo6QO1jnRRXcm6fdXYqmccI4Fk7uluVfoZIElNVRpubbtgJ/s200/Best+Collage.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My handsome man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK3sPlPGzt1DJws8kRhhh9Zw2Jz7tuovo_E4cgOZpLtuCgXT2fTjMwqDdhfM0zmNwToFMcvSwwQfJClqRfCNUltKY0l8UH5W2CTJuBptbCqqOg-0YFdrvF2QzTokZNMtIPZd90LIZ3xWX/s1600/Mops+and+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK3sPlPGzt1DJws8kRhhh9Zw2Jz7tuovo_E4cgOZpLtuCgXT2fTjMwqDdhfM0zmNwToFMcvSwwQfJClqRfCNUltKY0l8UH5W2CTJuBptbCqqOg-0YFdrvF2QzTokZNMtIPZd90LIZ3xWX/s200/Mops+and+I.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>I am grateful for...</i></b></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wm6vPYg7MJ4ccM1PKLlZ43vRdQLBINiaqjLk7FkV084OOc62KGSYxuPFQ2_BNe9F5xFiqZ5Fu3FjD3S5ZIpc6fomkKkTEDYbNLppMIot2lk7GzoJWr7qSXbXMu5g-T0SgGEzidIjJ7Em/s1600/friendds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wm6vPYg7MJ4ccM1PKLlZ43vRdQLBINiaqjLk7FkV084OOc62KGSYxuPFQ2_BNe9F5xFiqZ5Fu3FjD3S5ZIpc6fomkKkTEDYbNLppMIot2lk7GzoJWr7qSXbXMu5g-T0SgGEzidIjJ7Em/s200/friendds.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpa_jycJcOgIHYUdfG-U5Ck-qtNdygn3Mp2RLBBIXiw4rYUV7pBbewYBx_5ai5luXLhZrjPS8jrju0jkHr8nDpW8pUMBQ9IPOy2DAuN5hLHzRdiVr-gAnSrX-oT4LGndNqPWu81k7xvEZ/s1600/Fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpa_jycJcOgIHYUdfG-U5Ck-qtNdygn3Mp2RLBBIXiw4rYUV7pBbewYBx_5ai5luXLhZrjPS8jrju0jkHr8nDpW8pUMBQ9IPOy2DAuN5hLHzRdiVr-gAnSrX-oT4LGndNqPWu81k7xvEZ/s200/Fam.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wonderful family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK-sSpsBIC8oxJ0tw4ZmSsB7j8ECOXIomBbbV9h0OiiQfOEn3t9xAJ5fZsGaIeWQH-XnWUy2gQYK-VFcQxCm3iqtYdaWU0VgzHQ2l8H60Ib2fPTRcuOKfL_CZsiLI8FOf5dzheMyPuDrD/s1600/w+gracie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvK-sSpsBIC8oxJ0tw4ZmSsB7j8ECOXIomBbbV9h0OiiQfOEn3t9xAJ5fZsGaIeWQH-XnWUy2gQYK-VFcQxCm3iqtYdaWU0VgzHQ2l8H60Ib2fPTRcuOKfL_CZsiLI8FOf5dzheMyPuDrD/s200/w+gracie.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My best friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh48DDCQIHhGK8vhPJAbz5nkbHj1yweMsHkoJhNeywciYyugvITeQZF7mS83Farl5Egedi04AO0cmU2eOSzN1jwLDRkcCShU0NUGXxULY8zXS_uVRoUWoqJPTPrFLh6Y7DG3Qntl-1HWn/s1600/anchor+Pupt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIh48DDCQIHhGK8vhPJAbz5nkbHj1yweMsHkoJhNeywciYyugvITeQZF7mS83Farl5Egedi04AO0cmU2eOSzN1jwLDRkcCShU0NUGXxULY8zXS_uVRoUWoqJPTPrFLh6Y7DG3Qntl-1HWn/s200/anchor+Pupt.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My puppy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT79mBnAXYrH-YT1nM7M5aCHG6C38HeaHP4KkoKHrB9tOYKt3covkSsicNDk4LOspdqwFmtyM9sNFo7kf3N_eh4bYobbZ8ttOw_D9V1hyzrwBrLo7bw5NtK_ZJL1cEBtKtB-Jk6aroPx7V/s1600/Me+and+Gram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT79mBnAXYrH-YT1nM7M5aCHG6C38HeaHP4KkoKHrB9tOYKt3covkSsicNDk4LOspdqwFmtyM9sNFo7kf3N_eh4bYobbZ8ttOw_D9V1hyzrwBrLo7bw5NtK_ZJL1cEBtKtB-Jk6aroPx7V/s200/Me+and+Gram.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful grandmother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgGOdN8F-0WAL2wIBg8fvueWe7Nev0jARUyzXmR1-vuVFpqYcMK_hqyXXjHx3g2VjyEdHcmPu8unfnQ-rK-JBqxImqH8Y-6iZg3A3QzZmbAJMSog1oIG3qofaUktcrzKThqSUhDcibN6J/s1600/Me+and+joshy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgGOdN8F-0WAL2wIBg8fvueWe7Nev0jARUyzXmR1-vuVFpqYcMK_hqyXXjHx3g2VjyEdHcmPu8unfnQ-rK-JBqxImqH8Y-6iZg3A3QzZmbAJMSog1oIG3qofaUktcrzKThqSUhDcibN6J/s200/Me+and+joshy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My adventures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Journey on, my friends, and stay forever grateful and positive. </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-91127232156930497652016-09-16T14:19:00.001-07:002016-09-19T10:03:15.951-07:00My Fully Alive 101 Guest PostThis guest post can be found on the <a href="http://www.fullyalive101.org/blog/this-girl-traveled-across-the-country-alone-the-epic-journey">Fully Alive 101 blog</a>!<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>What is does living fully alive mean to you?</i></b><br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
To me, my life is slowing becoming exemplary of living fully alive.</div>
<div>
I meet new friends on a daily basis, I take little adventures constantly, I like who I see in the mirror, I come home to an amazing puppy and wonderful boyfriend, and I work a fantastic job. Already, at the age of 24, I know what drives me and I know where I find solace. I am true to myself and I try to be the best version of myself possible.</div>
<div>
I know this all may sound pretty braggy, but believe me, it is far from it.</div>
<div>
I wasn't always like this, in fact, the Summer of years past is quite different from the Summer of today.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrdSiE2XHBYAVCjClfQ75n3lohnHMzduy6HBLbUmOz4zT-2uFpOG8lUg8iTpxefydpd2F1Mr6TjtKNeHMCu-0GT5C5xcVASnbbMrLjJLQnR2QVeGDWI85pmz5kFV8aMHJ586zO07GZ2qF/s1600/Me+Before2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrdSiE2XHBYAVCjClfQ75n3lohnHMzduy6HBLbUmOz4zT-2uFpOG8lUg8iTpxefydpd2F1Mr6TjtKNeHMCu-0GT5C5xcVASnbbMrLjJLQnR2QVeGDWI85pmz5kFV8aMHJ586zO07GZ2qF/s200/Me+Before2.jpg" width="125" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Summer that tied<br />
her value to others.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I used to be a complainer. I used to blame my problems on others. I picked fights with my boyfriends and love ones, swinging from one relationship to the next. I used to vent all over social media and take the friends that chose me, liking the attention and not being selective enough with who kept me company. I used to roll my eyes when I was given advice and scoff when I would be disciplined by teachers and bosses. I used to wake up the wrong side of the bed, a lot. I would get so angry when someone would question me. And I used to suck everyone around me into my cloud of dissatisfaction.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So what changed? </div>
<div>
My perspective, mostly. My desire to live a more 3 dimensional life, my willingness to disregard my ego, and my shift into becoming more introspective and spiritual rather than judgmental and logical.</div>
<div>
I started genuinely loving people, not the unhealthy relationships that I had been dragging with me, instead I consciously made an effort to surround myself with passionate, positive, and like minded people, especially fellow women. And I loved them with no expectation or thought of what they could do for me.</div>
<div>
I started forgiving myself. I forgave myself for being too critical, for being so anxious all the time, for jumping from one relationship to the next, for finding myself in my significant other, for the drugs I had abused my body with, and for all the many, many mistakes I had made.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPThMPp-VpMjJFaHejoI2IuaU3kI-Xa37Jc7dyxZNCnymqzOLSsHXlXqmt9ifL2H2AP7LAoiEnZrhyYtQQLSooL_nKHdkwG1BxX8Gc-HpNEKSS_hXYixS6u94MrpLsJtjvpGJgCIVz_wA/s1600/After+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPThMPp-VpMjJFaHejoI2IuaU3kI-Xa37Jc7dyxZNCnymqzOLSsHXlXqmt9ifL2H2AP7LAoiEnZrhyYtQQLSooL_nKHdkwG1BxX8Gc-HpNEKSS_hXYixS6u94MrpLsJtjvpGJgCIVz_wA/s200/After+3.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Give No Fucks"<br />
Summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I started hearing an inner voice, you know, the one so many people claim to hear? I had never hear it before because of all the other things I had let myself get distracted by. It was so small at first, and as I practiced the art of listening to it, the voice started to grow. I started understanding what "following your gut" really meant and how to start doing just that. I started putting myself out there and living with a "no regrets" philosophy.</div>
<div>
I started putting my value in myself and not in those around me. I started choosing my significant others carefully, and knowing that if that relationship wasn't forever, it would be okay. </div>
<div>
I stopped trying to control everything and everyone around me.</div>
<div>
The biggest thing I started doing was <b>saying no to the toxic things and saying yes to the opportunities I wanted.</b></div>
<div>
I am by no means saying that I am perfect. Far from it. I am constantly evolving and fluidly changing. I am not the person I will end up being ultimately and yes, sometimes I do make mistakes and question my choices, <b>but</b> I am so happy with who I am and who I am becoming. I have found my inner guidance, and I found my passion.</div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs8pRUcnavrnBok5c9p8eVYEkHTMDVxwLKgHqjnXtlc8Kph3E7KE6mJjiWz37m6x8VlzEaRHnMoqIO2rylR6QTwXsBp79EpBGeoeBAqp0rnDES6yEQ4OyQ4shi_l35XJrxHP9XMz0gbtU/s1600/After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPs8pRUcnavrnBok5c9p8eVYEkHTMDVxwLKgHqjnXtlc8Kph3E7KE6mJjiWz37m6x8VlzEaRHnMoqIO2rylR6QTwXsBp79EpBGeoeBAqp0rnDES6yEQ4OyQ4shi_l35XJrxHP9XMz0gbtU/s200/After.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You deserve happiness, but <br />
no one is going to do anything for you. <br />
You have to make it happen.<br />
So make it happen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
This shift did not occur overnight, it took years of watering my open-minded garden. It took meeting strangers and taking advice, finding role models and mentors, going to counseling, quitting the jobs I didn't like, taking myself on a solo two month cross country road trip, and making small decisions every single day to become who I am today.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can do it. It starts right now. Who do you want to become? </div>
<div>
It doesn't have to be one big huge shift. It just has to be a bunch of tiny shifts in the right direction.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Go, become who you want to be. Nothing is holding you back.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Journey on, friends. <3</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-87786184067435100812016-09-16T10:35:00.000-07:002016-09-16T10:43:16.361-07:00Of Course I Forgot to Post YesterdayOne single, pitiful day after I committed to posting everyday, I completely drop the ball.<br />
It is difficult not to get frustrated at myself for not being able to keep a habit for even one day, but you know what? That's okay. I am back on the horse today, and even though it is a Friday and weekends are not terribly routine driven, I will try to post again tomorrow.<br />
<br />
This is going to be more of a journal entry type blog post-just a warning.<br />
<br />
So yesterday was a fantastic day, really this whole week has been great for networking, learning, getting empowered, inspiring others, and enjoying myself.<br />
<br />
Last Friday, I went to a Chamber event and a wonderful marketing consultant. <a href="https://www.clariantcreative.com/">Beth</a>, talked about effective communication. I <b>loved </b>her talk and was secretly hoping that she would be my marketing mentor. I accidentally introduced myself twice, an hour apart, which was quite embarrassing.<br />
I ended up getting my first press release gig that day, and found out that a fellow member of junior league, chamber, and leading ladies was trying to freelance, and I tried my best to inspire her to go for it.<br />
<br />
On Monday, Mary gave me permission to go to a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/launchcon2016/">Book Launch Conference</a> in LA! By myself! Next month! She paid for the ticket, airfare, and hotel! And then I found out that a friend I have never met (a fellow wanderlusting, gut following, 'fuck it' tribe member) lives in LA and wants to meet up! And then my cousin (who I also have never met,except through Facebook) asked if I wanted to get together. Yes!<br />
<br />
Tuesday, I went to a <a href="http://www.jongordon.com/">Jon Gordan</a> seminar and was blown away by his talk. I wrote so many notes, that I think my pencil was smoking. I will have to transcribe all of my notes in a future blog post (note to self: keep track of future blog post promises). Then I asked him a question that he had posed to us earlier (and was later told that I won for questions that day... I know, I need to practice more humility). Because I asked a question, I got a free book and he signed it at the end! :)<br />
Mary then introduced me to a fellow local motivational speaker, <a href="http://lesleyspeaks.com/">Lesley</a>, that I was going to see on Thursday.<br />
Then I went to a lunch that a colleague had won from the radio station. A local speaker, <a href="http://habeebhabeeb.com/">Habeeb</a>, gave a wonderful presentation about the talk. At the end of this, I gave him my card, told him about Mary and told him that Ryan would be applying for a job at his organization.<br />
Later that night, I went to my first Junior League event. We were given tshirts, and asked to go door to door passing out "<a href="https://www.facebook.com/walkasone/">Kindergarten preparation kits</a>" to kids. I met wonderful people and forgot how much I loved volunteering and making a small impact on others.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I went to a real estate thing to see Lesley speak. Since I work for Mary's personal development side, and not her debt collection agency side, I felt a bit out of place representing Midstate... at first. Then Lesley recognized me and sat right next to me. We talked for a while and when she (nervously-- yes, public speakers get nervous too-Eeek!:)) went up to speak, she asked me to take some pictures for her.<br />
