Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Road Warrior Glam

Not too long ago, I shared a post showcasing 7 ways to amp up your wardrobe. As I've been traveling throughout this spring, I've been on the lookout for even more ways to rock an outfit without sacrificing too much space in my carry on.

From air travel to road trips, traveling for business can make it difficult to only pack the necessities. At least, it's difficult for me as I'm a recovering over-packer trying to make it as a carry-on-only traveler. I know I'll need the slacks and blouse, but what about an outfit for the reception afterwards, or for a night spent relaxing at a low-key pub? What if I need comfy clothes for the long haul drive back home, or for getting a morning workout in? And don't even get me started on the jewelry.

Sure, I get that not everyone is this kind of traveler. But for me, dressing for success is part of what helps to inspire a rockstar attitude. If I love what I'm wearing, and feel comfortable in the outfit, I'm ready to take on a long day of meetings, presentations, or chat with students on campus all day.

So for today's #TravelTuesday inspiration, we're going to dive into some fashion tips for all the road warriors out there. The most important lesson to take away from these before we even get started: make them work for YOU. As unique as our style of travel may be, so are the ways we rock an outfit. Get creative, make it your own, and keeping on doing you, boo boo.

Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Optimism

I was reading a beautiful post a friend of mine recently wrote about "flopping" through life and it got me thinking. First, of what an amazing writer she is, and second: how true it is that everyday represents another chance to pick ourselves up off the ground, and try again. Flop. I just love that word.

This #TravelTuesday, I'm giving a moment to the optimism the keeps us dreaming, keeps pushing us forward, and keeps us smiling when all we really feel like doing is crying in the shower. There have been many times I've called myself a fatal optimist, but I'd like to think it has more positive connotations than not. As important as it is process pain and negativity, it's even more important to find a silver lining; reminding ourselves that even if we didn't get what we wanted, what we need is just around the corner.

The more I see and learn of the world, the more I believe this to be true. I've barely taken a bite out of what there is to experience, but from what I've tasted so far there is one lesson that stands out from the rest:

Geronimo! 26 Tips to Feel Inspired By Life

I was originally going to write this post from the focus of how the songs on One Direction's new album can be applied to life, but I had a firm talking to the 12 year old girl inside of me, and we opted to leave that one for the pages of our diary. The one that my sisters will likely find and read out loud. Typical. But seriously, "Story of My Life"….I can't even.

Instead, I'm letting a project I participated in the other night guide the inspiration for this post. For those who know me, I'm not a fan of setting new resolutions at the start of a new year simply for the sake of doing so. I much prefer the ones that transcend 365 days. At the same time, there is something to be said for being actively involved in any goals, be them new ones or old ones, we set for ourselves.

The other night I got together with some friends to compile a "vision" board and it was an eye-opening experience. The point is to create something that helps you visualize and manifest your goals/dreams. Not to mention, you can appease your own 12 year old girl by creating a collage of magazine cutouts.

Beyond the fun aspect, though, it got me thinking about my future and reflecting on the past, and appreciating the moments that fill the gaps between those two. With those goals and reflections in mind, I've compiled a list of tips I find helpful to appreciating all that life throws your way. As I just celebrated my 26th birthday, we're going with that number. Brace yourself. Excessive adjectives and touchy-feely emotions ahead.

You Pierce My Soul: Celebrating 238 Years of Jane Austen

Wentworth may have been half agony and half hope when confessing his feelings for Anne Elliot, but that certainly isn't the case for me today. More like half excitement, half contentment. It seems fitting when celebrating such a figure as Jane Austen.

Fair warning: the following post may overuse adjectives and trek into nonsensical territory. Bear with me. Or don't. You've been warned.

Today marks the 238th birthday for Jane and damn, girl is looking fine at her advanced age. Proof: Her novels still line the shelves of bookstores, with an accompanying film for each, her quotes are regularly used as inspiration for some pretty hilarious articles, and there is now a ten pound bank note from the Bank of England in her honor. Not bad for a woman who I doubt ever realized the kind of iconic status she would achieve years after her passing. 

It's hard for me not to shout my public declarations of affection from the rooftop, but I'll try. Also, it's probably a bad idea to be on the roof.

10 Things to Obsess About in Australia

I was sitting in front of my scratch-off map recently, running a coin across the country of Australia and as the turquoise color hidden behind the gold revealed itself, I was struck by a thought: 

As much and as far as it feels like I've traveled, the reality is that I've barely taken a bite out of what the world has to offer.

There's a certain satisfaction in crossing off destinations from the imaginary list in my head, yet when one steps back to look at the bigger picture, that list becomes less about crossing things off - and more about valuing the experiences themselves.

This is why I never lose that feeling of awe when walking the streets of a new city, when chatting with the locals, or learning about the best place to try new beers (you can take the girl out of Colorado…). I'm fortunate to work in a field that combines a job I love with experiencing life as a traveler, and I try to never lose sight of that.

