It has been a full year since being back in the states.  Besides the usual occurrences of spending time with loved ones, looking for/securing a job and then finally earning some money, I’ve been pretty stationary.  But…I’m surprisingly ok with that…for now.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never be content staying in one place forever and ever, with no hope of traveling to different lands, foreign or domestic, ever again.  But, traveling can be hectic, time-consuming and even exhausting, even during the most positive, amazing travel experiences.  Therefore, some down time to rest and recover from my two years away has been much needed…as well as some time to rebuild my travel fund!

So even though I’ve been in this stationary period, I’ve gotten to talk travel in a surprising number of places.  Every job interview I’ve had since getting home (there have been many) has touched upon my work experience as an expat.  (Not many applicants have two out of three jobs on their resume being a position in a foreign country.)  Also, as my nieces learn about different countries in school, they know they have an Aunt who is willing and able to share personal accounts of time spent in said locations.  No doubt this will help with their classes, but I also hope it coaxes and nourishes a desire to physically explore their world one day.

Since Netflix is now part of my life once again (we’re reunited, and it feels so good!), I’ve also spent some time looking at documentaries and programs featuring remote areas of the world or unique locations.

I’ve also caught up on my favorite travel blogger’s posts, read some travel-related books and memoirs, and listened to some lectures discussing why we travel and how our personalities lead us to make the choices we do.  Interesting stuff!

Needless to say, I’ve had a great year of soaking up some travel-related activities and keeping in touch with my globe-trotting friends.  This year has also given me the chance to curl up with a delicious cup of tea on a cold night and dream of sweet tropical adventures yet to be savored.  Day by day, I can feel the strengthening of my travel funds and my batteries charging to full capacity.  This period of time has been fruitful and satisfying in its own way, and dare I say, much needed.  Sometimes a slow period is required in order to forget about travel frustrations, luggage weight restriction debacles, sheer exhaustion from traveling a full 24 hours to get home, working tirelessly to organize travel logistics, and challenging oneself with language barriers.  After the little pop-up stressors are gone, it’s easier to focus on the amazing experiences and memories that will be forever carried forward, which all help to propel you toward the next life challenge.

I can only wonder what these charged travel batteries will stir up as 2017 continues to unfold.