And so we begin

In my book, travel is the best school there is: I've learned so much about the world and, most importantly, about myself. Adventure, serendipity, and being humbled by the kindness of strangers.

I promised myself after my first international trip when I graduated high school, that I would always make traveling a priority in life.

This is one of the best promises I've ever made as it has molded me into the person I am today. Someone who is independent, has a positive outlook, someone takes chances and isn't afraid to challenge my boundaries. Gaining new experiences and insights from the world around me and the ability to be able to be resilient when change arises, has been a huge catalyst for my personal happiness.

For me when I am traveling I am able to really live in the moment and to not sweat the small stuff, which is a constant struggle in my 'default life'. The ability to step outside my day-to-day existence, and to come back on a 'reset' with a different world view is invaluable.

We are constantly reinventing and redefining who we are in our lifetimes, thus the name of my blog 'Erica Redefined'.

As I write this inaugural blog from my hotel room in Sweden, leaving in just a few to board a plane for Berlin, I realized that I will not only be visiting my 30th foreign country on this trip but also crossing out two places have been on my 'travel bucket list' for way too long, Spain & Greece.

Stay tuned.