That being said, I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Australia for WYSTC at the end of September and I'm still obsessing over all that I came across. From Sydney to Melbourne, to Canberra and Newcastle, there was something to smile about around every corner. Given my limited time in the country, I'm sure there are many things I missed seeing, which is why another trip is absolutely necessary. Until then, I have the memories to tide me over.

Whether you're planning an extended trip or a short jaunt, here are ten obsession-worthy things to discover in Australia, in no particular order. Fair warning, this list is as quirky as my personality ;) 

Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Friends

                           
As much as a journey is defined by the places you go, so is it affected by those you meet along the way.

Whether you're on the go, settling in at home, or somewhere in between, there are often those in your life who "just get it" - whatever the "it" may be. You might call them friends, but that term can be SUCH an understatement - these are the people who love you for being a weirdo, who will tell you your hair looks like crap when it does look like crap, and will have your back through thick and thin. Can you imagine what life would be like without these individuals? Neither can I.

That being said, today's inspiration for #TravelTuesday is for all those who've left an impression on your life and travels.

Online Embarrassment: What Sisters Were Made For

Sisters reunited for Cassie's HS graduation day

I have a significant amount of catch up to play with all the ongoings in the last month - NAFSA, TBEX, adventures with my GoAbroad family...you name it, the list goes on and on. Before I get to that, though, I wanted to take a moment for one particular event that occurred a couple of weeks ago - my youngest sister's high school graduation.

As many of you know (or may now only be learning) I am the oldest of four girls in my family, which signifies a few different things: first, the word 'bossy' is something I'm very familiar being accused of; second, the nickname of "Mom #2" is used as often as the bossy accusation; and third, there's nothing in the world like watching your younger siblings take on the world like champions. 

With sisters like mine, there is no doubt in mind that they are the rockstars of their own journeys, and my own personal superheros. Because let's be honest - there is no one who can save the day quite like a sister can.

That being said, it is also extremely enjoyable as the eldest sibling to continually seek new ways to publicly feature my siblings - and if I'm lucky, there may be some embarrassment involved. This is what brings me to the video that I created for my youngest sister on her high school graduation day. 

Yes, there is a lot of silliness and inside jokes involved with this, and yes there mayyyyyyyy be a few inappropriate jokes/language use. You have been warned. At it's core, though, this is my way of saying congratulations, I love you, and best of luck to a baby sister who has worked SO hard to get to where she's at today. Living a few states away the last two years meant watching from afar as she transformed from a little girl to a gorgeous and talented young woman, but it never once lessened the impact. Rather, it's made me appreciate even more the family I get to call my own.     

To those who have already enjoyed viewing this video, enjoy it once again. To all you newbies, "Hairballs" is a nickname given to my family (the Harrisons). That in itself should give you an idea of how ridiculous we are ;)      

And to Miss Cassie Sue - you already know how proud I am of you. Thanks to you, Courtney, and Samantha, you make being called a big sister the best compliment in the world.  
 

Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Discovery

On this particular Travel Tuesday, I'm reminiscing about how it feels to set foot in a brand new place. 

Be it a new country, a new state, or simply a new state of mind, I never quite get over that feeling of awe and discovery. For anyone who loves to travel (or dream of travel), you'll know what I'm talking about. 

Take a moment to close your eyes. What do you recall the most vividly from those moments of discovery? Is it the smell of fresh-cooked street food? The sound of conversations in a different language? The feeling of a cool ocean breeze brushing across your face? Don't rush through the reminiscing - let it surround you and remind you why those moments were so memorable in the first place. Pretty amazing how much they stick with you, right?

As you continue to discover the world around you, here's to also discovering new things about yourself. It doesn't matter how old you are, how well-traveled you may be, how experienced you feel, or how much you've already learned. Anything is possible when you stop thinking of things in terms of impossible.

Once a student of the world, always a student of the world.

When The Going Gets Tough, Get Tougher

Having a hard week? A hard couple of months? A hard start to the new year? 

We've all been there, at some point or another. You're more than entitled to letting the stress get to you, but we know how much fun the results of THAT are: sleepless nights, struggling to get through the day, missing out on get togethers with friends, and having a closet full of clothes of nothing to wear (to be fair, that last one can happen any day of the week ;)

Whether you're struggling to meet a deadline for a project at work, dealing with drama in your personal life, or even if you're just having a bad hair day, you owe it to yourself to work through these obstacles while keeping in mind that there is usually a light at the end of the tunnel. It can be hard, if not impossible, to remember this in the moment but I have faith in you. Or maybe it's an eternal supply of optimistic stupidity. Either way, neither have led me astray yet.

With that in mind, here are some recommendations for getting tougher when the going gets tough. Full disclaimer: there may or may not be tea involved.

A Golden Year: 25 Life Lessons in the Making

And suddenly we're nearing the end of January 2013. Can someone remind me when we even got to 2013?? Once again, I've fallen a bitttttt a lot behind with posting some updates over the last couple of months - but it turns out this must have been meant to happen as the last two months have wrought more changes than I anticipated the New Year bringing.

If you know anything about me, you'll already know that I'm a fan of ongoing New Years resolutions, whether they're new or old. More than anything, it's the spirit of motivation and reflection that I enjoy the most about a new year. After partaking of an adventure to the Philippines, to finally re-connecting with family at home during the holidays, to most recently celebrating my 'golden' birthday, there have been a variety of highs and lows that have me thinking 2013 will be anything but boring.

In the midst of all these events, I've taken to thinking more deeply about how they've affected my life and the path I'm on to who-knows-where. Some might call them life lessons. Some might call them a cluttered braindump in a public space. Both cases could be argued for ;) In accordance with it being the year of my golden birthday, I'm going with 25 life lessons to share (organized in no particular order). It's a good a number: enough to incorporate all the things I've learned, but not so many that you'll be dozing off by the end of this post. Or maybe you will. If that's the case, grab a pillow, sit back, and get comfortable. What Would Jane Do is about to get a bitttttt a lot sentimental.

Thankful for a Kick@$$ Year: A Photo Essay

What a kickass year 2012 has been. I know, it's not exactly the end of the year yet, but when I woke up this morning it hit me that it was actually Thanksgiving. I mean, when did the end of November even get here??! Can someone explain that to me?!

Even with the speed that 2012 has gone by, it has been such an amazing point in my life and I'm entirely grateful to so many things and people. Rather than go off on page-long tangents about how grateful I am, I'd rather share some of these photos from 2012 with you to better demonstrate how damn lucky I've been - and to demonstrate to every person who has been a part of this journey how appreciative I am that life works out the way it does.

And yes, I've officially turned my Christmas music on while writing this. It's Thanksgiving and that means no holds barred to getting into the Christmas Spirit. The only thing I'm missing is my mom's pumpkin cheesecake. Dreamers will dream, right? Ok, let's do this. Here are a few of the things I'm most thankful for this year:

Too Cool for School? Ya, Try Again

It's nearing the end of the fall travel season for me, and I've been thinking a lot about kids.

Whoa, what? Back up, hold the phone….what does that even mean?

Let me give you some context as an appetizer: I've always believed that there are so many amazing things to be learned from kids, particularly those entering that stage of becoming a teenager. 

And I'm not just referring to the latest lingo or acronym--despite how ridiculously addictive I find "YOLO." What I'm referring to surpasses 'nbd' 'ttyl' or any other urban dictionary addition I've overlooked.

Let's be honest with ourselves - we all are intimately familiar with the awkward transition from 'child' to 'teenager.' (Thank you, mom, for refusing to let me paint my bedroom walls that neon lime green I was like, sooooo in "love" with. No, really...Thank you.) 

Terrible taste in colors aside, the changing idea of 'self' that accompanies becoming a teenager is amazing. It's a time of learning about who you are, making mistakes you'll laugh at (hopefully) years later, and opening your eyes to the world around you.

During one of my recent travels, I had the chance to chat with a group of young teens in middle school about study abroad and international education opportunities, and it blew my mind in more ways than one. See where I'm going with this thinking about kids thought? Awesome. Enough with the appetizer. Let's dig into this entree.

An Ode to Autumn, Travel and My Father

Does anyone else enjoy how autumn comes swinging into season? Yes, the bad pun was intended. I guess it depends on where you call home. For Northern Colorado, it seems to have arrived over night. Colors are changing left and right and and my level of excitement at getting new boots was probably considered inappropriate. Or not, if you're also a sucker for this season and the wardrobe that accompanies it.

Regardless, the crisp air, crunchy leaves, and variety of lattes I probably don't need reinvigorate my spirit like no other time of year. As the equinox came and went this past weekend, it also had me thinking a lot about my father. Yes, there is a connection that will eventually make sense here.

His birthday falls--another bad pun, get used to it--on the first day of Autumn and this year marked birthday number 52 for him. If you're like me, living far away from family means celebrating birthdays with a phone call and an embarrassing gift delivered via post. It takes getting used to and I still hate that I can't be there in person. At the same time, I've come to realize that's it's also a chance to better appreciate these people.

And my father - dorky, stubborn and peanut m&m hogging man that he is - deserves some serious appreciation.

Stop in the Name of Losing Your Mind

Seriously. Don't be this person.

You know that feeling of being totally overwhelmed? The one that sneaks up behind you, shoves you in the back, and then has the audacity to laugh as you flounder to find balance. Ya, I think we've all known that feeling a time or two.

