Tag: adventure

Once upon a time…

… there was a gal named Jacqueline who wanted to start a blog. And not just any blog, but a blog she would hopefully update, and not lose interest in, or forget about as she had done one too many times before (bye Tumblr, see you on occasion, Pinterest).

I’ve been pretty good about posting something at least every couple of weeks, but I am leaving the Sunshine State to do a little bit of traveling for the next month or so. And once I’m in vacation-family-reunion-mode…

I’ll be going from: Orlando – Toronto – Quebec – Toronto – New York – New Jersey – DC? – Orlando? I’m still trying to organize my itinerary.

I will keep my Instagram as up to date as I can. Just a little hiatus, blog. I’ll see ya real soon!

Things I’ve Done… Things I Will Do

I think it’s important to reflect on your achievements, however glorious or frivolous they might have been. They might not be the biggest nor most important accomplishments, but when you think about the people you may have shared some of those moments with, what doors those events opened up, and what obstacles you’ve overcome, everyone has something they should be proud of. You are where you are today because you’ve done something, because you’ve had the support of people who care about you, and you’re a human being with goals and their own battles to fight, just like everyone else.

I was the 2nd place winner of the 2006 Imagine Schools State Science Fair. I’m a blood donor. I once out-ate all of my cousins at Cici’s Pizza when I was like, 12. I’ve held a job since I was 16, supporting myself through college. I’ve been a pescatarian since I was 18. I recycle. I make magic happen on the daily for guests at work. I am a college graduate. I was the Maid of Honor in my best friend’s wedding. I planned and saved for a trip abroad to Europe for the longest time and actually made it happen as a post-graduation present to myself last summer… 

I’ve got things I have yet to do, goals I’m determined to make. When it comes down to it, aside from my accomplishments, I’m most proud of how good I feel about some big, somewhat nerve-wracking things to come.

Julia Child

Julia Child, great American chef. She took French cuisine and made it accessible for everyday Americans through her timeless cookbooks and television show (a copy of which I bet your mother or your grandmother probably owns).

Miss Julia Child. She didn’t start cooking until she was 37.

So. If I go completely broke visiting every continent before I’m 30, that could actually be considered somewhat of an accomplishment, no? C:

What do you do?

What do I do? This is probably one of my least favorite questions ever. It’s right up there with: “Where are you from?” A question which I almost always follow with an “um” as I try to decide whether to give you my entire location history or just say “Canada.”

If you ask me what I do, more likely than you are curious about how I support yourself (and because I’m 23 now, I guess it’s not inappropriate to assume that I’m doing something with my time). So, yes. I do work full-time. Yes and no I do and don’t work within my field depending on how you look at it. But I don’t just work. While my job is a huge part of my life, it doesn’t define me.

I also spend a lot of time writing long distance friends . I am passionate about making and keeping connections with people from all walks of life, visiting places I’ve never been to, reading books before their movie adaptations are released, thrifting on Wednesdays, and satisfying my sweet tooth.

And what are you passionate about?

A lot of pressure exists out there to graduate, find a job in your field, and “settle.” Because that’s what you’re supposed to do. But this is 2015. It’s not what you have to do. It’s nice to feel secure, and to know “I’ve made it.” But at the same time, it’s not what a lot of people want. Myself included. I think. I’m still trying to figure that part out.