One of my favorite parts of my website is my logo. If you know me well, you might already know that my logo is actually based on one of the first tattoos I ever got. This tattoo holds so much meaning in my life, and now in my blog as well, that I feel i must share the deeper meaning behind it, especially since it’s so closely aligned with the content and themes I share.
It only feels right to tell this story in order, starting from when I was a young child. I have always been extremely blessed with a family who values the beauty of travel and experiences over material things. Because of this, throughout my childhood, I was able to visit different places within the United States and internationally. As I grew up, I started to realize just how much I appreciated and valued these trips and how much I looked forward to them every single time. As my sisters and I got older, we began taking more family trips to farther places, exploring new continents. This was a pivotal moment for me—traveling to Europe, observing the unique lifestyle and vibrant energy that filled European cities. I became fascinated with the world, poring over maps and seeking out random information about every corner of the globe.
This passion only grew stronger in high school. I was still traveling with my family, but I also started to learn more about the world on my own. I took a class where we had to memorize maps of the world, and I went so far as to memorize every single country and its location. I became obsessed with maps, learning about languages and cultures, and discovering countries I never even knew existed. This obsession deepened during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, when I found myself glued to my computer. I was either watching YouTube videos of people traveling to remote islands and war zones or learning about humanitarian crises. One crisis in particular, the situation in Yemen, captivated me. I did hours of research, watched every documentary I could find, and couldn’t stop thinking about it. My mind was consumed with travel, exploration, adventure, and the darker aspects of our world. I wanted to learn about every conflict, every war, every culture, government, and problem. I couldn’t get enough.
As my senior year approached, I began applying to various schools—UCLA, University of Colorado, UCSD, and more. I knew I wanted to go far and explore a new part of the country, but it wasn’t until later in the year that I realized I wanted something different. That’s when I decided to apply to the University of Hawaii. For a while, I kept my options open, considering where I got in, where I received financial aid, and what truly sparked my interest. I was back and forth, unsure of what to do, but all the while, I was diving into my own independent studies.
That year, I spent my time creating a year-long project researching high school seniors in 30 countries worldwide. I researched countries across every continent, trying to get a broad understanding of the different lifestyles, challenges, and cultures of kids my age. With the help of my teacher, I even connected with some of these students as pen pals to gain deeper insights. This was such an eye-opening project; I learned about countries I knew nothing about before and was able to compare my life with someone else’s, halfway around the world. This project solidified my desire to experience a completely new culture, which led me to commit to the University of Hawaii by the end of my senior year.
From there, my journey truly took off. Not only was I experiencing a new life within the United States, but I was also meeting people from all over the world who had also come to Hawaii. I connected with others who shared my deep passion for travel and exploring the world, and it was incredibly comforting to be around so many like-minded individuals.
However, by the end of my freshman year, I found myself in one of the most miserable mental states I had ever been in. I had a deep longing to travel the world and explore more than ever before, but I also felt the societal pressure to attend a “normal” college and finish my degree. I was lost, unsure of who I wanted to be or where I wanted to go. I decided to leave Hawaii, hoping to return after summer, and began applying to other universities and online schools.
That summer, I had the opportunity to embark on my Birthright trip to Israel. This trip was one of the best experiences of my life and a pivotal moment in my journey. I went with my sister and ended up being part of an amazing group of individuals. We had the most incredible time, learning about the local cultures and discovering so much about ourselves and our religion.
On the last day of that trip, I went to a tattoo shop and finally got the tattoo I had been thinking about for the past year—a single-line drawing of the Earth. I wanted it to be a continuous line that connected the entire globe because that’s what made it so significant to me. Not only did I want this tattoo, but it also felt right to get it in that particular place.
Before I dive into the deeper meaning behind this tattoo, let’s fast forward. After my trip to Israel and other parts of Europe that summer, I decided to enroll in an online university while living in Hawaii and working full-time. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Although I had moments of doubt and questioned my choice, I don’t regret it for a single second. I was able to finish my degree in three years while working full-time, focusing on my physical and mental well-being, and beginning to explore the world. During my two years of online school, I embarked on so many different adventures, both within Hawaii and abroad. I took my first solo trip and visited countless new countries and continents. I pushed my limits, challenged myself, and finally felt like I was living my truth. For the first time, I felt fulfilled and like I had found my path.
Now, two years since getting that tattoo, I’ve completed my degree in Sociology, traveled to over 22 countries, and I’m about to embark on the longest and biggest adventure of my life.
Now that you’re all caught up on how I got to where I am today, let’s talk more about the true meaning behind this tattoo. The globe represents my love and interest in the world, its cultures, and the diversity of society. But more than that, the single-line drawing represents the interconnectedness we all share. As vast as the world is, and as many of us as there are, the more I travel and the more people I meet, the more I realize how small the world really is. Throughout my travels, I’ve connected with people from all corners of the Earth—different religions, cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives—yet we’ve shared something in common. Whether it’s a love of food, music, adventure, or just a mutual respect for each other and the conversations we’ve had, I’ve intertwined my life with people from every corner of the globe. I can now say that I have friends in dozens of different countries. I’ve had conversations, learned new things, and seen the world from countless perspectives. Right now, there’s someone on the other side of the planet who might be sharing a similar thought or passion, and you just don’t know they exist. Traveling the world has shown me that while we are all unique individuals, we are also deeply connected, able to bond over our similarities despite our differences.
I think this speaks volumes about the world we live in today—a world often filled with hate, where we focus on our differences rather than celebrating what we share. This single line represents every person I’ve met, every experience I’ve had, every perspective I’ve encountered, and every place I’ve explored, all connected back to me. That’s how I view the world, the people on this Earth, and my relationships and experiences.
Now, let’s return to where I got this tattoo. Despite the controversy surrounding Israel, it is one of the most culturally and religiously significant places in the world. I had the chance to visit this place and had one of the best experiences of my life, mainly because of the people I met. These are people I still keep in touch with today because they hold such an important place in my life. This experience taught me that people make a place. You need to find those who support you, grow with you, and continue to expand your horizons, perspectives, and knowledge. I didn’t want to forget that this place was where that mentality started for me—where the people, experiences, and conversations led me back to who I was and what my role in this world is.
So, this tattoo holds so many meanings for me. It’s a symbol of my connection to every person and experience on this Earth. It ties me back to my religious roots and to every single one of my brothers and sisters around the world. It’s a symbol of love, experience, adventure, knowledge, and the beauty of this Earth—of this life. We often take that for granted, getting caught up in hate, anger, and frustration, forgetting how truly beautiful life, the people who occupy this Earth, and the places on this planet are.
When it came time to choose a logo for my website, I knew immediately it had to be this exact symbol. Not only does this drawing of the Earth represent the type of content I’m sharing—travel-inspired photos and a global perspective—but it also holds such deep personal meaning. Every time I look at that logo or at the tattoo on my body, I’m reminded of how connected the world is, and of all the people and experiences I’ve had the privilege of encountering and will never forget.
So take it all in. Enjoy the journey, embrace the unknown, and let every encounter, every story, and every new experience enrich your life in ways you never imagined. Remember, it’s in these moments of connection that we truly understand the world and our place within it. So go ahead, step out of your comfort zone, and let the beauty of this interconnected world shape your story.
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