Well, for those of you unaware (that should be no one) 2019 was a ca-raaazy year for SlideBelts, and I really feel like I grew a lot professionally throughout the year. Literally from January consistently all the way to December, there were new and bigger hurdles than I had ever faced before. (I know this applies to many of us by the way, not just me). So, I was very much looking forward to 2020, hoping it would bring a fresh start and would rejuvenate me and prepare me for another year.

Well, maybe I hoped a little too hard! Turns out a fresh start was just around the corner for me, but more in my personal life. It was only in November that we found out we were moving in December, to a place neither of us had even heard of, so 2020 has been a little hectic so far, but I really am looking forward to so much this year. It’s always exciting moving to a new place. Besides the fact that a 7 minute drive turned into a 40 minute one from getting lost trying to find Trader Joe's yesterday, I’m looking forward to meeting new people, finding new local haunts, and exploring the surrounding area with Austin. It’s not an adventure that I particularly expected or asked for, but maybe those are the best kind? 🤷‍♀️

Somewhere in the world, whether it's across the ocean or down the street, you most likely have a place that you love going to and that has special meaning in simply visiting. For my wife and I that place is the country of Japan, which we first visited for our honeymoon, and it's the one place in the world where I want to make it a tradition to visit whenever possible.

That is my goal for not just this year, because overseas travelling isn't always easy or possible, but something to strive to make happen just because we love going there! A travelling tradition.

Although this place may be special and memorable for us, it's not the only place. We even have very local (2 miles away) places that we love and enjoy going to just to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy being there, and revel in the sights, smells and sounds.

If you haven't found that special place yet, don't worry you will, give it some time. It doesn't have to be very far from your house, or it could be across the world! It should be your goal to visit that place, every year or every 10 years, whenever you can, it doesn't matter.

Live life, love, and enjoy what comes your way, when possible.

With a fresh new start on both a new year and a new decade, I'm looking forward to traveling to new destinations. Traveling has been my goal for years, and I have been blessed to make it happen. Nevertheless, there is still so much more to see and experience.  This Anthony Bourdain quote sums it up quite nicely. "It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn."

As luck would have it this coming May, I have a family member getting married in Cancun. This destination has been on my bucket list, and I'm excited to share the journey with my close family members. The planning for this trip started last month. With the hotel booked, the hunt is on fo the best flight deals.

Cheers to the New Year and have a fun, safe, adventure-filled start to the decade!