Author Archives: Jessica

Quarter Life Crisis.

Posted on by under Thoughts and Musings

Someone push the pause button please?

My twenties are nearly half over, on Friday, I turn 25.

Back in college, you know forever ago, my mom told me to enjoy my twenties because they fly by. It’s a time of excitement, learning, and exceptional trial and error. She was not kidding. I couldn’t tell you where the past five years have gone.

Thinking back to everything that has happened, it seems astounding, as if through five years I’ve lived a multitude of lives. Looking back on that 20-year old I used to be, I see such a different person it’s difficult to believe we’re one in the same.

Continue reading →

The Responsible Traveler

Posted on by under Notes on Travel

Masai Village

2009, ready to embark on my first solo trip half way around the world. I’m volunteering with CCS, and compulsively perusing the message boards on the online forum. Mostly, they’re for future volunteers to ask questions or connect with fellow travelers. One post in particular though, catches me off guard. A previous volunteer shared her concerns that volunteerism, far from being a benefit to the countries we were visiting she suggested, it was actually a great cause of harm. Of course, at the time it bothered me, but I didn’t think too much about it. I had chosen CCS because they had great connections with the community that supported sustainable projects. Continue reading →

Redefining the Bubble.

Posted on by under Notes on Travel

Vintage Palouse

Growing up in rural Eastern Washington State my best friend Cyndi and I often dreamed of more exotic lands. In high school we launched a full-scale plan to leave our sleepy town and move, together, to London. Feeling a bit stifled by the simplicity of small town Americana we, like many teenagers, were anxious to explore the greater world around us. Continue reading →

Top 5.

Posted on by under Travel Ideas

Right now I have a short list of countries to visit, by short, I mean 80-something. But many of these countries I want to visit at some point, not necessarily as soon as possible. And when trying to narrow it down to most interested I find it exceptionally difficult, there are so many incredible places to see! But, if I had choose, these are my top 5 (in no particular order). I choose them based on if I had the opportunity to travel at this very moment; these locations are what jump first into my mind.  Continue reading →