Challenges and Changes

The dream is slowly becoming a reality. A little over a week ago, I was offered the opportunity to work as a content manager for a travel marketing company. My initial reaction? Pure terror.

I know, it doesn't make any sense. For years I've been dreaming of this moment, the chance to work in the travel industry. And more accurately, in the travel writing and content creation side of it. This is exactly what I've been waiting for. So why did my stomach leap two feet into my throat? Why did the butterflies continue to whip around uncontrollably for hours? Why did tears sting the corner of my eyes?

One word: Fear.

I've been living in a comfortable bubble the last two and a half years. I like my job, and I know how to do it well. I like the people I work with, and I have a wonderful, supportive team that looks to me for direction. I have a daily routine that keeps me centered and organized. It's safe, it's predictable--for the most part--and there isn't much to challenge me. But this new job will change all that.

There was a brief moment where I considered turning it down, staying put and continuing down the same road I've been on. But then reality set in, and I knew that this was a chance I had to take, this was an opportunity that would not only let me do what I'm passionate about, but could also open more doors in the future. Why would I even think about passing it up?

So I accepted.

And ever since I've been unable to shake this uneasy feeling. I know it's nerves. Fear of change, of a new team, a new routine, new challenges. But mostly, it's fear of making a mistake. What if I can't do the job? What if the client doesn't like me? What if I fail? What if I make the wrong move? What happens then?

I've felt this way before, and it usually accompanies major life decisions: college, graduate school, my first job, serious relationships. It's called being pulled out of your comfort zone because you're meant to feel uncomfortable. When you take a risk, it's only natural to wonder if it's right, if it will really get you to where you want to go. It's one of life's cruel incongruities. Something that is meant to elicit joy and assurance, actually makes you feel sick to your stomach.

So how do you shake the feeling?

Face it head on. Tackle the challenge with enthusiasm, determination and confidence. I plan to start this job on the right foot, diving right in and showing that I am the best person for the position. This will help ease my worries and squash my fears. And, in the long run, will help me grow in my professional and personal life. It will get me to where I want to be.

My recent inspiration came after watching this TED talk from Roz Savage. She was also just floating along in a comfortable job, where she probably would have stayed for many years had she not realized it would not lead her to the life she wanted.




And then I saw this talk from Ben Saunders, a modern-day explorer who will attempt to journey to the South Pole and back. In his talk, he answers the question, Why bother leaving the house? Obviously, my job opportunity is very different from what he does, but the concept of taking on a challenge is the same.

Ask and You Shall Receive

One of my goals for the New Year was to make more things happen for myself, especially when it comes to my travel writing. Over the last month, I have had more freelance projects than ever before, which has its positives and negatives. While it is a lot of extra work on top of my full-time job, and there are times where I get very stressed out about interviews and deadlines, it is also an indication that my editor and publisher at Premier Toursim Marketing really trust me to write their content, and like what I produce. Of course, the extra bit of money every month is certainly nice, and being able to add to my writing portfolio is priceless, but there is another perk that I greatly hope to take advantage of by working for them: Traveling!

So, when my publisher reached out to me yesterday to assign me yet another project, he mentioned how he was not blind to the fact that I had been taking on quite a lot, and that he greatly owed me for it. And so I took a shot, and asked if there was a chance that I could be sent somewhere for an actual editorial assignment. And guess what? HE SAID YES!!

So, now I have to choose among more than a dozen different destinations stateside that I would want to visit and he agreed to arrange an editorial trip! You cannot imagine how excited I was when he made me this offer. Not only do I get the chance to travel somewhere comepletely new, but I get to write about the experience, and enjoy it pretty much free of charge. Now the only question is, where do I want to go?

My options are:

• Alaska
• Utah
• Arkansas
• Kentucky
• Idaho
• Oregon
• Vermont
• Louisiana
• Hawaii
• Arizona
• Maine
• South Carolina
• Tennessee

There are a few other states in the Midwest that I could visit, but I can go to those anytime I want, really, and most of them I've already been to.

At this point, Alaska and Hawaii are at the top of my list. Yes, I have been to the tropical islands, but why not go back again, especially if I get sent during one of the colder months of the year. I think Alaska is up there just because it is so exotic and different compared to what I am accustomed to. Plus, I would love to see that sprawling landscape of soaring mountains, thick forests and artic deserts; it all seems so magical on television and in pictures. And who wouldn't want to check out the glaciers and the ocean wildlife? Sign me up for a whale watching tour or polar dive any day!

As far as the other possibilities, I am sure I would have fun in any location, though Oregon, Maine and Louisiana seem to be calling my name more than the others.