Then at the end, I made my rounds, exchanging cards and catching up with people, when I came across the owner of a local nonprofit. She had gone up to speak before Lesley and had ended up crying when she talked about the children that her organization helps. She also caught my eye a couple times during the talk. I ended up telling her about my own attempt at starting a nonprofit, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/StandUpIllinois">Stand Up Illinois</a>, to raise awareness for sex trafficking and such. She got so excited. She gave me her book and told me that maybe our organizations could partner, and she could pay me to be the director of Stand Up Illinois within <a href="http://www.nochildunloved.org/">No Child Unloved</a>. Whaaa...?! Yes! This would be a dream come true, given, but I told her that I had no intention of leaving Mary yet, so she suggested part-time work, and told me to think about it. I certainly am!<br />
Then after work, I went to a chamber event to network and I met so many new people! And got to catch up with old chamber connections. Everyone I knew and talked to said they got my marketing consultant email (which I sent to about 300 of my contacts). On lady I had met at Leading Ladies told me that I was "unforgettable" and after she met me, she was trying to figure out if she could give me a job somewhere at her bank, then she said that I was too creative to work at a bank. Haha<br />
This creeper dude, Mike, that I met at the Rotary bar crawl told me that I had been "bitchy" last time we met because I (fairly politely) had told him that he was "in my space" when he consistently leaned too close to me at one bar. I apologized for coming off rudely and told him that I was just honest. Later, in the middle of my conversation with an old PR gentleman, he very rudely, shrewdly and inappropriately violated my personal space by coming out of no where, and pulled my sitting body close to his groin area. It was completely fucked up. I was <b>shocked</b> he laughed it off and told the old man, "Don't worry, it's an inside joke" then walked away. I was so caught off guard. I tried to re-orientate myself and told the old man, "He violated my personal space and apparently thinks its funny to do it again. Anyway, where were we?"<br />
I just moved on from that and continued networking and connecting, later meeting a great older gentleman that runs a retirement financing and accounting (or something?) company. Jeff called himself a "one-man <a href="http://www.bpcinc.com/">BCP</a>" which is hilarious, because that is where Ryan just applied.<br />
We had wonderful chats about his road trips last year, and my own adventures, and aliens and what not.<br />
It was really great.<br />
I also looked down at my phone and Lesley had texted me, thanking me for taking pictures and telling me that I have a "bright future". Eek!<br />
Everyone else went to a bar afterwards, but it was already 8:00p and I wanted to go lay in bed and watch <a href="http://www.nbc.com/parenthood?nbc=1">Parenthood</a>. So I took off and when Ryan got home, I was so excited to tell him about my day and the communication skills I had learned that we didn't stop talking until after midnight.<br />
<br />
Today, I got into the office and promptly had a conference call with Beth, the marketing consultant I saw on Friday, to discuss branding for Mary. I sent her my <a href="http://summerslevin.weebly.com/marketing.html">12 month marketing timeline</a>, and the website proposal I had sent the website designers to gauge our brand. She was blown away. She told me that she wasn't trying to give me a big head or pander to me, but she had never seen anyone detail the marketing plan and do so much research. And she told me that she didn't want to talk herself out of a job but that I didn't need her help with this brand. She told me that she would be happy to mentor me wherever I needed help! EEEK! And told me that she would send some examples of branding statements that she had made for my reference. THEN she told me that she is constantly hiring freelance writers and she was so happy to have met me. Yippie!<br />
<br />
I really think that I have been put on this Earth to connect people, and to remain positive, passionate, honest, humble, and empowered in order to empower others to do the same.<br />
<br />
Life is so great when you say yes to opportunities, meet everyone there is to meet, genuinely care about them, persevere, and stick your neck out as much as possible!<br />
<br />
Go, kick some ass peeps! And leave me a comment about what you're up to! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-53171436275738802962016-09-14T13:40:00.000-07:002016-09-14T13:40:03.991-07:00One Post EverydayAs you can tell, I am terrible at posting one blog entry every single day.<br />
It is so difficult to fit it in-between the networking, workshop attending, Netflix watching, headaches, working, socializing and so on. It just becomes lost in all the noise and all of the priorities that seem to creep up the list.<br />
I just don't feel inspired, or I want to write the perfect post instead of just crying out in mediocrity. And to be completely candid, I also don't know if I'm a good writer, and I am afraid of the feedback... or even lack there of.<br />
But then I did some research for how to get motivation to blog and I found out that *GASP* I am not alone in my struggle, worries, procrastination, and insecurities.<br />
The number <a href="http://goinswriter.com/?powerpress_pinw=20218-podcast">one piece of advice</a> I got was to just <b>SUCK IT UP</b> and write one thing everyday. And when you hit the publish button on that one thing every single day, it becomes public and you have to suck it up even more.<br />
Because life is going to be over in the blink of an eye, and so why not just put yourself out there and JUST DO IT.<br />
Do I want to be a writer? Yes.<br />
So how does one get better at writing? They write. Duh.<br />
Every single day. It's called discipline and I am going to prove that I have an ounce of it.<br />
<br />
So here I am, having adventures and journeys, but not exactly leading the life I want, but it doesn't matter. I'm going to suck it up and write about all my days anyway.<br />
So welcome to Summer's New Epic Journey.<br />
<br />
The one where she has many mini journeys, thoughts, desires, tips and stories.<br />
<br />
My posts will vary:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Some of these posts might be fiction (I will add a disclaimer to those) because I would like to write my first fiction piece.</li>
<li>Some of these entries might seem journal-ish.</li>
<li>Some of the entries might be stock full of tips.</li>
<li>Some might just talk about my motivation that day.</li>
<li>Some might talk about the inspiration I got that day or the people I met.</li>
<li>Some might be memories of my previous adventures.</li>
</ul>
<br />
I do hope you enjoy this journey with me, but ultimately I will need to remember that this blog is about loving what I'm writing about, not getting praise and comments from my readers.<br />
<br />
That being said, feel free to leave me a question, comment, or feedback.<br />
<br />
So wish me luck!<br />
<br />
#OnePostEveryday #SummersEpicJourneyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-43294731809599678452016-08-19T06:49:00.000-07:002016-08-22T08:22:42.893-07:00Just the Tip(s)<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 20.79px;"><i>Some people requested just the tips without my trip recap at the beginning.</i></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 20.79px;"><i>Here You Go! :)</i></span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 20.79px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px;">
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 1: </span><b style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">Study Up.</b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;"> I highly recommend doing some research before you start your own epic journey. Where exactly do you want to end up? What are some fun things along the way? Do you know anyone along your route? Are there cool road trip apps you should download (yes, yes there are... here's a quick </span><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/style/best-road-trip-travel-apps-c1412204165806.html" style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">Yahoo link</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">, but later I will write about my favorite travel apps)? How much money will a trip like this take? Will I be okay crashing in my car or should I get hotels? Which states am I allowed to </span><a href="http://www.compare.com/auto-insurance/guides/sleep-in-your-car-guide" style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">sleep in my car</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">? Is there good travel </span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/" style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">advice online</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;"> (hello, there!)? How long can I go without a </span><a href="https://www.warmshowers.org/" style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">shower</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">? And so many other things you should ask yourself (and research) before you go.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYq6H3P5B3O-KI_6MFekGHh5Hzec74fNeBTKbb5uQQ7bLKd9m15Hm6dGHDmkPYAsH96cE7Tm0hHYQsXT8F96z3JI40BVORlFJuKifYZhakkirsXvouQV_ma3FljoYsWpxYfeG_RKdVpTD/s1600/Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYq6H3P5B3O-KI_6MFekGHh5Hzec74fNeBTKbb5uQQ7bLKd9m15Hm6dGHDmkPYAsH96cE7Tm0hHYQsXT8F96z3JI40BVORlFJuKifYZhakkirsXvouQV_ma3FljoYsWpxYfeG_RKdVpTD/s200/Map.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Where I thought I was going to go on<br />my two month road trip.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 2: </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Try to Remain Positive.</span></b><b style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;"> </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">I feel like this is kind of a life tip, because life has its ups and downs, but if you can keep a positive attitude about things, you'll end up seeing solutions that you never would have seen otherwise. This is especially important when you're on the road, because things have a way of not going as planned. You will need to be flexible and a positive to enjoy the experience completely. When I first started my road trip, I was pretty certain that I would be heading to the East Coast, too. But then I fell in love with the West, and because I was flexible, I just went with it. There will be times when you want to have a tiny panic attack or when you're so exhausted that you want to just quit, but cheer up, Buttercup. You're on an epic journey. So what your charger isn't working. Oh well, you dropped your camera... You ran out of gas? Okay. Live it up and remain positive. Life is a bed of roses, there will be some thorns, and if you're allergic, take some Claritin. You are living a good life and you're as free as a bumble bee. Roll with the punches and enjoy the ride! (Sorry for all the clichés, I'm disgusted too).</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br style="line-height: 20.79px;" /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; line-height: 20.79px; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJvECGjnHrBoAoDhmmJ4Q5iHg28tTSH19furVVle7w103ixaBhxCc0DgB7HTkhLpn-r_l8q5IwQYQy413PjP7zLiGUa9lXA4tn3Tl3COQ_JDhds311yvDh4FoXvdIgOqIkAxlHiicfbYg/s1600/first+part.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJvECGjnHrBoAoDhmmJ4Q5iHg28tTSH19furVVle7w103ixaBhxCc0DgB7HTkhLpn-r_l8q5IwQYQy413PjP7zLiGUa9lXA4tn3Tl3COQ_JDhds311yvDh4FoXvdIgOqIkAxlHiicfbYg/s200/first+part.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Where I actually went: Part One.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px;">
