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Koh Tao, Thailand
March 1, 2012
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Koh Tao, relationships, Round the World, sex, Thailand, travel

Turning around.

When I turned around, Aaron, one of the only others who stayed behind, asked me why I didn't go with them. And I replied, "I don't know." Because none of my excuses seemed valid. Then Aaron asked me if I wanted to go book a ticket with...

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Bucket vendors in Koh Phangan, Thailand
February 28, 2012
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Koh Phangan, relationships, Round the World, sex, Thailand, travel

On expectations.

I expected Koh Phangan to be a party town. One where I'd spend my days relaxing on the beach and my nights drinking buckets until I passed out. In five nights there, though, I mostly sipped beer, nary finished a bucket, hardly even made it...

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January 23, 2012
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Laos, Luang Prabang, relationships, Round the World, sex, travel

…and doing another.

In retrospect: showing a guy the condom that you keep in your purse and telling him that you have your own room may send a strong signal. Like that he should ask if he should come upstairs before he even kisses you. And that when you...

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Drinking by the river in Vang Vieng, Laos.
January 20, 2012
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Laos, relationships, Round the World, sex, travel, Vang Vieng

I’m going to die here.

After a bumpy bus ride from Vientiane, one that was an hour late in arriving and only made pit stops by the side of the road, forcing me to pee in a bush, we arrived in Vang Vieng: a backpackers mecca revolving around rafting, drinking,...

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Hue, Vietnam
January 3, 2012
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Hue, relationships, Round the World, sex, travel, Vietnam

I’m not going to drink tonight.

I make weird faces at myself in the mirror. It's a quirky little habit that I picked up somewhere in my lifetime. Pursed lips, puffed cheeks, flipped tongue, squinted eyes. All kinds of nonsensical expressions. I've recently noticed I do it on Skype too, so...

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Nha Trang, Vietnam
December 23, 2011
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Nha Trang, relationships, Round the World, sex, travel, Vietnam

Scenes from Nha Trang, Vietnam.

I didn't even really want to go to Nha Trang, Vietnam. I'd heard it was beautiful, but after spending way too long in Sihanoukville I wasn't quite in the mood for another party beach town. But I wanted a quick one or two day diversion...

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia
December 16, 2011
in Asia, Cambodia, relationships, Round the World, Sihanoukville, travel

Awkward goodbyes in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

The next day was more than a little awkward. We said our goodbyes and I left to see if I could find a room. I went back to the place I was staying at before and they said to check back in an hour. And...

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Koh Rong Island, Cambodia
December 15, 2011
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Cambodia, Koh Rong Island, relationships, Round the World, Sihanoukville, travel

Silence. (Koh Rong Island, Cambodia)

"Find a man who thinks your silence is beautiful." I often remember those words that an old artist told me while we were sitting in a bar in Amsterdam. It was a chance and brief encounter. He probably never would remember me or remember uttering those...

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia: All sharks should come with the Jaws theme song.
December 14, 2011
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Cambodia, relationships, Round the World, sex, Sihanoukville, travel

Sihanoukville, Cambodia: All sharks should come with the Jaws theme song.

The bartender, one of about seven working behind the small bar of Monkey Republic asked me where I was from. When I said "America" he didn't believe me. Apparently when they were all talking in a language I didn't understand and glancing over at me...

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Finding Paradise in Koh Lanta, Thailand
November 27, 2011
in Asia, Bad Decisions, Koh Lanta, relationships, Round the World, sex, Thailand, travel

Paradise.

Again came just five days later. Gabriel and I arranged to meet in Koh Lanta, a nearby island, where we rented a bungalow for three nights on a quiet beach. It rained. A lot. But there was just enough sun for swimming, for lying in...

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Hi, I’m Val. I spent most of my 20s in a standstill, unable to pick which path in life I wanted to take. I wanted the nomadic life of a traveler but also wanted the husband, the condo, and the teal couch. Unable to decide which life I wanted more, I did nothing. I lived my life in limbo. When I turned 30 I’d had enough of putting my life on hold and decided to start “choosing my figs.” So, I quit my job and bought a one-way ticket to Europe. After 3 years on the road I’m back in Chicago, exploring the city, learning guitar, decorating my apartment in too much teal, cuddling my cats, and planning my next adventures.

            

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2006 –

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO IN YOUR LIFE?


Feeling stuck? Sick of living your life in limbo? Want to finally do all those things you always say you're going to do? Sign up for the Choosing Figs newsletter now to get a FREE e-book with tips on starting your own life list, inspiration for things to do in life, and worksheets to get your life goals out of your head and into action!


Your information will be used to send you our Life List e-book and subscribe you to our bi-monthly newsletter. View our full Privacy Policy.



            


MEOW | Is Val in Chicago?