I’ve been bursting with excitement to tell you all some wonderful news! In one month, I am off to some amazing places and will be engaged in the most travel I’ve done in years! Some of it is for pleasure and well, the other trip is a complete surprise. So let me give you a couple clues on where I’m going….
First is my newly acquired reading list….
First week of April: Family ski trip for Spring Break with the kids
End of April: First ever mother and daughter trip with me, my sister and mom.
Meanwhile my dad (aka Papa) will be helping my hubbie babysit the kids (He is calling it “payback” time for all the times my mother has come to watch my kids while my dad and I travel climb mountains). I studied about in Paris back in 1993 so it is a very special place to me. We will also travel south to Marseille where I spent the summer of 1994 as a business intern and haven’t been back since!
End of May: India!!!!
Photo taken in November 2009 when I spent two days in India en route to Nepal.
This trip is a total surprise and I am beyond thrilled to tell you that I have been invited on the first Global Team of 200 Insight trip along with the absolutely amazing Jennifer James, founder of Global Team of 200 and Mom Bloggers for Social Good. We will be going as journalists to learn about maternal health and meet with our global NGO partners as well as Indian social good bloggers. I am so incredibly excited I can hardly stand it as this has been a dream of mine ever since I started my blog.
I am going to write a lot more about this trip as it comes closer. However, it does show that dreams can come true as long as you chase them! I have been following Jennifer James, one of the pioneer women bloggers, for almost two years now and first heard of her work when she went on the highly publicized ONE Moms trip to Kenya a few years ago.
It seems like fate.
I followed her blog and journey in Kenya and told myself that someday I would be there too. Now fast forward to almost two years since I saw her story on ABC News and I will be not only “there” but with her! I am so incredibly humbled and honored.
Once April hits, I’ll be on the ground running and can hardly wait!
Stay tuned…
Wow! you’re going to be very busy Nicole! Good luck with everything chica and I can’t wait to hear all about your trips and see your photos!
Thanks Lucy! Still want to make it to Thailand someday!
Looking forward to following your exciting travels via your sharing on the blog.
Thanks so much! I can hardly wait!!!
I’m so excited for you! It sounds like an epic adventure. I’ve just returned from India, and I found it absolutely fascinating. I just posted my own photos of the stunning Taj Mahal as well, if you care to check them out 😉
Thanks Jessica! I can hardly wait. I will move over and check your pictures out too! 🙂 I went to the Taj back in 2009 after a trip to Nepal. It was the only thing I saw in India but amazing. 🙂
Sounds like a whirlwind–enjoy! I look forward to reading all about it here.
Thanks. It is a lot, especially as a stay at home mom. Yet I’m so lucky my husband and even my kids are so incredibly supportive!
You have an amazing few months planned, can’t wait for you to share all the adventures with us 🙂
Thanks Sas! It is going to be crazy but I can hardly wait!
What a grand adventure ahead of you–congratulations.
Yes it is going to be crazy! Thankfully my husband and even my kids (age 6 and 8) are incredibly supportive and my biggest cheerleaders! 🙂
Fabulous! So happy for you, Nicole.
Thanks Jo! It is going to be busy but I am really excited. It seems like life is finally after all these years making some sense!
Nicole, I am o excited for you, and know that you will do a beautiful job of sharing your trips and what you learn with the rest of us,! For that I am so grateful, because I love to travel in pictures and stories as much as I love to travel in person.
Thanks Elizabeth! 🙂
Great news. Enjoy ur trip…
Thanks! I’m really excited. Wishing I had time for Nepal…
It all sounds so fabulous. I will be following along vicariously with you Nicole. 🙂
Thanks LuAnn! I’m so lucky that my husband and kids are so incredibly supportive! It really helps.
Nicole, this is so exciting! I know how much you will share with your readers and I’m really excited for the trip!
Thanks Terri! I am really excited. 🙂
Congrats on the trips and future memories! And I seem to remember you were saying Asia was too far away…
Ha Ha that is true. I meant for a personal sightseeing trip. I’d go nuts! The India trip will be a long haul and only 6 days yet it is all business and work. So no sightseeing but plenty of learning!!!
Nicole, that’s fabulous news! Don’t you just love these “dreams come true?” I felt that way about Petra. And the mother/ daughter trip should be a total blast. Looking forward to hear where you’re going in India – it’s such a wonderfully diverse country – and following along. All the best, Terri
Thanks so much Terri! I am really excited! It took 41 years to get here, lots of terrible jobs and now I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do! 🙂
Wonderful!
Thanks! I am really really excited! 🙂
How lovely! You are going to have an AMAZING time in India. I look forward to reading your posts… 🙂
How wonderful for you Nicole! Congratulations 🙂
Thanks Madhu! 🙂
Do let me know if there is any possibility of your heading South 🙂
Thanks Madhu! I wish there was but I’m thinking we won’t be near your city. Would absolutely love to meet you!!!!
What a grand trip you are taking with your mother and sister. Have a great time!
I’m visiting China in May. Earlier you said you might have some tips for the trip. If you have time, I’d love to hear from you. Thanks, Nicole!
How wonderful!!! Where are you going? I went to Beijing and Shanghai along with the Great Wall. I have a lot of posts on my trip for those three areas. Shoot me an email if you like with any questions/tips! thirdeyemom@yahoo.com
How exciting!
Fabulous news Nicole. And so well deserved!
You are so kind! 🙂 Thanks….