As a writer,
a person who lets her fingertips tap dance back and forth across a keyboard for hours each day
in coffee shops and cafes,
I’m mobile.
I’m flexible in hours and location and lifestyle.
My office, my whole career, is tangled in the web. And my book- that weight loss memoir I’m penning at age 27- she’s locked up tight in a 14” PC prison.
So long as I’ve got a computer, I’ve got a career. So long as my fingers remain unsprained and my mind undisturbed (who’s kidding who?), my chosen field is sprawling. Limitless, really.
And so this year,
being freer than I’ve been in many years, as a professional writer, I’m going to travel to places far away and write. Mostly because every morning that I wake up, I say to myself,
Andie, you’re blessed and bold, go
see
do
tell
scare yourself
teeter on the very ledge of your comfort zone.
Tomorrow I’m leaving the States and traveling to Central America for two and a half months of living in small beach towns, surfing communities, and jungles-
places that hopefully embrace a gal in the same bathing suit six days out of seven, lounged and locked lips with her laptop.
But as for you and me,
what really matters here,
not much will change. I’ll be online daily. I’ll be writing just as I always have.
I’ll still be cooking and eating lustfully, though perhaps more exotically. Which,
I think
we’ll both enjoy.
And you’ll be here too, through jungle-d pictures and insect bites and sun-burned posts and *precarious adventures.
*Someone comfort my mother.
Same blog, different country.
WOW! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures! HOW EXCITING!!! THRILLING! CONGRATS!!!
Wow. I am so envious. I hope one day to not only be in my happy physical place but to be writing, professionally, as my career.
*sigh*
Don’t forget sunscreen
Andie,
You will be missed here in Seattle but I look forward to reading about some sunny and delicious adventures. Safe travels!
Best,
Jameson
I did that about 10 years ago, for a full year. It was amazing! Perspective is the best thing about traveling. It will change you forever. Don’t forget about El Salvador and Nicaragua. Have fun and be safe, lucky girl!
How fun! Can’t wait to read about your adventures.
This is my dream! Someday…..when the kids are grown. What an amazing time in your life! Enjoy!
Safe travels.
Stacey
Travel on, adventure girl! I will be waiting to read and dream of my own adventures!
I’m from Costa Rica. Are you heading in that direction by chance? I’d love to give you some of my favorite out-of-the-way destinations. You are so lucky to be able to travel like this. Safe journey, my friend. Enjoy every minute of life, at every turn. Can’t wait to hear all about your adventures.
LU! Yes, I’ll be staying in Costa Rica for most of my time in Central America. First- Puerto Viejo, then Manuel Antonio. I would adore your suggestions, friend!
Hi there,
I’ve been following your blog for some time now and loving every tasty morsel of it! I’m so excited to hear you’re traveling to CR! I ventured down there in 2010 for about five months and stayed for about a month in Puerto Viejo! I think I may have had a mango a day the entire month down there. Also, if you find yourself traveling through the Los Santos region, you might find yourself some avocado ice cream. YUM! Buenas suerte!
Good for you! Enjoy every bite :)
Doll,
I am so super excited for you! This is amazing. I am so jealous but excited to be part of your exploring. I cannot wait for what is to come. Please share all the details!
How exciting! Congrats!
This post couldn’t have come at a better time….I’m going to be starting a new job myself and I’m terrified-but seeing those few lines you wrote? It was reassuring….Thank you!
Is your pug and man going with you? :-D
Hey K,
No, DeeDee will stay here with her mom and dad (my parents) in all her pug glory. And, sad to say that Daniel and I broke up.
Andie
Sorry to hear that, but what a perfect time to go on this adventure – Soak up EVERY MINUTE! Have a great time! Can’t wait to read about it from my boring cubicle :-)
Oh dear, I am so sorry for bringing that up then . Even more so then, I wish you the best of luck on this exciting adventure and look forward to you finishing your book–the sooner for us to read it!! I haven’t anticipated a book this badly in my life, just so you know how awesomely awesome you are to me. :-D
Be safe, eat well, and have fun!
