WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

You thought I bought a van and disapeared somewhere in the World? Or was eaten by a Whale? Nope, here Iam alive and happy :) 

It's hard to believe that is been almost f-i-v-e months since my last blog post here. I didn't mean to be silent for so long but life happens! Since I opened a portuguese blog that I debate what to do, because doesn't make much sense to keep with two blogs about the same subjects, even though one is in english and the other is portuguese. Translating every single text wasn't a solution since it's super time consuming - sometimes it takes 3 hours to finish a single blog post. But I found out a handy google translator tool that is now in the side bar of Shanti Free Bird blog and will be soon another one in my portuguese blog so you can also follow me there. Do you read portuguese and haven't followed my Viver a Viajar blog yet?! Still on time, I swear I don't take it personally :D 

If you are around for a while you know that when I take ages to update the blog, I will make a "What I've been up to" post, so here we go. 

PLANS FOR 2016

Right after reviewing our last year it's time to make our goals list for the new year. For some reason I'm taking way too long to put together my goals for 2016 (Check 2014 and 2015 goals) Not that I have a bunch of dreams, hopes and plans but calling them goals is maybe too much. So this year I decided to make plans instead for 2016 and 2017 :) I'm doing this to myself because every year, even though I make a good job accomplishing my personal goals, I always leave some of them for next year(s). Also I figured out some of my goals aren't for that certain year but life goals, a process let's say. 

This year I wrote my plans in my agenda, as you can see in the image above. This way I can read them time to time and make sure I focus on my happiness.

2015 IN REVIEW

We are in that time of the year when we look back and remember all that happened during the year. I know a bunch of people on my age - thirties - say that now they feel time flying big time. I don't feel the same way. I have done so much this year that I feel it was slow. Yeah guys, traveling gives you this feeling because you are always learning new things, making new friends, exploring new places. 

Grab a nice hot tea or coffee, a blanket, popcorn or cookies and get ready, this post is gonna be large and exciting :)

TAG: THAT'S TRUE - ANSWERS

While ago, I posted about me, in a tag game. I listed 25 things about me but 5 were false. Nobody really found out about all the false ones... and how would you? Not even my closest childhood friends will guess, so yeah, not really mad, it's ok :) 

Instead of just tell you which ones are wrong, I will go, one by one point and describe it, this way you'll learn more about myself. 

I HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME. YES, ME!

Since May I have a feeling I don't stop. For a long time I didn't work this long (5 months in an irish pub and 1 month in California) and now that I'm on vacation gotta go to the moving mission. I don't even remember how is it to pay bills, have my own fridge and bed, home keys, have some kind of routine. But I can make it! Anyway I already planned in my mind my next trip in January :) Did you think that with an home I'd stop traveling? Nope. Alright I said before I was tired of traveling all the time but this time I'm traveling couple months.The thing is that I'm going to use braces and the dentist said I can't be away longer then a month so I guess I'm going on a three months trip, put the damn braces and then will travel for maximum 3 weeks. Problem solved haha 

WHAT HAPPENS TO A NOMAD SOUL WHO SETTLES DOWN?

This is my story for this Summer. I was tired of traveling so I thought to stop for a while. The first 2 weeks resting is alright but after that time you feel useless and don't have nothing to do. Your bank account goes down until almost zero because you are only spending and not earning. Let's try to find a job now! 

Luckily is not that hard to find a job during Summer in South Portugal, if you are not so picky of course. Mostly you will find jobs in hotels, restaurants and bars and many of them in front of the beach :) I deciced to work in a pub in Vilamoura Marina, I worked there several times: Cds Store, Irish Pub, Bella Italia restaurant, Toys Store so I know my salary would be something like 700€ but in bars/pubs you get great tips, sometimes another salary. This means I could live well during Summer and save for my next trips. (Also for the first month in Lisbon). 

IT'S OFFICIAL: I'M MOVING TO LISBON

I have this clear moment in my mind last year in California when my beloved Bruno wakes up and said directly: "You know what? I want to study Psicology... in Lisbon". In that precise moment my heart started bitting pretty fast and I had to pinch myself like 5 or 6 times. "I'm still sleeping, this is a nightmare." 

When I was a kid I used to fantasize with my best friend about moving to Lisbon, every now and then we'd go visit CASA store (all for your house) and pick up kitchen ware, decorations, blankets for our future new home. Yes, our dream was to move together to Lisbon just because we had a crazy passion for this beautiful city. Years passing, we forgot about this idea, we definitly didn't want to move to a busy place, crowded with people who only cares for their lives. We both went to College close to our homes so we didn't have that need of moving to the capital anymore. 

