First ever blog: introduction, thoughts on travelling and a new career.

Hi Steemit,

I've been meaning to post for over a week now but didn't quite get around to it (as you can see from my intended hello picture) but here it is now, my first ever blog post!

I know about Steemit from my boyfriend who is a Bitcoin and cryptocurrency enthusiast and appears very excited by Steemit. So I thought I'd give it a go, especially with me being at a time in my life that makes me appear much more interesting than I actually am and therefore have something to write about.

I am currently taking a trip around Asia and the South Pacific before I start my new career in Midwifery, which both absolutely thrills and terrifies me at the same time. I recently completed my final clinical placement in Uganda, which due to the severe lack of resources and education, communication barriers and disease epidemics was extremely challenging but those experiences are for another post, for now enjoy this picture of me returning home from work with a new pet goat!

I am currently around half way through my trip and have visited Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and I am currently writing to you from Borneo!

I thought I'd just discuss some of my general thoughts and feelings about the trip so far.

Highlights.
Obviously travelling is great experience and you have to feel exceptionally fortunate to be able to do it, as I do. One of the main highlights so far has been all of the sincere people that I have met. It has really instilled a faith in me that most people genuinely wish to help you and are kind people deep down, regardless of their place in the world. I have been extremely grateful for the hints, tips, advice and help that have made my trip that little bit more interesting as well as all of the interesting conversations.

The second main highlight of my trip so far is seeing all of the beautiful landscapes, cityscapes, nature and wildlife, the world really is beautiful place sometimes. Australia was dense with nature, life and culture and I loved every minute of it; humpback whales breeching during their migration, kookaburras waking me up in the mornings, kangaroos bouncing around, wonderful!.

Lows
Deciding on where to go next and how to get there can be a challenge when there is more than one person to consider as well as spending every single minute of the day with said other person and thus arguments have occurred but then resolved and forgotten.
Navigating and driving a vehicle, specifically a huge camper van around tight windy roads in another country has also been a challenge I appear to have overcome.

What I have learnt about myself so far.
So I think everyone that goes travelling always comes back with stuff like broadened horizons, life changing experiences and being a better person, we all know one right?

Well I wouldn't say I'm a better person, I thought I was already alright before I left, nor am I more open minded to culture and travel because that is why I went in the first place.

Some of the things that I have honestly realised about myself are mostly negative and I recognise the need for change.
Firstly, I need to become healthier and improve my physical fitness. All of the walks and climbing, especially with a group of other people who seem not to be out of breath at all, remind me that I should probably look after myself a bit more. That, and realising that the bungee jumpers go in order of weight from heaviest to lightest and you're second in the queue.

Secondly, I have learnt that I probably have elements of social anxiety. I have always been an introvert but being forced to socialise with new people regularly makes me more uncomfortable that I'd like to admit but this trip alone is improving that and I enjoy it after a while....sometimes.

Thirdly, I've learnt that watching animals of all sorts in their natural environment is one of the only things that makes me genuinely and completely happy.

Fourthly, travelling has urged me to become less of a consumer, with my meat consumption and waste production. Seeing parts of the world destroyed or manipulated for human greed is sad and all of the environmentalist propaganda makes a bit more sense now. The planet really isn't just for us, everything has a right to live and thrive. That sounds like corny traveller bullshit but honestly that one is true!

Thanks for reading and I will post more if others would like to see more of my story.
Good luck to all of the others posting on Steemit too!