Such awesome news! Enjoy!!! You deserve it!
How exciting! I will be with you along your journey through Central America. Cannot wait! :)
Have a great time!! Can’t wait to follow your adventures!
Andie,
I m truly exited for you! Can’t wait to read about your adventures out of the U.S. :)
That’s so wonderful!!! I hope you have the best experience ever. Have you considered adopting the “Yes Man” mentality? Saying yes to any (physically safe) opportunity could make it even MORE interesting. :)
Such fun! Have an amazing time!
Have a deliciously thrilling time – looking forward to reading everything that unfolds.
Your trip sounds so exciting and relaxing! Have a fun 2.5 month in bathing suit!
I applaud you and your adventurous life! So many dream of such adventures but so very few actually live them! Good luck and Great times I pray for your journey.
Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Andie,
This post is so inspiring. I am currently traveling too, and am simply adoring the ability to just experience and write and LIVE. Do you have any advice for a gal who wants to keep writing, and possibly pursue it as a career? And maybe travel the world while doing so?
Thanks a million, and I hope your tropical fruit is bountiful.
Marian
Oh Andie! Good luck in your travels, I hope they bring you so many wondrous adventures and delicious forays into local culture :) this year I am taking a big left turn in my career as a dietitian and am going back to graduate school to learn about writing, editing and publishing. I have to thank you for a part in this decision, you are a role model for what I would like to pursue for my profession and a source of inspiration. I wish you all the best in your new home and as a fellow gypsy, safe travels always.
xx Amy
Safe and happy travels Andie. I look forward to reading all about the wonderful places and food …
Wow, this sounds absolutely amazing! I am so glad to have found your blog, you are a great inspiration and part of the reason I am thinking of going into writing myself. Have a fabulous trip. Cannot wait to see all the yummy food and scenery.
I just recently started following your blog, so I’m very excited to see where your journey takes you and to live vicariously through your travels! Have fun!
Wow! That is awesome! I can’t wait to read about your travels!
Gosh…how exciting! Look forward to following along on your journey!
Katie
you’re doing exactly what i would do if i had your career…have fun and be bold!
I love quest stories. Please make this a quest. Let’s say, Merlin sends you on a quest to find the golden grail from which the king must drink to save his life, kind of quest. Along the way, you find out more about yourself than find the grail, which is really the quest. I send you all of my best wishes on your adventures.
How exciting!!!!! I can’t wait to see what life brings you over the next few months.
How adventurous! Have fun and be safe and all that jazz! I love reading your blog and I can’t wait to read about your travels!
I am green with envy! But so glad I get to live vicariously through you and your
travels. Be safe sweet lady and ENJOY!!!
So looking forward to hearing about these new adventures! Just keep telling your mom you’ll be careful. Over and over. :)
I am SO excited to read about your adventures! That’s so awesome & bold of you. ENJOY!
that’s sooo exciting! sounds like a dream… wish i could join ;)
Amazing!! So happy for you!! Can’t wait to read along on your adventures. Can I come in your suitcase? :)
Safe travels! Can’t wait to read all about your adventures!!
Looks amazing!! Enjoy your time away from the states and I hope it helps you write your best :)
Congratulations. I love the thought of it and will be glad to see the pics and words along the way.
Oh I can’t wait to read about your adventures and see the beautiful pictures. I would say I’m jealous, but at least I kinda get to live it with you!
That’s incredible! I can’t wait to follow along on your journey. Have so much fun!!
Have an AMAZING time! I can’t wait to read about your travels. If only I could join you.. sigh.
Find a blooming Jacaranda tree to sit under and eat some fried plantains, black beans and rice and a Carambola for me! I am happy for you and so glad I get to read about your adventure!
Holy crap, are you serious? That is amazing! I can’t wait for stories and pictures!
