TODAY marks a year of me blogging!  I want to say thank you to all of you, for being receptive to my blog and my life’s story.  You’ve liked my photos, messaged me on Instagram and I’ve appreciated every comment, feedback and conversation here on my blog.  It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since I’ve started writing.  I’ve enjoyed this outlet of expression and I hope I inspired you to travel more as well!

I have a special and public announcement to make, to hold myself accountable…I AM MOVING BACK TO HAWAII!…but not until AFTER my son graduates from college, so any time after 2021.  I’m crossing my eyes, fingers, toes and everything else I can cross 😉  It has been my dream, for a very long time, but since staying in Texas to raise my son came above all I promised myself that if there is one thing I’ll do when he’s done with college, it will be to follow my dream of moving back to the islands!…So in the meantime, I will be doing as much traveling as I can to beach destinations in the contiguous United States and the Caribbean until I move.  I probably won’t be traveling to the east coast and Caribbean as much once I am in Hawaii.  I’ll be rediscovering the Hawaiian islands and making my way to see more of the Pacific islands.  Fiji and New Zealand are at the top of my list!  In addition, I’ll be reunited with my family.  I’m definitely looking forward to beach days and barbeques, just as we did when I was growing up!

So my story in a nutshell…I joined Instagram/social media in the summer of 2016 therefore you can say I’m pretty new to this compared to many.  My dream was that I’d travel the world soon after college but all that came to a screeching halt when I had my son at 21, during the tail end of my junior year in college.  Definitely no regrets because the experience of having a child made me stronger and molded me into the person I am today.  He became a driving force in my life and my biggest motivation to finish college, which I did so I am forever grateful.  So now, after raising a son and sending him off to college, I can say that I deserve the life I have now…an empty nester with a lust for travel.  Cheers to MANY MORE travels!  Please continue to read my blog and visit my Instagram page, @thehazelife.  I love likes and comments 😉

Looking back…

Favorite place I’ve visited outside of Hawaii…I have to say Jamaica.  I’ve been there several times and it has encouraged me to discover other Caribbean islands.  The beauty is majestic and the vibe always great!

The best adventure I’ve had this year…I’d have to say ALL of my zip line adventures.  I’ve seen some breathtaking views so I’m hoping to find more zip lines to conquer in 2019!  There’s just something so liberating about being so high up and seeing the beauty of the world from a bird’s eye view.  Second would be my shark adventure. 

My favorite travel accessories…I have to say I have two:  my portable charger and my earbuds…I always have to have music with me…on the plane, on the beach and always while waiting.

What I like about cruises…There is an abundance of food and you meet so many people from all over the world!

Out of the ordinary travel wish list:  Snorkel and swim in the Maldives…visit the pyramids in Egypt and ride a camel in the desert…Northern Lights via Alaska or Norway.

Thank you so much for reading!!

Good vibes always,

Hazel- #missbluecrush