I was born and raised in Appalachian Ohio (a small town 20 miles from Cincinnati), and lived right on the Ohio River. In high school, we were known as the “River Rats” to all of our rivals. We were, mostly, OK with that. While our mascot was a lion, it was Jacob the Peacock who roamed Front St. who really stole our hearts (really. He even has his own Facebook page). It was a wonderful, if provincial, way to grow up.

Hailing from a rural village with a population of 2,000, I couldn’t wait to travel. After high school and before I had completed my first quarter at Ohio University (Go Bobcats!), I began to explore opportunities to study abroad.

I eventually chose to study at the University of Wales, in Swansea, enrolling in courses in American studies, German, and British politics and culture. Experiencing and learning from the teachers and friends who were so far from what I’d known taught me the value of perspective, and the need to experience even more.

More than a decade later, I still haven’t gotten over the travel bug, whether it is seeing parts of my adopted state of Michigan I’ve yet to visit, or heading halfway around the world.

In 2015, my husband and I traveled to New Zealand and Tahiti.

I can’t wait to see where 2016 takes me.