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About Aurora

My passions include hiking, backpacking, running and the newest – biking, which might be more of an obsession right now.  Mostly, I just like to be outside. Which is funny because I am currently living in NYC, where there is not as much outdoor adventure, but plenty of other adventures to tide me over until I take off again – though the next time will be by bike!

This blog is all about my adventures – the ones on concrete and the ones on the trail (and hopefully, soon, plenty from dirt roads!) – and anything else I encounter along the way.

Why Planet Aurora?

When I was first applying for a teaching position, I wrote a personal statement reflecting my teaching philosophy.  I titled it “Teaching on Planet Aurora” – as I believe that the teaching and learning that happens in my classroom is pretty special.  Planet Aurora has been full of laughter, inquiry, hands-on experiments and rigor.

I love teaching – love seeing students conquer their fears and grow into people.  But, I also love learning about the world and finding out what is out there – conquering my own fears and growing as I learn.  I started this blog to record my journeys over the 9 months I traveled, to Nepal, India, Vietnam, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador.

Over those 9 months, I climbed, hiked, and went on an amazing journey.  And knew that it was simply not over.  

So, grab a seat and read on…

 

10 Comments Post a comment
  1. Andrew #

    Is the movie going to be in the states or Netflix? (YES I DID READ THE BLOG) bedbugs must be terrible i looked up a couple remedies and a few that i found that might be of good use is mint, Cayenne pepper and lavender repels bedbugs i guess when at your next stop if you apply these to you bed a few hours before you go to sleep you will be bedbug free however i do believe the cayenne pepper works the best,and some part of me thinks that is would be fairly easy to find cayenne pepper in india but i hope all is well, much love Andrew

    November 19, 2011
  2. coreyroberts #

    Hey Aurora. I totally flaked and meant to write you just to say ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ even though it means absolutely less than zero over there. From the looks of everything you’re posting you’re having a pretty amazing trip. Keep track of which airlines have the most legroom for me in case I venture to any of your destinations in years to come…trust me, it’s worth keeping track of in my case. I know, I’m sure it’s top of your list of things to remember.

    Keep having fun.

    Yours,
    Corey

    November 27, 2011
  3. Carol Valmy-Merchant #

    So when are you coming to the MidEast?

    April 19, 2012
  4. Hi! Got wind of your blog from Kim at RTWsomanplaces. I asked her if she knew of any travel blogs featuring single ladies who made/are making long-term travel happen as many travel blogs are either men or couples.

    Wanted to say I liked this page a lot. So many travel blogs’ “About me” section are the same: “I worked in a high-paying, corporate, soul-sucking job and felt suffocated by the walls of my cubicle and had to get out!” Nothing wrong with that, but it’s extremely common.

    You sound like me: Not unhappy in work/career, but interested in seeing more of the world and why now now while I’m single and have no kids? I do actually work in a cubicle, but for a not-for-profit with interesting work, great colleagues and a long weekend every other week.

    Last year I went to Central America for three weeks (awesome!) and prior to that, I had not left North America since high school (I’m 35 now). I didn’t do any international travel in my 20s at all, so now I’m making up for lost time. I head to Indonesia next month and am considering asking for a leave of absence from my job next year for a longer trip.

    Again, not because I am unsatisfied with career or life, but because I want to see more of the world, like you. Anyway, that’s my long-winded way of saying… Finally, a travel blog’s “About me” I can relate to! 🙂

    April 20, 2012
  5. Jim #

    You are the most awesome PSIA ski examiner, and you do not even have a tab for skiing.

    Forever in your Debt,
    Jim

    March 1, 2016
    • Aurora #

      Thanks Jim! 🙂

      March 1, 2016
  6. Kem #

    Had the pleasure of attending one of your sessions (tbi/ptsd) in Breckenridge (12/16). I loved it. You did a wonderful job. I can only imagine how talented you are – I understand how hard it is to become an examiner for PSIA, and not even a mention in your bio! Best of luck in your future endeavors!

    December 12, 2016
    • Aurora #

      Oh, Kem — you are too kind! Thanks for the good words — and good luck to you as well! 🙂

      December 12, 2016

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