HAPPY FOURTH FREAKING BLOGIVERSARY TO US!
No, we haven’t disappeared. I promise. We have a gazillion things on our plate right now and we just don’t have any extra time to set aside for our love, Over Yonderlust.
I can’t believe we have been in the blogging game for four freaking years. I think this officially makes me one of the travel blogging “old timers”. I think I deserve a jacket. Or a patch. Or at least a pat on the back by some of ye olde travel comrades the next time I see you. I don’t think I’ve ever stuck with anything “hobby” related more than 4 years.
Screw the jacket, I DEMAND A TROPHY. (Please don’t give me a trophy, it really cramps my minimalistic lifestyle.)
Maybe a trophy in the form of this…
But while we’ve decided to stay put in Austin for a while, I will keep you in the loop with a few things going on:
*Our travels for the year have been completely derailed. This year we are focusing on paying off debt and with the little money we have over, spending it on new tents, awesome costumes, and anything Burning Man related. We’re going to 3 burns this year! If you have any questions about Burning Man, hit me up. We’re burners all year long – not just for the big burn.
*I have accepted a position at WooThemes as their new Technical Support Badass (not official title) and will be working a “Big Girl Job”. What does this mean? Believe it or not, more time for Over Yonderlust as I won’t be trying to work 5 jobs as a freelancer to make ends meet. Also, remote working means greater flexibility. More travel? HERE IS TO HOPING.
*We just signed a lease for an apartment for a year. This was a huge nerve-racking experience since all my travels have turned me into a massive commitment-phobe and the thought of staying in one place for a year gives me the freaking heebie jeebies. *shudder* Maybe that will make us get off our asses and move along? Maybe I will become obsessed with hosting Couchsurfers?
*We “should” have all of our debt paid off by the end of the year. “SHOULD” Don’t hold me to that. I drink a lot of booze. And tattoos… I WANT THEM.
*I’m heading to Chicago! Without Shaun. Again. He is pissed because this is the 4th time I’ve been and the Cubs are his favorite baseball team and he has yet to make it there. Boo-urns for him. Badass for ME!
*We’re getting a new car! We’re Subaru whores and we’re looking to upgrade our WRX. I think we’re just practicing for the day that we win the lottery and we get to rally race. I’m one of 2 people in the world that Shaun lets drive the car. Why? Because I’m an awesome driver. I’m being serious. No really. I taught him to drive a stick.
*The Fire Department here in Austin is on a hiring freeze so we’re moving on to Plan Q. What is the plan? I don’t freaking know. We’re playing it by ear. I think Shaun is going to start searching for a remote job as well (that isn’t the same company as mine).
*If all works well, I’m going to have an art exhibit of my photography in Kansas City, MO! I’m so stoked.
*My dad is allowing us to foster the dog we left at his house before we left on our travels in 2011. A couple weeks here and a couple of weeks there will satisfy my need for a dog (when we still want to travel more). That and we can’t take him away from his pack permanently. That is just mean to do. How can you not bring him home when we visit and he curls up on Shaun’s lap?
I mean… look at his face (the dog)! How can you not fall in love all over again?
I swear I felt as though we were in a life drought. No matter how hard we tried, things just wouldn’t go our way. I feel as though the moment we surrendered, the floodgates opened.
And if you would like some highlights from the previous year, here are a few of my favorites:
*We have been eating at a shit ton of food trucks. They made me fat and I’m going to the gym now but it was totally worth it.
*We went to our first regional burn last year. It was addicting. We’re also going again this year.
*We took an aerial acrobatics class and I looked derpy but loved it.
*I found Silicon Valley to be rather… cool (no pun intended).
*I got to hit one of my personal bucket list items – the Portland Japanese Garden.
*We got to head back to Costa Rica. Oh man I miss Latin America something fierce.
So this is the part of the blogiversary where I talk about numbers and how much we have grown. Let me tell you about where I stand on that:
So yes, thank you everyone for standing by us and keeping up with the blog. I have many more adventures to share with you and hopefully you will be around to see it.