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

Haiiii! Heya yo! Aloha! 

Guys guys I'm alive, really IAM! It's been such an awesome Summer with sun shinning, beach every other day, party, cocktails and bah work. 

This blog moved twice this year and that's really time consuming. Decided to migrate to Wordpress, learned the basics until I decided to move to blogger again, since it does the job I need. Actually it's Ana's fault, she makes such beautiful blogger blog designs that I couldn't resist. Also, paying for host every month is not for me, in blogger you pay 10€/year and have your own domain. Oh boy how much I love simple things in my life. BTW, isn't Shanti Free Bird looking so but oh soooo pretty? Grateful Ana, you are so patient and great assistant, loving you and your amazing job ♥

Best way to publish a post when you are silent for a month? An update of my life lately.

WHAT’S IN YOUR BEACH BAG?

Since I’m not traveling right now and don’t think I will be traveling the next months (OMG! I feel so good in my home enjoying each bit of this Summer) I think would be cool to share my daily life. Who doesn’t like to take a peek in a girl’s bag? Let’s see what usually I bring in my beach bag!

:: Backpack :: I bought a handmade handbag that turns into a towel in Festival MED, I love this 2 in 1 items but I can’t leave my backpack at home. It’s so useful with many hidden zippers and easy to grab place in the back. Backpacker for life, yeah!

:: Pareo :: Do you still use a towel? Oh boy you are missing out. Pareos are just so light, perfect size and pretty! First I thought I’d mess up with the sand and then would be all wet but no, actually it’s pretty cleaned all the time and quick to dry.

100 WORDS FOR NOW

compliments | lazyness | gratitude | focus | volunteering | bali | cocktails | melon | mess | moving | exchange | cycling | Chin Chen | bikinis | tereres | playful | guacamole | daydreaming | swimming pool | love | heat | gift | hosting | hello | dancing | learning | africa | curiosity | you and me | tattoos | nag champa | why | ice | irish | keep in touch | instagram fever | waffles | vintage dresses | long conversations | lace | pastel colors | give | sunsets | boat party | coloring | bliss | sunnies | road trips | mint | capirinhas | chillout | cold showers | california | lake | sustainability | ask | vikings | strips | bonfire | silent | go with the flow | clouds | civilizations | polka dots | simple | second hand | believe | reading | pallets | projects | shooting stars | crazy | garlic cheese bread | learning | sharing | festivals | make | education | shanti | swing | nail polish | blogging | didgeridoo | friend | innovative | revolution | try | choice | palm trees | change | passion | attitude | tags | mandala | full moon | creativity | ice tea | jump |

Inspired by Bianca, I’m sharing this present moment in my life with hundred words. What are your  words of now?

BLOGGERS CAMP 2015

When I heard about the possibility of a Bloggers Gathering in Portugal I jumped of happiness. The last couple months I’ve been thinking about joining an event with other bloggers but lost hope in Portugal because… well… let’s face it, no one wants to have the hard work of organizing something big like this. So I thought about joining a Bloggers Conference in Romania but my budget wasn’t enough.

But when Catarina sent me an email about a Bloggers Camp my hope started increasing and in few months we were together!! It all started with Catarina from Daydreams, she had this “crazy idea” and asked Catarina and Ana their thoughts about it. Of course, they said “Yeah let’s do it!” If you meet them virtually you’ll believe that anything can happen with these 3 girls. Happily Doreen accepted to work double shifts during the weekend and that meant the World to me. I was able to join the Bloggers Camp 2015!

WHY IMMIGRANT LIFE IS NOT FOR ME

When I lived in United States for one year, soon I understood that I couldn’t be an immigrant. I was able to stay another year living there, ILEX program would give me another year visa but I denied. But why? So many people struggle for a USA visa and I was simply saying no? It was an awesome experience, but was it, I didn’t feel like moving there.

TAG: THAT’S TRUE.

The other day Catarina from Joan of July tagged me for a fun game. Did I mention before I love this tag thing?

So, I’m going to list 25 facts about me but 5 are fake. You have to tell me which ones are not true. I’m so curious to know your answer. I will let you know the answer later. Ready?

I'M MOVING TO JAPAN!!

 

All countries I never been are my dream travels but Japan is for sure that country that I'm really passionate about, the people seems to be so nice, the costumes so different, the food so delicious, the landscapes wonderful. Overall such a different country from all I've seen!

