Big News!

I know that I haven't posted much lately on the blog. I've had a rough couple of months as I've struggled to determine my future goals and attempted to align them with my path now. I've experienced a few big life changes and I feel like I'm at a crossroads. Having options is amazing but also stressful as I try to decide on one.  

After I graduated in May with my M.A. in History I needed to decide on what's next for me. I've explored answers to the questions: where do I want to live, what full time jobs do I want to pursue and where do I see my life in the next five to ten years, so I can ensure that my current goals align with my long term life plans. I am happy to finally announce that I've decided on my next adventure. Over the past few months I've leaned more and more towards teaching English abroad in order to gain valuable teaching experience, travel a lot and learn another language. After graduation, I enrolled in a TESOL certificate program hoping to find a teaching position abroad for the fall semester. I've been incredibly stressed this past few weeks as I completed dozens of Skype interviews and attempted to sort through the offers and contracts in order to decide where it was I truly could see myself living and working over the coming year.

After much consideration I am excited to tell you that I accepted a position teaching at a university just outside Beijing. As long as all goes well with the visa process, I plan to leave in late August for China. I have an incredible experience waiting for me and I can't wait to embark on this new path. I look forward to sharing more about my travels and adventures in China with you here on this blog.  

  

Summer Wish List

Summer is my favorite time of year. Unfortunately I live in the mid-west and we only get about three months to enjoy the beautiful weather. Every summer seems to fly by and I always have a huge list of things I want to accomplish before winter rolls in again. Most years I end up running out of time to get to everything I'd like to do. This year I decided to make a list and attempt to schedule my weekends in order to make time for it all. Here is a list of the local sites I'd like to see this summer:

1. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio in Oak Park, IL
2. Visit Black Point Estate in Lake Geneva, WI
3. Visit the Planetarium in Chicago
4. Drive to Madison, WI to visit friends
5. Attend a concert at Ravinia

What's on your summer to do list?

About Me: Interview Feature

Just a quick note to let you know I'm featured over at Treats and Travels today. Go on over and check out my interview to get to know a little more about me and my blog. 

Click Here

Photo Friday: Navy Pier, Chicago

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

 Navy Pier, Chicago

June 2014

101 in 1001 Days

I've seen quite a few posts floating around about completing 101 goals in 1001 days. After reading the list Kelly of Sparkles and Shoes created, I was inspired to make my own. I loved several goals on her list so much that they made their way on to mine! Some of the goals I set for myself are small items that won't take much time, others are large goals that I will need to work up to. I attempted to select 101 items that I've never done before. A couple goals on the list I've already completed but it's been awhile and I would like to do it again now.

I scheduled my list so that it ends on my 37th birthday. If you have your own list, please add a link in the comments. I'd love to check it out!

Start Date: July 1, 2014

End Date:  March 27, 2017

1. Reach 500 blog posts
2. Start offering ads on my sidebar
3. Write an article/book for publication
4. Learn another language close to fluency
5. Volunteer (again)
6. Learn how to use my DSLR manual camera functions
7. Watch 5 movie classics
8. Travel to the beach (again)
9. Teach a class
10. Give 5 gifts 'just because'
11. Write a letter to myself to open on my 40th birthday
12. Send 101 postcards
13. Travel solo (again)
14. Learn Calligraphy
15. Take a cooking class in another country
16. Take a cake decorating class
17. Blog about each accomplishment on this list
18. Take a picture and post to Instagram every day for one month
19. Read 101 books
20. Save $11 for every task completed
21. Cook every recipe in a cookbook
22. Buy one good 'investment piece' of clothing
23. Complete 3 Pinterest projects
24. Identify 21 things I like about myself
25. Donate $11 to charity for each item I don't complete
26. Visit 5 museums that I've never been to
27. Create an inspiration board
28. Visit 3 new states that I haven't visited before
29. Visit 3 new countries that I haven't been to
30. Move to a different city
31. See a Broadway Musical
32. Create a meal using only the ingredients I purchased at the farmer's market
33. Sell an item that I create myself
34. Attend an Afternoon Tea
35. Take a painting class (again)
36. Read a book printed in a different language
37. Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
38. Visit 10 new restaurants
39. Get a new stamp in my passport
40. Pay for a strangers meal
41. Organize my digital photo storage
42. Go whale watching
43. Visit 5 United States National Parks
44. Take a 2 week road trip
45. Spend a day celebrating me and pampering myself (spa, shopping, etc.)
46. Attend a Blogger Conference
47. Get a full time job
48. Take a spontaneous vacation or weekend trip
49. Learn to play the piano
50. Go strawberry or apple picking and make a recipe from scratch using the fruit
51. Eat Hotpot
52. Prepare an entire ethnic meal from scratch
53. Move to China
54. Learn Mandarin
55. Visit The Great Wall in China
56. Visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an
57. See the Giant Pandas in China
58. Determine my career path
59. Participate in a 5k race
60. Visit Black Point Estate in Lake Geneva, WI
61. Invest in blog business cards
62. Take a photography class
63. Create a cookbook with my favorite recipes
64. Take a yoga class (again)
65. Send flowers to a friend for no reason
66. Take a class to learn a new skill
67. Buy a new car
68. Post a video blog
69. Find a new local favorite restaurant
    
70. Throw a party for a friend or family member
    
71. Try 5 new foods
    
72. Create a new blog design
    
73. Go on a picnic (again)
    
74. Cook only at home for a month
    
75. Tour a winery (again)
    
76. Attend a food festival
    
77. Join a book club
    
78. Ride in a hot air balloon
    
79. Watch the sun rise from a scenic location
    
80. Go horseback riding
    
81. Create a gallery wall
    
82. Publish my story on the blog (About Me)
    
83. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright's studio in Oak Park, IL
    
84. Photograph a location in all four seasons and frame them all together
    
85. Blog every day for a month
    
86. Celebrate my divorce with cake and dinner out
    
87. Go kayaking
    
88. Spend an afternoon reading in the park
    
89. Attend a film festival
    
90. Find the perfect bathing suit
    
91. See a play at the Shakespeare Theatre
    
92. Watch a foreign film
    
93. Make a pasta dish from scratch
    
94. Take a flower arranging class
    
95. Eat at a Michelin restaurant
    
96. Attend a festival (again)
    
97. Attend an art gallery/museum event
    
98. Learn to meditate
    
99. Start a Roth IRA and contribute monthly
    
100. Establish an emergency fund
     
101. Celebrate my 37th birthday in another country
     

It looks like I have my work cut out for me! 
What are your goals? If you have a list, post a link in the comments below.