My Google Analytics of the United States

Every now and then I check the Google Analytics for my site, and my favorite part is the map overlay. Today I noticed that someone in South Dakota FINALLY visited!!!! In fact, two people from South Dakota have now visited; one from Mitchell back in September 2009, and one from Parkston on February 18. Why in the world am I so excited about these two people from SD?

Well, now that they have visited, it means that after my almost 2 years blogging, someone from every single state of the United States has visited my website. I can’t even make the claim that I know someone in every state, yet something that I have done….a photo, a couple words, something…has captured the attention of these people…you people! (now that I have actually mentioned South Dakota on my blog, I bet that I’ll get a lot more attention!!)

Through this blog, I am connecting to people all over the world. From 6 continents: 42 Asian countries, 40 European countries, 16 African countries, 10 South American countries, 7 Central American countries, 6 Australian territories. I have never personally set foot in most of these countries, but someone somewhere found me a little bit interesting. Isn’t that just crazy?

So thank you, wherever you are, for pausing for a second or two. I am amazed that I have digital pen pals everywhere, and I am thankful that I am part of the first generation of casual bloggers. I will tell my grandchildren about you one day!!

Google Analytics of the World

Asia

Europe

South America

Africa

**A little aside: It is fun to note that the countries/states that I have visited and written about are the darkest green. And the saturation of green is almost in exact proportion to the amount of time I have spent there. Kind of cool….it satisfies my nerdy math mind.

Street light on one of the most famous bridges in the world

I owe the world a huge blog post! Nik and I have been doing some amazing stuff over the past couple weeks…including signing a lease on an apartment. But I am going to put it off at least until Sunday, when we move in. So hold tight.

In January…

Nik joined me in Tennessee

to listen to the wind-chimes

before walking around the block.

We went to the circus,

and visited Paducah during the worst ice storm of the century.

In February…

We cruised around Nashville in the Pontiac,

I ate the best cinnamon roles ever,

and flew to the other side of the world...

We had arrived at our new home. Shanghai, China.

In March…

I purchased a Giant...

to explore like a local.

While Nik was at work, I explored the flower market,

a Chinese Garden,

and a few out of the way places.

While Nik wasn't at work, we explored construction sites,

railroad tracks,

and highway overpasses.

and ate all-you-can-eat dinners with friends.

In April…

we started thinking of this as home,

saw the sights of a tunnel on the Bund,

found my favorite coffee shop,

celebrated 3 years,

took a day trip to a water town,

and played polo on bikes.

In May…

We took a trip with the boys,

biked around the city every chance we had,

found my solitary place,

and got out of the country...

by riding the 18-hour train to Hong Kong.

In June…

I payed attention to the little details of the city:

Like laundry,

ladies wearing white sun-sleeves,

house numbers,

and construction signs.

I took a pottery class,

hid under a bridge during a thunder storm,

took a few bike ferries,

and discovered the antique markets.

In July…

I indulged my sweet tooth,

more than once.

I made a couple pieces I was proud of,

conquered my fear of taking photos of people,

and Nik and I went to Jingdezhen to see...

clay bashed so that...

it could be worked...

into pots that would be shipped around the world.

Then I turned 28!!!

In August…

I locked our love in Seoul,

commuted every day,

and taught 80 high school students how to fold origami cranes....and math.

In September…

I was too preoccupied with teaching to take photos,

so I stole these from Nik!

In October…

Nik proposed at the top of a mountain in Seoul!!!!!!!

I said yes, and the rest of the month was a blur of happiness and throwing around the word "fiancé" every chance we got!

In November…

I tagged along with a few students on a trip to the Yunnan Province,

explored Shanghai with Nik on foot one last time,

said goodbye to good friends,

ate my last breakfast in Apartment 1835,

temporarily said goodbye to my fiancé,

and officially said goodbye to Shanghai, the place I called home for 2009.

From there, I made it home just in time for Thanksgiving dinner,

and a family portrait.

In December…

Keisha, Mom and I took New York by storm,

Mimi told me all about quilts, dresses, and the old days,

we played an epic game of Pictionary,

and my sister made Christmas brunch.

Then Mom and Dad drove me down to Dallas...

so that Nik and I could take them to the Sky Room,

and introduce them to my future in-laws.

When 2009 began, I didn’t know what it had in store for me. I didn’t know where I would live, where I would work or what I would see. I knew that it would be exciting and full of memories, but I never could have planned such an incredible year. It goes to show that as long as I surround myself with people that I love and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, everything will be okay. Better than okay.

Once again, as 2010 begins, I don’t know what it has in store for me. I don’t know where we will live, where I will work or what I will see. I know that I will spend my days with the one man that I love more than anything, and beyond that, we’ll just have to see!

Five months ago, I sat down and wrote about what I thought was next. At the time I had been in Shanghai for just over a month and was in the purest state of limbo there could possibly be. All I knew was that I was in Shanghai with Nik and I would be here for at least six months. Beyond that, I didn’t know what the next day, week, month or year would bring. Writing everything down allowed me to focus on exactly what I wanted to do, and after a few months I think I’m making progress. So I’ve listed the six goals again, and here’s what I’m thinking today…

1. I will work on my website so that it truly reflects who I am, personally and professionally. I have made some progress on this site that I am happy with. I have added the city guide, my recent projects and worked on the site design a bit. For a little while I was trying to figure out a way to incorporate my architecture portfolio…but finally decided I simply didn’t want to mix personal and professional. The thing I love about designing and running my own website is that it can evolve over time. It will never be a finished product, and I’m happy about that.

2. I will do a significant project on my own. Well, I thought this “significant project” would be an architectural competition, but then I stopped fooling myself. I said I wanted to do a competition because that’s what architects that don’t have architecture jobs do. But honestly, I have no desire to do one. I would rather knit, sew, go on a bike ride, work on my website, travel, etc. I still want to do a significant project on my own…but I don’t think a solo architecture competition is in my future. Now I’ve just got to figure out what it will be.

3. I will work in an architecture office whose work and mission I admire. I almost worked at an architecture office whose work and mission I didn’t admire, so recognizing their faults was one big step. I still look forward to the day that I can contribute to a design team in a significant way again. I am confident that my next big move will get me one step closer.

4. I will save money. This has begun!!! I finally have an income, and even though it’s pretty tiny, I will still be able to save a significant amount and when #3 happens I’ll be in good shape.

5. I will become a master of craft. Since April I have been a craft feign. I took eight weeks of ceramics classes, started three new large knitting projects, taught myself how to crochet, finally started sketching again and am slowly learning how to embroider. I took advantage of having time to myself and focused my energy on the things I love.

6. I will own my own business. This is obviously a long term goal, but I still think and dream about it all the time. In fact, the more I dream about it, the more I realize that opportunities are everywhere! It’s simply a matter of finding the right one.

There you have it. My goals five short months later. We will be going through another huge transition soon, so I’m sure things will be shifting and evolving even more. Until then…..