Years seem to slide in and out of my life like visits to countries; they are often too short. Plus, when you look back at them they always seem better than the actual moment.
I have been busy working on some new resolutions for the year for my other website, Briefcase to Backpack. In fact, we’ve collected an amazing list of New Years travel and career resolutions from some of the top Travel, Volunteer, and Career Break bloggers active now. Go check out what amazing adventures they have in store for 2010; it’s a bit exhausting! Of course, I’ve also included my own resolutions in that post – but will also share them with you here:
Travel: I have my eye on South America (specifically Bolivia) or potentially Eastern Europe. I’d like to find a place that I could do some volunteer work for a month or two and then travel around the area if possible. My travel plans are always based on feel – they typically evolve with my mood and a glass of wine. In addition, I’ve been known to travel to places just based on a photo I saw (which is how I ended up in Fez Morocco a few years back). So, we’ll see what calls me; suffice it to say that I’ll know it when I see it – and it will be off the beaten path for sure! As for an actual resolution – pack less.
Work: My resolution for work is to stop worrying about it! In 2010 I want to focus on my websites which means making them better so that more people will read them. I’d also like to make a resolution to submit an article a month to a magazine or website (that actually pays money for stories!) to try to increase my travel writing portfolio. Finally, I have a resolution to put Briefcase to Backpack and the concept of career breaks into American’s vocabulary! I want to start a revolution! Don’t you want to be a part of it too?!
The New Year is also a time for me to look back and see how far I’ve come. Last year, I made two resolutions; learn Vietnamese and learn how to drive a motorbike in Saigon. I’m happy to report that I was 50% successful! I never learned more than taxi directions in Vietnamese; however I did successfully assimilate into the Vietnam motorbike culture in my year there. I documented the whole harrowing experience in “The Motorbike Diaries” and it ended up being the most popular posts on Ottsworld last year. In the spirit of looking back, I’ve compiled the posts from the beginning to the end for your reading pleasure. If you didn’t catch the series last year, then you have a chance to experience them now. You are guaranteed to at least laugh once at my scary experiences!
Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1
The Motorbike Diaries - Vol.2
Motorbike Diaries – Vol. 3
Motorbike Diaries – Vol. 4
Motorbike Diaries – vol. 5
The Motorbike Diaries – vol. 6
The Motorbike Diaries – vol. 7
The Motorbike Diaries – vol. 8
The Motorbike Diaries – vol. 9
Motorbike Diaries vol – 10
The Motorbike Diaries – vol. 11
Motorbike Diaries – vol. 12
Motorbike Diaries – vol. 13
Motorbike Diaries vol. 14
Motorbike Diaries vol. 15
Motorbike Diaries vol. 16
Motorbike Diaries vol. 17
Happy New year to all of you and thanks so much for sticking with me for another year of travel and photography adventure! I hope to hear from you in 2010!
Eek – now I feel guilty, I’d better get off and write some worthy resolutions. Mine can be a bit frivolous (have more fun) or vague (earn more money from blogging). As I work every day in a project environment with constant targets, I find setting personal goals a bit exhausting!
My travel goals and New Year’s resolutions are bouncing around my brain. Perhaps I should write them down like you did, Sherry. I especially enjoyed the look back at your Vietnam motorbiking adventures.
Happy New Year! I’m with you & agree wholeheartedly that Americans should have the concept of career break as a solid part of their vocabulary!
Wow, you certainly have my admiration for achieving last year’s resolutions! I’m in Vietnam right now, headed to Saigon in the morning. Hanoi traffic was scary enough!
Well, it was both the scariest thing I’ve done and the most fun I had in Vietnam. I rode on motorbike taxis for the first 5 months living there – but once I started driving myself my whole world opened up there! I suggest you give it a try! Have a great stay in HCMC! Go to Wrap and Roll and have some yummy spring rolls – I miss them terribly!
Awesome! Wine influences many of my travel decisions too. Also, I’m all on board for the revolution – love Briefcase to Backpack.
Happy New Year . Wishing u a great 2010… You still have another New Year in Viet Nam : Luna New Year. Hope you’ll enjoy our lucky money !!!!