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 3: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Loosen Your Agenda. </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Plan a loose route so you have objectives, but e</span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">xpect some changes in your route. The best time I've had on road trips, is when I decide to make a random stop, take a different route, and talk to strangers. The worst road trips I've had were dictated by deadlines and anxiety. Whenever there is someone in the front seat saying, "We have to get __ by __. There is no time to stop" you know that you are in for a stressful tip. It is, however, important to have some ideas of destinations or desired stops in mind When you are driving nonstop for hours, the only things that catch your eye are food and places to crash. Having a loose agenda helps you make fun stops, while allowing room for other random destinations, as well. If you're going to have a set schedule, keeping it loose will also helpful for figuring out how many hours you need to drive in one particular day, and how flexible you can be with that schedule. Make sure you c</span><span style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">reate some cushion room in your schedule so that if you start feeling really tired one day, you can pull over early and you won't be behind schedule.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-bottom: 0.357143em; margin-top: 0.357143em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WLVyHCiX1EefklolCHZ9K24cgkh7PcIbXGWgJrewizvac4qOwWYagTpMyIxfLLyjrTEpYatxG781FGpgfUFl4-mAL3Oiyb_hC6G4gFz7kPvFCO7UQ7ygVHM3Kd_NshDXyvMQSNthZVX_/s1600/third+part.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WLVyHCiX1EefklolCHZ9K24cgkh7PcIbXGWgJrewizvac4qOwWYagTpMyIxfLLyjrTEpYatxG781FGpgfUFl4-mAL3Oiyb_hC6G4gFz7kPvFCO7UQ7ygVHM3Kd_NshDXyvMQSNthZVX_/s200/third+part.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black;">Part Three.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="line-height: 20.79px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBUlOasNzuD8vLomeoxz9rq7TWnunqmtv9rzJ86nZ8Ds93qzjAAtab8cYjshtMwCcc7HWehTzdkqEAPUEXZu6-cIj2R6voRnYq-gNG_s-Xi3rKH_c0sLQBBls2fg8txPfvZg9jNDKw2Nx/s1600/second+part.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBUlOasNzuD8vLomeoxz9rq7TWnunqmtv9rzJ86nZ8Ds93qzjAAtab8cYjshtMwCcc7HWehTzdkqEAPUEXZu6-cIj2R6voRnYq-gNG_s-Xi3rKH_c0sLQBBls2fg8txPfvZg9jNDKw2Nx/s200/second+part.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Part Two. </span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 4: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Yawns are Stop Signs. </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Stopping as soon as you get tired is</span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">very important for a successful and enjoyable road trip. Not only is dangerous to drive when you are tired, it is completely unnecessary to do so when you've created a loose schedule and are taking the trip for pure enjoyment (or to add enjoyment to an already scheduled trip). If you are traveling solo, you will probably need naps during the day, between driving. Don't freight, just pull over and lean your seat down. If you nod off while driving, you're endangering everyone on the road and nothing is worth that. Pulling over to the side of the road, at a rest stop, in a hotel, at a gas station, etc to get some shut eye will not inconvenience anyone and your body will thank you. </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 5: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Budget Budget Budget. </b><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="line-height: 20.79px;">Use Cash. *edit* So this worked for me, but it doesn't work for everyone. This is something I recommend if you're prone to spending frivolously. Unless you are a fantabulous budgeter and have crazy cash back on your card, I recommend keeping track of your money and stopping yourself from overspending by getting it in cash (or putting it in specific accounts, if your card lets you do that). Put aside cash in different labeled envelopes, and carry an emergency credit card. Budget beforehand so that you can put aside the right amount of money for each part of your trip. One for Gas (probably your largest envelope), one for food (my second largest), one for souvenirs (if you're into that sort of thing), one for hotels/camping (if you need that. I slept in my comfy backseat, but there are also more comfy </span></span></span><a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">inexpensive alternatives</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">.), one for shopping/entertainment (again, if you're spending money on that), one for your destination(s), </span><i style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: underline;">one for emergency</i><i style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> (this one is the most important). </i><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">If you are using a credit card, do research on it. Get one with cash back on things you will be spending on your road trip (5% Gas Cash Back? Yes Please.). Look at that interest rate, too. If it's interest free after the first year, that's great but look at how much the Annual APR is after that first year too, so it doesn't screw you. Make sure you have credit card cash set aside too so you can pay it off as soon as you rack it up. And make sure you have a low limit so that you're not over spending.</span></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cxG6fAqqQM04uLJ4dIXYOuonS44FafswbYtQorRZEyDM8uxTwBdDsCa0sYymBOPabsIzPzL4b-RTYV6yGCaDxPF3dGHi-H5mbFLJIBCj__K2v7c_Lke68F92VO8e4OpntjqsxswZdifj/s1600/salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cxG6fAqqQM04uLJ4dIXYOuonS44FafswbYtQorRZEyDM8uxTwBdDsCa0sYymBOPabsIzPzL4b-RTYV6yGCaDxPF3dGHi-H5mbFLJIBCj__K2v7c_Lke68F92VO8e4OpntjqsxswZdifj/s200/salad.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of my delicious salads.</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 6: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Plan Your Calories and Suck Down Your H2O. </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">As I was coming back from my two month road trip in Missouri, I saw a billboard that said, "Road Trip Calories Don't Count." I wish that was true. It is hard to eat healthy and affordably on a road trip, so make sure you have a game plan before going in. If you want to eat out every meal, make sure that's within your budget, or you're okay with eating junk fast food (or both). On my first road trip, I didn't want to spend too much money on food, but I didn't want to make food, so I stopped at Taco Bell for Katina burritos everyday for almost a week, I figured that it had veggies and meat, but I felt disgusting by day 4. I started stopping by the grocery store and picking up kale and a couple other veggies. Only buy as much as you're going to eat that day. I paid about $6 for a salad pretty much every day for about a week before I transitioned to cans of soup and PB&Js with oats. I started loving soup. First it was cold chunky soup, but then I started putting the cans in the back window so they would be hot by dinner time. I always tried to eat a can of soup somewhere beautiful, like overlooking the grand canyon, which made soup taste like a Chinese buffet. Eating local food has more of an appeal to some people, so if that's the case with you, just make sure you budget for it before your trip and stick to your budget. Also, bring water, buy water, refill your Camel back, whatever you find most convenient to keep yourself hydrated, do it. I got a polar pop refillable cup, and most gas stations let me fill it up with water and ice for free-zee. This is even more important to remember if you are driving to/through mountains and deserts. Even when you think you're not thirsty, drink anyway. Bonus health tip: Keep sunscreen handy (and on). Even/especially while you're driving, lather that shit up. Your skin is highly exposed to the sun for long periods of time while driving, and being sun burnt is not a good way to spend a road trip and is super easy to prevent. Do some </span><a href="http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/whats-best-sunscreen" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">sunscreen research</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> to see what kind is best for you.</span></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFHiDrQbJxNNwk23ToVdq8YrCNVZ9351_17s7URz7Vtbd3ITbsJjyUk0u-BvYxt9guPG26POw-sg-HOW2qThSuY-8t6W3T5ZQqKjZu3PB5hnKt4uQqrhV9TsmK_v6pmXiQotKElJD266/s1600/trusty+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFHiDrQbJxNNwk23ToVdq8YrCNVZ9351_17s7URz7Vtbd3ITbsJjyUk0u-BvYxt9guPG26POw-sg-HOW2qThSuY-8t6W3T5ZQqKjZu3PB5hnKt4uQqrhV9TsmK_v6pmXiQotKElJD266/s200/trusty+tent.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">My trusty tent<br />(Thank you for letting me borrow this, Walter)!</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 7: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Stay Comfy and Know Where You're Going to Crash. </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">If you're going to be sleeping in your car, get some stuff to comfort it up. I got some memory foam bathroom rugs, a bed cushion and a comforter laid across my backseat. If you're long-term traveling, bring a backup set of sheets and a pillow case because you never know when you might spill a can of soup on your bed (whoops). I usually bring a tent, just in case, but it is more difficult to pitch a tent at a rest stop or when you're exhausted from driving all day. Also, know where you want to stay. If you're sleeping in your car, I recommend crashing at rest stops, hotels, or a super grocery store (Walmart/Hyvee). These places are generally legal, well lit and safe. If you're pitching a tent, I would recommend finding a campsite nearby. There are some</span><a href="http://www.wideopenspaces.com/6-impressive-apps-will-help-find-next-campsite-pics/" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">snazzy apps</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> to help you. There are also apps that can help you find a place to crash, but you generally have to know when you'll be arriving at that destination. These apps include: </span><a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">AirBnB</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">, </span><a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">Couchsurfing</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">, </span><a href="https://www.warmshowers.org/" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">WarmShowers</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">, and a </span><a href="http://secure.hospitalityclub.org/hc/hcworld.php?country=204" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">few others</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">. Wherever you crash, you need to stay safe, </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">trust your intuition, and don't sleep anywhere sketchy, and on that note:</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPoZpzVGaDbPgY8r1u5hZEA34gQDCK_EQXVZZ_RSfFqbOa0s-anbCrbstP3O3aNlzN7AdSTJZNzsiM5PgX_lMZg1R9nfo-Vx3LghpDiTym5SzeFCy1cp_QD0uOmOWpUN0P0_cQXrtBFzZ/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPoZpzVGaDbPgY8r1u5hZEA34gQDCK_EQXVZZ_RSfFqbOa0s-anbCrbstP3O3aNlzN7AdSTJZNzsiM5PgX_lMZg1R9nfo-Vx3LghpDiTym5SzeFCy1cp_QD0uOmOWpUN0P0_cQXrtBFzZ/s200/sketch.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Did I mention I broke up a trucker fight in Idaho?<br />Yeah, not fun.</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 8: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Be Aware of Your Surroundings.</b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Try to find your sleeping spot before you're too exhausted so that you can be sure that it's safe and so that you can gage your feelings about the place. I am all for recreational marijuana (and am pretty vocal about it) and am down to have a couple drinks here and there (when not driving for a day or two), but make sure that you are being safe. Driving and arriving somewhere sober is a </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">must</b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> for the safety of a lone traveler. You need to keep a sober and aware eye out for your own good. Also, if you are packing something smelly (cough cough) make sure you know that </span><a href="https://bpb.opendns.com/a/www.theweedblog.com/state-by-state-marijuana-laws/" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">state's laws </a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">concerning what you're carrying. Also, for your safety, make sure you're packing some sort of heat. I don't carry a gun (</span><a href="https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">I'm pretty sure it's illegal to carry an accessible and loaded weapon cross borders</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">, and I don't really trust myself with a firearm), but I do carry mace and a knife just to be on the safe side. I have also taken martial arts. I recommend having a bit of self-defense knowledge if you are a lone traveler, just in case. I have also heard of people carrying </span><a href="http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/waspspray.asp" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">wasp spray</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> because it shoots further and is more accurate than mace. </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Safety first</b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">: even if you really want to sleep somewhere, don't fight any intuition you have against staying there. I was at Joshua Tree and was so excited about waking up surrounded by mountains, but I just kept feeling unsafe whenever I tried to go to bed. I was bummed but decided to drive to the local Walmart and sleep there. It's better to be safe than regret it later. Never put yourself in an uncomfortable situation. </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 20.79px;">Which leads me to my next tip:</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 9: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Follow Your Gut. </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Follow your gut while picking your destinations, your stopping points, which strangers to talk to, etc. If you are in tune with your gut, it will tell you exactly how to take your trip, where to look for adventure, and which opportunities to say yes to (probably, most of them). Even if you don't listen to your gut about your travel spots, I highly, highly recommend listening tuning inward when it comes to safety. As I stated in the last tip, even if a place seems perfectly safe, don't fight your gut if it's telling you to find a different spot. This is a bit different from the common nervousness that arises when you first start sleeping in your car, but make sure that when that gut tells you to go, you listen.