ABOUT ME
HI, THERE! I'M JESS!
I'm generally not one for oversharing on the internet, I mean, we all saw that episode of Criminal Minds, right? But, I suppose a few relevant details won't hurt too much...right?
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As I'm sure you've guessed, my name is Jessica, but my family and friends call me Jess. I love to read fantasy novels and I'm borderline obsessed with my two cats. My family moved round a lot growing up so by the time I went to college the longest I had ever lived in one place was 5 years. And as an introvert in the truest sense of the term, I HATED moving. Making new friends, getting to know a new town, living in new house, finding a new routine...well, it's an introvert's worst nightmare.
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Now you might be asking yourself...WHY would I choose to share this particular fact on a travel blog? Shouldn't I be telling you all about how much I love the unknown and meeting new people? Here's the thing...I'm all about honesty. For better or worse. This blog will have good stories, cringe-worthy encounters, unflattering photos, great advice (I'm a little biased, obviously), and everything in between. I'm not looking to ease all of your travel worries, nor boastfully showcase my travels in a self-serving way. I'm simply a girl who wants to go on a few adventures, and maybe help a few others who are planning adventures of their own. Whether you find this blog helpful or not, hopefully you will leave with a few laughs for your time.
The cliffs of Cabo Rojo in Puerto Rico
"I Have An Insane Desire to be Where I'm Not"
Now that introductions are out of the way, it's time for everything travel! Although my family moved around a lot growing up, we were also lucky enough to be able to travel. The first time I left the country, I was barely out of diapers. We took a family vacation to the incredibly blue waters of Paradise Island, Bahamas. It was to be the first of nearly a dozen trips there over the years. Needless to say, visiting the Bahamas often, and at such an early age, definitely made me a little spoiled. And it turns out I wasn't content to limit my travels to just the Caribbean...I wanted more.
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In high school, my senior class took a trip to Italy. We were only there for one week, but for me, it was a game-changing trip. My first taste, as a barely qualified adult, of the wide world and what it had to offer. I knew then I always wanted traveling to be a part of my life. A few months after I got back from Italy, I spent two weeks in Peru. It was a volunteer trip, so I spent the majority of my time in the heart of the Andes Mountains, often in areas above 10,000ft. I assisted with the vaccinations of local farm animals and helped distribute care packages to the villages we traveled to. It was a totally different experience abroad when compared to the ultra structured and tourist-centric trip to Italy I had just come back from. Looking back, it is hard to say which trip I enjoyed more.
St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic
As I settled into life as a college student, I decided I was going to make studying abroad a priority. So, in the spring of my junior year, I spent five months studying at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. It was definitely as frustrating as it was amazing. It was during my time in Prague that I learned about homesickness, loneliness, and the stereotypes - both good and bad - that Americans are confronted with overseas. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my time in Prague, but this blog is all about honesty, remember?
I also learned that over time, all the bad experiences and feelings tend to fade, and you are left with only the memories of an unforgettable adventure. While studying in Prague I also had the opportunity to travel to cities in Germany, England, Austria, Slovakia, Poland and the Netherlands. Each new city I visited was like opening a door to a room I've never been inside of before. There's curiosity and a little trepidation, and it takes no time at all for that feeling to get addicting.
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After college, I began working as a zookeeper, and had to take a break from traveling for a few years, since I was a recent graduate and money was tight. I managed to squeeze in trips to Greece and Puerto Rico over the years, but it never felt like enough.
I absolutely loved working with animals, and over the years more than one of them has stolen a piece of my heart from me. Walking away from almost 10 years of unforgettable memories and experiences was not a decision I made lightly. But, it was time for a change. And in that change, I took the opportunity to return to something that has never stopped whispering in my ear. I have always harbored this fantasy about living overseas, surrounded by new sights and sounds everyday, living a simple yet contented life.
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It was finally time to make that fantasy a reality.
Tange. Some animals you never forget.
The Current Adventure
So, for the next year I will be living and working as an English teacher in Daegu, South Korea. I am terrified but also cautiously optimistic. It's going to be a year chalked full of embarrassing faux pas, new food to discover, amazing adventures, and, hopefully, many new friends. And so, I invite you to come with me as I make my way in a new country, one day at a time. It's time to unravel the unknown mysteries of the world...with more than a few laughs along the way!