It's time.

Time to put pen to paper, or fingers to keys.

Allow thoughts to transform, and evolve to fruition.

Hoist the anchor, prepare the sails, and let my imaginary ship full of thoughts, adventure, and meaningful stories sail from its safe harbour out into the world.

I've wanted to start a blog since probably around 2011 (yes, it utterly pains me to think where I 'could be' with it now).

2011 was the year that I opted to study Journalism at a prestigious media school and University in England -- it was recommended, of course, to write alongside your degree.

WHHYYYY DIDN'T I JUST DO IT.

Well, I am now.

Changing my narrative... and horizon

I was constantly exhausted from all the discourse, research, and educational writing that I was doing while studying. If you've been to University, I guess you'll relate.

When I eventually graduated with Honours in 2014, I welcomed the much-needed break after completing my dissertation and STILL didn't fancy writing for myself.

Instead, I dedicated time to the full-time job I had in hospitality; working as a receptionist at a boutique hotel by the sea by day, and hitting dusky clubs with friends or colleagues by night.

Months slipped by, and somewhere in late 2015, even after receiving a promotion to manager and still really adoring the job, I started getting a feeling of longing to expand my life. Travel.

To get out, see more, and explore.

That niggling dream became much stronger, bigger, and then eventually burst into reality, where in 2016 I took a leap of faith.

I quit my job, gave up the lease to my flat, trusted in my relationship at the time (it didn't work out), and forged a new path toward chasing some dreams, and incredible travels.

I see that was the point where I should have, most DEFINITELY, begun the blog. *slaps past self*

Well, it's 10 years past 2016 now... and I've got a ton of stories about the most incredible experiences that simply won't settle inside me any more.

The World and its treasure were waiting

I couldn't have known what was in store for me. It's even hard to pick highlights, but I'll go with what springs first.

Like the moment I turned the Sorrento corner in a boat, saw the Amalfi Coast for the first time, and burst into actual tears -- it was simply so magnificent beyond words.

Or getting to stand in spots and soak up landscapes resembling Apple screensavers... like Banff in the Canadian Rockies, or the Hawaiian Na'Pali Coast. (Biggest bucket list item and most favourite memory, I cannot recommend enough).

Stuffing a car full of camping gear and road-tripping all over North America in a tiny, budget tent and managing to see 48/50 States.

Experiencing the FIRSTS... like my first tastes of silky, fresh cacao.

Or glistening, fat BBQ brisket.

Cracking a meaty lobster claw.

Milky coconuts and hairy shells.

Even puffing on a cardboardy, giant, mango-flavoured Dominican cigar.

Then, seeing animals free in the WILD.

Everything from breaching whales to running armadillos, sleeping manatees or monk seals, drooling camels, soaring eagles, flitting hummingbirds, menacing alligators, roaming mother bears with playful cubs... even one hairy tarantula on my house doorstep.

Not to mention sharing the emotional wisdom, whiplash, and the overall rollercoaster of personal stories I've experienced and learned from over this decade and more: encompassing major themes like long-distance, serendipity, betrayal, loss... even from other women and sisterhood wounds, not just men.

Those might be vulnerable to share, but there's been some major transformations and heartache that shaped my reality and challenged a lot of my being.

Then the fate, destiny, or luck that put me in exactly the right place to meet my now-fiancé, despite having sworn to write off men a mere nine days prior.

How a fairytale with the lowest odds still prevailed after a seemingly insignificant, two-day window made me meet and fall in love with a Dutch military guy. (Who'd have thought).

Two totally different home countries, dedication, long distance, making it work, then deciding to move in together (cross-continent around the globe to TEXAS), as just one of our challenging, crazy leaps of faith.

There's a lot of horrible stories about men out in the world right now... maybe ours does act like beacon of hope, and proof there still are good guys and dream-come-trues out there.

But the narrative throughout all this? MOVING. Adapting. Learning. Constantly. Transition periods. No stability. Nomad, expat, immigrant, traveller, you name it.

The World was calling... and now Writing is

I've had more than 15 bedrooms in 15 years, lived in 8 different countries, and packed and unpacked too many times to count.

I KNOW what it's like to feel between two places at once, or even straddling more. Pieces of your heart left all over the globe, and constantly questioning where 'home' truly is.

Settling, unsettling, and everything in-between.

As I write this, I'm still technically living out of a suitcase at the age of 32. More on that later.

Despite everything though, I can safely say that the decision to quit my 'corporate' job and grasp an opportunity to travel as far and wide as I could, was one of the best ones I ever made.

All this to mean, it's about time I did start nurturing my creative outlet, and contributing to those who want to read it... and maybe start encouraging you to globetrot, write about your life, or simply just trust in destiny too.

Here's to carving our own pathways,

-fe