February 2012

Struggling to Understand

by Monica February 29, 2012

There is a real danger in writing about my journey on this little blog. Or for anyone on any blog. Or anywhere the person can hide from behind a curtain and bellow out commandments for living the good life. Writing about Bucket Lists, adventures, and success is easy. We can justify the sharing of these [...]

An Effective Escape: Bamboo Nest in Chiang Rai

by Monica February 27, 2012

The bumpy road progresses from paved to dirt in a death-defying incline up a one-lane mountain. With each passing minute my obsession grows over the lack of seat-belts, as my hands grasp my backpack for comfort. In front of me, the petite Nok is at the wheel while her husband, Noi, attempts to keep their [...]

6 Ways To Make Friends While Traveling

by Monica February 24, 2012

Traveling solo doesn’t have to be lonely! Here are my 6 Tips for Making Friends on the Road: * Bird chirping and construction sounds brought to you by the thin walls of my Chiang Mai guesthouse. All rights reserved. What are your favorite ways to make friends while traveling?

A Changing Perspective: What Travel Is Teaching Me

by Monica February 20, 2012

Sign at Wat Phra Singh in Chiang Mai, Thailand Prior to departure, my decision to travel to Southeast Asia felt like an exciting adventure. Elephants! Tuk Tuks! Pad Kee Mao! Except. From the moment I landed in Bangkok, I was surrounded by a gadzillion other people who were doing the exact same thing. Suddenly [...]

How to Make Big Decisions

by Monica February 16, 2012

Decide Sometimes people leave you Halfway through the wood Others may deceive you You decide what’s good You decide alone But no one is alone. ~ Into The Woods, Stephen Sondheim Last week, my lovely friend Kerry asked a simple yet important question on twitter: What is your favorite way to make big decisions? [...]

Running In Bangkok

by Monica February 14, 2012

The alarm is set for 3:30am, but I’ve been awake in anticipation for the last two hours. My heart is racing from the thought that today I’ll be running in my first Half-Marathon. Grateful for having set out my clothes the night before, I get dressed in the pitch dark as quietly as possible, so [...]

Lost & Found: Why I’m Traveling to Southeast Asia

by Monica February 8, 2012

Greetings from the Cathay Pacific terminal in Hong Kong! I suppose you may be wondering what I’m doing here. Looking around at the sea of middle–aged men in expensive business suits, I’m beginning to wonder the same thing. But first, I should back up and explain that I am en route to Thailand (to be [...]

Being A Lightweight: Carry-On Only

by Monica February 6, 2012

Greetings from LAX! I’m flying to Thailand via Hong Kong in a few hours, but before I go, I wanted to give a little Show & Tell of what I’m bringing with me for the next few months for those of you interested in traveling with carry-on only. First, why just carry on? A few reasons, [...]