A little over a year ago, I left a career in non-profit fundraising to become a freelance travel blogger, filmmaker, and photographer. It was the biggest career obstacle I’ve faced to date as I figuratively chose to become a starving artist and follow my passions.

The original company that inspired me to take this leap was STA Travel. Their brand is infectious, they cater to young travelers like myself, and they happen to have an incredible competition for what I would classify as my “DREAM JOB.”

In STA Travel’s WORLD TRAVELER INTERNSHIP,  two young travelers are sent around the world, all expenses paid, for the entire summer. These travelers are asked to film, photograph, and write about their experiences… EXACTLY what I already do on my website!

Getting this gig would be a HUGE platform for me. And the good news is, you can help me with ONE SIMPLE CLICK!

There are a number of things that you can do to help me win:
1. Click It: Go to my competition page and click on the green button that says VOTE!

2. Forward the link (http://www.worldtravelerinternship.com/member/janelle-eagle/) to EVERYONE you know and encourage them to do the same

3.Share it on twitter, facebook, email, wherever!

4. Comment It: Once you’ve voted for me, leave comments on the page about why you think I’d be perfect for this job

This is the chance of a lifetime for me and as a recipient of this note, you are someone that has supported me, believes in me, and wants to see me succeed. Now… there’s a very simple way that you can help all those things happen.

Best of luck in all you are doing and thanks in advance for your suppport!

Best,
Janelle

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Paris’s underground metro system is one of the most efficient and advanced in the world. Train travel at it’s best, in this traveler’s humble opinion. Though very modern train cars roam along the tracks, I love the old time signs that appear every once in a while. This shot was captured on a rainy day in the Montemarte area of the city.

In this picture, I enjoy the way the ominous sky seems pierced through by an equally ominous font. Considering this sign appears at the top of a stairway going underground, the entire mood here seems to match the feeling one might get looking into the unfamiliar abyss of the Paris underground. The bright orange glow of the accompanying lamp post seems to indicate even further warning.

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I have written quite a bit on this website about my travels in India and around the world. After coming back from my recent journey, I had a huge amount of film and moments captured that I wanted to share. My video editing skills have greatly improved… so now my readers get even better quality video of the journey!

Check out the latest:

Feel free to rate the video, add comments, and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to continue to get notified when new videos are posted!

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In the northwest of Belgium is a quaint port city called Brugge. Referred to as “The Venice of the North” because of its canals and waterways, it’s also a great place to catch a sight of the famous windmills in this Flemish region. While I was visiting in November 2010, the Christmas festival was being erected in the city center. No such festival is complete without an ice skating rink and I couldn’t help but notice that the already gorgeous city sites looked brilliant in their reflection on the frozen water.

I appreciate the monotone slate blue of the reflection as it truly mirrors the sky from that cloudy and chill day. I appreciate that from where I stood, the reflection was inverted so it appears as though this picture is “upside down,” when in fact this is exactly what I was looking at as I stared into the ice. This silhouette itself is interesting as the tree reflected here in front of the city capital has so much character. The texture makes the visage looks like a painting I’d love to hang on my wall.

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The Brandenburg gate in Berlin is one of the most famous of tourist attractions in this capital city. Michael Jackson infamously dangled his baby off the balcony of the adjoining hotel. The embassies in the area regularly have protesters proclaiming their failures. The best location, however, is the grassy knoll in the middle of the causeway that is full of street performers and artists. Language barriers are irrelevant as most choose to have a word-free artform. For instance, the ones that pretend to be statues or the musicians that speak the universal language of jazz. My favorite was the man who spoke the universal language of bubbles.

This picture provides a rare glimpse of an infamous location and its human surroundings. This interesting character simply wanted to bring smiles to the faces of the wandering bikers and walkers crossing this path and I love that his own bubble frames his face. The sunlit gate still looks striking in the background, but in this photo it becomes a character looking over the people that pass through its columns on a daily basis.

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The fact that I would ever need to write an article about quitting smoking is surprising for anyone who knew the little girl version of Janelle K. Eagle. My father was a smoker, you see, and I was so vehemently against the habit that I pulled every heart string possible asking why he wouldn’t choose me instead of the cancer sticks. I didn’t understand addiction or how my presence in his life wasn’t enough for him to just stop. I blame that traumatizing anti-smoking ad where the woman smokes out of her trachiotomy tube in her throat for many a nightmare in my youth.

The Program that started it all

The young version of myself was constantly active, athletic, and though I had an aversion to brussel sprouts, I was healthy. When the D.A.R.E. program came to my school, I was singled out to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at our “graduation ceremony” because of my vocal support of a drug and alcohol free childhood. An overachiever, a daughter a parent could be proud of, I even sang in the temple’s choir. I was by no means a “bad kid” that was caught by the principal smoking behind the bleachers. In fact, I didn’t even pick up the habit until I was in college.

