I’ve been dreaming of traveling the world for as long as I can remember. I can’t wait to discover the world’s hidden gems and explore different countries. I was eager to sample the diverse cuisine (not really – I am honest here) of every city destination I visited. I’m glad to embark on my travels and make unforgettable memories.

As a child, I have a long-held desire to visit the places I have only seen on television. In the past, that usually meant watching the Discovery Channel or reading entries in the Wagnall Encyclopedia, which my parents had an entire set of for my sibling and me to use for educational purposes rather than going to the library. 

I would take my mother’s sewing pins and place them on the world maps that we had. I would imagine traveling to those places marked by the pins and fantasizing about one day experiencing the cultures of those far-off lands.

My life has been blessed to have the opportunity to explore so many breathtaking places. As a result, I began to collect mugs as a way to commemorate my travels. I now have 400 mugs, one for each city I have visited. Instead of buying key rings or magnets, I decided to only purchase mugs as a reminder of my journey across the US, Asia, and Europe.

I strive to broaden my horizons by traveling to different countries and observing people’s way of living. Through this experience, I have come to value the importance of learning about a place’s history and culture and how it has impacted me. It has given me a new perspective and opened my eyes to new ideas. I appreciate the knowledge and wisdom I have gained by traveling to various places.