Completing The Quest

Taking the Ring to Mordor It is a quest of epic proportions, taking the Ring of Power to Mordor to cast it into the fires of Mt. Doom. Just the kind of quest I need. For my second trip to New Zealand, on a quest to come “full circle”on the healing journey I’d begun there […]

Starting at the Beginning

Sometimes to move forward, you have to go back to where you started. Just shy of three years ago, I landed on the shores of New Zealand for the first time in my life, brokenhearted and barely surviving, but excited for the hope of healing brought by a new adventure. Sometimes you have to go […]

Sabbatical

Have you ever felt that you are surviving on fumes, and then you’re surviving on fumes of fumes, and then you’re surviving on the mere memory of fumes? That you’re burnt out, or so far beyond burnout, that there’s nothing left to burn? After finishing an incredible summer leading 26-day adventure road trips around the […]

Epiphany

Today is Epiphany, or the 12th day after Christmas. Traditionally, Epiphany is the day for commemorating the “Three Wise Men” that visited baby Jesus in the nativity story. Many people are more familiar with the word “epiphany” referring to a revelation that changes you, your perspective, your world in some important way. “I’ve had an […]

That Fresh Feeling

As the sun sets on the last day of a rather difficult year, here’s a few good things worth celebrating…

The Final Stretch: Christmas Ode to Samwise Gamgee

A Christmas Ode to everyone who has been a Samwise Gamgee to me this year.

Recalculating

There was an amazing Jeep ad awhile back playing with the theme of Google Maps’ constant recalculating: “In 300 metres turn left… Recalculating.” “Go straight to a steady job… Recalculating.” (Woman looks at positive pregnancy test)… “Recalculating.” You get the idea. In the last few years of my life, I have had to do a […]

Epilogue

if i’m not the love of your life i’ll be the greatest loss instead -rupi kaur Last week, I got divorced. There, I said it. The D-word. How do I feel? It’s like a birthday without the cake and balloons… you don’t feel instantly different.

New Beginnings and the Business of Mould Breaking

Dear Friends, Readers, Fellow Mould Breakers, As 2018 begins I’ve made some important decisions and taken some exciting new steps forward. In short, I’ve decided to start the new year as Janelle Visser, and I’ve started a new website to be home to my personal, travel, and professional writing. I hope you will check it […]

An Open Christmas Letter To The Bestest People In The Entire World

Dear friends / family / fellow adventurers, I want to write you, personally, to thank you for the impact you’ve had on my life this year. I’m already crying before even getting into this letter, because although it may seem impersonal to write an open letter instead of scribbling a quick greeting in an individual […]