Getting around in Japan with a toddler
I have been passionate about travel and art since first visiting Italy at the age of 16. More than twenty years later, I am now balancing a busy life with two young children with my love of travel by writing about my journeys and sharing my travel perspective with you.
My perspective is informed by my multicultural family in Brazil and Indonesia and at home, my education in art history and linguistics, my new reality of traveling with 2 kids, and my undying love for Europe, especially Italy. Whether about down-to-earth travel experiences with locals in Brazil or my take on Renaissance frescoes in Florence, this blog aims to dig into the art, culture, and ordinary details of life in the places I visit. I also occasionally write about life lessons learned along the way.
Here’s a little more background about me:
My life has always been about moving around and traveling. My love of traveling in other countries began in my teens and grew while earning a B.A. in art history and studying abroad in Florence. One of my most rewarding experiences was living in the Czech Republic and traveling extensively in Europe in my early 20s. After that, I got an M.A. in linguistics and began a wonderful career teaching English as a Second Language to immigrants in the United States. I love being surrounded by people from other countries. I have a multicultural family and, as a result, spend a month in Brazil every year as well as some time in Indonesia. I started this travel blog to document my past travels, to share my love of art & architecture, to reflect on new journeys, and to connect with like-minded people. I have two little boys (one is 3 years old and the other is a few months old), and I plan to keep traveling now more than ever despite the challenges they create.
Feel free to join in the conversation. Leave a comment, e-mail me at jennafrancisco73@gmail.com, join me on Stumble Upon, or follow me on twitter (@thismyhappiness). If you are interested in sharing guest posts or other writing opportunities, let me know. You can also check out my page on Examiner.com.
My first of many trips to Brazil in 2000
What a great photo of you & the rescued elephant! You’ve already had so many amazing adventures and accomplishments. It will be fun to see what the future brings, and this blog will be a great way for you to share & record your dreams/plans/experiences…
J- so excited to learn about all your travels with the boy. I’m hoping to traveling with our little one, so work out all the kinks for us!
Thanks, Tami! I actually started this with the idea of focusing on the travels w/ the boy, but I’ve gotten so side-tracked writing about places I went to years ago, but I’m kinda going in chronological order (sometimes anyway). More to come about traveling with him later. Yes, we can compare notes in the future.
Love it! Noah is so young and already so well traveled! It inspires me to stick to my intention of traveling to Asia and Europe with Hana and Sol.
Gorgeous photos!!
Thanks! You should definitely explore those plans to visit Asia and Europe with Hana and Sol. When she is a little older, like closer to 3, you will see that she will be at the perfect age to do something like that. I can already see that Noah is at a better age to travel now than he was last year. What I have seen of Asia was fantastic, and the people love children.
WOW!!!
This is an amazing blog, Jen. I’ve signed up and will forward to some others who will also enjoy it. Thanks!
Lisa
Thanks, Lisa! I’m glad you enjoy it. And thanks for passing it on to others.
hey Jenna, I work with the CheapOair travel blog (cheapoair.wordpress.com) and we’re interested in having you guest blog for us. Please contact me if you’re interested.
Thanks! Aldo.
Just found your blog from stumbleupon — really like it. I am a solo traveler, but I do like the traveling with kids perspective. Thanks!
Michael,
Thanks so much for your comment! And whether a solo traveler, a traveler with kids, or another kind, we all have many things in common.