Like many impressionable young people, I started with what seemed like a noncigarette. It was a CIGAR. Eventually I slid over to clove cigarettes, thinking that a couple a day was something that cool artsy college kids did. Eventually I was hooked on the inhale, switched to regular cigarettes, and was suddenly something that “little girl Janelle” would be ashamed of: a Smoker.

Now let me stop here for a second and give a little love to those people in my life who are smokers. I hate how shame and smoking are so linked. Quitting is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. No one will be able to tell you how to stop. You’ll get there on your own if you want to, promise. I am writing this article simply to share my own story. Find your own way and go for it! You can do it!

And to all the loved ones out there that have a smoker in their life… Let me speak solely from my own experience. It never helped when someone attempted to guilt me into stopping. It never helped when someone gave me an ultimatum. I hated it when people would pass by and say “that’ll kill you, you know.” I never understood this as a child and publicly announce to the world an apology to my father for all the guilt trips; they probably only made his journey harder.

They say it takes the average smoker at least 10 attempts before s/he stops smoking. Oftentimes, a smoker may stop for a while and then may revisit their nasty habit when life’s larger obstacles rear their ugly heads (i.e. Death in the family, layoffs, etc.). I have attempted to quit the nasty habit a number of times, usually lasting at least of couple of weeks before I stopped. One of the attempts that lasted the longest was when I got an extremely severe lung infection that landed me in a hospital emergency room twice in one week. If you think that would stop me… you’ve probably never been a smoker.

I stopped for a while and then eventually went to a bar and thought “I’ll have just one.” Suddenly I’d be back in my groove and the habits would start again. I would wake up, smoke a cigarette. I would get ready for my day, get in the car, and light up. I’d eat my meals, have a cig, and then do it all over again the next day. My friends smoke. All the bars in Los Angeles that I frequent have built in smoking patios.While I have a strong spirit and am capable of dedicating myself to a goal, the familiarity of my life culture and smoking was too great for me overcome.

Me on the balcony formerly known as "The Smoking Balcony"

Eventually, I knew myself well enough to know that if I tried to become a casual smoker, I’d get looped back into my habits eventually. My routine in Los Angeles was so tied to when and where I lit up that I didn’t know how to enjoy my balcony’s sunset view of the Hollywood Hills without a cigarette in my hand. I even called the locale my “smoking balcony.” Having a beer in one hand automatically meant having a cigarette in the other. It seemed I didn’t even know how to live in Los Angeles without a pack of cigarettes. Every time I would leave town with the intention to quit, I’d come back to Los Angeles and light up again. My home seem inextricably linked to a habit I hated.

My brother Jason, unimpressed by a two week non-smoking stint that I was bragging about, mentioned to me once that “It takes 90 days to make a habit and 90 days to break one.” Always game to prove my brother wrong, I was heartbroken when I couldn’t get to that goal time and time again. Never one to give up though, I decided to add it to the Life to Do List, and thus entered #18: “Do not smoke a cigarette, not even one, for at least 90 days.”

About to light up in Bali

What finally allowed me to cross #18 off the List was a two-month trip around the world. Travel is not only my passion, it’s where I am in my groove. On this particular extended trip, I was out of my familiar surroundings long enough to break all of my habits. This was not the case in August 2008 when I traveled to Bali for 10 days (along with a carton of cigarettes). I smoked the entire time and hate that many of my travel pictures include me with a cigarette in my mouth.

On this trip, I knew I was lucky to be traveling in the first place. I knew that I would be viewing sites and meeting people that would change me. I had plenty to distract me. Nothing would be familiar, so habits weren’t applicable. It seemed like a perfect excuse to stop.

I fumbled quite a few times when I first got to Nepal simply because I hadn’t mentally “let go” of my habit. My local guide and dear friend in Bhaktapur is a smoker. Being around him while he smoked was a tease, so I lit up with him a couple of times in the spirit of camaraderie (or so I told myself). Slowly but surely during the month I lived in Nepal, I smoked less and less. I left that beautiful country on November 1st for India, smoking only twice during the five days I was in town. I enjoyed neither cigarette that I had and mentally felt the moment where I was done. On November 5th, 2009, I left India for Europe and left my smoking habit behind.

Today, the 3rd of February marks 90 days cigarette free. It was hard to come back to Los Angeles, but as soon as everyone got used to being around me without a cig in my hand (and I got used to not smoking while others did), it became markedly easier. I learned to love the Hollywood Hills view even more without the cigarette. It is still hard to not smoke when I am drinking, but I choose to focus on the company I keep or the music playing instead of how bad I want a cigarette at that bar. The longer I go without smoking, the easier it gets. Now I’m more used to not smoking than the opposite.

For those of you wishing to get inspired to stop smoking, feel free to adapt my story to work for you. There are a couple of disclaimers that are relevant (especially because I believe we all have our own journey):

1. You need to have a lifestyle that allows you to GET OUT OF TOWN! You need to be gone long enough (and far enough) so that your habits are broken. Any other big life change or move might actually be a perfect excuse (new apartment? new city?)/

2. Instead of saying “I will quit smoking,” consider the 90 day option instead. I may light up again in the future, but knowing that I’ve already gone this long makes me think its unlikely.

