my ABCs of travel

As of today, Sunday, November 6, 2016, I have traveled to the following places:

ABCs of Travel

A: Azerbaijan*

B: Belgium, 

C: Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, 

D: Denmark

E: Ecuador 

F: France

G: Greece, Georgia, Gibraltar

H: Hungary

I: Italy, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland

J: 

K: 

L: Luxembourg

M: Malaysia, Myanmar, Montenegro, Mexico, Morocco

N: Netherlands

O: Oman

P: Philippines, Portugal

Q: Qatar

R: 

S: Spain, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Seychelles

T: Turkey, Thailand

U: USA*, UAE*, UK

V: Vietnam, Vatican City

W:

X:

Y:

Z:

*have lived in capital city of country

39 Countries/Principalities/Territories total

3 years in Azerbaijan

This past June, I completed three years in Baku, Azerbaijan. Life happened which forced me to re-evaluate my staying in Baku for a 4th year, and therefore I moved back to Central New York for the academic year. Here, I will be working on this blog, applying for jobs, and substitute teaching on this "gap year" all whilst continuing to do what I love the most. Traveling.
Over these last 3 years, I've learned a lot about myself, about teaching, and about people. It's safe to say that I'm not the same person I was just a short time ago.
If 8 years ago someone would have told me that I would embark on a journey of self that would allow me to traverse the globe via planes, trains, boats, rickshaws, cabs, and on foot [with many of the adventures by myself], I would have said that you were crazy. As many of my international teacher cohorts and fellow travelers can agree, once you're hooked, it's done.
When it came to my job, I became much more confident and better at it. Yeah, I'm sure I slacked a bit but when it came time to buckle down, the job got done. My students' grades are proof of that. I'm not one to equate student performance to teacher success but in the IB, it's hard not to. Especially when you're predicting what the student will get almost 1 full year out of their real exams! A 98% accuracy rate of predicted vs. actual grades? Cha-ching! I also learned who to trust and who not to. This is certainly a tough lesson to live for anyone but it's something that we all have to do. Now, there wasn't some HUGE issue that ruined my life and impaired my ability to do my job but there were colleagues who LIVED for the gossip. Me? I stayed where I needed to be, spoke to who needed to be spoken to, and got down with it. Simple as that. Of course, when in a school, staff members sometimes become secondary students all over again. The gossip train never stops and it's a "he said, she said," "cool kids club" environment. Me? #girlbye. Haters will ALWAYS hate.
Until next time, E out. 

Winter 2013: Part 1- Siem Reap Cambodia

So this winter 2013, I decided to really "go in" on my 40 by Forty and hit south east asia. I was going to see everything, spoil myself with a massage every day, eat and drink, and immerse myself all while enjoying a 3 week hiatus from work in Baku. 

Pub Street

First stop was Siem Reap, Cambodia. For those of you who have been, you hopefully know how I was feeling when I say it was a very clean KoSahn Rd (Bangkok). Siem Reap was one of those places that I could go back to in a heartbeat. After I had originally decided to embark on this journey across 4 different countries in 3 weeks I was told I needed to come to SR. I am so glad I did!

The grounds at Angkor Wat

After meeting up with one of my besties from Abu Dhabi (Kara) at our hotel [more on that later], we decided to hit the town and explore before our sunrise expedition to Angkor Wat very early the next morning. 

the souvenir @ AW

Angkor Wat

WOW! That place is amazing. Even with all the tourists and the commercialism on the actual grounds, it was a rather spiritual experience. We watched the sunrise and then made our way to explore only one of the infinite temples. Having wandered a bit and being separated, we caught up with each other and headed back after each getting a "souvenir" from a monk at the temple. Whether or not it was "authentic," we will never know but it was an experience that we both shared…along with 100's of others in Siem Reap (just look at their wrist). 

The outside of the FCC

The next days were spent exploring little cafes, bars, shops, and spas. When I tell you it was cheap, it was CHEAP. A 60 minute massage was the cost of a meal at Cosi or any other "high-end" fast food place. 

Needless to say, we spoiled ourselves. The eating establishments in this city were also on point and one of our favorite places was the FCC (thanks Claudine for the recommendation) or the Foreign Correspondents Club. It was a beautiful space with a lot of green and a serenity away from the noise and traffic. The spa here was also beautiful and of the highest quality. After a great spa experience we booked dinner for the next night and much to our surprise, it was the best meal we ate that week. 

The Visaya Spa @ the FCC

inside the Visaya Spa


 

The rest of the days and nights were spent at the pool at our hotel (The Royal Crown Hotel and Spa), enjoying Pub Street, eating in other "to do" establishments and enjoying the surroundings to the best we could.
Siem Reap was a great way to start my journey and would highly recommend it to anyone thinking Cambodia. 

Banned Book Week!

Until the 28th of this month, it's BANNED BOOK WEEK. Take a look at the following quotes from some author's in regards to BBW. There are some good ones in the mix.
Banned Book Week

My Birthday

Brunch @ the Baku Fairmont Flame Towers

The beautiful Veranda

On Septmber 22, 2013 I turned 34 years old. To mark this celebration, I invited some co-workers to do a couple things: to help me celebrate my special day but more importantly, start brunching all over the city.

Now, while this wasn't the standard UAE brunch (different beverage packages, a plethora of food) it was pretty good for having just opened.

waffle on a stick

a Mango nectar with a chocolate on top

As I looked around, I felt pretty comfortable (maybe all those brunches had de-sensitized me in some way) in my surroundings but it didn't have anything to do with the environment, food, or music (there was a harpist in the dining room playing for the crowd). 
The company that sat at my table was the reason I was so "at home," like I'd worked in Baku for years. It's funny how that happens...as you get older and meet new people, you instantly bond with them and it seems like you've known each other for years. I know the same can be true with my oldest friends. We don't have to speak everyday but when we do, we pick up right where we left off. You know it's a good one when...so as the harpist played "HBD" and my table (and the rest of the restaurant) sang, I raised my glass and said, "Here's to us, to you and the next year filled with shenanigans!" If that day is any indicator of what is to come, I know I'm in for a great ride. 

Rubber Duckie on a World Tour

Here's the duck in the Harbor of the Caspian Sea in Baku, Azerbaijan

     So I decided to re-launch my non-existent blog with a new name for a new purpose. On Sunday September 22, 2013 I will turn 34 years old. With the birthday looming, I began to ponder a lot about where my life has gone but more importantly, where I've been since I was born 34 years ago. 

     When I think about my life I look back at many great times with great people (many of whom I still in contact with). Of course, within those great times there were some pretty sad/ugly/dramatic filled episodes that frankly weren't needed. 

     I started my career in teaching 12 years ago as a wide-eyed enthusiastic teacher of the 5th grade in Woodbridge VA (btw, those kids are all 21. REALLY? WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?). Over the years, I've taught hundreds of students of varying ages, abilities, socio-economic status, and orientation. My ability to reach those students relied on many of my talents but most of all my experiences as a human. 

     Experiences brings me to the point of this newly launched blog...TRAVEL. Over my 12 years of teaching, I've had the pleasure of globe-trotting (in a most fabulous fashion I might add) around the world, adding to my database of experiences, sights, smells and sounds. 

    This blog will hopefully, inspire you to dream, to research, to open up but most of all to connect and GET OUT THERE. 
    So, starting Sunday September 22, 2013 I will embark on my goal of hitting a total of 40 countries before I turn 40 years old. I'll post pics, blog about food, fashion, experiences and life in general along the way. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts via this forum. I hope in some way you can connect and appreciate the wide world around you through my adventures.