In the world of international education, the start of the fall semester is known for producing this feeling more than is probably healthy. Sure, I'm still new to the field but I've experienced and observed enough to believe it to be true. And let me tell you, there are only so many cups of chamomile tea a girl can drink to try and stay calm. Trust me, I've tried.

So how does one shove that overwhelming feeling back without losing your sanity? I'm still learning, but here are a few suggestions to get you started. At the very least, I hope they will allow you to enjoy the onset of autumn the way it should be enjoyed - with lots of pie a la mode and a gym membership (that last part is definitely optional).

Tuesday Travel Inspiration: Home

It's another mildly-snowy day here in Northern Colorado and I'm getting that itchy-feet feeling I usually associate with travel. Perhaps it's because this weather reminds so much my time spent in Scotland; or perhaps it's simply a side effect of living with the travel bug. Either way, it helps to have images that on hand that satisfy my travel cravings for the time being. 

The photo I'm sharing below is one I captured while en route from one place to another, accompanied by one of my favorite travel quotes. It's a saying I've come back to again and again throughout my life, especially as I've traveled more. There really is no place like home, but at the same time, I consider every place I visit to be a sort of home. It's this mindset that has granted me with the memories I hold and look back upon. Don't you owe it yourself to experience the same?

No matter where you go, or who you meet, or what adventures you have, there is always something to appreciate. I hope this helps to inspire your inner traveler as much as it does mine :) Happy travels!

Click to enlarge the image

Back in Black...Metaphorically Speaking

As you may have noticed (or not noticed if you don't even read this blog!), it's been a good couple of months since my last post. What started as a short break in order to focus on my new job at GoAbroad.com quickly became a challenge to even keep up with!

If you know me at all, though, it's these kind of challenges that I thrive the most with. That being said, I will be back tomorrow with a new post about all the occurrences and lessons learned over the last couple of months. It's been a roller coaster ride of discovery and emotional ups and downs---pretty typical I suppose when you're still trying to find your way in the world. 

In the meantime, you can find me over writing on the GoAbroad Blog where I get my fix of talking about all things travel related, and working with other bloggers who feel the same! Looking forward to reuniting with the blogosphere SOON :)

Put a Smile On Your Face & Hug Someone

Most of the airports I find myself in, there isn't anyone there to meet me besides a shuttle, rental car or a solo drive home. If you or I are lucky, though, this isn't always the case. Sometimes there's a face there waiting to greet you beyond the arrivals gate.

I've seen so many of these faces lately. Some are wreathed in smiles, others anxiously pace, some cradle bouquets of flowers; and then there are the others who simply stand patiently at the gate--expectant, waiting and with the knowing look of someone who has something to look forward to.

I don't know about you, but it's these simple moments of greeting and reunion that define the spirit of travel.

Into Thin Air: Travel Traditions & Flying

I've been thinking about travel traditions quite a bit lately. Maybe it's because I have an upcoming trip home tomorrow and I'm eager to hop aboard the flight. Or perhaps it was because of seeing the Polish airliner that safely crash-landed in Warsaw yesterday. Either way, the traditions we associate with travel and what they mean to us have been on my mind.

Even if you don't realize it, I'm sure there is some tradition (or perhaps superstition?) that occurs whenever you travel.Whether it's triple-checking to make sure you locked a car door, or calling/texting a loved one after your flight lands, these are characteristics that define us just as anything else might. 

So why are they meaningful? Why do they become a habit in the first place? As unpredictable as life can be, I think the real question is, how can they NOT become a habit?

A Splash of Southern Comfort & Jane Austen

Up close & personal in Auburn, AL

I've been asked more than a few times, what are the things I love the most about Jane Austen? And of all the answers I've given, one of my favorites is that the way she writes about people transcends even her own time period. I don't think I need to point out the longevity of her popularity to prove my point. 

Even if you aren't a fan of her novels, Jane's characters are a lot like you and me--flawed, imperfect, worried about life's mundane details and perhaps just looking for someone who gets it.

I shouldn't be surprised at this point that Jane Austen can still sneak up and inspire me. As I recently returned from my adventures in Alabama, I was struck by the realization that wherever my travels take me, Jane is always there to offer some guidance. 

And after the experiences I had throughout the southern landscape of Alabama, that guidance was much appreciated.

International Education Week, Around the Mountain She Comes!

New business cards for the new job!

I'm quickly realizing it's harder than I thought to keep up with my personal blog, in addition to my new job responsibilities. If I thought I previously knew what time management was, this new venture is certainly making me work hard to prove it's the truth. Like every challenge, though, I wouldn't have it any other way. Where would the fun be in that?

But enough about me! I'm excited to help spread the word with this particular post about the upcoming 2011 International Education Week. If you've never heard of it, this week is an opportunity to promote international education and exchange worldwide. Like every other professional working in the international education industry, this week is a big one to look forward to. Why? Read on to find out!