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December 10, 2009

Blogaversary: A Blog Turns One, The Adventure Continues

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Exactly one year ago, on December 10, 2008, I published my very first NYCity Mama adventure. I wrote about Ft. Tryon Park. People ask me a lot of questions about my “blogging career”, and honestly, I don’t have the answer to a lot of them, except for why I started. To tell the truth, when I started blogging, I didn’t read blogs, not personal blogs. I read news blogs, magazine blogs…didn’t really know them to be “blogs”, but rather online media sites. I did visit sites that would offer ideas and listed places to spend my days with my children and I frequented a parents message board, but mostly talked about politics. But as far as visiting personal blogs, no. I never really had an interest in it. I wasn’t really in tune to the fact that there was an entire world out there of bloggers.

I started writing to share my adventures with friends and family far away, and to get them excited about coming to visit us.

A year later, I have shared almost 200 adventures on this site alone, and many more on others. I sent out my first tweet on Jan. 17, 2008 and almost a year after that have met many amazing people through Twitter and developed wonderful friendships.

But in addition to discovering the world of blogging, and making new friends, I have rediscovered some things about myself as well. Like my love for travel, writing, trying new and old things over and over, and how much I enjoy meeting new people and learning new things. I also realized that I really enjoyed giving people information on my favorite tested activities and/or places that are great as they travel, especially with kids. I enjoy this so much, that it has become what I hope to always do.

And as I think about the many other things I have learned this past year, not only about myself, but about this thing called blogging, there are some other random thoughts that come immediately to mind, and I thought I would share them with you anyway. Like for example:

  1. I am nice. I embraced it finally, this “nice” label. I got called nice a lot by a lot of different people when I started blogging. I hated it to tell the truth. And sometimes it was more like a put down than a compliment, but the truth is I am, and can be, so there you go.
  2. I can really not be nice too, especially to mean people. It’s a gift.
  3. One of the things that surprises people the most about me when they meet me is that I swear a lot, and that I’m actually tall and blond. Ok, well, those last two aren’t true, but I thought just “swearing” sounded awful, so I added two others to distract from it.
  4. I hate, beyond all, being called a “Mommy Blogger”. I know. I have ‘Mama’ in my title, I blog about my kids, and I am a mom. It’s clear I had no idea, and didn’t think it through when I started blogging. But I was also the chick that HATED the nurses that called me Mommy at the hospital when my kids were born. In short, I hate when people who aren’t my kids call me Mommy period. Cause, if I had to list WHO I was, “mommy” would not be first, second, or third on my list.
  5. I adore my kids. Most of the time. And when I don’t adore them, it’s ok too.
  6. I truly do love New York City. I am thrilled that we are raising our family here. If I can get just one new person excited about this city, then I would feel like I have communicated my love for the city well. My blog reminds me of the many reasons NYC is great every time I write about it.
  7. I am not afraid of a lot of things: except mice and roaches…so never call me to help get rid of either.
  8. I love reading other people’s blogs, and reading about the things that moves them and inspires them. It’s awesome to get to know people through such personal notations. I am lucky to be a reader of many, but I admit, I don’t do it often, and not nearly as much as I wish I could.
  9. Though this is so much fun to do, I still think the true value is in the life lived and in connecting in real life with others. So, in the end, in my travels, and in my adventures, though I love blogging about them, I enjoy even more the people I meet that compliment the experiences while on our journeys. This can never, and will never be replaced for me.
  10. I live fully aware that life is short. Sounds morbid, but for me it’s not. This is why I think we should all really embrace the moment, live life to the fullest, and be adventurous…with kids, without, it doesn’t matter. Just make it worth it.

I want to thank everyone who reads this site, who follows me on twitter, and who has contributed to making our lives adventurous and fun.

I look forward to another fun, adventure filled year, and hope to see you there with us!

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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5 Comments
  • E.Payne
    December 10, 2009

    congratulations!Awww congratulations! Just wait until you start walking and and get potty trained! Just kidding, you've been running with wings since you got started. Congratulations…again and again and again.