If you have a moment, I would love to know who is still reading my blog. I would love to get to know all of you guys. If you could give an intro in the blog comments below, I would appreciate it!
I still read all of your shit, and I’m glad to have seen the update today! Congrats on your hard work, your goals, and that badass sampler (is that right? Sampler? Needlepoint?) about the fucks you don’t give. Love it!
Wow… 4 years already? I can’t believe it! That is so awesome. Congrats on this huge achievement and cheers to many more. Hope our paths cross again soon. Keep doing what y’all are doing cus it’s great.
Um – best update ever! Congrats on the gig with WooThemes and the general awesomeness that you have planned for the year. Hope I make it to Austin sometime soon!
OMG a lease *shakes head* I think Mike and I are going to sign one in O’ahu too. Not really happy about it at all. AT ALL. I don’t care where it is, I don’t want to have to stay put. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do right? We’re in the same boat as you guys this year- staying put in Hawaii so we can finish paying off some things before we hit the road again next year. Happy 4 years!
You guys are awesome. Having a steady gig and paying down debt is awesome. Reaching your 4th blogiversary is awesome. But that “Barren Fields” meme is especially awesome, and that means you’re especially awesome for sharing it! Congrats, guys! <3
Happy 4 Years!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!
happy blogiversary…a digital pat on the back to you :)All of your developments sound very exciting, the best of luck!
Hey guys! Happy four years. High-five from Oregon!
Fun to get caught up a little bit on your plans and schemes. So glad you made it out for a visit to Portland and had the chance to see the Japanese Gardens. They’re so lovely. Did you make it to the Chinese Gardens downtown? That’s another incredible spot.
I have a good friend who is interning under the head gardener at the Japanese Gardens; so much history and tradition there. It’s a cool treasure for our city.
Good luck with the new work position and the apartment and the car and the on-your-way-to-debt-free…and the (inevitable?) new tattoos 😉
Happy 4 years! And congrats of the woo themes gig.
Awesome stuff, congrats on the 4 years and the woo themes job. Sounds like life is pretty sweet at the minute!
Thanks Poi! We’re definitely loving life right now. We’re slowing making things happen!
Thanks Victoria. We’re just trying another way to accomplish our travel freedom since the other way wasn’t working. I think your Mexico posts solidified our decision to buy a house on the Pacific Coasts!
Thank you Lisa! Occasionally I need that pat!
Crazy how time flies, huh?
Hey stranger! <3 I like being awesome and having awesome things happen. It has been too long. Now to get Shaun on the remote train so we get get the hell out of here! :D
Whoa!!! But seriously – you’re signing a lease in HAWAII. How badass is that?! Maybe we can find some amazing tix out to HI and visit you.
You made me smile Adam! I’m getting a handle on everything right now and I’m hoping to start writing again soon. This time for just love. No money.
RIGHT?! We met 3 years ago in Mexico. Hopefully we can see you on the road!
I’m glad SOMEONE reads all of it!!!! Also, I’ve decided I need that embroidery in my house.
Happy blogiversary. I have been reading your blog for three now and in fact I have used it to plan my current South America itinerary a little bit as well. Thanks for being so inspirational! 🙂
Congrats on the blogiversary! As a reader I’m thrilled to hear you’ll have more time for writing (but totally understand the freelancing hustle). Even with your more stationary schedule I think you’ll have a wealth of topics to cover, from the transitions of coming home to being tourists in your own town! Whatever it is you’re writing, we’ll be reading.
Thanks Tammy! I’m glad to hear we helped you out a bit. I can’t ask any more than that in regards to success. I hope you have a fabulous time!
Thanks Alex! I have a few things I still need to cover (and I’m SUPER late about posting them but whatever). Like – my not-sucking surfing experience in Costa Rica. 😛
I am so ridiculously happy for you two and excited for all the changes you’ve got going on! Yay for an apartment! Yay for a Big Girl Job! Yay for a sense of permanence! After so long on the road, I know you’ll love the stability. Next up: a dog? 😉
Also, can we lunch in Austin on April 4? Pretty please?
