Photo provided by Jody Lundrigan – Used with permission

Today’s interview is with Jody Lundrigan, who loves sharing her travel adventures with the world via her blog. Inspired by Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” poem, Jody makes time to travel while fulfilling the responsibilities of a full-time job. She has been on many adventures, including living in a cave house and going on a 10-day travel double date with her parents and significant other. Below she shares stories of some of her experiences, the thing that makes her know she loves blogging, and the best advice she’s ever received.

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Name and blog:
Jody Lundrigan at Adventures of a Blond White Girl

Fun fact about you:
I am a scuba diver. The world under the waves never ceases to amaze me. I love it! My dream is to spend my life discovering new corners of the blue planet.

Funner fact:
Lately it seems I am always traveling on Halloween; spending evenings at fancy restaurants and dive bars as butterflies and flowers. One year, my boyfriend and I thought it would be hilarious to play Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon while backpacking in China. It was…to us. No one else had any idea what we were doing, but we’re the kind of people who think that kind of reaction makes our craziness even more entertaining.

Funnest fact:
I am almost always smiling. I love to laugh. I think you can find humour and joy in any aspect of life. But when something strikes me as particularly hilarious, I can laugh until I lose my breath, which leads to me letting out the loudest snorts. It’s so embarrassing, but you gotta love a real belly laugh.

What do you think has been essential to your success as a travel blogger?
I am still a rookie blogger. With a full-time job and life responsibilities, I sometimes measure success simply by doing a post. That said, every time I do I get such a tremendous and positive response and that makes me happy and makes me feel successful. But the key to that success, I think, is my lack of fear in sharing my thoughts and feelings and sometimes political views in my writing. In this way, when I write people are getting to know about the place but they also getting to know about me. Anyone who knows me will tell you I am an opinionated lady. But that’s not necessarily a negative thing. And I think it serves me well in my blog.

What was something that surprised you about blogging?
How vulnerable it makes me feel. I still get nervous before I hit the publish button…everytime. It is simultaneously super scary and super exciting. It’s how I know I love it.

If you had to describe your blog in 6 words or less, what would you say?
This blond white girl is awesome.

Who or what inspires you?
The people I meet. I love the sights and sounds and sometimes the tastes and smells, but it’s the memories made and moments shared with the people along the way that make it all worthwhile.

What is your all-time favorite bucket list item (of yours or someone else’s)?
Scuba diving (ice diving) in Antarctica.

If you aren’t doing anything related to travel, what are you doing in your free time?
Thinking about how I really should learn to cook even though I really don’t want to.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Live everyday to the fullest because you never know… So while I am always dreaming of my next trip, I don’t live in the future – or the past. I work hard, I love my friends and I appreciate my family every moment of my life.

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Thank you Jody for sharing your time and thoughts with us.

Want to keep reading? You can learn more about Jody and read stories from her travels on her blog and Twitter.

Who else do you want to see interviewed? If you have an inspiring person in mind, please let me know using the contact form or comments below.