Random Reflections

By now, you have probably read a dozen or more different posts about the best places to travel to in 2015. I always find those lists interesting, more for the places they leave out than the places they include. Indeed, I’m not sure I spotted any of my target destinations on any of those lists.

Ah, New Year’s resolutions. It’s that time of year again, right? When I looked back at last year, I also took a look at my New Year’s resolutions post from last January. It was specific, yet vague at the same time and as I read through it, I realized I really didn’t stick with any

With one day left to go in 2014, I have been relishing the chance to slow down and reflect. The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity and I really haven’t had a chance to just stop and think. At all. Last January I wrote about 2014 being a year of yes and

I recently had an epiphany. I kind of hate what travel blogging has become. When I started blogging four years ago in anticipation of traveling around the former Soviet Union for a year, I was simply looking for a way to share my stories with friends and family, record my adventures for my own sake

I recently completed a Beginner II level course in French at Multilingual Connections here in Chicago. As you may recall, I first started thinking about learning French back when I was on my career break. Then, once I decided to head to West Africa this fall, I was even more excited to learn the language.

The third time is supposed to be the charm, right? Maybe in other things, but not so much with languages. At least not so far. French is the third foreign language I’m trying to learn, after six years of Spanish in high school/college and three years of Russian in college, plus studying it during my

I have never thought much about safety while traveling. This may seem odd, but let me explain. Most of my travel early on was to Europe, which generally doesn’t raise many eyebrows – or travel warnings. I traveled with groups not because I feared for my safety, but because I was nervous about figuring out

My iPhone read 5:51 p.m. as I stripped off my royal blue top in favor of a white and silver striped one and pulled on black capris in place of a dark denim skirt. It was one of more than a dozen wardrobe changes in about twenty minutes and it left me wishing that I