Happy New Year from India… and WOWZA, what a year it’s been! Since I have limited internet access in India, I will not begin publishing articles about this remarkable country until I return to Boston in early January, but until then, enjoy this recap of 2012, accompanied by photos of a wonderful performance we just saw in Jaipur.
If any references below intrigue you, click through for full articles and photos. Now…
My Statistics For 2012:
- 7 Countries Visited: A teacher tour in Spain in January, China with a student group in February, an educator trip through Greece in April, crazy Wedding World in July (yes, I am counting this), our honeymoon in Belize in August, and a short visit to the UK before flying to India in December!
- 5 Weekend Trips in the USA: Rural New Hampshire, Ogonquit in Maine, Cape Cod, the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, and… Ohio.
- 135 Articles Written: 65 on Around the World “L”, 58 on Teaching Traveling, 4 for the Gates Foundation blog, 3 for the Huffington Post, 1 for the Boston Public blog, and 4 for Education Week.
- 413,518 Pageviews on My Websites: 310,205 on Around the World “L” Travel Blog and 103,313 on Teaching Traveling… with visits growing each month!
- 3 Articles With Over 10,000 Reads: “Our Witty, Pretty Resort in Belize” (53,939 views), “Amazing Fall Foliage” (16,434 views), and “How to Never Lose Anything” (14,710 views).
- 12 Student Articles published about our China Tour.
- 5,977 Twitter followers now, and 3,502 Facebook fans from both fan pages.
- 1 Amazing Wedding, and 1 Reality TV Show Appearance!
- 5 Big Conferences Attended: The TBEX Travel Blogger Conference in Colorado, leading Meet Plan Go Boston Career-Break Travel Conference, Bellwether Education Bloggers Conference, EdCamp Boston, and Social Media for Nonprofits.
- 4 Sponsored Tours: Boston Chocolate Tour, Belize Snorkeling Tour, Boston African American History Tour, and Spain Teacher Training Tour.
- 1,200 Facebook Shares on My Most Controversial Article: “The Career Advice That Can Change the World” on the Gates Foundation blog.
- 6 Other Exciting Milestones: Taught 280 fabulous Boston Public Schools students, gave a speech with the Mayor to open the New Boston Hostel, launched my monthly e-newsletter, founded the Education Bloggers Facebook Group , published my 500th article on Around the World “L”, and was featured in the U.S. Department of Education’s newsletter. Woo hoo!
Yay, 2012, yay! Now, let me take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of you who have connected with this Travel, Education, and Love Empire (yes, I said “Love Empire”) since I started it in 2009. I have big plans for 2013 and beyond, so stay tuned, share, and do continue to leave your thoughts and stories in the comments section. YOU are what makes this all such a joy to create!
Click here to see New Years in Spain where I was for December 31, 2011. Click here to see my 2011 stats.
Suitcase Stories - Nicole says
We have been ‘fans’ of yours for around 18 months. I found your blog during our planning time. Now, we’ve been traveling (nomadically) for 12 months.
Four days ago we launched our blog! We’re just babies :) But reading posts like this one really inspires us and shows us what amazing things can be achieved if you put your heart into it.
Congrats on all the milestones and achievements you have made. Here is to many many more!
Lillie says
Thanks so much, and congrats to you on your epic travels!
Frankie Biggz says
Wow that’s Great!! GO YOU! :)
Lillie says
Thanks! It’s been quite the year!
Micki says
Wow – what a busy year! I’m excited to see what you’re up to next year… :)
Lillie says
Yew haw! Big plans :)
wandering educators says
Life is good!!
Lillie says
:) :) :)
Hogga says
Sounds like 2012 was a great year. Hopefully 2013 will be even better!
Lillie says
Let’s make it so!
Cheryl says
Sounds like a wonderful year! All the best in 2013 and look forward to reading about your adventures in India.
Lillie says
Yee haw and thanks!
LeX @ LeX Paradise says
Great insight about your 2012! Happy new year! 2013 will be a better year :D
Lillie says
Even better than fabulous 2012?! Ok, challenge accepted!
Mike says
Great post. Congrats on an amazing year. It was a pleasure to meet you at TBEX.
Lillie says
Thank you, and likewise!
gabi says
so wonderful to see your stats, to see your growth. clearly, you are changing lives lillie. you are doing amazing things. and such color to the world of travel and education. good on you nomad!
Lillie says
Thanks so much, Gabi!
Just One Boomer (Suzanne) says
Girl, when do you sleep?! Impressive accomplishments. I guess you don’t get married every year, but still….
I found your blog over the summer and I started my own blog (Boomeresque) this year. You are definitely one of my blogging heroes. I want to be you when I grow up ‘cept I’m old enough to be your mother. No biggie. Even Baby Boomers can still have growing up to do — or growing out — or something.
Best wishes for another fabulous happy and healthy year. You rock.
Lillie says
Suzanne,
Thanks for this lovely comment!!! :) :) :) Happy 2013 and beyond!
ANGLO/Dale says
WOW, Lille. What a year! I didn’t quite realise you’d accomplished so much during the last 12 months.
Not that it’s a race or anything, but your streaking ahead in the ‘things done’ & ‘places seen’ categories.
Lillie says
Oh, it’s always a race. :) But a really fun one!
Deb says
Congratulations, what a great year you had! I missed your wedding this year! Wow! Congratulations and all the best for 2013.
Lillie says
Thanks, Deb!
D.J. - The World of Deej says
Definitely a great year and enjoyed tagging along with you here. You are about a year ahead of me in terms of blogging, so I’m hoping that means my own site will see such awesome growth in 2013! Hope you’re having a blast in India!
Lillie says
Thanks so much on all fronts! I’ve enjoyed following your site and your adventures, too!
Jamie says
Beautiful attire and fabrics! Looks like fun!
Lillie says
If balancing five pots on your head is your idea of fun. :) But yes, the outfits are amazing!
Nancy D. Brown says
Wishing you happy travels in 2013. What a trip!
Lillie says
Thanks so much!
Adam Pervez says
Awesome stats. Looking forward to more articles, page views, and laughs in the coming year!
Lillie says
Thank so much, Adam! It’s been so happy that my site has connected me with wonderful people like you!