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 9: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Document Your Experience. </b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">You are in for an amazing adventure, so make sure you bring a journal or notebook and make it a point to jot down something everyday. A stream of consciousness, a list of things you did, a piece of advice you got, the people you met, how exhausted you are, whatever it is: write it down, because you'll want to look back on these epic moments. When all else fails, I try to just write down what my five senses are experiencing. Write what you're smelling, tasting, hearing, feeling, and seeing. This will help bring you back to this moment years later. If you're a blogger, write a few things every couple of days and post it online. If you like photos, take a couple wherever you go, and take some video too. But don't focus too much on the shots or video, this is about being in the moment and experiencing things first hand. Few things piss me off more than tourists stopping somewhere, taking a couple pictures and immediately leaving. Soak it in, meditate on the Grand Canyon, drink a beer watching the sunset. Feel it all because I guarantee that your pictures will pale in comparison to that moment of bliss.</span></span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Say hello to my new puppy</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Tip 10: </span><b style="color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">Just Say Yes.</b><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;"> I know it sounds a little Anti-</span><a href="http://www.dare.org/" style="line-height: 20.79px; text-decoration: none;">D.A.R.E.</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 20.79px;">, but when life hands you weed infused lemons... I'm just kidding, of course (unless Life is a really trustworthy and hot guy, and your gut is telling you to go for it). But what I mean by this, is if your gut isn't against it, go for it! Say yes to opportunities and live in the moment. You're on a grand adventure, embrace it! Life is so incredibly short, don't squander it by saying no to things because they scare you.</span></span></li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I met these girls at the random back<br />woods party in Lake Tahoe. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you already have the balls to go on a road trip solo (or with friends), then you are ready to go on a random hiking trip, take a detour to a national park, go solo to dinner, say yes when someone offers you a surfing lesson, camping trip, soul fest tickets, a radio interview, a dog in the Rocky mountains (named<a href="http://imgur.com/a/gUZD9" style="text-decoration: none;">Rocky Road Trip</a>, of course), a deep sea fishing experience (even if you end up seasick and getting pinched by a tasty crab), a day trip to Canada, a free shower, a hot meal, a country concert, ice cream, a bag of weed, wild flowers, a firework show, a World Naked Bike ride (<a href="http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/" style="text-decoration: none;">this is a thing</a>), asks you for a ride (especially when they are on their dirt bike in the middle of the Sequoias, or on a Mission from God), or invites you to a massive random party in the back woods of Lake Tahoe. Every single one of these things, and then some, happened on my road trip, simply because I said yes, followed my gut, and had a positive attitude. Say yes to opportunities, say yes to taking a life changing road trip, say yes to saying "Fuck it" and say yes to the new and better version of yourself.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I said yes to a random surf lesson<br />and had the time of my life!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope these tips helped! If you would like to listen to the audio version of this, here's the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/summersepicjourney/summers-road-trip-tips" style="text-decoration: none;">Sound Cloud Link</a>! :)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmYl7BDHkcTOCDdQaP0DilPrFcrtSUKnK_ZLyQb8SB5jhlzdB-F5qIrRyGfwW-yg9phdmwCQAfkbSmcXueZanx5Kw640QLu2EcnXPe-GUdL-DibrHuguMXL5OOFDsOIu0ToD53LbvVCW/s1600/bestie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmYl7BDHkcTOCDdQaP0DilPrFcrtSUKnK_ZLyQb8SB5jhlzdB-F5qIrRyGfwW-yg9phdmwCQAfkbSmcXueZanx5Kw640QLu2EcnXPe-GUdL-DibrHuguMXL5OOFDsOIu0ToD53LbvVCW/s200/bestie.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">I met this girl in Colorado and she<br />became my bestie!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have met some amazing people, heard life changing advice, had the most extraordinary adventures and will never be the same because of the epic journeys I have been on, and will continue to have. I highly encourage you to go on your own life changing, soul searching, "fuck it" saying journeys and I hope that I can help you along the way!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will continue to post travel tips and answer any questions that I can!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-662970031495858742016-08-16T21:00:00.000-07:002016-08-22T08:22:20.095-07:00Summer's Road Trip Tips<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those of you that are disappointed that I did not keep blogging during my first epic journey, I apologize! It was a wonderful trip filled with so much adventure that I did not know how to capture it all in my blogging. If you would like to follow the journey on Instagram or Facebook, follow the hashtag #SummersEpicJourney.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So here we are, over a year after I began my first Epic Journey. And what has happened since then?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, a million and one things, really. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I learned SO much during my cross country solo road trip. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is a recap that I posted on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/roadtrip/comments/38woko/taking_a_solo_cross_country_road_trip_for_the/">Reddit</a> (r/roadtrip) after my trip:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I did end up sleeping in my car, in rest stop, Walmart, apartment, and (mostly) hotel parking lots. I made my backseat into a really comfy bed with a couple of comforters (one I gave to a hitchhiker along the way), a bed pad, memory foam rugs (from my bathroom and kitchen), and a couple sheets. As I headed further west, I invested in a National Parks Pass and slept in mountains, parks, and woods. Over the course of two months, my destinations were: Osceola, Wi (where I started my trip by working at an organic community farm), Lake Superior, Minneapolis, Iowa City (Yes, I ate at Zombie Burger), Fort Collins, Denver, Boulder, the Rockies (where I 'accidentally' adopted a dog: Rocky Road Trip), Gunnison (met some awesome people), the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, West Yellowstone (ending up in Idaho Falls, where I had to break up a trucker fight inches from my car), Boise, the beautiful Idaho mountains (where I got stalked by a creepy dude, who eventually gave up), Seattle (yes, I put gum on the wall and met some awesome people), Vancouver, Mount Rainier, Portland (yes, I ate Killer Burger, met awesome people and went on the World Naked Bike Ride/with an invisible bike), Lincoln City, Or (where I spent a night on the beach), Highway 101, the Redwood Forrest, Fort Bragg, Mendocino (where I went deep sea fishing in the Pacific, learned to surf, stayed with my amazingly chill aunt and uncle and was offered lots of free weed), Sacramento (where I stayed with my cousin, was given tickets to the Soul of Sacramento and offered more free weed/California is a great state), San Fransisco, Lake Tahoe (where I stumbled upon an amazing party in the backwoods and met some more awesome people), the Sequoias (met a fellow cross country road tripper), Yosemite, Fresno (stumbled on a country concert and met awesome people), Death Valley, Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon (south), and Zion. I was exhausted at this point, tired of sleeping in my car and missing my now boyfriend, friends and family. So I beelined home through beautiful New Mexico, upper Texas (stopping at the Cadillac Ranch), Oklahoma, Missouri and then back to Illinois. Side note: the night I got back, my (now) boyfriend and I went up to Detroit and spent my birthday in Michigan and Indianapolis so I could be somewhere fun when I turned 23.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I followed my gut and said yes to every opportunity which was amazing. I had the time of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I journaled the whole time and took tons of videos (some of which were just stolen with my old iPhone/they wouldn't transfer to my computer). I also had everyone I stayed with make me a CD of their top 18 (my lucky number) cruising songs, and decorate the CD (unfortunately they were all stolen from my car when it was broken into a couple of weeks ago).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I want to write a book about my adventures in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am currently working with my boyfriend on the groundwork for a tiny home for us to travel the country in (message me if you have experience, I need all the advice I can get!).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; line-height: 1.42857em;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">TL:DR I did lots of cool shit and met people in my solo, two month cross country road trip. Cheers!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After I got back, I became the Store Manager and Marketing Director of an <a href="http://www.brainstormescapes.com/">Escape Room Facility</a> in Champaign, Il, which I helped open and brand, then recently left to pursue new endeavors. I am now working as the Marketing and Development Director for <a href="http://www.fb.com/shores_mary">Mary Shores</a>, a motivational speaker and self-empowerment author. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will eventually quit everything so I can travel the world, have tons of adventures, and meet a bunches of people. I'll keep you updated on that.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=aliens+meme&rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS691US691&espv=2&biw=1585&bih=734&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjevPmnisTOAhUG4CYKHVKjD3IQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1#tbm=isch&q=aliens+guy">Just google search "Aliens Guy"</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In June, I went on a second, shorter Epic Journey (#SummersEpicJourneyPart2) to a massive Alien Convention in Joshua Tree, CA. I slept in my car, followed my gut, and said yes to all opportunities. It. Was. Epic.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yeah, that's G</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">iorgio Tsoukalos and I on the right. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And yes, I made a grilled cheese with former Broncos player, Simon Fletcher (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/summer.annastacia/videos/a.10209453129145584.1073741847.1246116229/10209532739935804/?type=3&theater">Here is the video evidence</a>).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So while I was on my last epic journey, I decided that I would really like to share the things that I have learned while traveling cross country, alone. Especially as a young female.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been on one two month cross country road trip, one two week cross country road trip, and several solo mini road trips, and random road trips with friends.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I would like to open this blog up to questions, and I will answer you in future blog posts!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will start with the tips that I came up with while driving back from Joshua Tree. <br /><i>Disclaimer: These are tips for things that worked for me (often through trial and error) and that I learned along the way. What works for me, won't work for everyone. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment!</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/summersepicjourney/summers-road-trip-tips">Want to hear these tips instead? Check out my Sound Cloud! :)</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tip 1: <b>Study Up.