Even though I get to select a couple that I really want to go to, where I inevitably end up will be up to my publisher, since he's the one who has to organize the trip. But I will be happy with whatever he arranges for me, because, let's face it, he's giving me a great opportunity, so it really doesn't matter where I go.

So what do you all think? Which ones should I go for?

Montana's Big Sky: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Montana is called “Big Sky Country,” a nickname not understood by many until they witness the unobstructed beauty of its sprawling landscapes, rugged mountain ranges and wide open grassland. 

I'm writing a short article about sports in Montana for my freelance job, and reading up on the various cities and places in the state reminded me of my road trip through the area the summer after my freshman year of college. I, along with my two best friends from high school, planned a trip up to Calgary, Canada, and decided the best way to get there would be to drive. The journey became part of the vacation, with Billings as our overnight stop on both legs--since Sari had a friend there who could provide us with a free place to stay. 

On the way up to Canada, after our night in Billings, we decided to take I-90 West through the state and drive up to Glacier National Park. It was a long drive that took us pretty much all day. But it was totally worth it. Not only did we get a glimpse of how wide open and scenic Montana is, we also got an amazing treat once we hit the Butte area and saw the rising peaks of the mountain ranges--just breathtaking. Our route took us around a lake that seemed to go on forever. (Since I don't remember exactly where we were, I had to look at a map, and I think this lake is called Flathead Lake.) As we drove along the water, we kept seeing signs for cherry farms. At the time, I had no idea that cherries grew in Montana, let alone there was such a booming business for harvesting the tasty fruits. Intrigued, we decided to pull over and buy some. We watched as the women took the freshly picked cherries from a bin and pour them into a bag for us. I think we got at least two pounds of cherries, and it didn't cost much.

And while the lake and the cherries were certainly memorable, nothing can compare to when we first entered Glacier. It didn't look real. It looked like a painting, a photograph that had been digitally displayed for all to see. But it was real, pristine water perfectly framed by walls of glacially formed rock and dirt all topped by a bright blue sky. It became even less of a dream when we removed our sandals and dipped our toes in the lake. We cooled off briefly and then got back in the car to continue our drive through the park--since we still had to reach Calgary by that night. We weaved up the sides of the peaks, stopping every few moments to snap a picture of another magnificent scene, because there were just so many we wanted to capture. Reluctantly, we heading down the other side and headed for the exit, knowing we had a long way left to go before we could rest our heads.


While my time in Montana was brief, it is clearly a place that has made an impression on me. I have some fond memories from that trip, and many of them happened on that drive through Big Sky Country. I can honestly say that I understand how special it is and why it is admired for its beauty. So while Montana may not seem like an exciting place, I encourage you all to give it a chance. I can guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised.

Freelance Gig Finally Pays Off

After working for over a year at my freelance writing gig, completing all of my assignments through research done online or speaking over the phone to tourism and convention bureau representatives, all my hard work has finally paid off. Next weekened, I am actually being sent on a travel writing assignment to Edmonton, Canada!

Not only do I get to visit a new destination and experience everything that Edmonton has to offer, but I get to do it the way a real travel writer does: Free of charge. That's right, my trip is being completely covered by the Edmonton Tourism group, all expenses paid. That means flight, hotel, food and activities. The only thing I need to pay for is any souvenirs or personal purchases I make along the way.

I was just sent my full weekend itinerary today, and I cannot wait to go on this trip. The great thing about these kind of promotional events is that they schedule a lot of exclusive activities for you that probably would not have been an option on a regular vacation. For instance, I get to see the musical Wicked during my stay, which originally might have been too expensive for me to buy. Also, I get to see the Edmonton Indy, one of the few race car competitions in Canada--something I would have never done otherwise. It's exciting, and now I am counting the days until I hop on that plane and head up to visit our neighbors to the North.

Finally, I get a glimpse at my potential future as a professional travel writer. And hopefully I can make some connections along the way to help further my career. It may only be one trip, but it's getting me one step close to my dream.

Red Light Winter: A Play

A dramatic, slightly humorous and overwhelmingly powerful story about two companions traveling abroad, and the mysterious and elusive woman they meet along the way. If the title doesn't give it away, the play takes place in Amsterdam, where the lead characters--Matt and Davis--have gone to get away from their lives in New York. Along the way, they encounter Christina, a young woman Davis finds in the Red Light District. Right from the start, Matt develops deep and strange emotions for Christina, while she seems to lean towards Davis with her affections. Upon returning to New York, Davis and Matt return to their normal lives, but the memory of the girl from Amsterdam lingers, if only slightly. But when she shows up at Matt's doorstep inquiring about Davis, everything comes rushing back in one moment of clarity and understanding about who she really is.