BAH! I work on Friday day but I would be more than happy to meet you after work some time. It is my first week so I need to make sure to kick ass!
Happy FOURTH ANNIVERSARY!!! We are old timers, eh!?! I am so happy for you and Shaun. This year will be amazing for you both, I can FEEL IT. And, you are right, you are a super sweet driver. I cannot believe you are going to Chi-town AGAIN. Love you both. Cheers to another four years of awesomeness.
Can’t believe it’s been 4 years, already and what a happy 4 years it’s been… at least for me as an avid fan. Wow!
Stay strong.
Lol ok an interesting post and blog. I like it. Love your tattoos. When yo get more show and tell! Actually, why don’t you do a post on your tats and where you got ’em and what they mean (if they mean anything?). Would be cool. See I’m a serious ink fan too. 🙂
Congrats on 4 great years of blogging! Congrats on the new job! I know the past year was a bit rough for you guys, but hopefully things are turning around. Maybe you just need a different approach and outlook on how you set up your lives to make sure you still get lots of travel while still being able to earn enough money to pay the bills. And your gym FB postings are helping me keep motivated about getting my ass to the gym too, I need it.
Here’s to another great year!
Hello, I am still reading any time you pop up in my reader! 🙂
Happy 4 years! I love living vicariously through quite a few travel
blogs that I follow, yours included.
Since becoming a Mama last year I have started following more Mom blogs and less “anything else” blogs but I have always enjoyed your writing, your pics, and your attitude so I’ll keep you. 🙂
Good luck with the debt. Hopefully more travel will come soon!
Happy Blogiversary!!! Looking forward to following your adventures for years to come! 🙂
Congrats Erica! We knew that you were struggling for a while, so very happy that you have found some light. It’s going to be an exciting year for a lot of us, all the best to you and Shaun.
I’m soooooo still here!
Crazy busy and waaaaaay behind on reading, but still here!
If I ever make it – no, scratch that – WHEN I make it to my fourth blogaversary, I want chocolate in 10 different shapes.
Let me think about that.
I want chocolate mousse, a chocolate bar, chocolate ice cream, chocolate cake, chocolate pasta (the tagliatelli kind), a biscuit (or many) with chocolate, a chocolate brownie, a chocolate muffin, a chocolate milkshake and a chocolate-bring-it-on-and-surprise-me-but-don’t-be-gross.
But I guess a trophy is cool too.
Congrats to you guys!! You have done a lot of amazing things in the past 4 years and you are a huge inspiration to us!! Awesome work!!
Thanks lady! I’m glad that you have been part of my adventures!
I KNOW. 4 year flew by. And more than anything, I appreciate all of the wonderful comments and support you have given us. You rock my socks, Maria.
Steven! This is a GREAT idea. I think I will add that to my list of things I need to write. <3
Thanks lady! I’ve been receiving a lot of feedback in regards to my gym posts so I will continue it if I’m inspiring people. I have no shame!
Thanks Cynthia! I’m glad to see your face around here and I’m glad that I can still make an appearance between mommy blogs! I wonder what will happen if we do decide to have a kid. My comments will EXPLODE. And yes, we have a few things up our sleeve so keep on keepin’ on!
Thank you! <3
The light took a while to become apparent but I think I’m starting to get a handle on things. Thank you for commenting Pete. It means the world to me.
No worries Sofie! You don’t have to read EVERYTHING. I don’t know a single person who HAS. That is a lot of content.
I think the chocolate reward is totally doable – although I don’t think I could consume that much in a day. Good luck with that! 😀
Thanks guys! We’re happy to help? But really, when are you coming to visit us because I think we would make an epic group.
Hey guys, sorry we didn’t get to meet up in Austin 🙁 – but congrats on the blog anniversary and all of the grown up stuff. Hope to see you guys again soon wherever that might be.
No worries guys! I’m sure we will cross again!