</b> I highly recommend doing some research before you start your own epic journey. Where exactly do you want to end up? What are some fun things along the way? Do you know anyone along your route? Are there cool road trip apps you should download (yes, yes there are... here's a quick <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/style/best-road-trip-travel-apps-c1412204165806.html">Yahoo link</a>, but later I will write about my favorite travel apps)? How much money will a trip like this take? Will I be okay crashing in my car or should I get hotels? Which states am I allowed to <a href="http://www.compare.com/auto-insurance/guides/sleep-in-your-car-guide">sleep in my car</a>? Is there good travel <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/">advice online</a> (hello, there!)? How long can I go without a <a href="https://www.warmshowers.org/">shower</a>? And so many other things you should ask yourself (and research) before you go.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Where I thought I was going to go on <br />my two month road trip.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tip 2: <b>Try to Remain Positive. </b>I feel like this is kind of a life tip, because life has its ups and downs, but if you can keep a positive attitude about things, you'll end up seeing solutions that you never would have seen otherwise. This is especially important when you're on the road, because things have a way of not going as planned. You will need to be flexible and a positive to enjoy the experience completely. When I first started my road trip, I was pretty certain that I would be heading to the East Coast, too. But then I fell in love with the West, and because I was flexible, I just went with it. There will be times when you want to have a tiny panic attack or when you're so exhausted that you want to just quit, but cheer up, Buttercup. You're on an epic journey. So what your charger isn't working. Oh well, you dropped your camera... You ran out of gas? Okay. Live it up and remain positive. Life is a bed of roses, there will be some thorns, and if you're allergic, take some Claritin. You are living a good life and you're as free as a bumble bee. Roll with the punches and enjoy the ride! (Sorry for all the clichés, I'm disgusted too).</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I actually went: Part One.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 3: <b>Loosen Your Agenda. </b>Plan a loose route so you have objectives, but e<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">xpect some changes in your route. The best time I've had on road trips, is when I decide to make a random stop, take a different route, and talk to strangers. The worst road trips I've had were dictated by deadlines and anxiety. Whenever there is someone in the front seat saying, "We have to get __ by __. There is no time to stop" you know that you are in for a stressful tip. It is, however, important to have some ideas of destinations or desired stops in mind When you are driving nonstop for hours, the only things that catch your eye are food and places to crash. Having a loose agenda helps you make fun stops, while allowing room for other random destinations, as well. If you're going to have a set schedule, keeping it loose will also helpful for figuring out how many hours you need to drive in one particular day, and how flexible you can be with that schedule. Make sure you c</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">reate some cushion room in your schedule so that if you start feeling really tired one day, you can pull over early and you won't be behind schedule.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part Three.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part Two.<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 4: <b>Yawns are Stop Signs. </b>Stopping as soon as you get tired is<b> </b>very important for a successful and enjoyable road trip. Not only is dangerous to drive when you are tired, it is completely unnecessary to do so when you've created a loose schedule and are taking the trip for pure enjoyment (or to add enjoyment to an already scheduled trip). If you are traveling solo, you will probably need naps during the day, between driving. Don't freight, just pull over and lean your seat down. If you nod off while driving, you're endangering everyone on the road and nothing is worth that. Pulling over to the side of the road, at a rest stop, in a hotel, at a gas station, etc to get some shut eye will not inconvenience anyone and your body will thank you. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 5: <b>Budget Budget Budget. </b>Use Cash. Unless you are a fantabulous budgeter and have crazy cash back on your card, I recommend keeping track of your money and stopping yourself from overspending by getting it in cash. Put aside cash in different labeled envelopes, and carry an emergency credit card. Budget beforehand so that you can put aside the right amount of money for each part of your trip. One for Gas (probably your largest envelope), one for food (my second largest), one for souvenirs (if you're into that sort of thing), one for hotels/camping (if you need that. I slept in my comfy backseat, but there are also more comfy <a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/">inexpensive alternatives</a>.), one for shopping/entertainment (again, if you're spending money on that), one for your destination(s), <i style="text-decoration: underline;">one for emergency</i><i> (this one is the most important). </i>If you are using a credit card, do research on it. Get one with cash back on things you will be spending on your road trip (5% Gas Cash Back? Yes Please.). Look at that interest rate, too. If it's interest free after the first year, that's great but look at how much the Annual APR is after that first year too, so it doesn't screw you. Make sure you have credit card cash set aside too so you can pay it off as soon as you rack it up. And make sure you have a low limit so that you're not over spending.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cxG6fAqqQM04uLJ4dIXYOuonS44FafswbYtQorRZEyDM8uxTwBdDsCa0sYymBOPabsIzPzL4b-RTYV6yGCaDxPF3dGHi-H5mbFLJIBCj__K2v7c_Lke68F92VO8e4OpntjqsxswZdifj/s1600/salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cxG6fAqqQM04uLJ4dIXYOuonS44FafswbYtQorRZEyDM8uxTwBdDsCa0sYymBOPabsIzPzL4b-RTYV6yGCaDxPF3dGHi-H5mbFLJIBCj__K2v7c_Lke68F92VO8e4OpntjqsxswZdifj/s200/salad.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">One of my delicious salads.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 6: <b>Plan Your Calories and Suck Down Your H2O. </b>As I was coming back from my two month road trip in Missouri, I saw a billboard that said, "Road Trip Calories Don't Count." I wish that was true. It is hard to eat healthy and affordably on a road trip, so make sure you have a game plan before going in. If you want to eat out every meal, make sure that's within your budget, or you're okay with eating junk fast food (or both). On my first road trip, I didn't want to spend too much money on food, but I didn't want to make food, so I stopped at Taco Bell for Katina burritos everyday for almost a week, I figured that it had veggies and meat, but I felt disgusting by day 4. I started stopping by the grocery store and picking up kale and a couple other veggies. Only buy as much as you're going to eat that day. I paid about $6 for a salad pretty much every day for about a week before I transitioned to cans of soup and PB&Js with oats. I started loving soup. First it was cold chunky soup, but then I started putting the cans in the back window so they would be hot by dinner time. I always tried to eat a can of soup somewhere beautiful, like overlooking the grand canyon, which made soup taste like a Chinese buffet. Eating local food has more of an appeal to some people, so if that's the case with you, just make sure you budget for it before your trip and stick to your budget. Also, bring water, buy water, refill your Camel back, whatever you find most convenient to keep yourself hydrated, do it. I got a polar pop refillable cup, and most gas stations let me fill it up with water and ice for free-zee. This is even more important to remember if you are driving to/through mountains and deserts. Even when you think you're not thirsty, drink anyway. Bonus health tip: Keep sunscreen handy (and on). Even/especially while you're driving, lather that shit up. Your skin is highly exposed to the sun for long periods of time while driving, and being sun burnt is not a good way to spend a road trip and is super easy to prevent. Do some <a href="http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/whats-best-sunscreen">sunscreen research</a> to see what kind is best for you.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFHiDrQbJxNNwk23ToVdq8YrCNVZ9351_17s7URz7Vtbd3ITbsJjyUk0u-BvYxt9guPG26POw-sg-HOW2qThSuY-8t6W3T5ZQqKjZu3PB5hnKt4uQqrhV9TsmK_v6pmXiQotKElJD266/s1600/trusty+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAFHiDrQbJxNNwk23ToVdq8YrCNVZ9351_17s7URz7Vtbd3ITbsJjyUk0u-BvYxt9guPG26POw-sg-HOW2qThSuY-8t6W3T5ZQqKjZu3PB5hnKt4uQqrhV9TsmK_v6pmXiQotKElJD266/s200/trusty+tent.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">My trusty tent <br />(Thank you for letting me borrow this, Walter)!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 7: <b>Stay Comfy and Know Where You're Going to Crash. </b>If you're going to be sleeping in your car, get some stuff to comfort it up. I got some memory foam bathroom rugs, a bed cushion and a comforter laid across my backseat. If you're long-term traveling, bring a backup set of sheets and a pillow case because you never know when you might spill a can of soup on your bed (whoops). I usually bring a tent, just in case, but it is more difficult to pitch a tent at a rest stop or when you're exhausted from driving all day. Also, know where you want to stay. If you're sleeping in your car, I recommend crashing at rest stops, hotels, or a super grocery store (Walmart/Hyvee). These places are generally legal, well lit and safe. If you're pitching a tent, I would recommend finding a campsite nearby. There are some <a href="http://www.wideopenspaces.com/6-impressive-apps-will-help-find-next-campsite-pics/">snazzy apps</a> to help you. There are also apps that can help you find a place to crash, but you generally have to know when you'll be arriving at that destination. These apps include: <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/">AirBnB</a>, <a href="https://www.couchsurfing.com/">Couchsurfing</a>, <a href="https://www.warmshowers.org/">WarmShowers</a>, and a <a href="http://secure.hospitalityclub.org/hc/hcworld.php?country=204">few others</a>. Wherever you crash, you need to stay safe, </span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">trust your intuition, and don't sleep anywhere sketchy, and on that note:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPoZpzVGaDbPgY8r1u5hZEA34gQDCK_EQXVZZ_RSfFqbOa0s-anbCrbstP3O3aNlzN7AdSTJZNzsiM5PgX_lMZg1R9nfo-Vx3LghpDiTym5SzeFCy1cp_QD0uOmOWpUN0P0_cQXrtBFzZ/s1600/sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPoZpzVGaDbPgY8r1u5hZEA34gQDCK_EQXVZZ_RSfFqbOa0s-anbCrbstP3O3aNlzN7AdSTJZNzsiM5PgX_lMZg1R9nfo-Vx3LghpDiTym5SzeFCy1cp_QD0uOmOWpUN0P0_cQXrtBFzZ/s200/sketch.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Did I mention I broke up a trucker fight in Idaho? <br />Yeah, not fun.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 8: <b>Be Aware of Your Surroundings. </b>Try to find your sleeping spot before you're too exhausted so that you can be sure that it's safe and so that you can gage your feelings about the place. I am all for recreational marijuana (and am pretty vocal about it) and am down to have a couple drinks here and there (when not driving for a day or two), but make sure that you are being safe. Driving and arriving somewhere sober is a <b>must</b> for the safety of a lone traveler. You need to keep a sober and aware eye out for your own good. Also, if you are packing something smelly (cough cough) make sure you know that <a href="https://bpb.opendns.com/a/www.theweedblog.com/state-by-state-marijuana-laws/">state's laws </a>concerning what you're carrying. Also, for your safety, make sure you're packing some sort of heat. I don't carry a gun (<a href="https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation">I'm pretty sure it's illegal to carry an accessible and loaded weapon cross borders</a>, and I don't really trust myself with a firearm), but I do carry mace and a knife just to be on the safe side. I have also taken martial arts. I recommend having a bit of self-defense knowledge if you are a lone traveler, just in case. I have also heard of people carrying <a href="http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/waspspray.asp">wasp spray</a> because it shoots further and is more accurate than mace. <b>Safety first</b>: even if you really want to sleep somewhere, don't fight any intuition you have against staying there. I was at Joshua Tree and was so excited about waking up surrounded by mountains, but I just kept feeling unsafe whenever I tried to go to bed. I was bummed but decided to drive to the local Walmart and sleep there. It's better to be safe than regret it later. Never put yourself in an uncomfortable situation. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Which leads me to my next tip:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 9: <b>Follow Your Gut. </b>Follow your gut while picking your destinations, your stopping points, which strangers to talk to, etc. If you are in tune with your gut, it will tell you exactly how to take your trip, where to look for adventure, and which opportunities to say yes to (probably, most of them). Even if you don't listen to your gut about your travel spots, I highly, highly recommend listening tuning inward when it comes to safety. As I stated in the last tip, even if a place seems perfectly safe, don't fight your gut if it's telling you to find a different spot. This is a bit different from the common nervousness that arises when you first start sleeping in your car, but make sure that when that gut tells you to go, you listen.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 9: <b>Document Your Experience. </b>You are in for an amazing adventure, so make sure you bring a journal or notebook and make it a point to jot down something everyday. A stream of consciousness, a list of things you did, a piece of advice you got, the people you met, how exhausted you are, whatever it is: write it down, because you'll want to look back on these epic moments. When all else fails, I try to just write down what my five senses are experiencing. Write what you're smelling, tasting, hearing, feeling, and seeing. This will help bring you back to this moment years later. If you're a blogger, write a few things every couple of days and post it online. If you like photos, take a couple wherever you go, and take some video too. But don't focus too much on the shots or video, this is about being in the moment and experiencing things first hand. Few things piss me off more than tourists stopping somewhere, taking a couple pictures and immediately leaving. Soak it in, meditate on the Grand Canyon, drink a beer watching the sunset. Feel it all because I guarantee that your pictures will pale in comparison to that moment of bliss.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Say hello to my new puppy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tip 10: <b>Just Say Yes.</b> I know it sounds a little Anti-<a href="http://www.dare.org/">D.A.R.E.</a>, but when life hands you weed infused lemons... I'm just kidding, of course (unless Life is a really trustworthy and hot guy, and your gut is telling you to go for it). But what I mean by this, is if your gut isn't against it, go for it! Say yes to opportunities and live in the moment. You're on a grand adventure, embrace it! Life is so incredibly short, don't squander it by saying no to things because they scare you.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I met these girls at the random back<br />woods party in Lake Tahoe. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">If you already have the balls to go on a road trip solo (or with friends), then you are ready to go on a random hiking trip, take a detour to a national park, go solo to dinner, say yes when someone offers you a surfing lesson, camping trip, soul fest tickets, a radio interview, a dog in the Rocky mountains (named <a href="http://imgur.com/a/gUZD9">Rocky Road Trip</a>, of course), a deep sea fishing experience (even if you end up seasick and getting pinched by a tasty crab), a day trip to Canada, a free shower, a hot meal, a country concert, ice cream, a bag of weed, wild flowers, a firework show, a World Naked Bike ride (<a href="http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/">this is a thing</a>), asks you for a ride (especially when they are on their dirt bike in the middle of the Sequoias, or on a Mission from God), or invites you to a massive random party in the back woods of Lake Tahoe. Every single one of these things, and then some, happened on my road trip, simply because I said yes, followed my gut, and had a positive attitude. Say yes to opportunities, say yes to taking a life changing road trip, say yes to saying "Fuck it" and say yes to the new and better version of yourself.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rcJsBuPBB6hBMqGaaHSFad-MdINesFqt0m5bAI09dgYi1E-QPIEZzB411Lx7VIam0TWamr4J7UNKyjxnzODws4vayPdBNKK14m4xrLCd-yTqxmSA5bgACcyMdhT0PcxZ-JB5vuW16zTF/s1600/surfs+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rcJsBuPBB6hBMqGaaHSFad-MdINesFqt0m5bAI09dgYi1E-QPIEZzB411Lx7VIam0TWamr4J7UNKyjxnzODws4vayPdBNKK14m4xrLCd-yTqxmSA5bgACcyMdhT0PcxZ-JB5vuW16zTF/s200/surfs+up.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I said yes to a random surf lesson<br />and had the time of my life!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I hope these tips helped! If you would like to listen to the audio version of this, here's the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/summersepicjourney/summers-road-trip-tips">Sound Cloud Link</a>! :)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmYl7BDHkcTOCDdQaP0DilPrFcrtSUKnK_ZLyQb8SB5jhlzdB-F5qIrRyGfwW-yg9phdmwCQAfkbSmcXueZanx5Kw640QLu2EcnXPe-GUdL-DibrHuguMXL5OOFDsOIu0ToD53LbvVCW/s1600/bestie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJmYl7BDHkcTOCDdQaP0DilPrFcrtSUKnK_ZLyQb8SB5jhlzdB-F5qIrRyGfwW-yg9phdmwCQAfkbSmcXueZanx5Kw640QLu2EcnXPe-GUdL-DibrHuguMXL5OOFDsOIu0ToD53LbvVCW/s200/bestie.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I met this girl in Colorado and she<br />became my bestie!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I have met some amazing people, heard life changing advice, had the most extraordinary adventures and will never be the same because of the epic journeys I have been on, and will continue to have. I highly encourage you to go on your own life changing, soul searching, "fuck it" saying journeys and I hope that I can help you along the way!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I will continue to post travel tips and answer any questions that I can!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Please comment below if you have any questions you want me to answer, or topics that you want me to cover in my next post!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Also, I plan on having guest blogger Ryan Blair in one of my posts. He has been to dozens of music festivals and has taken a bunches of solo road trips. If you have any questions for him, feel free to comment below, as well!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Journey on, friends!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07878893200950002920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2073516020442429011.post-86190309828429761692015-06-10T12:16:00.001-07:002016-08-17T14:30:55.973-07:00An Explanation and Recap of My Journey So Far<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Welcome to Summer's Epic Journey! This is a photo and video blog about my epic cross country solo road trip.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Let me introduce myself. I am Summer Slevin, a 22 year old from the Midwest with a gypsy soul... Here I am right here:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEVt54laQCE305S8ieaaX12xletV5vZChPkSVgf-mqe0YHN4vO42NJVHTdZ66bOIwfsPa12AwiGnImVmkwaRekwsPIIKaUwRSN3O3lr7tJxa994sA-p-0VbiR72hVIhP-ALobtxKBlWK1/s320/10849761_10206724317847007_8683549235197967509_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I graduated from Illinois State University in May 2015. I graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, although I still have two classes to take online and get back credited to my degree. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Before I graduated I was working four jobs and interning while attending school full time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I also maintained a cumulative 4.0. I'm a hard worker. I've held more than 15 jobs and 5 unpaid internships through college, never taking a minute break.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This last year I interned at the McLean YWCA and I was sure that I would be able to get a full time job there after graduation. I had a meeting with the CEO and submitted a detailed job proposal. Three weeks later, just days before graduation, I received an email back stating that they would be not be taking on any new employees due to the governor's recent budget cut proposals.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This email left me with a feeling of hopelessness. I had quit all of my other jobs and turned down an alternative full time position in hopes of working at a non profit and making a difference in the world. I had not signed an additional year lease on my apartment, just in case, and my lease was up May 8th. I had also recently broken up with my boyfriend and was not completely unattached.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">What now? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">May 8th came, I walked across the graduation stage with tears in my eyes and my family proudly cheering me on.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This was the next stage in my life. I have been going to school for my entire life, and now what?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I moved my things out of my apartment the day after graduation and moved all of my belongings into a storage unit. My friends offered their beds and couches to me, but here I was... <b><i>A jobless, homeless, single college graduate.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">My grandparents passed away in January at the age of 94 apiece and their memorial was in late April. That's when the idea started.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love my family more than anything. The Slevins are amazing. All very intelligent, hilarious and motivating, but located across the country, making our visits short and infrequent. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It had always been a dream of mine to visit them, and most of my cousins and aunts had offered me a place to stay if I did.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">My cousin Drew was the first to spark my idea. He mentioned working at an organic farm in upper Wisconsin. I sprang at the option. "Could I work there, just short term?" I asked. He told me that he didn't see why not. It was a community farm and they had visitors and volunteers all the time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This lit fire to my imagination. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The idea did not start to become a possibility until I got that email making me aware of my unfamiliar situation. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I had some money in savings and I didn't have to start paying my student loans back until 6 months after graduation.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">This Could Work</i>. I thought.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">So I started to plan.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I gave myself a leaving date. June 1st.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I would stay at friends' houses until then. My best friend Elizabeth loved having me stay with her, and we had a blast. We drank beer and swam and watched Netflix.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Another close friend, Brittany, made me a copy of her house key and while she was out of town, I had the place to myself.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I have the best friends one could ask for.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">So I planned and reached out to relatives and friends, giving them a tentative itinerary and requesting temporary hospitality. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The plan was falling into place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This was going to be an epic journey.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4U3I7B0eqgXplWTmEZ3-RJdHL80BrVixDldb4YvR99Gop2OYLuBGKo64DkcTRK53cXFVmpXoJk68TFFS5uN72GDlwjBlfkdu_DToiuM6OKk2LRvsfY6a0Y4GNGxsD3tPm1gXLJRTz4hB/s1600/10407204_10206760397468975_792187861767340127_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4U3I7B0eqgXplWTmEZ3-RJdHL80BrVixDldb4YvR99Gop2OYLuBGKo64DkcTRK53cXFVmpXoJk68TFFS5uN72GDlwjBlfkdu_DToiuM6OKk2LRvsfY6a0Y4GNGxsD3tPm1gXLJRTz4hB/s320/10407204_10206760397468975_792187861767340127_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I would start in Osceola, Wisconsin and work a week at Philadelphia Community Farm with my cousin, volunteering in exchange for room and board.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Then I would head west. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I would visit my cousin in Denver, then head up to Seattle, where I've always wanted to go. I would stay with a friend in Portland, an Aunt in Fort Bragg, a cousin in Davis, friends in Houston and Charleston, and family in Massachusetts. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I put aside $1,000 for gas and $1,000 for miscellaneous needs. I kept $2,000 in savings for bills and emergencies. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdqpJIywUfs_tZ4Bsx27vGlbQH4WjmDmKA41V2gY_mi3Nz3J9tlRAi8NHPbek4SPUje3mEiY3q8DuleQ0g_STNu0D-loOsqu0aoX-Hx1S9Vfisg6V6REVUCC57zn_OA_No0dLAp5XCdZQ/s1600/11170327_10206706468480784_2130554953814949616_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdqpJIywUfs_tZ4Bsx27vGlbQH4WjmDmKA41V2gY_mi3Nz3J9tlRAi8NHPbek4SPUje3mEiY3q8DuleQ0g_STNu0D-loOsqu0aoX-Hx1S9Vfisg6V6REVUCC57zn_OA_No0dLAp5XCdZQ/s200/11170327_10206706468480784_2130554953814949616_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And then June 1st came, and I went!