Red Light Winter, written by Adam Rapp, is an excellent portrayal of sexual intrigue, obsession and betrayal all wrapped up in a sultry and twisted love triangle. It's also an inspiring investigation into the ways we try to escape the emotions and problems that fill our lives.

I read this play about a month ago when I learned that my brother, Colin, was putting on a production of it in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it out to the West Coast to see it, but I know it will be an incredible show--though I might be a little biased. But considering the material, and the fact that it discusses the effects of travel on our lives, I think I would love this play even if my brother was not starring in it. When I really think about it, plays are a great medium to explore the wonders of travel, and perhaps that will be my next great project--composing a play about a journey. Wish me luck in this endeavor!

Praise for "Without Reservations"

The beauty of the travel memoir is that it not only captures the essence of a place, but also how the person reacts to it. Alice Steinbach does this brilliantly in her book Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman. Of course the title is what initially drew me to pick up the book, but the voice and the insight are what kept me reading. I must have ear-marked over 20 pages that had funny quotes or interesting observations or travel ideas that truly struck a cord.

The memoir traces the time Steinbach spends in Paris, London, Oxford and various cities in Italy. It discusses the monuments and buildings she visits, the streets she explores, the clothes the buys, the food she guiltlessly enjoys and the many interesting characters she meets along the way. Each chapter draws the reader into Steinbach's internal thoughts, brought on by every place to which she travels. Steinbach participates in typical tourist activities, but what is really fascinating are her musings about her travel adventure to discover herself. Yes, self-discovery and travel, it seems the two often go hand-in-hand. But I found Steinbach's witty comments and deep explorations a refreshing mixture from the typical, cliche travel-the-world-and-find-yourself stories. She is relaxed during her time away, but also concerned with the life she left behind. She is curious about new things, but still feels comfort in the everyday routines. This is how it feels when we travel, especially when we take long breaks from the ordinary. I felt myself relating to every emotion she conveyed, which was probably why I marked so many passages.

Or perhaps I was so enthralled with this memoir because it is exactly the type of book I want to write someday. This is the kind of trip I would love to take sometime in my life, and if I could tell my story as well as her, I would feel incredibly accomplished. So while I work on documenting my trips and getting my work published, I will refer back to Steinbach and her encouraging words about travel, companionship, love, life and every moment in between.

Back to the Travel Writing Gig

Before leaving for South Africa, I was writing freelance for my old internship at Premier Tourism Marketing. It was a nice way to keep a connection with them while at the same time making a little extra cash. It didn't hurt that I was writing about a subject I actually like--wait, love.

Now, I'm back at it, writing travel articles for them on a regular basis. I'm hoping that working for them as a freelancer will open doors to future writing opportunities. Plus, after long hours at my copywriting job where I'm writing marketing copy all day, it's nice to write something different, something that I find interesting.

Since I began my full-time job, I have relished in my free weekends away from a cubicle and a computer screen. But today I spent a few lovely hours visiting Williamsburg, Virginia, writing about the history and activities to do in this traditional town. It reminded me how much I love reading about different locations around the country and the world. I've actually been to Williamsburg back when I was in 8th grade, so this was a chance to revisit some of those fond memories. Through these simple articles, I find a little escape.

I'm excited to continue with my dream of travel writing, even though this gig is just a small step, at least it's a step in the right direction.

After My First Week...

Last week was my first as an intern at Premier Tourism Marketing...and I love it!! I have already been given two writing assignments. First, I have to write about San Francisco as a travel destination for students. Not college age or anything, but more middle or high school students. It's part of a larger project where we explore different cities around the U.S. and discover places that would be good for student travel groups. The article will go on my company's student travel website, and will be targeted at people trying to plan a school trip. I have been spending hours searching attractions, restaurants, hotels, and various other aspects of the city that might be interesting. Now, that may not sound exciting, but the hours seriously fly by at work because I actually enjoy what I am researching. I have never been to San Francisco but have always been interested in visiting, and now I want to go even more!!

My second assignment will be a longer article in one of the print publications. I get to write about Breckenridge, CO, and how it is a big ski destination in the West. It's right up my alley, cause I am from Colorado! And I have snowboarded there many, many times. It is perfect because I can slip my own perspective into the article, making it more personal and relatable.

Seriously, this job is great, and I cannot wait to get more assignments and actually start publishing my articles. Let's hope the second week is as good as the first!!