I am a woman who, despite motherhood, wants to live life to the fullest. I reside, however, in a community in which the means I have chosen to accomplish this are often criticized. I am here to provide my perspective, to encourage mothers to self-reflect on their needs, and to impugn the critics of my pursuit. I am optimistic that in time women will reach a balance between caring for others and caring for themselves.

Firstly, the title of this work I imagine to be a foreign concept to some. The terms traveling and housewife do not often go hand in hand. By substituting the latter word with one more befitting, the resulting phrase will conjure recognition. Ah, yes, the traveling salesman! Once upon a time, they were a welcome sight providing the rare opportunity to make a purchase without leaving home and offering immediate gratification to boot. During the fifties, people appreciated the service they provided so much that in 1951 alone, they were a $7 billion industry. These days, however, the majority of us are less than thrilled to find one on our doorstep. Many home-owners even go as far as to affix “no soliciting” labels in plain view to discourage one from ever ringing their bell. Much like a traveling salesman of today, as a traveling housewife I often feel as though I am living in the wrong era, yet we briefly coexist, sharing a tiny dot on the time line–his days numbered to extinction, I preceding the domestic revolution.

In our loss of appreciation for what was once a respectable line of work I find a glimmer of hope. It proves to me that, albeit slowly, we are capable of molding our community sentiment to fit the needs of the times.

Although traveling salesmen are nearly obsolete, harder to shake has been the other role epitomized in the fifties: the oppressive role of domesticity. As I reproach the popular mindset of a bygone era, I challenge the adoption of a new mindset. One in which a ‘traveling housewife‘ would not be the subject of gossip and condemnation. Firstly, we need to nullify the misconception that in order for a mother to be a good one, she must adopt a selfless affect, always ready to serve others, regardless of her own needs.

Perhaps it would help if we consciously appreciated mothers as the world’s most substantial and influential volunteers–volunteers that are responsible for cultivating in the rising generations the confidence, values, and flexibility needed to govern and contribute to society. These volunteers almost always sign on with the support of a donating collaborator and the conception that they are commencing a partnership.  But soon after the baby business takes off she comes to realize that the job is exhausting, frustrating, under appreciated, and comes with little to no time off. Ever.

Is it our wish that those who bear this invaluable responsibility become so depleted they eventually grow resentful or worse, apathetic? The solution is to allow or rather support mothers to intermittently take time to indulge her whims and rejuvenate her spirit in order to maintain a healthy sense of well-being. While it may seem that I would purport such a theory for selfish reasons, in essence, it would come to benefit each member in her family. Furthermore, if implemented by the majority it would perpetuate the betterment of society as a whole.

While each woman has her own preferred method to rejuvenate herself, the pursuit I have chosen in order for me to ‘live life to the fullest’ is exploring some of the amazing places earth has to offer. Experiencing the world beyond the familiar corridors of this nation is paramount to my vitality. Perhaps a fusion of curiosity, intuition and fascination lead to my affinity to travel. Much of it is the novelty of seeing diverse people, places and customs. One thing is absolute: exotic food, enchanting people, and eclectic experiences generate new insights not found in the comfort of conventional surroundings. These elements together are unequivocally the best means to replenish my sense and sensibility.

Do not mistake me, motherhood is often an immensely rewarding job, the benefits from which aren’t measurable in profits or net worth; indeed they are priceless. Some are able to find that cooking, cleaning, and caring for their family is enough to endow their emotional needs. Notwithstanding the rewards and the tremendous love I have for my children, I long for more.

Because I am so passionate about my travels, it would not benefit my family if I were denied these occasional escapes (98% of my time is spent alongside them). My children have no doubt in my love and dedication to them. Devoting time to replenish my soul only enhances my ability to reinforce those elements. Furthermore, by witnessing my enthusiasm they are rendered the confidence to use their imaginations and ingenuity to follow what gives them joy.

With a more flexible attitude (one in which a ‘Traveling Housewife’ is not subject to scoffing and criticism) toward the stringent role held to us, I feel, in turn, a change will occur. Once we start taking more time to replenish our emotional well-being, happier mothers will begin to emerge. It is cliché, but true, that a happy mom is fundamental to a happy family. Promoting my position from “housewife” to “traveling housewife” has literally saved my family business.

Luckily, this does not apply to my life personally, but it is so wrong it oozes dysfunction, therefore earning a spot on my blog. The best way to put it is, “eeewwwwww!”

“Woman files lawsuit against AMR because passenger next to her masturbated while she slept

A 21-year-old Harris County woman filed a $200,000 lawsuit against American Airlines alleging employees on a flight to Los Angeles from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport failed to protect her while she slept from another passenger who masturbated to her and ejaculated in her hair, according to a lawsuit she filed last week in Tarrant County.

The Harris County woman alleges employees knew of the risks associated with failing to “police the passengers to ensure that passengers do not hurt one another,” the suit states.

Airline officials did not return calls seeking comment. In a statement to a Houston television station last year, a spokesman said the company regretted the incident, but the flight crew took appropriate action.