3. I had supportive friends and family that didn’t make me feel like I’d be a failure if I didn’t make it. They congratulated me along the way but didn’t pressure me.

4. I refused to bring cigarettes with me and none of the countries I was traveling in were going to carry my brand. I’m pretty loyal, so this was a big advantage. (If you travel to Europe, the sticker shock of extremely expensive cigarettes also makes it easy to pass up)

A Travel Picture sans smoke!

5. There were some advantages to my European travels that made it easier for me to stop. I was constantly moving, traveling by train to a new city at least once ever three days. Nothing was habitual. Focus on catching the next train or tour rather than the location of the closest smoke shop.

If you have any of these options, take them. Getting to see the world is a wonderful side effect of crossing this item off the list. I had the time of my life and got healthier at the same time. Not to mention, I think I look much better in my vacation pictures without a cigarette in my hand!

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The ancient tombstones in the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague are a true site to see. Because Jewish practice does not allow the removal of tombstones, layers of graves and stones are piled upon each other in this cemetary. Each generation simply dug deeper into the ground. The oldest grave is dated to 1439, even before Columbus “discovered” the Americas! While it is cold in November, I found the colored leaves in the trees and on the graves’ surfaces to be stunning.

The depth of field in this photograph does a great deal to reveal just how many stones are piled into this small cemetery. The jilted directions and weathered surfaces give so much character to the charming locale. I also enjoy the irony of the dead leaves fallen upon grave stones, and yet it all is so beautiful.

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Venice, Italy is a picturesque location to the say the least. The distinctly bluegreen water that flows between buildings and under bridges is the delight of any visitor or resident. The gondolas that traverse these waters have become a visual symbol for this charming city on the sea.

At sunset, I snapped this photo while standing atop the Rialto bridge. I enjoy the way the sunset light develops along the ripples and that the silhouettes of the gondolas are so distinct. Peering closely, you can even see tiny details of the happy snuggling passengers.

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As I’ve traveled around the world, I’ve seen some amazing people and sites. I’d love to share them with you in a weekly series where I’ll feature a photo and share the story that went along with the capture!

To start it off, feast your eyes on this:

In the small fifedom of Bhaktapur, Nepal, there are two large festivals a year. At this particular festival, young girls dress in traditional Newari outfits and go from doorpost to doorpost singing and dancing. In return, they receive a few rupees that they can then use to buy chocolate or any other treat.

These young girls are in the town center awaiting sunset- when they can begin to sing and dance. One girl blows a bubble as a friend hangs by watching the hustle and bustle of festival preparations.

Photographically, I enjoy that the bubblegum girl is in focus while the rest of her environment seems to literally swirl around her. The candid capture of the innocent friendship of these young girls is touching.

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Some of the items on my Life To Do List were simply put there because I knew I had to get them out of the way. When I set about becoming a documentary filmmaker/blogger/photographer/starving artist a while back, I was aware that I had certain responsibilities that I needed to take care of in order for me to be legit. Call them “career errands.”

Take for instance two recently completed items on the list:

#12: Wipe old PC harddrive, convert to my MAC, and sell the oldie

and

#35: Set up an email signature

These may seem like silly tasks to prioritize, but I also feel that these easier items balance out larger goals on the list such as #2: Travel to Africa. If everything were too difficult to attain in the reasonable time frame I gave myself (5 years), then I would grow disinterested and unmotivated. At least when I cross off these items, I feel like I’m accomplishing something!

And in fact, completing #12 was a big and long overdue feat. My old PC  had been sitting in my closet since college. I never used the thing because I’ve had access to a MAC laptop for the last 5 years. Nonetheless, many old music files, old pictures, and old documents were on the PC and I couldn’t simply throw it away. I knew that I had to somehow get the courage to plug the thing back in and get the files that I wanted to keep onto my new computer (or at least an external harddrive). The process took hours to complete, but by golly I got it done. And it’s a huge relief!

#35 on the list was initially added to the list purely out of jealousy. Because my emails had consistently come from a business account for so many years, I was suddenly struck with a sense of confusion when I quit my job and personal emails I sent didn’t have a signature at the bottom. Many of my independent business people friends had cool signatures that linked to all their fancy sites that allowed them to maximize their self promotion. The end of my emails just looked so… empty.

What also perplexed me about being on my own is that I suddenly didn’t have a “title” that I could easily reference on the signature. I had to ask myself, “what exactly is it that you do?” Was it appropriate to put documentary filmmaker/blogger/photographer/starving artist on the bottom of an email? After realizing that I do a lot of things, but all of them have something to do with me in a Producer role, I decided to own that space and call myself what I am: a Producer. Well count me in! The abridged version of my signature is below and I am two items lighter on the list!

–
Janelle K. Eagle
Producer
http://www.twitter.com/janelleeagle
www.journeywithjanelle.com
http://unatti.blogspot.com
http://www.youtube.com/jkeagle

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