would you rather backpack or be an expat?

Among those who have left home behind to experience and see the world, there are the backpackers and there are the expats.

A backpacker is a master of minimalism - he takes the bare essentials on the road with him and embraces the nomadic lifestyle. The expat arrives in a new country and carves out a home for himself. The expat adapts to his surroundings and takes in the new culture within the context of work, school or family.

Neither way of seeing the world is superior, and indeed, at times the lines blur between the two.

While I was teaching in China, I had the chance to explore Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam for a total of six weeks. Beautiful, mind-blowing and exhilarating, all of it. But every new place I visited, I knew I wasn’t staying long enough to truly understand the what I was seeing or experiencing. I was left with the feeling that I was merely brushing the surface of something spectacular.

That’s why, in my second stab at hoisting the pack on my back for some nomadic wandering, I promised myself I would take it all in at a slower pace.

And yet, even with my newfound snail-pace, exploring Buenos Aires and Argentinian Patagonia for over two months, I never quite got into the swing of the backpacker lifestyle.

I would say it was a disappointment that I’m a failure at long-term backpacking, but if I’m being honest with myself, I’d have to acknowledge that deep down I’ve always known that my style is much more suited to the expat way.

At all of this brings me to my biggest piece of news.

I live in Chile now.

I’m teaching English and living in Santiago de Chile. I’ve found myself an apartment, unpacked my backpack and settled into a discovery of a new country at my own speed.

Stay tuned for more about my Chilean adventures!

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Thank you all for your concern and support in the ordeal with my cousin's detainment. He is home safe now thanks to you and everyone who helped sign the petition and spread the word.

Please keep his colleague and friend, Anton Hammerl in your thoughts and prayers. He was a photojournalist killed in the capture. He leaves behind his wife an kids.

3 brave women: a mother's day post

From left to right: My aunt, Diane; my grandfather, Elliot;

my grandmother, Olga; my mom, Rita

This post is dedicated to three special mothers in my life.

Olga

My grandmother, Olga, is a remarkable woman. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador she moved to the United States at the age of 20 when she married my grandfather. She became the young mother of two beautiful daughters and brought them up with love. Olga was widowed at a young age, but her strength and resilience kept her going.

She is now the matriarch of a large and growing family. She is greatly loved by 2 daughters, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Olga, we look up to you for your strength, your great ability to love and your courage. We love you for your sassiness, your laughter and your warmth. Happy Mother's Day.

Rita

My mother is my best friend and I am the luckiest girl in the world. The youngest of two daughters, she was brought up in the small American town of Keene, New Hampshire.

After graduating from college she bought herself a one way ticket to Spain - and act of bravery that has inspired me and shaped the way I have chosen to live my life.

My mother is good. She knows how to speak to people and make them feel special. She loves her children with all of her heart and would do anything for us.

Mom, they say girls worry about becoming their mother. I could only hope to be half the person my mother is.

Diane

I saved my Aunt Diane for last on this Mother's Day post because she needs our prayers the most at this time. And she needs to be recognized for the truly amazing person that she is.

Diane is my mother's older sister. She is a nurse practitioner who was made for the job. She is intelligent, caring and good. The mother of 5 children, she has the strength of ten mothers and is braver than anyone I know.

When her son was captured in Libya over a month ago, my heart went out to her. It has been over a month since Jim's capture and Diane is proving to be as strong and full of faith as ever. A mother's capacity for love is so great. Jim is loved by so many, but especially by his mom.

Diane, you are amazing and I love you like a second mother. We are here for you and we are praying for you.

The world needs more mothers like the three amazing individuals I've introduce you to today.

Do something for me. On this Mother's Day, tell your mom you love her.

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If you want to help support the release of my cousin, Jim here are some things you can do:

1) Sign the petition

2) Print out the poster and post it on the facebook page

3) Write a letter or make a phone call directly to your US congressional representatives, supporting their diplomatic efforts to secure a timely release. You can find their contact information here.

4) Use any personal contacts you have with media outlets and the government to publicize the issue. Let's keep the issue in the public eye!

Thanks, from the bottom of my heart.