    Reply
  • Lisa
    December 10, 2009

    Congratulations girl!! You have come a long way. I'm so glad I found your site early this year because this is one of my fave blogs….and you're cool too. 😉

    Reply
  • Liz@thisfullhouse
    December 10, 2009

    Congratulations, my friend. I'm honored to have met you (IRL) and very, very thankful to have seen your "nice" side 🙂

    Reply
  • Otter
    December 10, 2009

    Happy Blogaversary! I have been to NYC twice and I absolutely love the city. If I ever go again I will be coming to you for some good advice on what to do. Keep it up.

    Reply
  • Melisa with one S
    December 11, 2009

    Happy Blogoversary! xoxo

    Many more!

    (P.S. Paaartay in Room L!)

    Reply

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. I’ve been a mom for a really, really long time. As the oldest of all my many, many siblings, caring for littles started very early in my life. I have cared for, changed diapers for, fed, rocked to sleep, booboo-kissed, advised, reprimanded, worried for, been frustrated and given anxiety by more kids than I care to count. Because I started caring for children so young, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any of my own. But I had my three beautiful boys.

I miss the little babies they were, sometimes to the point where it aches, but I love seeing the men they are becoming. I am most grateful to them for the ways in which they continue to help me discover more about myself both as a mom and beyond motherhood. My identity was never fully in being a mom, I never wanted that for myself and they all have respected, accepted, and given me space for that. And I love them unconditionally for it. Because as they start to find their own paths in life, I am not left with an empty anything, instead I find myself with a life fulfilled. Of which being their mom has been the greatest adventure.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mother figures, caregivers, and humans who have provided for another in loving, maternal ways regardless of biology and traditional roles and societal expectations. ♥️ May you find fulfillment, love, and joy in the ways you have tried to give to others who needed it most.
The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS The Village of Monticello is located right off NYS Route 17 (future I-86), mid-way between New York City and Binghamton. It is also the largest community of the Sullivan County Catskills. Like many rural downtowns across the U.S., Monticello has experienced some hardships. However, what I found especially lovely was how there is a vibrant BIPOC community, especially Latino, thriving with their small businesses and eateries keeping Downtown Monticello alive.

Imagine my delight to have seen several Dominican- Puerto Rican eateries serving and sounding like a slice of home. Last night’s treat was had at @nellys_latin_restaurant. 

Roasted pernil, grilled chicken, rice and peas, yuca, sweet plantains, ox tail, goat….the list goes on and on. Right here in Monticello, NY. I ate and washed it all down with a cool papaya shake, just like from the islands.

So, if driving through, be sure to check out downtown Monticello for some good Caribbean eats…and wait till I tell you about breakfast!!! Thanks @nickfingdavis for the find! 🇩🇴🇵🇷

#monticellony #catskills #goodeats @sullivancatskills
Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwine Nothing like the beautiful golden hour in @flxwinecountry.🌞

#myflx
These days you will find me walking in the rain, c These days you will find me walking in the rain, chasing waterfalls, and anything nature filled. Such is spring in the Finger Lakes 🌷

#fingerlakes #lifeinthefingerlakes #cascadillagorge #ithacany
I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in l I sometimes can’t believe how easily I fell in love with this life.

There was a time when my DREAM was to be one of those old NYC ladies living in a 4 story walk-up, and who people would often see pulling around her shopping cart from market to market. And while I long for a NYC that barely exists anymore, I do have to say I am still often surprised at how dramatically that dream has changed.

Now I dream of uninterrupted days spent tending to my garden and growing food and other pretty greenery I never knew I could. Or figuring out new recipes and sitting by the fire with my puppies on my lap.

I crave mornings made foggy by the adjacent lake, and early wake-ups by the sound of the passing horse and buggy on Sunday mornings.

Yeah. The world is big and there is so much I want to see still but I also love this place where it feels like nothing else matters, not even the mud on my hands and boots.

📸 Gardening bliss on a rainy day at @theflxcottage.
Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center Yesterday, we headed to @tanglewood_nature_center to scout a photography location. The focus was work. But as we took the 3 mile hike to the overlook, through the mud, in the rain…and the sun, because spring, and as the birds sung, the woodpeckers pecked, and the deer strutted, I felt myself feel lighter, happier, and at ease. With just a walk, in this beautiful place. Alongside my beautiful partner.

If you call the Finger Lakes home, I hope you can also appreciate it and the gifts it offers, even when we least expect it. And if you need a reminder, just go outside.

#tanglewoodnaturecenter #fingerlakes

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