I'm a travel writer...sort of!

I submitted an article entitled, So You Want to Work on a Yacht?, to eZine.com and it was accepted. If you are one of the three regular lurkers on my blog then you'll recognize it as basically just an article I've posted on here. I'm just crossing over...to where I'm not sure. I am also listed as an expert author in the cruising and sailing category. Me? I'm just waiting for someone who actually knows what they're talking about to overtake me. Maybe the true experts are actually out doing something productive like cruising or sailing as compared to me just sitting here at my computer. Either way, it's out there for your viewing pleasure or displeasure...

"I Have a Dream"

I try to post only about travel topics on my blog, but today is Martin Luther King Day and he was one of the greatest men who ever lived so I thought I would put his "I Have a Dream" speech on the blog.

Everyone has a dream. My dream is not nearly as noble as fighting for Civil Rights and Justice and in all reality probably quite selfish. Mine is to travel the world. To see beautiful, awe inspiring places. To meet incredible people. To learn from others. To teach others about the world around them. To inspire others. I do have a special place in my heart for the women and children I have met in some of the poor countries I've been to. Hopefully, in my own small way, I will leave this world better than I found it. I saw this quote on a bumper sticker yesterday, "Those who abandoned their dreams will discourage yours." I believe it's true.

What would this world have been like if Martin Luther King, Jr., and the countless others who fought with him had given up their dreams because of the discouragement of others? Thankfully we'll never know.

Do It While You're Young: A Travel Guide for Young Women

My friend Kristina and I have finally published our e-book, Do It While You're Young: A Travel Guide for Young Women.

Do It While You’re Young is a how-to guide, with a dash of inspirational stories, targeted toward young women looking to travel internationally for the first time whether on a solo journey, study abroad or with other travel buddies. Travel is a life-changing experience and the book is geared specifically for strong, independent women curious to explore the world but are anxious or unaware of how to get started on a wonderful journey.

Contents

1.Introduction
2.Inspirations for Travel
3.Planning your trip
4.Creative ways to travel
5.Fiscal Planning
6.Booking your flight, hotel, and tours
7.Preparing to depart
8.Packing
9.Once you get there
10.References
11.Index

Excerpt from Chapter 2
Inspirations for Travel
Traveling is liberating. There is a realization when traveling that opportunities are endless, boundaries are breakable, and time is infinite. Why do you want to travel? Do you want to learn new languages, or do you want to meet new people with similar lifestyles and interests or just to prove to yourself that you can? Whatever the reason you must know that traveling, just taking the first step even, will change your life forever. You will leave your comfort zone and venture into an unknown world that will expand your mind, change your perceptions and you will never be the same again. Maybe you will try it, realize it is really not for you, and you will never want to do it again and that’s OK. At least you took the first step. You will never be left with regret or the sense that you didn’t try. Maybe you will fall in love with traveling and never be able to stop. That’s OK, too.

Women around the world leave their comfort zones everyday to explore the world and there is no reason why you shouldn’t, too. We’ve met girls who are biking across the entire continent of Africa to fundraise for cancer organizations, girls who were doing year long round-the-world trips, and girls who were sailing the oceans (solo!) in search for the perfect wave to surf!

What’s stopping you from taking your adventure now? Do you have a boyfriend that you don’t want to leave or who doesn’t want to go with you? Perhaps you don’t feel like you have enough money to travel. That’s no excuse! We’ll show you ways you can finance your trip. Maybe you feel it’s unsafe to travel by yourself. We’ll tell you the best ways to be safe and smart while you’re out there on your own. Kristina and Jerri have both traveled alone before and we’re still here!

It Never Gets Easier Than Now

I stumbled upon this blog article where the author, Ramit Sethi, listed the reasons why young adults should realize that there is no better time than now do what you want to do. His top 9 examples are:

Saving money is never easier than now.
Working out.
Eating fast food.
Starting your own business.
Just hanging out with friends.
Doing your own side projects.
Taking risks in investing and life.
Meeting interesting people.
Traveling.
Living in situations your parents would abhor.

Check out this article and the blog, I Will Teach Tou to be Rich, for more very interesting topics.

What American Accent Are You?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West   Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
The South
Boston
North Central
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz