Live the life you want to live

ever feel like no one is listening?

I do.

Then again- I also believe and agree with the following:

“Good things happen to those who hustle.” 

~Anais Nin

Sometimes I feel like I am barking up a bare tree, knocking on empty doors, and shouting from the wrong rooftops with all this…I want Blue Lollipop Road to provide travel scholarships to young people in financial need so they have a chance to see outside their small world into a bigger one for educational, self-empowerment purposes, stuff. I push and push and push, and occasionally I manage to squeeze one drop of blood out of a stone that should be drowning in the red stuff.

I’m frustrated.

Over the years, I’ve felt disappointed and pissed off at people, the world- everything. Then I think of these two girls who’ve been gone nearly 20 years now, that inspire me to be thankful for every day I have, and that trip to Germany I scraped babysitting money together for, in 1994. I think of how that summer rocked my world, changed my life forever, and how I promised to never forget it. I look at this I’ve had branded on my left wrist- that I put there for many reasons, but mostly as an additional reminder of what kind of life I want to live, and legacy I want to leave:

Blue Lollipop Road tattoo

…and all of these above things keep me hustling through these times that feel like there’s nothing but a brick wall in front of me, and that no one out there really gives a shit.

I need help to make The Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship grow. I need help getting people to listen.

Even with my tried and true efforts, I somehow have not hit my stride/done whatever I need to do to be magical/what’s best and smartest to get this all to go boom, but I sure want to and I’m not afraid to work even  harder than I already have. I hate asking for help more than anything, but I’m tired of trekking this train alone, scraping by with pennies in the BLR bank account, and being in debt personally, piecing together random work- so I don’t have to take a 9 to 5 gig that on one hand could provide me with steady income, but on the other, suck me dry of energy, hours, and momentum required to make this as big and as awesome as I know it can be.

Maybe “reality” really does, bite- but at almost 36 years old, I’m still hoping not.

The mission of Blue Lollipop Road is to encourage a commitment to an active lifestyle and to support travel for education and self-empowerment. I’m on a mission, people! Can anybody out there help me…please?

I’m going to keep hustling. Who’s with me?

#WorkThatMatters #Travel #CryForHelp

0
0

solo travel = badass

Boy did the Today Show miss out on the perfect person to have on this solo travel segment. Me! I wonder if the woman who was rattling off her tips for travel has ever driven alone to Alaska, slept in her car at truck stops around the country, run trails around Bermuda alone, or sat in a Denny’s outside Oklahoma City sipping coffee while chatting with a 70 year old self proclaimed cowboy in the middle of the night. Just sayin’ 🙂

Hey Today Show! Hire me to be your expert next time. Solo travel is my middle name!

For anyone else who’s reading this, go forth and go far young ones, old ones, meek ones, bold ones! And go alone. The great world awaits! There’s no better way to find out what you’re made of and build a healthy sense of independence that will take you big places in life, than hitting the road…alone. Don’t worry and don’t be afraid, your peeps will be there when you get back. Go earn yourself a badass card. It’s totally liberating. You will have a blast. I promise.

Need some inspiration or a few ideas before hitting the “road”? Check this out, and happy travels!

How do you find your inner badass?

#JustDoIt #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #SoloTravel

0
0

news! updates! movin’ on up!

A move. Check.

Start concierge biz, so I can make some money and use my talents and experience to pay bills while I work on my bleeding heart projects (Read: Blue Lollipop Road/BLR Play It Forward/BLR Memorial Scholarship Fund.) Check.

Start a great gig with a fantastic local co-working space, spend time with totally awesome entrepreneurs and interesting business people. Check.

In process of redesign for a whole new website for BLR. Check.

Book writing continued. Amazing amounts of good progress. Check.

BLR Play It Forward/BLR Scholarship Fund details getting ironed out for a July event. Check.

Working so hard for so many years wondering if I will ever have that aha moment, and finally getting to a place where I have clarity on what I am an expert at, what I suck at, and moving forward with those findings. Check.

Foreign, and hard to absorb but totally welcome feeling; OMG! Things really are falling into place and momentum works! My blood, sweat, and those tears really did work. Check.

Pinch me. Check.

All happening. Check.

Happy. Check.

The seed was planted and the flag was in the ground a long time ago. I’ve poured firehoses of water to grown the seed, the plant has been stomped on, the flag has been bent and beaten down and broken, then taped back up again. About 86 times.

#GluttonForPunishmentButHeyThatsHowYouGetThere

#WouldntChangeAThing

Even though I might seem that I believe unicorns & rainbows make things happen, I’m really a believer in endurance and persistence to make things happen. (AKA: Working your a$$ off and giving a sh*t.) I’m not a big fortune from the fortune cookie, keeper- but I got this one years ago and It’s stayed tattered and believing in my wallet ever since:

Amen!

So a little thought/opinion/inspiration for today:

If you’re out there, and broke, exhausted, frustrated, or feeling like you’ve often lived on a island alone with no help, or that you might go nuts if you spend one more minute working on or over analyzing how you can make your dream/job/life/existence become a reality, first of all- welcome to the club. Second of all, good for you for not giving up. (Seriously- good for you!) Third of all, if you still believe in what you’re doing even though you might be nearing the end of your rope, don’t you dare stop or I will come find you and beat you. (Capeesh?:) Keep swinging the bat, take help and constructive criticism if It’s offered, but push negativity away, take steps back when you need to, maybe take a day, week, month off to regroup or rethink, but keep pushing. Endurance a persistence will be rewarded.

When people tell you you’re crazy, say “Thank you! I’ve worked my ass off for this crazy.”

What are you pushing for?

#NotStopping #IBelieve #WorkThatMatters

0
0

if I met you at the gap year fair a few hours ago and you’re reading this now…

…HI!!!

I loved chatting with students & parents about the big wide open amazing world that’s out there and why it is so incredibly important for young adults to get out and experience all they can before making big life decisions. I’m probably more passionate about this subject than any other, so it thrilled me to be at the USA Gap Year Fairs tonight, and see so many people open to the concept of a Gap Year.

I hope those I met and shared my information with, will drop me a line and let me know if I can help guide you in any way. I promise, if you take some time for travel and self-learning after high school, you will 1.) Have the time of your life 2.) Meet people and see places you never dreamed of 3.) Become a better human 4.) Find clarity about who you are and what you want 5.) Be best equipped to meet and exceed each and every one of your goals.

Believe.

I’m a huge advocate for Gap Years and living outside the otherwise pre-planned life schedule.

Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

#ThingsThatMatter #GapYear #LiveOfATraveler #NotLostJustExploring

0
0

how does this author know so much about me?

A friend sent me this blog post today and as I read it, I kept thinking; YES! YES! YES! That is totally me.

DON’T DATE A GIRL WHO TRAVELS

She’s the one with the messy unkempt hair colored by the sun. Her skin is now far from fair like it once was. Not even sun kissed. It’s burnt with multiple tan lines, wounds and bites here and there. But for every flaw on her skin, she has an interesting story to tell.

Don’t date a girl who travels. She is hard to please. The usual dinner-movie date at the mall will suck the life out of her. Her soul craves for new experiences and adventures. She will be unimpressed with your new car and your expensive watch. She would rather climb a rock or jump out of an airplane than hear you brag about it.

Don’t date a girl who travels because she will bug you to book a flight every time there’s an airline seat sale. She wont party at Republiq. And she will never pay over $100 for Avicii because she knows that one weekend of clubbing is equivalent to one week somewhere far more exciting.

Chances are, she can’t hold a steady job. Or she’s probably daydreaming about quitting. She doesn’t want to keep working her ass off for someone else’s dream. She has her own and is working towards it. She is a freelancer. She makes money from designing, writing, photography or something that requires creativity and imagination. Don’t waste her time complaining about your boring job.

Don’t date a girl who travels. She might have wasted her college degree and switched careers entirely. She is now a dive instructor or a yoga teacher. She’s not sure when the next paycheck is coming. But she doesn’t work like a robot all day, she goes out and takes what life has to offer and challenges you to do the same.

Don’t date a girl who travels for she has chosen a life of uncertainty. She doesn’t have a plan or a permanent address. She goes with the flow and follows her heart. She dances to the beat of her own drum. She doesn’t wear a watch. Her days are ruled by the sun and the moon. When the waves are calling, life stops and she will be oblivious to everything else for a moment. But she has learned that the most important thing in life isn’t surfing.

Don’t date a girl who travels as she tends to speak her mind. She will never try to impress your parents or friends. She knows respect, but isn’t afraid to hold a debate about global issues or social responsibility.

She will never need you. She knows how to pitch a tent and screw her own fins without your help. She cooks well and doesn’t need you to pay for her meals. She is too independent and wont care whether you travel with her or not. She will forget to check in with you when she arrives at her destination. She’s busy living in the present. She talks to strangers. She will meet many interesting, like-minded people from around the world who share her passion and dreams. She will be bored with you.

So never date a girl who travels unless you can keep up with her. And if you unintentionally fall in love with one, don’t you dare keep her. Let her go.

Confession:

I’m amidst one of the worst winter-duldrum/when does this end and get warm again already/why am I not living in the tropics/on the road full time right now- times I’ve ever had. I’m sure you’re probably thinking boo-hoo, Diane- don’t you travel enough? Haven’t you been to enough spots? Aren’t you thankful for what you have done and where you have gone? Well, no, no, and yes. Travel is simply a part of my heart & soul. I can’t explain it. The above blog post makes me want to run- not walk, and do more.

I’ve tried so hard to shake this pesky bug, this lifestyle, this insatiable hunger for all things exploration and travel, but I just can’t. Sigh. I want to (I really do!) I want to be “normal” but I just can’t be. I’ve realized more and more lately, that probably the only thing that will ever keep me happy is living light and free; Free to stay if I want, to go if I want, to embrace the full “Me-ness” that is me, the forever overly curious, fight to feel truly alive everyday, wanderer.

At the moment I’m under a big blanket feeling cold, stuck, pretty uninspired, and not really myself. In an effort to ditch those yuck feelings, I just perused a bunch of my goofy, fun, and slightly ridiculous travel photos:

The above photo should actually say; I just love everything…TRAVEL. 

Ok, now I feel better. I guess when those blah, endless feeling wintery days strike- It’s best to fight back with memories of all the awesome that has been a part of my life already, and all that is still to come.

The reason I started my current BLR 365 project (have you seen it and gotten on board yet?) is exactly for days like this. I really do believe we can feel totally alive and make everyday an adventure, even when we are feeling glum/stuck/yuck. It’s all about taking a minute during your standard day, to look back, dream forward, do something creative, or let your mind wander about all that’s possible in the future.

What makes your soul burst with excitement?

#LifeOfATraveler #Wanderlust #StayUnstuck

PS~ A huge THANK YOU! To my always supportive, fellow lover of all things travel & adventure, fantastic friend, David who sent me Don’t date a girl who travels.

0
0

nothing says christmas like the caribbean

1.) I survived Chicago a couple weeks ago! (Even though I froze my butt off:) It was -3 degrees one of the days, I got to stuff my face with some of the best food around, catch up with a bunch of super fun friends, and celebrate the marriage of two amazing guys who are some of my favorite people in the world. YAY!

2.) Last week? I spent (or should I say we spent) Christmas in the Caribbean. (OMG am I a happy camper.) We drove to Florida to our port and cruised away into the warm. What a week it was. My kind of holiday is sand and surf. YAY!

I’ll share photos from my last two trips, and a few BLR updates and happenings for 2014 soon. For now, I’m writing to say…

HERE’S TO THE BEST NEW YEAR YET AND LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT.

How are you going to live like you mean it in the new year?

#LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #LiveLikeYouMeanIt #NewYearNewPossibilities

0
0

a freeze and thaw december

‘Tis the season for holiday travel!

I’m en route to Chicago now (BRRR…) and no surprise a major delay on my flight (BOO…) so I will miss a lunch date at one of my most favorite Windy City chow spots, but at least I have the rest of a long food, love, fun-filled wedding weekend to look forward to. (Maybe I didn’t really need those pretzel encrusted pancakes with white chocolate sauce today anyway. I do have to fit into a pretty tight dress on Saturday night.) I cannot wait to be back in one of my favorite ever cities!

In an effort to balance out the chill, we are going to the Carribean for Christmas! (Whoop!) Nothing says Happy Holidays to me like a sandy beach, warm sunshine, a tropical drink, and a super-awesome, fun, cute man to frolic and adventure with. Thank you, Santa!

Having a home base is good and all, but lets face it- travel rules and the road will always call. (For me anyway.) I love watching people, I love new experiences, new foods, and exploring everything possible. I can’t imagine that ever changing. As I sit here in the hustle and bustle of the busy CLT airport, I feel invigorated and alive. So many places to go, so much to see, so little time…

Travel Channel, Discover Channel, Travel company X- when are you going to hire me already? 🙂

What makes you feel invigorated and alive?

#CantShakeTheTravelBug #TravelJunkie #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad

0
0

people who make you stop and think

Brave people inspire me. Brave people I know personally inspire me even more:

This morning, a very good friend of mine who is kind, fun, smart, and wise and mature far beyond her years shared with the world a big secret she’s been struggling with for a long time because she was inspired by someone else who shared a big secret. (Love that kind of snowball effect!) Even though I’ve known this person is strong and fearless- and I’ve known of her secret for a while now, I never thought she’d actually shout it from the rooftop like she did today. I am so proud of her! What an amazing and brave young woman. If only we all opened up and shared our struggles a bit more, perhaps we’d realize how similar we are to each other and feel a little less alone during times we feel like we’re the “only one.”

Perspective is good. Just when I think I have enough, I realize It’s probably impossible to have enough:

This morning I also got word that the mother of a good old friend of mine from back home has passed away. This mom was a sweet, funny, supportive mom, came to nearly every soccer game we played years ago, and attended BLR Play It Forward the past 2 years. Her daughter, my friend (and big sister in soccer), has the kind of happy-go-lucky, goofball, fun energy about her that makes everyone love her and want to be around her more. This news of her moms passing makes me sad, but reminds me once again to be thankful for special old friends, to appreciate time together, and the importance of being there for someone during a heartbreaking or difficult time.

Inspiring stories of bravery, and sad stories of loss like these help me stay conscious about how I spend my time, driven to do work that matters, and incredibly thankful for the memories of great people I’ve had the fortune to meet along the way.

What gave you perspective this week?

#ThingsThatMatter #Perspective #Bravery

0
0

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY BLUE LOLLIPOP ROAD!

YIPPEE!!!

Today is Wednesday October 16, and this makes b-day number 5 for BLR. Let’s celebrate!

Cupcake anyone?!

She-Daisy Cupcakery Cupcake

This is the perfect time to write about the above de-lish treat (sun drop pound cake with a sun drop glaze and lemon buttercream) that Wendi, Owner of She Daisy Cupcakery gifted me a few weeks ago after she bought a pair of my vintage Frye boots. (Craigslist rocks.) So yeah, I took a treat from a stranger. (I seem to keep breaking all those rules our parents told us to live by.) Wendi was a blast to talk to. She quit a career that was blah, followed her passion to the land of things sweet- and voila a cupcake company! Another good story about a random encounter with a hard-working, inspiring person who followed their heart. I love being able to share about these kind of people here.

Without a doubt the best part of these past 5 years on the Blue Lollipop Road, has been meeting new people, the kindness of strangers, and spending time with those already in my life that I love. What else is there, really?

Ahhh- yes, the people I’ve met along the way, who share similar interests:

Million Mile Joe

Hood River, Oregon travel people

Allen & Judy Kirkwood on Alaska Ferry Boat

Meet Jack Burrows: Blue Lollipop Road

…the cities I’ve fallen in love with:

Chicago skyline from my apartment

Toronto view

…my various office locations:

Blue Benn Diner Office

Coffee Shop Office

Finger Lakes Office

My BLR Chicago Office

Coffee Shop Office

Coffee Shop Patio Office

…the food I’ve noshed on:

Chicago Brunch de-lish

Food truck tacos

Bongo Room Pancakes

Blue Benn Diner breakfast appetizer

…the places that’ve helped me find the way back to myself:

Thank you Argentina! I found myself again

…the signs that make me laugh:

Signs at The Chocolate Barn

Signs In Bathrooms

Upstate, NY Road Signs

Farmer's Market

Funny Signs: Blue Lollipop Road

Funny Signs: Blue Lollipop Road

…the excitement, energy, and adorable kids (and adults) who keep the Strong Mojo alive:

BLR Play It Forward Day 2012

Ben & Sam with blue tongues

The Carter Girls playing mini gold in BLR tees

Blue Lollipop Kids!

Caleb & Carter with blue tongues

Scott & Sierra love blue lollipops

…the adventure from coast to coast and beyond:

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

BLR-Mobile at the Alaska Border

BLR in Bermuda

The original Blue Lollipop Road: Cafayete, Argentina

Henna in India

Bermuda sights

Iquazu Falls, Argentina

London

"Crabbing" in Ketchikan, Alaska

…the lessons I’ve learned:

BLR inspiration

…the special friends I’ve reconnected with:

BLR Play It Forward Day 2012

BLR Play It Forward 2013

BLR PLay It Forward Day 2012

BLR PLay It Forward Celebration Cocktails 2013

…honoring lost friends by giving back to hometown female athletes, so they have the opportunity to go out and see a bigger world too:

BLR Memorial Scholarship recipients Hannah Patterson & Mercedes Chen

(Above left 2012 Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship recipient Hannah Patterson, and 2013 recipient Mercedes Chen at a recent soccer game:)

…events with good friends in beloved landmarks:

Cubs at Wrigley!

…the strangers out there who’re also on the Blue Lollipop Road:

BLR partners in crime

…the freedom I have found and felt:

Finding freedom on the Blue Lollipop Road

Finding freedom on the Blue Lollipop Road

…the truths I’ve come to know and trust:

Knowing what makes me richer

…the journeys and daydreaming in the sky:

Plane ride to Bermuda

…and on the road:

VA farm country

…the cheesy places I’ve been:

BLR-Mobile at South of the Border

…and the beautiful:

Napa hot air balloon mornings

…the nicknames I’ve acquired:

Nicknames

…knowing that there will always be bumps, so I better strap in tight:

Buckle up on the BLR

…never losing faith in things that I hope for:

I think so too

Things I wish

…and to wherever, and whatever- the road leads to next:

The Blue Lollipop Road

5 years ago today I drove down a road in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and “Blue Lollipop Road” popped ever so randomly into my head as I was brainstorming a best way to share my stories with more than just family and close friends. Who knew this is what it would become! I’ve managed all the above on a shoestring budget and with no plan whatsoever. I didn’t grow up with a trust fund, I never spent my childhood jet-setting the globe with my parents (I barely made it out of the state of Vermont until I was 15), I’ve never taken any writing or computer classes (I’m sure that is very obvious considering my regular grammatical errors and other:), and at the risk of sounding so cliche’- I’m just a small town wildly curious kid, that came from humble beginnings, learned in an heartbreaking incident at a very young age how short life is, and since then have decided that every day is a chance and a choice to live like I mean it. During my journeys on this Blue Lollipop Road, I’ve learned things that’ve absolutely changed my perspective and my life as a whole, I’ve seen places that’ve taken my breath away, and I’ve met people I wouldn’t have been able to in my wildest dreams- all because of this platform. Now that is something to celebrate!

I’ve written and shared here in and effort to keep myself in check and awake about what’s really important, to prevent myself from falling into the drone-zone, and to remember all the things that are possible. I hope by visiting here, you stay fired-up about life, like a kid in a candy store too.

Here’s to the next 5 years, and to going for it all.

What are you celebrating today?

#HappyBirthday #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #ThisIsWhatILove

0
0