Share Your Story!

The new year always brings new ideas.  I actually started this blog a few days after the new year last year, and I've really enjoyed writing and "meeting" some of the readers throughout the year.  Sometimes I can't believe people actually read my silly little ramblings!  But I love the community feeling that a blog can create and bring people together from everywhere.  I guess technology is really amazing!

As I've written in the "About Me" section, aside from my shopping addiction, I actually used to be an avid traveler and have caught the travel bug forever.  While I love writing about the different stuff I buy, I'm disappointed that I have not been able to travel to many places now that I have a regular job and mortgage, and about to have my wedding in September this year.  While I'm happy with my life, and I realize that I have been blessed with so much compared to many many others who may be struggling just to live, I do sometimes wish that I could have a more adventurous life and wasn't so "cookie-cutter".

I see some of my friends on facebook who have kind of become nomads.  They used to do the whole 9-5 thing, but have decided to give it all up and travel and live abroad.  Some of them have kind of been "forced" to do this because they lost their jobs during this economic downturn, but they all say that it was a blessing in disguise.  They now seem so full of life and energy - I know the feeling of being so free to roam anywhere in the world, and experience all that life has to offer.  I'm jealous of all the beautiful pictures I see of amazing places they have been all over the world!

For example, one of my best college friends became a realtor in San Francisco after graduation, and was on her way to becoming more and more successful.  When the real estate market went down hill in 08/09, she could not afford to live in the city anymore and it was very hard to find a job in California with the high unemployment rate (still is).  So she took a leap of faith and got a job as an English teacher in Thailand.  She lived and traveled in Southeast Asia and then actually became a tour guide through fellow travelers she met.  So she gets paid to do what she loves now.  It also inspired her to start her own travel company.  How interesting that life could change so fast in such a short amount of time.

Another one of my friends, actually someone who worked at my company before, was doing the same thing as me and trying to climb the corporate ladder.  She got burnt out one day and quit her job to go travel, to Southeast Asia too coincidentally - I think that must be a popular destination for people wanting a drastic change or something.  She traveled for months, then made her way over to Australia.  She settled down in Sydney, got a 6 months work visa, and is now working at one of the Lululemon stores there.  I actually found out by seeing a picture of her in my feed that the store tagged her in.  How random!  She told me that she is now pretty much living it up, working out everyday, sharing a house with 6 roommates, all while sporting cute Lululemon outfits!  I guess this suits her much better than the finance world - she was always a pole dancing instructor while working at my company.  When management found out about it, let's just say they were not thrilled!

Anyway, I digress horribly.  But let me bring the point home.  So I was thinking that since I don't get to travel nearly as much as I would like to anymore, the best I can do is to live vicariously through others.  I've heard from many readers who seem to share the same interests as me to see more of the world.  I've always loved hearing stories about different travel destinations, so I would love love love it, if you all could email me details about some of the places you've been to, or even the city that you live/lived in.  It could be anything - things to do, places to see.  From little boutique shop, restaurant, activities, sights, to.. well, anything else!  I then will post about them for everyone to see.  It would be a great way to get to know all these interesting places in the world from a first hand perspective.  This would be a place to compile it all, and maybe give insight to someone who might be interested in going there.  For example, I'm planning to go to Florida in April, which I've never been to, and would love to hear from someone who has been there or lives there!  I think it would also help me plan my honeymoon (way more important than the wedding)!  So far I've got no concrete plans.  But I think I've narrowed it down to either Eastern Europe, Africa, Japan, or somewhere in the Mediterranean.

So don't be shy!  Please share your stories with me!  It doesn't have to be long, and can be any number of things.  Pictures are always welcome too of course!  Let's get the ball rolling and see how interesting it can get!  I figure it doesn't hurt to try something new, and learn more about all you lovely people!  What's the worst thing that can happen?  Well I guess that's if nobody emails me.  =(

I will also share my own stories in different posts.  Honestly, even though the name of this blog is "My Superficial Endeavors", I really believe that what truly matters in life is not what you have.  Trends will come and go and we probably all have way more clothes than we really need.  As cheesy as it sounds, it's true that at the end of the day, what I remember most are my great memories of amazing places I've been to and the life-long friends I've made.  I'll never stop shopping, but my experiences shape me to become who I am.  So I hope to hear from you all soon!

Email:  mysuperficialendeavors@gmail.com