Wow I’m so excited to hear about all your adventures! It sounds amazing!
How wonderful! Enjoy it. relish it. Your everything I hope my daughter is someday….bold, fearless, talented, loved.
xo
So, so, so exciting! I cannot wait to see/hear about this jouney. Thank you for sharing it with all of us! Safe travels!
Have a great trip! Super jealous – we have talked about going to Central America for ever!
Can’t wait to see what regional recipes and activities you find!
How exciting! I’m so excited to follow along with your adventures.
And then when you need something completely opposite from your tropical travels, come visit me in upstate NY ;)
Now you’ve done it Andie. Pushed me right from envy to complete jealousy*. That being said….WOOOO HOOOOO!!!! You Go Girl!! ?Habla Espanol? Can’t wait to watch the adventure unfold.
*my life is truly amazing** and I am completely blessed
**not amazing like i get to just go off and live in a foreign country for two years, but amazing none the less!
!Via con Dios! y !Buena Suerte!
Shannon
Enjoy it! I’m quite jealous, but I can still be excited for you. Thank goodness you blog so that I can give us a small piece of this adventure. Bon Voyage!
Oops. I need sunshine. (I’m also a Northwesterner). That should ready so that you can give us….. That might have been a freudian slip from my envy.
Awesome! That sounds amazingly brilliant. I hope you go to some places that have pupusas and plantains. Yum yum, I love ’em. Have fun, be safe, live life!
Wow, that sounds amazing!!! Enjoy and be safe and have a wonderful time :)
Holy s***! How fun!
1) I’m SO envious
2) Sad to hear about the BF…hope you’re doing well.
3) How in the world do you swing that? I need a tutorial on how to MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
Fair winds, my friend! Have so much fun – can’t wait to see photos. Let me know if they anchor your boat near the Potomac River in upcoming months. ;)
Weird. I was sure I’d left a comment here but now I don’t see it! I think what I said was something like:
Can I please have your life for maybe 15 minutes or so?
I’m 41 years old with a good amount of weight to lose and I want to be a real grown-up writer some day. So you’re pretty much my hero.
Can’t wait to read about all the ways you’ll be torturing your mother with your adventures!
Have fun and be safe.
Oh wow! How exciting!!! I will be looking forward to hearing all about your adventures! Every person needs to live in another country at some point in their life if the opportunity presents itself. I did after high school and never regretted the decision. The experience is an integral part of who I am today.
Safe and happy travels to you :-)
Luckyyyyyyyy!!!!!
Wow, that sounds amazing! I really want to travel but my 9 to 5 gives me limited vacation. However, there are plenty of opportunities to teeter on the edge of my comfort zone right here where I live. And if I’m not willing to step out of my comfort here and now, why do I think I’d do it on a grander scale if given the opportunity?
Great post! So inspiring!
Andie, that is great! I know you will experience amazing things. It will be fun to see all these great places through your words – almost as good as being there:)
My prayers go with you for this truly fantastic opportunity – enjoy and live it up!
So jealous. What a wonderful thing to be able to do. Can’t wait to “travel” along!
Andie! This is beyond thrilling! Beyond exciting! I can’t wait to come on your adventure with you!
How exciting, you go girl! I look forward to vicariously living through your adventures on the blog!
So. Freaking. Amazing.
I wish you the best in your writing, adventures, and going out of your comfort zone.
Have an amazing trip. Isn’t living just wonderful?! (Besides the whole figuring out who you are and dealing with the mess life brings – important but less wonderful while in the middle of it.)
Congrats and share lots of photos, pretty please!
the phrase ‘living the dream’ comes to mind. Enjoy!!!!!!!
Andie I am so excited for you! You are amazing and so positive, you deserve a fantastic trip. I can not wait to hear about the adventures (food and non-food) that you will have in Central America.
have a great adventure Andie! I’d kill to have such freedom. it must be so exciting to be your instagram-follower *hint