But it's an expensive country and so far I couldn't afford going to Japan, I didn't want to go only one weekend or a week, I wanted to explore the corners of the country.

Not so long ago I applied for a backpackers magazine of Japan, after a longgggg skype conversation I started dreaming about the day I'd move to Japan and have the experience of my life. But it was a far away dream. Today is not anymore!!! Yes, you are right, I was selected to work as a writer for the magazine. Am I excited?? Over the moon!! :)

I will tell more details later on, I just couldn't wait anymore and had to share this fantastic news with you guys.

Happy Fool's Day! :D 

TRAVELING WITHOUT DESTINATION

Did you ever book only one way flight ticket? Did you ever travel without plans of where to go, what to visit, what to do?

I think that when you travel with your job, kids, bills waiting for you it's hard not to organize: you know you have one week vacation in that beautiful country and will make the most of it.

Now imagine someone who answer "Yes" to both questions above. That's me. I like to go with the flow and ask locals what to do. I like to wake up pack my stuff and leave to a sunny place when it's been raining for 2 days straight. That's what I call freedom and that's the main reason I adopted traveling as my lifestyle.

2014 IN REVIEW AND 2015 MINI GOALS LIST

Hello 2015! The most recent photo of me. Quito, Ecuador

Iam one of those people out there who make goals for the next year when the old year is coming to an end. I reflect about my year, what I could do better, what I visited, how can I improve as an human being, how can I help Mother Earth,all the things I've done, all the new knowledge I got, the goals I crossed and all the wonderful people I met. I'm always grateful for my years but I have to admit that there are some years that are tough and extra challenging.

2014 GOALS LIST RECAP

Hello guys and Happy New Year!

I finally got a chance to come here to say Hi :) My computer still needs to be fixed and I'm driving insane that I can't type whenever I feel inspired. As soon as I get in Quito (Ecuador) I will fix my computer, it's a priority. In the other hand, it was great to be far away from electronics and internet during holidays season to fully enjoy it in a colombian way ;) I hope you had a great time with your family and/or friends or traveling. Let me know how you celebrated Xmas and New Year's Eve, I'm super curious!

I know, the first week of the year is coming to an end and here Iam talking about my goals for 2014. Great start hein? I have my 2015 Goals List on my mind, is a wayyyy smaller list... I will leave this for another post. Hopefully this month! Ha!

HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD !!

 

As a matter of fact is not everyday that you hear someone is married for 40 years. Today my dear parents can say they are together for fourty glourious years! But it wasn't always easy... There was some though times that my dad was serious ill and couldn't work for 2 years. Mom worked day and night to make sure me and my brother had all the basics (and extras too) to live an happy life. 

I remember dad being a fishman and bringing fresh fish every morning for lunch. Or the boat rides or the day trips every weekend. Watch sunset every Sunday in the beach with them. It's been a simple but joyful life. Aren't the smallest things the best? I will keep all these memories in my heart.

This is also a good moment to say how much I love my parents and how grateful Iam for the education and values they transmitted to me. I wasn't a easy teenager, I wanted to change the World and was ready for a revolution. Thanks for being so patient! And then I grew up and became a traveler full time, not the regular daughter but still, you are always there to support me, even if you don't understand my lifestyle. 

Antonio and Elisabete I really hope you will celebrate more years of learning, understanding, love, trust, compassion together! 

Much love from your Martita who are far away phisically but always close in the heart :)

LIFE IN SOUTH AMERICA (AND CULTURAL SHOCK)

Hello dear pals and traveler fellows!

You have no idea how much I missed this place, my virtual home. These 2 weeks were completly insane, really! I left Portugal in the end of September and seems I'll come back in the end of April, wow!! Remember when I talked about settling down? Hahaha it's not going to happen... for right now. But I have some plans for 2015 including leaving my life of nomad and living out of a backpack and live one year somewhere, which is still a secret. First I gotta be sure that is going to happen, then I can spread the word. If all goes as planned, I finally can host people in my house :) It's about time to pay back all these years staying with adorable and helpful friends, family and couchsurfers.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME? - 50 TMI TAG

TMI stands for Too Much Information, a great way to SFB readers know more about the explorer Marta, her hidden secrets and loves. I stole this Tag from Monika and had a great time reading about her so I thought this would be fun to share with you.

If you ever answer to this questions please leave a comment below. If you don't know bloggers to tag the next Tag you answer think about me, I looooove to answer this kind of things, they make me think about me and my life. It's kinda terapeutic!

So, here we go! Have fun :)