Gettin’ Carried Away

Ten years in the making: a decade of writing and traveling

I can’t believe it’s New Year’s Day 2010! When I think back to the year 2000, it feels like a lifetime ago.

In 2000…

I attended high school.
I learned how to drive.
I wrote a monthly e-newsletter about the Backstreet Boys.
I took pictures with disposable cameras.
I flew on a plane for the first time in my life.

Ten years ago, I was just a kid enjoying life and beginning my journey as a writer and a traveler. In the years ahead, I would continue this journey…which is still far from seeing an end.

In 2001…

I mourned for all those directly affected by 9/11.
I played softball at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orland, Florida.
I sent post card after post card to document my trip.

In 2002…

I sang with my high school chorus in Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Canada.
I attended a mass with Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada.
I stared, in awe, at Niagra Falls…twice.
I participated in mock trials and the study of law two weeks at the Law & Advocacy session for the National Student Leadership Conference in New York, New York and Washington, D.C.
I wrote myself emails detailing my travels, because I didn’t know any other form of “blogging.”
I spent four months learning how to write a research paper…and I loved every minute of it.
I loved reading The Great Gatsby and The Crucible and chose English as my favorite subject.

In 2003…

I started college.
I moved to the Northside of Chicago.
I explored each neighborhood around every stop on the Red Line from Loyola to Roosevelt.
I enjoyed school, but my favorite course was English 101.

In 2004…

I moved back home to suburbia Chicago.
I enjoyed a week of fun in Orange County and Los Angeles, California.
I received my first digital camera: a SONY Cybershot.
I signed up on Webshots.com so that I could share my travel photos with the world.
I joined MySpace.com and began writing about my travels on my MySpace blog.
I spent eight days in Rome, Italy.
I took a day trip to Florence, Italy.

In 2005…

I rang in the new year, celebrating at Campo di Fiori in Rome, Italy.
I moved to New York.
I explored every area of Manhattan.
I moved back home to suburbia Chicago.
I became the Features Editor of my college newspaper.

In 2006…

I spent my first week of being a “legal” adult in Sin City aka Las Vegas, Nevada.
I went back to New York for two weekend getaways.
I studied a women’s lit course that required travel to Paris, France.
I walked the gardens at the palace in Versailles.
I moved to London.
I saw breathtaking views of rolling green hills in Wales, UK.
I walked the same streets as one of my favorite authors, Geoffrey Chaucer, in Canterbury, England.
I drank Guinness, Bailey’s and Jameson at the original Brazen Head in Dublin, Ireland.
I dealt with gypsys stealing my camera in Barcelona, Spain.
I fell in love with Venice, Italy.
I had a blast with new-found friends in Bath and Avebury in England.
I saw the iconic Stonehenge.
I purchased a second SONY Cybershot digital camera.
I completed a travel writing course, documenting my trips, my thoughts on various pieces of travel literature and my exposure to new cultures.
I moved back home to suburbia Chicago.

In 2007…

I rang in the New Year at a cozy cottage in Michigan.
I became the Editor of my college literary magazine.
I ventured east again, skipped good ol’ New York and instead opted for New Jersey.
I started hosting karaoke and DJing at night clubs.
I went to Chicago White Sox Spring Training in Tucson, Arizona.
I graduated from Saint Xavier University with a BA in English.
I celebrated my graduation with a week in New York City…again.
I landed a job as an Editorial Assistant at a national real estate marketing/advertising company.
I met up with my favorite British boy in Kansas City, Kansas
I spent time with my best friend in her hometown of Denver, Colorado.
I visited London for the second time.

In 2008…

I spent a relaxing weekend at a friend’s cottage in Michigan.
I went to Las Vegas, Nevada with all the members of my karaoke company.
I toured all of Boston, Massachusetts and fell in love with Fenway Franks at Fenway Park.
I bought a domain and started Gettin’ Carried Away.
I took a little day trip to Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to see the Brewers/Cubs game.
I celebrated a friend/coworker’s birthday in New York City.
Gettin’ Carried Away WON the Divine Caroline LOVE! This Site Award for 2008.

In 2009…

I met several Chicago Blackhawks players in Nashville, Tennessee.
I became a columnist for HipCompass Escapes Magazine.
I visited London for the third time.
I sang karaoke on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.
I purchased a Canon Rebel EOS and an additional 70-300mm lens.
I watched the Bison roam in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
I beat the heat in Guadalajarra and Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.
I spent a gorgeous, sunny day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I watched the Pirates vs. the Diamondbacks at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
I attended ALCS Game 1 at brand-new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York
Gettin’ Carried Away WON the Divine Caroline LOVE! This Site Award for 2009.

My passions for writing and traveling are stronger than ever. I am so happy to spend another year doing what I love. Thank you for making the first 17 months of my travel blog a success. Happy travels and Happy New Year!