Hello, is anybody out there?

When I originally started this blog I thought, I have plenty of time on my hand - especially to write.

Somehow, someway in the midst of trotting around the globe - updating a blog did not find it’s way on my radar. Fast forward literally 2 years, and here I am. I thought about updating many times during the last two years. Yet somehow, I would find myself discouraged thinking, “well, I has been so long what is the point”. However, either I keep a blog active or just completely wipe it from the site. This is the decision I was faced with today. I have decided to just keep on keeping on. Although so much HAS happened within this lapse of updating (and to be quite honest I think this is what had frighted me the most, the thought, “ HOW do I fill in the blanks, the stories and the memories inbeween! “ ) They all have their significance, they all felt and were experienced as so much that the idea of writing down each seemed to be not only time consuming but overwhelming. However, I accept that the truth of it is - I don’t have to relive and jot down every memory. I don’t have to follow some book on what I should put into the blog come now.

If you are following from afar, and joined the blog over two years back - you were aware I was living in New Zealand. Adventuring around in Hubert, our trusty (or not so trusty haha) van. Well - if I can break down the speed up of everything in between I think which also intimidates me because condensing such a dense amount of experiences is ALSO not my forte. Here is kind of how it would go …

Michael and I adored New Zealand until our departure, in May of 2018. Towards the end our van (which I think I talked about in the last entry) had taken a turn for the worse (not an end all, but deff. gave us some stress) and finding a trusty mechanic in NZ was not as easy as the states. We were fortunate enough to have contact with a woman in Wanaka, Christine. Whom I literally bumped into a Fairfield for a brief 3 minute convo on the way to the restrooms. With the simple, “you should contact me when you are in Wanaka” - Originally I probably would have not, but in our circumstances - we were desperate and did reach out. With no answer, and a silent few days we were feeling grim and queasy as we literally had nowhere to go, a broke down van / our living situation at the time. Atlas, we get a call back. And it all falls into place - we have a place to stay, help out at and kind of feel secure for a week or so. Christine was an amazing woman, who helped get me some work doing hair around the neighborhood - I mean talk about blessings. When I think back to some of the most stress filled times, this was one of them. Vulnerable and feeling hopeless in a country where you hardly know anyone. I remember sobbing in front of her, which I look back at and think, “wow she must think us Americans are a bunch of cry babies”…or possibly not, I was raw at the time. I still think about her today, I have not reached out since shortly arriving back in the US, but until this day I consider her welcome a blessing and her a bit of an angel. She was a connection to Catherine, our angel at Fairfield house. So it doesn’t surprise me of the bit.

After having a stay there, we were able to find a HelpX in Wanaka on an amazing property, where we cared for the land and chickens - and looked after a house. During this time we trouble shooted the van - got it repaired and finally felt a weight off our shoulders. Til this day I believe Hubert knew we planned on selling - and was throwing a fit on us. Yet- we did sell our van (fully repaired!) And jetted off to Thailand.

I wouldn’t have known then if you told me I would be in Thailand again the year to follow. Yet it happened! After our tour around South East Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam…) We returned home. It was the end of August in 2018. Coming home, this was an emotional time. Traveling taught me so much, and returning back to a country where so much of the population is identity based on “what you do for work” and moving quickly in interactions and well, lack of interactions. Oh, and Capitalism. A disgusting amount of it. Returning back was not easy, yes we were excited to reunite with family and friends. However depression that lasted for months did occur. So, that is a drawback from long term travel - the reality of coming home. We longed for stability and not having to move around, yet when you get there you have to accept the dumping of everything you experienced pouring all over you. With also accepting everyone around you may not be truly interested. So you sit in these moments and feelings. Yeah, it was ugly and beautiful all at once.

I think the thing that still sat with me was I was carrying around this depression and longing for travel much after our return, and when presented with the opportunity to travel again. I JUMPED. Both feet forward, sign me up. Come January I was off to Nepal, India, around the states and then back to Thailand, India and Dubai. It was wild - the first half of 2019 I was pretty much MIA. I cannot say I wasn’t living my best life, I was differently living it up and stepping into an empowering feeling within my career. When I look back at it though, I also was stepping away from my life back home. Michael was here, and I was there. It was not east by any means. I can also say, probably was not healthy either for our relationship. When I finally stepped off that last International fight back from India in June, I made a decision that I needed to pause here. Regroup my thoughts, and make a commitment to work on my life here and a plan for what I desire.

In August I realized I was ready to move forward with my career here, start working in areas of the industry that really move me. I decided to open my own salon suite where I focus on implementing sustainable practices and more personal experiences for my guest. In November I opened Nomad Beauty Therapy. I am happier than ever.

Michael and I had our wedding on January 18, 2020. A blizzard of a day, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. We took a quick getaway to Miami, with plans to travel to Europe this summer (well, that probbbbbably won’t happen this year….)

Shortly after we were able to travel to California and enjoy some sunshine during the winter blues, and then Covid-19 struck. You could say blindsided or maybe just unaware - things changed quickly. I am certain for many of us this is the case. Uncharted waters and a time I have never imagined. Nomad Beauty has been Closed since Mid March, and come May I would have never thought we would still be roaming these waters. I feel heaviest at times when I have to go to the grocery store and see how much things have changed. I feel heavy when I think of all the ones who have loss someone or been affected directly by Covid-19. I only wish for this time to allow awakening and systems to be corrected for all the people. There is so much in our country that is not okay, and this time is bringing the darkness to light.

I am fortunate and I realize this. To not be directly impacted or have loss someone, I am fortunate. I grieve with those who have. I feel hurt for those who have. I will listen to your story, I am here.

To have had all the travel experience before Covid it makes me wonder what the future of travel will look like. I think there are a lot of areas where we wonder what the future of post Covid will look like.

Sitting here, writing this, I think “wow, and I didn’t know if I would be blogging again”. This time has offered space for projects unfinished or left unturned. I hope you have found space in areas of your life that may have been calling for you. Lets cross our fingers and plan for more stories from each other soon.

xoxo