A List for the New Year

Last year has come and gone and it is only natural to embrace the possibilities that 2011 has in store for each and every one of us. I don’t know about you, but I was most certainly not sad when 2010 came to an end. Yes, there were happy and glorious times (my graduation and amazing European trip), but the amount of stress I put on myself…I am never more happy to see it behind me.

One thing I have learned during my hardships of 2010 (and even dating back several years before then), was that every hardship I face is there for a reason. I firmly believe that life will always throw curveballs at us, and sometimes those curveballs will take us to a place we never thought we would ever see; however, through God’s graces, he will always see us through it. I had to constantly remind myself that “what does not kill me makes me stronger.” I’m still alive so, I’m only hoping now that what I have dealt with and experienced in my past will only help to make me stronger in the coming year.

So, in regards to the New Year, I have decided to start fresh…in many areas of my life. Not only am I following in the same resolutions as much of the world (losing weight and exercising), but I am going to make more time for God, so that I can have a deeper and closer relationship with him. In no way do I wish to force this notion upon anyone else, but for me personally, it is something that has been a long time coming and the time is now. Seeing as I will dedicate the time to work on my spiritual and physical health, I also wish to work on my aspirations and “goals” if you will.

For those of you who have seen “Eat, Pray, Love” you will remember that Julia Roberts claims to have a box, under her bed, full of the various destinations she hopes to travel to one day. I have decided to do the same. I may not have a box, but I have a brain and I figure that as long as I make a list than I’m good to go.

However, I’m not naïve in thinking that all of the places I wish to see will be easy tasks to fulfill. For travelers, not only do you have to have the want and desire to travel, but you have to have the need, the determination, and of course…money. Due to the fact that my current income is quite small, it may take me some time before I can begin to actually travel to these places. However, I will get there one day.

So…without further ado, here is a list of places I hope to travel to in my lifetime (Over time, the list will grow much longer…I am sure of it):


Dublin, Ireland
London, England
Edinburgh, Scotland
Auckland, New Zealand
Prague
Munich/Berlin, Germany
Bali, Indonesia
Nanking/Hong Kong, China
Verona/Florence/Sicily/Naples/Milan, Italy

Manila, Philippines

Athens, Greece

Lisbon, Portugal

Moscow, Russia

Vancouver/Quebec/Montreal, Canada

Madrid and Barcelona, Spain

Morocco

Cannes/Monaco, France

Santiago, Chile

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sydney, Australia

Papua New Guinea

Nepal

For anyone who has visited or even lives in these countries, I would love to hear from you. I would love to hear your stories, recommendations, advice, and anything else you would be willing to share. My list may seem far-fetched and unrealistic but like I said before, I do not expect to travel to each of these places every year. As a young, aspiring traveler, I realize it will take time and lots of hoping and praying in order for me to visit these destinations. However, what is the point of setting a goal and having a dream if you don’t plan to at least TRY and attempt to achieve that goal, right?