Some of you may know that for me, one of last months highlights was attending a beautiful wedding in Florence, Italy. I'd never been to Italy before, but I'd always dreamed of going. Hubby and I booked a lovely little studio on AirBnB as well as flights on a low-cost airline. I've traveled a lot, but usually I've gone very long distances and have therefore avoided the complications of the budget airline 'carry-on only' rule. But you know me, I...
I turned thirty in June. I tried not to... I wasn't ready for it. Like death, I've known for many years that it would happen, had things I wanted to achieve before it did, but it seemed to sneak up on me and when it did I just wanted to turn back the clock. Morbid? Maybe, but that was my mood. I've dealt with it now... mostly. I've done a lot of reflection on my current situation, my future and all the lessons I've learned in 30 years on Earth....
Many of you may know that I have recently moved. In my new country of residence, I have a few friends, some family, but I have lost most of my social and professional network. As a freelancer, this has had a major impact on my income... but then again, who better to face this challenge than the (self-declared) Queen of Frugal Living?
I have found a great deal of joy in planning my days, the routine and the structure of it are crucial to me as I...
Hello Darlings! If you've done a good job of cyber stalking me thus far, you already know about this. If you haven't been cyber stalking me... you should be ashamed of yourself! I wanted to come to this platform to share a very special post... You've already noticed that since last November my posting schedule has gone from 4 or more posts a month to an average of about two posts per month... Noooo.... I haven't gotten bored of blogging, but as...
Avid Reader: Whoaaa now. You're writing another post Joleen? But where have you been all this time? Joleen: I've been around... busy with multiple projects, some of which you'll hear about really soon! Avid Reader: So you just got busy and forgot us? You had no time for us anymore? Not impressed Jo... Joleen: Absolutely not! If I'm honest; I've also been a bit reticent to write, because I've not been certain I was comfortable with the direction...
I love moments like these; saying goodbye to one year and starting a new one... I always hope and plan to build my career that much bigger, that must faster each new year. I dread going back to work, but I also look forward to my first call to active duty; the first conference of the year.
Still, as we all do, I tend to spend the last few days of each year reflecting upon the trials and tribulations of the year gone by. I like to look at the...
Allegedly, every cloud has one. The thing is, these days we are sometimes too impatient - too blinded by the fog - to find our silver linings. The secret to finding them is knowing how and where to look! With a growing 'gimme, gimme, more, more, bigger, better NOW' culture, we expect a lot from the world. We constantly compare ourselves to others (Thank you, Facebook and Instagram!) and find ourselves lacking. "It isn't FAIR!" we say. "It's too...