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I said goodbye to my beautiful best friend, Elizabeth and hit the road to Wisconsin.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I had to make a pit stop for cheese in Wisconsin, of course!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I decided to use paper maps for my journey to make it about the ride, not the destination </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and to take away some of the distractions of technology.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPswYArAg5YpwhrQbv1fW10HCA1JgcxDmsgroFpq7m2MjBSFiJBoMfqDJg0ALj646XKrYlJ9cA-ft0ozXCDc2Y0euQptRnZzylMlKMGVQUmy1cBZwtNXoDeJNtmOSvz-E1KTvUpENSHPDb/s1600/11136762_10206716858100518_7109319546946507956_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPswYArAg5YpwhrQbv1fW10HCA1JgcxDmsgroFpq7m2MjBSFiJBoMfqDJg0ALj646XKrYlJ9cA-ft0ozXCDc2Y0euQptRnZzylMlKMGVQUmy1cBZwtNXoDeJNtmOSvz-E1KTvUpENSHPDb/s200/11136762_10206716858100518_7109319546946507956_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Day one after a long day of working the fields and hiking the woods!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Namaste! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Feeling satisfied with where I am... And no, there were no trains coming.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I arrived at the farm at 9:30pm on Monday, June 1st.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here are some of my farm adventures below:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBUUwG-otPq-a9pWg5UNuTnrBkYgRn4L5w0CRH8ovj6VSwh6aV4nWwWm8xy33wG2x1aZ_2h4IdSP9tx5XxxSm1BNEV_r0lX9NF84px7OXSeSfRS02c6fH8uNmuEkE4gjRYTzdY_Xye6Sc/s1600/11329777_10206716989943814_7285076009236765661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBUUwG-otPq-a9pWg5UNuTnrBkYgRn4L5w0CRH8ovj6VSwh6aV4nWwWm8xy33wG2x1aZ_2h4IdSP9tx5XxxSm1BNEV_r0lX9NF84px7OXSeSfRS02c6fH8uNmuEkE4gjRYTzdY_Xye6Sc/s200/11329777_10206716989943814_7285076009236765661_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The farm donkey, Burrito. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb41aR8X4gZ-NFiwViBat1GkGx-VqmV2aevJ_7UHPTj2eaE5l6QRkn6KUYNEKNmL5k6__5Pz76q4pQmiW7y108blVFzYHTliDSkOYC4yVnGZHR38sfxYD6SppmusZykk8KlwfcdpAXtEL4/s1600/17645_10206716999224046_4196077921786272877_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb41aR8X4gZ-NFiwViBat1GkGx-VqmV2aevJ_7UHPTj2eaE5l6QRkn6KUYNEKNmL5k6__5Pz76q4pQmiW7y108blVFzYHTliDSkOYC4yVnGZHR38sfxYD6SppmusZykk8KlwfcdpAXtEL4/s200/17645_10206716999224046_4196077921786272877_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Burrito is pretty affectionate. Here he is laying his head on my chest.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Its okay that he's filthy... I'm pretty dirty myself.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWKSxJAWlUSEwOcird7UPkDDaQq4BZanSKAYfWqt8xf1l6LoV04z-b-l903PMBFSx-narZlhCHTZYGtu9HlRE2b68rGh_APc0e-Dmc2TEhv-6lwwC5HfGkRRnRuEUz7o-LLoShy5-aa8A/s1600/11391618_10206717169308298_4208447970452782885_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWKSxJAWlUSEwOcird7UPkDDaQq4BZanSKAYfWqt8xf1l6LoV04z-b-l903PMBFSx-narZlhCHTZYGtu9HlRE2b68rGh_APc0e-Dmc2TEhv-6lwwC5HfGkRRnRuEUz7o-LLoShy5-aa8A/s200/11391618_10206717169308298_4208447970452782885_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Burrito is all smiles... I think he likes the attention.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-8EnlVlU9cmW8di1WU3hZO5hCXQjUran1E4Fq8QBWjG42ul1E75yx63Non_f9NIhyphenhyphenGtHPEOIbvzrPKuy3XSmANjNUm4F_bwIZwIIAyrvEEeVE8VG-GsNc1D1Jv0hAF4YfjjeJPR6J30w/s1600/17703_10206717585358699_6079093127818158925_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-8EnlVlU9cmW8di1WU3hZO5hCXQjUran1E4Fq8QBWjG42ul1E75yx63Non_f9NIhyphenhyphenGtHPEOIbvzrPKuy3XSmANjNUm4F_bwIZwIIAyrvEEeVE8VG-GsNc1D1Jv0hAF4YfjjeJPR6J30w/s200/17703_10206717585358699_6079093127818158925_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here is the farm dog, Namo. He's a great guard dog, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">but an even better cuddler.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtorFAbfRuchu_zqdDWJVYIa8h7WEWcThYqfnEiNvJv7mcjG1zDrJnOg8lRrcUaubL5TLT3lvJ9FIAhiUQMfEyA12Ubu4lZAjxcfCEhyphenhyphenWJmwDBKIotbUzkAS6427haFLaatT6syNby036/s1600/11391489_10206721357252994_9063571447647426531_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtorFAbfRuchu_zqdDWJVYIa8h7WEWcThYqfnEiNvJv7mcjG1zDrJnOg8lRrcUaubL5TLT3lvJ9FIAhiUQMfEyA12Ubu4lZAjxcfCEhyphenhyphenWJmwDBKIotbUzkAS6427haFLaatT6syNby036/s200/11391489_10206721357252994_9063571447647426531_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Everyday we had amazing farm fresh homemade meals. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It was probably the best I have ever eaten. YUM!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0fF9hcUBtUWoCWj8Bim2q5P_VRIvYgCtfwyEGkTQzOPuJKTZpWeI921BFLas0bnSoC7lbtuGKgiWkO6hjD-t1SbUnPoBePr648Otk_KoD-morKzpQhlJQgjDvGJtCYqr4n28pACq1WCT/s1600/11351481_10206723300421572_3316943698395780530_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0fF9hcUBtUWoCWj8Bim2q5P_VRIvYgCtfwyEGkTQzOPuJKTZpWeI921BFLas0bnSoC7lbtuGKgiWkO6hjD-t1SbUnPoBePr648Otk_KoD-morKzpQhlJQgjDvGJtCYqr4n28pACq1WCT/s200/11351481_10206723300421572_3316943698395780530_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">One of the farm interns, Yingqi, and I got </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">some vines from the greenhouse to wear like Peter Pan. ;)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iO2VFe1KFD6Dz0t8QpHndCaYL0y_xOUV12VkzAehTyf7D-YYcoxM36MvWI9IKYM0S7uHIAJQ1ScUoEXUnKjqNPusAlf2O0DRTDsf5MInHjr1hSdUwjVfKsRmHgenjQhrauHu_6tmdz4E/s1600/11401199_10206742197293982_5870304225953092057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iO2VFe1KFD6Dz0t8QpHndCaYL0y_xOUV12VkzAehTyf7D-YYcoxM36MvWI9IKYM0S7uHIAJQ1ScUoEXUnKjqNPusAlf2O0DRTDsf5MInHjr1hSdUwjVfKsRmHgenjQhrauHu_6tmdz4E/s200/11401199_10206742197293982_5870304225953092057_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We are helping the peas grow by untangling them from one </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">another and <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">putting them against a fence.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This may not seem like fun (and it's really not) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">but with good company, anything can be a blast!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-jiDhJp5WoHPb9MjutvsNl9UK6LftpqzjWegZMcr4ZxO5Qxk0sqSsX9m5kxNqPPKKvPU2NKwKlY8Jtjc20iZn6Y88e6AHDWVqA4K3RU1RNLrncU2X4mdnc_w9XuGIre_fgWzIkjMZyIB/s1600/11377394_10206736306346712_1627764575634756541_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-jiDhJp5WoHPb9MjutvsNl9UK6LftpqzjWegZMcr4ZxO5Qxk0sqSsX9m5kxNqPPKKvPU2NKwKlY8Jtjc20iZn6Y88e6AHDWVqA4K3RU1RNLrncU2X4mdnc_w9XuGIre_fgWzIkjMZyIB/s200/11377394_10206736306346712_1627764575634756541_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On Thursday, my cousin and I made dinner for the house, 15 people in all!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We made my favorite go-to meal: spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and cookies.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Top it off with coffee and Spotted Cow beer, and you've got perfection!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z9yB5m1VLBKNn8UQe-es4og7bzbPuC6KumKwc8XZrn7xo54XwovnWQQ0xqn7VNuuZjcIfdQclRqYy-DSIZebfkItoPflD6nOBSCW7Q4dsF47vvaaeAZKshIfLnJvGvy45eQnp6FZwmHV/s1600/11391283_10206744063420634_3013633259495042924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Z9yB5m1VLBKNn8UQe-es4og7bzbPuC6KumKwc8XZrn7xo54XwovnWQQ0xqn7VNuuZjcIfdQclRqYy-DSIZebfkItoPflD6nOBSCW7Q4dsF47vvaaeAZKshIfLnJvGvy45eQnp6FZwmHV/s200/11391283_10206744063420634_3013633259495042924_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Another selfie with Burrito! He's all smiles.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LXuJ9HvUEDn0tO37m8BXD2Q132h-QI_DBAHZP76lu3qUiwtn7zxzgXGrx_DNvCN0Y9x-_Wt2l2bKEIkzwrxFULvdYVQcqza6BEtSkrYVSDL3QW0Ii1jtX99mq_rs9Uq7uB9CsUTPJXyD/s1600/10407853_10206744711236829_8445695467012311368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LXuJ9HvUEDn0tO37m8BXD2Q132h-QI_DBAHZP76lu3qUiwtn7zxzgXGrx_DNvCN0Y9x-_Wt2l2bKEIkzwrxFULvdYVQcqza6BEtSkrYVSDL3QW0Ii1jtX99mq_rs9Uq7uB9CsUTPJXyD/s200/10407853_10206744711236829_8445695467012311368_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Me on top of the beautiful water falls at Philadelphia Community Farm.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Just ignore the dirt on my butt. :P</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMBVpMzQJJhVSXqyd_AE6o0ifd7oi7H8a9QnMlWE4_fyLiTLI_8dmQBNeYSTPjBq0od19mxvOHEKUPeDGX8f9-UpgIT7OOpMJWu3coXcMik17H4d-jVgjo7h7Ui7xO8bWuZFptzbhu0w0/s1600/11407004_10206744732957372_8250299263465074953_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMBVpMzQJJhVSXqyd_AE6o0ifd7oi7H8a9QnMlWE4_fyLiTLI_8dmQBNeYSTPjBq0od19mxvOHEKUPeDGX8f9-UpgIT7OOpMJWu3coXcMik17H4d-jVgjo7h7Ui7xO8bWuZFptzbhu0w0/s200/11407004_10206744732957372_8250299263465074953_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The waterfall in all of its glory.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3rFkTERy8zRRnWloEvUBJJtqZRjd0kZLB6nyIIqaLrqFIe70algCd1f9cZW7N3j9xJ6QbdzwwKDzYPOLiuoaRiMQdDa2dyy-iDiScLgISyVgjm4LPlRBlZ8EJK3k3mMalIA0T7fwZP_j/s1600/11393087_10206744726197203_29256582720026475_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3rFkTERy8zRRnWloEvUBJJtqZRjd0kZLB6nyIIqaLrqFIe70algCd1f9cZW7N3j9xJ6QbdzwwKDzYPOLiuoaRiMQdDa2dyy-iDiScLgISyVgjm4LPlRBlZ8EJK3k3mMalIA0T7fwZP_j/s200/11393087_10206744726197203_29256582720026475_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I got this ice cold fresh water from the aquifer right off the waterfall! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Philadelphia Community Farm needs to market this water! It is so good!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeb1rolz378WAKnc3-nZz2XCqH6Ef237Du8GwVwvO83hJIt8LUzK5TUZ6Xq3-iPAu-SMg0zqO8AVAjk7j15QrJMS8sfRsomOtdwFVsBxeKM9EM1rF8udid2FrnJcB30PLTCnQbm8GCg6x/s1600/11392771_10206755977278473_6187999725075666305_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMeb1rolz378WAKnc3-nZz2XCqH6Ef237Du8GwVwvO83hJIt8LUzK5TUZ6Xq3-iPAu-SMg0zqO8AVAjk7j15QrJMS8sfRsomOtdwFVsBxeKM9EM1rF8udid2FrnJcB30PLTCnQbm8GCg6x/s200/11392771_10206755977278473_6187999725075666305_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I went for a hike at Interstate National Park.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">What a gorgeous place.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It amazing me how many beautiful places exist in America!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP_9z6VQBAvhZFYYUkUb2LGExeRHVLlejMQmYl4LvNLW0YFzYKrra0DCROAOl5Z5K2ZRDwfN6_8sed-fqcDqK6KpyruK-URDbktfBj28GtrVoThpXVV_htkqIFTIvqgCKL0NqGfiqzGYz/s1600/11401142_10206757366513203_1009361968955403615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP_9z6VQBAvhZFYYUkUb2LGExeRHVLlejMQmYl4LvNLW0YFzYKrra0DCROAOl5Z5K2ZRDwfN6_8sed-fqcDqK6KpyruK-URDbktfBj28GtrVoThpXVV_htkqIFTIvqgCKL0NqGfiqzGYz/s200/11401142_10206757366513203_1009361968955403615_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On Saturday night, the farm had Open Mic Night! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It was so cool and everyone got to jam!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">There is so much talent on that farm!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrJZpyqi0V2D8_AAilJ2RKpNxj3PxNb5ZDayMfAA84GNUujnjts_DXitGLgpk6BfOqN7Jclh4TUh9EnENdTMxTZEPyo6iu4j_tL-UzQvUrpD06zibeMLUZkFundM4wuK0zbSl2OIFDLdl/s1600/11377107_10206763495466423_2272429465974260647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrJZpyqi0V2D8_AAilJ2RKpNxj3PxNb5ZDayMfAA84GNUujnjts_DXitGLgpk6BfOqN7Jclh4TUh9EnENdTMxTZEPyo6iu4j_tL-UzQvUrpD06zibeMLUZkFundM4wuK0zbSl2OIFDLdl/s200/11377107_10206763495466423_2272429465974260647_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On Sunday morning, Lindsey led us in meditation and yoga.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It was honestly the best yoga class I've ever taken.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-na5d-PJq8_PVoRCCfFKGaWBzGGPSV2qrIHN24ZJ8AWG71rUTHvxTWUEg_zJ4YM-FTEiNjzz6tfmmuWHaeHgJeM30y2MRLHBgeoYKqkObTuf-0AROCS8F6ikxkl9PAwIVWmklql4sp7V/s1600/11403421_10206771936237437_1501532471352244736_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-na5d-PJq8_PVoRCCfFKGaWBzGGPSV2qrIHN24ZJ8AWG71rUTHvxTWUEg_zJ4YM-FTEiNjzz6tfmmuWHaeHgJeM30y2MRLHBgeoYKqkObTuf-0AROCS8F6ikxkl9PAwIVWmklql4sp7V/s200/11403421_10206771936237437_1501532471352244736_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On Monday morning, I got some pictures with my cousin, Drew.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here we are being those serious farmers... All we need is a pitchfork.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3c1KE7GtqDlENGd1wl__Yx2fiXCWp_CSN36xVsLrCi4WJkrTvYTcIUp0T38RwH6fjjqHsBSzrUYvKyHHhMteN4usq7ilXXYGtO7oBzvzH9rxUncttOM_nzIyYiDirbLCekF1eQhE6FzE/s1600/11427249_10206771985278663_4249667809136648751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3c1KE7GtqDlENGd1wl__Yx2fiXCWp_CSN36xVsLrCi4WJkrTvYTcIUp0T38RwH6fjjqHsBSzrUYvKyHHhMteN4usq7ilXXYGtO7oBzvzH9rxUncttOM_nzIyYiDirbLCekF1eQhE6FzE/s200/11427249_10206771985278663_4249667809136648751_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here's the family resemblance.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I had such a wonderful time!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">He is such a great cousin and a hilarious, kind and hard working guy.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">What a great person to look up to! :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlWpUdRM76rkUS0f0SYgIwVByeKQKRNhM_U1YjBtTJr6kSwenluvPRJQ2y6xJZpW5K0amMIhZ-w9XdLkT2AsdZdgHOhucPvsuWXNukyoulqULRUJu9XaYAKSBTTMk1o9yeZBGFUnHErKF/s1600/11393045_10206772098641497_4938037439623739495_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlWpUdRM76rkUS0f0SYgIwVByeKQKRNhM_U1YjBtTJr6kSwenluvPRJQ2y6xJZpW5K0amMIhZ-w9XdLkT2AsdZdgHOhucPvsuWXNukyoulqULRUJu9XaYAKSBTTMk1o9yeZBGFUnHErKF/s200/11393045_10206772098641497_4938037439623739495_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But alas, it was time to hit the road to adventure once more!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On Monday, June 8th at 9am, I was back on the road!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Next stop: The Great Lakes, and then Minneapolis to visit a friend.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbuZZF737-tJdFeoBZV4HJXQ7c-7oZP20MnMv3-qy3PTlcIMI8JIoYGjN7bq5FIYonUO8AxTXiMH2F-QQvO-OUH3tdyNazxcKRSAhFDmD5pck0Xa6_Yj10P3bd1xWC243rsXgAqIVlH34/s1600/10356758_10206772200564045_6846330126543597120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbuZZF737-tJdFeoBZV4HJXQ7c-7oZP20MnMv3-qy3PTlcIMI8JIoYGjN7bq5FIYonUO8AxTXiMH2F-QQvO-OUH3tdyNazxcKRSAhFDmD5pck0Xa6_Yj10P3bd1xWC243rsXgAqIVlH34/s200/10356758_10206772200564045_6846330126543597120_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I asked a stranger to take my picture.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here I am on a beautiful beach on Lake Superior.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">What a way to spend the day!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">My toes in the sand, a beer in my hand and total freedom and peace of mind!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I couldn't ask for anything more.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlzf9heYHXU4dHsxdikR-uJv5ucB0_fpU4dr_q5HfJVFKrdMl_ewI-AD9NLLQZuNn_ZDaSFy_i11EOd1TQxWv-GecjTLVBYxRuvHkznWZfok58C78_0F7qj-RTUcY5T9K6k_-6PhzA0fe/s1600/11427229_10206774432899852_1605307996497749942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlzf9heYHXU4dHsxdikR-uJv5ucB0_fpU4dr_q5HfJVFKrdMl_ewI-AD9NLLQZuNn_ZDaSFy_i11EOd1TQxWv-GecjTLVBYxRuvHkznWZfok58C78_0F7qj-RTUcY5T9K6k_-6PhzA0fe/s200/11427229_10206774432899852_1605307996497749942_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This is my good friend, Waldo. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">He attends a law school in Minneapolis and is completing an internship there over the summer.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We've known each other since freshman year of high school</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCEq3aUAJx5Py22qfyonNQ0pPzBvf-ZH4VJ3ENoM8_Rkt53SC5SX0jC2TEYrAmclAdFONBdAM7mkq1JQQ3gFWOM4NYZKWq1gm0bM-eSpkrrjof0PsRuNEKwehZygDO5gtA3vIDoZlae-Q/s1600/11391513_10206774418299487_2368286564247353607_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCEq3aUAJx5Py22qfyonNQ0pPzBvf-ZH4VJ3ENoM8_Rkt53SC5SX0jC2TEYrAmclAdFONBdAM7mkq1JQQ3gFWOM4NYZKWq1gm0bM-eSpkrrjof0PsRuNEKwehZygDO5gtA3vIDoZlae-Q/s200/11391513_10206774418299487_2368286564247353607_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Waldo showed me the sights, including this </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">beautiful tucked away graffiti tunnel.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n6xeTCsztRTXwe_EXUSXG6tzXoTtduQv9VdvY_KVNC0QY14IWelgRxBLIu0k2HptysZKiOXGhdQXpIwCkWcV9omHpwvLfBgkJ2QB-2n5tppU6QBdkGnPG0pJZDDhyphenhyphensBIdf45x4NimO8l/s1600/11390083_10206774429499767_5789327404096841126_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6n6xeTCsztRTXwe_EXUSXG6tzXoTtduQv9VdvY_KVNC0QY14IWelgRxBLIu0k2HptysZKiOXGhdQXpIwCkWcV9omHpwvLfBgkJ2QB-2n5tppU6QBdkGnPG0pJZDDhyphenhyphensBIdf45x4NimO8l/s200/11390083_10206774429499767_5789327404096841126_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I loved this beautiful reminder of the temporariness of life.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Especially while taking an epic trip such as this!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BtvsDD0uOPeIl3bv7QQsnQQDq_5fLQLBah_Ps9G0EReR2qlhqWVMgEyMmHjTLGkNs9k9oQhyphenhyphen_owaM37e3RrlKHOz92AvOs-jjMtVzYtfHXTAd5w1_BshyphenhyphenihtGCghEkwnpie2lpY70rd5/s1600/1381295_10206774425179659_3585248799247567081_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BtvsDD0uOPeIl3bv7QQsnQQDq_5fLQLBah_Ps9G0EReR2qlhqWVMgEyMmHjTLGkNs9k9oQhyphenhyphen_owaM37e3RrlKHOz92AvOs-jjMtVzYtfHXTAd5w1_BshyphenhyphenihtGCghEkwnpie2lpY70rd5/s200/1381295_10206774425179659_3585248799247567081_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We watched the sunset over this beautiful and breathtaking </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">dam <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">then went back and made dinner.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Sushi and steak! Eating like royalty!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i0DF2LrEWMEFJlgpMwHZCkr5Ubx2wZVXzkqXDaP0KQRv-qEZ-9YHjjyCQ-NI2jBlg9CuPx2-v0q-QoOg-k2lGmjulWBfYps2JEA9VUKxmpDTEoZK3zQZiP3CejXrUuaoa2g45dyjc7dZ/s1600/11407288_10206779772193331_3243715622123906593_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i0DF2LrEWMEFJlgpMwHZCkr5Ubx2wZVXzkqXDaP0KQRv-qEZ-9YHjjyCQ-NI2jBlg9CuPx2-v0q-QoOg-k2lGmjulWBfYps2JEA9VUKxmpDTEoZK3zQZiP3CejXrUuaoa2g45dyjc7dZ/s200/11407288_10206779772193331_3243715622123906593_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The next day it was time to leave this beautiful city </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">and get back on the road to the next adventure!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0lGMJSBP-D0CxWAl5Jr7_F0BmJnaOa1-4ikRn_IzxQbzaBWP5czehqZzhy04UZ81QmydXyk3IQXoecoX8a4JLeSh3ShcwUC1crf0K4SRhxhmVJlkjnmxqwF6tdWxTC9X-jDZEBwHjGUh/s1600/11402754_10206779779633517_3731348629051164099_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0lGMJSBP-D0CxWAl5Jr7_F0BmJnaOa1-4ikRn_IzxQbzaBWP5czehqZzhy04UZ81QmydXyk3IQXoecoX8a4JLeSh3ShcwUC1crf0K4SRhxhmVJlkjnmxqwF6tdWxTC9X-jDZEBwHjGUh/s200/11402754_10206779779633517_3731348629051164099_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Upon suggestion, I made a pit stop at</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> Zombie Burger in Des Moines, IA.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt9_mk3bf4dU8jwYElYTJBFdEZqFJ9iD8t8WNqNW4jAH5MRtvL6YcJKSfryftr1SqY4Msm96G9XOnzRQM5ZlKVafaFQeh1yO_W1DGtotZNIwsj9yYMCaP7l8NlcqKFOmu4QDXGjdldI7h/s1600/11013420_10206779810434287_5663773936718769822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNt9_mk3bf4dU8jwYElYTJBFdEZqFJ9iD8t8WNqNW4jAH5MRtvL6YcJKSfryftr1SqY4Msm96G9XOnzRQM5ZlKVafaFQeh1yO_W1DGtotZNIwsj9yYMCaP7l8NlcqKFOmu4QDXGjdldI7h/s200/11013420_10206779810434287_5663773936718769822_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I needed this ice cold beer to go with my delicious milk shake!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This trip has brought the love of beer out of me!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DVNOOUg5_tu5_PFFsTkzd5T4arC2jFFdApXHZ8dLaOuUPPO40IqYRYsu2rtkiXsk_ZmVwQkW6rMbb-zp19wetvvlhL03ouVYLfu-coOabcrhb-782n35NgXeum0MVK6gYNui8g7sGDf-/s1600/11266536_10206780938462487_6349116606818904431_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DVNOOUg5_tu5_PFFsTkzd5T4arC2jFFdApXHZ8dLaOuUPPO40IqYRYsu2rtkiXsk_ZmVwQkW6rMbb-zp19wetvvlhL03ouVYLfu-coOabcrhb-782n35NgXeum0MVK6gYNui8g7sGDf-/s200/11266536_10206780938462487_6349116606818904431_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Yesterday, I drove 530 miles and got bitten by over 40 mosquitos!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But honestly, this breathtaking Nebraska sunset made it all worth it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This beauty is what it is all about!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">During my drive across Iowa, the NPR affiliate in Bloomington, WGLT, gave me a call and asked if they could interview me about my trip.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">They're doing a segment called "On the Road". This really got me excited.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Who knows what opportunities that will bring!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This brings me to today! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Wednesday, June 10th, 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Day 9.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Over 1,500 miles into my cross country road trip.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzTNhwSbJaaTjNDOf_La_Uk0CqsMMiynLIF9uXnXcZOkXFgs0Jbh9Qs_nwts7QempCvtq6m1lFnqmepZKmnnOzy-NpyMkyKS6Z9jwq7BsQ7iJa-Tiow-qPjInC1nweDrnW0KJR2rc9_uM/s1600/11391125_10206784423029599_7724875851763913973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzTNhwSbJaaTjNDOf_La_Uk0CqsMMiynLIF9uXnXcZOkXFgs0Jbh9Qs_nwts7QempCvtq6m1lFnqmepZKmnnOzy-NpyMkyKS6Z9jwq7BsQ7iJa-Tiow-qPjInC1nweDrnW0KJR2rc9_uM/s200/11391125_10206784423029599_7724875851763913973_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I have always loved cemeteries. They are so well kept and peaceful.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It is hard to feel anxious with such calmness surrounding you.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And I have met wonderful people at these unlikely locations.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Today, I went to a beautiful national cemetery in Western Nebraska.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I took in the beauty and said some well wishes to those that these fine people</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">left behind.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">So what have I learned?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Well, for one thing, I have learned what little growing carrot tops look like and how to differentiate them from the weeds!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHdqQXO9jEKUIr57V0zVsDKGXDynVoezWftyGIKIZSLkTb4yNVFUR9NjoxjlOsz5VmUSjPejokwETdS_jUIp00J_BpkHk5Jz9o2jtr2_XBffSryDZz9IC4oaJIip0fYo_o6fll5sPwNL9/s1600/11391567_10206784437189953_6799023340060194703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHdqQXO9jEKUIr57V0zVsDKGXDynVoezWftyGIKIZSLkTb4yNVFUR9NjoxjlOsz5VmUSjPejokwETdS_jUIp00J_BpkHk5Jz9o2jtr2_XBffSryDZz9IC4oaJIip0fYo_o6fll5sPwNL9/s200/11391567_10206784437189953_6799023340060194703_n.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I don't have anything against Nebraska (besides the mosquitos)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">but I've driven across the whole state, and this is what I have seen.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Nothing.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">But more importantly, I learned what I am capable of.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am 22 years old and taking an epic cross country road trip by myself!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I have worked hard and saved money and now I am doing what I have always dreamed of doing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Anything can happen from here. I don't know what even this afternoon brings, but I know that I will make the best of it, as I generally do.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am used to being in control, and although I still maintain a sense of control on this trip, this is the least control I've ever had. I am letting fate decide what will happen next.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am saying yes to any opportunity</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> that arrises. I am taking advantage of the peace of mind that being alone brings. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am meeting strangers with amazing stories.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am sharing acts of kindness, and using my life as an example to others.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am just being.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This is the most unfamiliar and unpredictable thing I have ever done, but I have never been more sure of anything in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am at peace.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am exactly where I should be, where I want to be.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am the person I have always wanted to be.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Who knows what the road ahead will bring, but I do know that it will be an epic journey of self discovery and enlightenment and I am ready!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here's to the future!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I'll keep you updated about my travels.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Next stop: Boulder, Colorado.</span></div>
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