Five Things That Made Me Smile (February 2024 Edition)

And that’s a wrap for February 2024!

Let’s get to the moments that made me smile: February 2024 edition.

I Have A 12-page Spread In A Travel Magazine!

My Adriatic Adventure in a Travel Magazine!

Billy Oppenheimer recently wrote a piece on The Pygmalion Effect - it’s when one’s behavior, performance, and expectations about what they can accomplish is dyed with the colors and pigments of the thoughts, feedback, and expectations of those around them.

And that got me thinking, hey, that’s how my photos made their way into a travel magazine- thanks to the Pygmalion Effect!

Here’s what that looked like for me:

Over the last couple of years, I have received several messages of encouragement regarding photos I have shared on social media.

While I enjoy taking photos, other people’s belief in my work encouraged me to do something with those photos.

And because of another person’s belief in me, 12 of my Adriatic Adventure moments are now in a travel magazine.

Now, when I look at those photos in the magazine, I have proof of the following:

what happens when you start living by your values,
what happens when you share your joy with others,
what happens when another person’s belief motivates you to move forward (yes, sometimes we need a little nudge from others).

Now, go check out the issue here: DRIFT Travel.

My piece starts on page 28.

Darn right, I’m smiling.

Na Magistrali

Na Magistrali is a six-part Croatian travel series.

It premiered on the Croatian network HRT1 in February.

You can watch all six episodes here.

It is a beautifully directed Croatian travel series; even if subtitles are unavailable, I recommend giving it a chance. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the visual presentation.

The series, hosted by journalist Andrea Buča, highlights places and faces along the Croatian Adriatic Highway (Magistrala), a mostly two-lane highway built in the 1950s and 1960s.

A few weeks ago, one of the episodes focused on the area I now call home: the Makarska Riviera.

In the episode, Andrea explores Zadvarje, a town that hosts one of the largest open-air markets in Dalmacija. She also spends time with a local chef and bocce players from Brela.

The episode ends with Andrea watching the sunset from the Lighthouse of Saint Peter (Svjetionik Sv. Petar) in Makarska.

After watching the episode, I felt a deeper connection to a place that has become an important part of my life—an important part of my Adriatic adventure.

I thought about the faces I’ve met—the places I’ve seen.

I thought about the brilliant sunsets.

I thought about the delicious coffee.

I thought about all that and more.

And I smiled.

Strengthening The Pathway In My Brain

Driving stick shift is on the list. Again.

And I am sure it will make the list again.

Yup. This has been a huge learning experience.

In February, I drove from Croatia to Hercegovina.

I’ve driven the route many times, but this was my first time driving a stick shift.

When I reached the BiH border, I smiled and laughed.

The officer who took my ID looked at me and asked why I was laughing.

I said: I am learning to drive a manual car.

He smiled and replied: isn’t it a little late to learn something new?

That got me thinking about what happens to our brain as we learn a new skill.

To be honest, the officer’s comment made me think, and then Google,' At what age does learning become more difficult?’

Eventually, I came across posts on neuroplasticity, and the information related to that topic was much more enjoyable.

So below is a short video on neuroplasticity.

It's exciting to know that I am carving a new pathway in my brain by learning to drive a manual transmission.

I may be slower than some, but I am carving that pathway!

And that made me smile.

Mama Čuvalo Has Arrived

Mama Čuvalo arrived a few weeks ago.

She will spend most of her time in Hercegovina because most of her family and friends live there.

I am grateful to spend time with my mama in Hercegovina and Croatia.

It makes me happy knowing she will spend time in two places that have always made her smile.

Hercegovina & Burek

A few weeks ago, I drove to Hercegovina.

Once I arrived, my first stop was to pick up burek.

Burek is a meat pie that can look like this:

When I am in Hercegovina and ask for burek, it is understood that I am referring to a pie with meat.

In my world, burek is only made with meat.

It is not made with cheese, potato, or spinach.

Those dishes are called sirnica, krompirača and zeljanica.

So you better believe I smiled when I ordered burek, and the woman behind the counter didn’t ask me:

What kind?

And that’s a wrap for February 2024.

May the smiles and the learning continue.

Wishing you a fabulous March.