The woman and her lawyer could not be reached for comment. The Star-Telegram does not identify victims of sexual crimes.
Destined for a Spring Break visit with family and friends March 19, the woman flew from Houston to DFW Airport and had settled into her seat for the last leg of flight 2074 to Los Angeles about 11 p.m., the suit states. The woman slept most of the flight, but awoke about 20 minutes before landing when the pilot announced the plane was on decent into Los Angeles. When the woman opened her eyes, she saw that an unknown man had moved into the seat next to her and was staring at her as he masturbated, the suit states.
The woman turned toward the window in embarrassment and in an act of nervousness began to run her fingers through her hair where she noticed “a substantial amount of an extremely sticky substance in her hair,” the suit states.

The woman began to cry and tried to get the attention of a flight attendant, but was unsuccessful, the suit states. Finally a passenger in the row in front of the woman comforted her and verified the semen in her hair, the suit states.

When the plane landed, employee called airport police and the man was arrested.

The suit alleges that the during the investigation, American Airlines employees told police they witnessed the man move from his assigned seat into the row where the woman was sleeping.

The woman is seeking punitive damages and a jury trial.”

Now, I readily admit this is a foul, disgusting, violating and unfortunate incident for this woman. It will undoubtedly change her sense of safety and security in public. However, is it reasonable to sue the airline?

My opinion is no. My opinion is that people in this country need to quit being so god damned spoiled. Our society needs to wash it’s money grubbing hands and realize that sometimes shit just happens! Whether it’s spilling hot coffee or slipping in an icy parking lot, or being the victim of some disgusting jerk wad (bad pun, sorry), it’s life! But products of our lose-all-the-weight-you-want-and-never-go-hungry and get-rich-quick culture immediately look for the nearest Fortune 500 company every time something crappy happens. Frankly, I’m getting really sick and tired of the victim mentality which claims to need hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to compensate them for their troubles.

Press charges on the creep and move on, already.

I have to admit, there are times I feel very discouraged about my potential in the world of blogging. It is a lot of work to invest for no pay, and so far, only a select number of readers–a very intelligent conglomerate of readers, but nonetheless, a very few. Because of the effort I have been putting forth, and the lack of any monetary incentive, these readers are truly what keeps me going. Getting their feedback and support is crucial in maintaining motivation–otherwise what’s the point? I have recently received some very kind reviews on MissAdventures Abroad which has definitely helped to fuel me. I feel fortunate to have these loyal followers, and considering most of them maintain their own high-caliber blogs, their praise means that much more.

But then I see unsettling things to off-set the balance. I came across a blog so spam-laden, so clustered, and so poorly-written, that it frankly looks like the work of a child. The “articles” do not even contain complete sentences or thoughts! The post titles are nothing more than key words slapped on in no particular order! Seriously, this blog is so bad, I went out of my way to show it to two different people, because you can’t even grasp the intensity of badness this thing reeks of without seeing it for yourself. I have read many of the posts, just shaking my head with a puzzled look on my face because it is literally incoherent gibberish.

Now in and of itself, seeing a blog like this would not bother me; in fact, it would probably serve to make me feel better about my own blogs (which I am extremely critical of), since I can say that I devote a fair amount of time into each and every post, believing that quality is of greater importance than mere content. However, in the world of blogging, content is what gets you the hits. Content is what gets you the reimbursement. The more spam-a-lot you have, the more graphic pictures you have, or even simply the more times a day you add junk to your blog is what gets you noticed.

Here’s what disturbs me: Not only does the aforementioned blogger make money by putting together this piece of nonsensical slop, she receives perfect ratings on BC! Perfect 10’s, I tell you! And many of them. Err? Back the truck up. Well, there was one, and only one, honest review out of the whole bunch (which gave her a ‘1′ stating similar complaints). The only explanation I can fathom for these individuals unscrupulously doling out perfect 10’s for this senselessness, is that they couldn’t have possibly looked at this blog, and likely had the hidden agenda of rate swapping. Hell, even the blogger herself has rated her own blog a 10 at least twice! Hello? Is something wrong with this picture, or is it just me?

Although I can assure you that I’m not losing any sleep over the issue, I will tell you this: Giving indiscriminate reviews completely upsets the integrity of the entire rating system. I, like a lot of other bloggers I know, have worked very hard to earn the ratings provided us. If these appraisals are completely irrelevant, then why have them at all? If grading others’ blogs is supposed to be a means to highlight worthy material, then it is being grossly abused.

Some of us actually care about the messages, content, aesthetic appeal and functionality that we display. And while I readily admit that I would love to receive reimbursement for the long hours and dedication I put into blogging, it wouldn’t mean anything to me if there was no integrity of content. Is there a way to have both? I honestly don’t know; I do know that, although she may be a very nice person, this blogger does not deserve those ratings, and it unsettles me that she’s rewarded and encouraged for her method to “slap on the crap on”.

I would never give a poor rating because I don’t agree with the content, or don’t like the way a blog “looks.” I would even try to find something, anything positive to avoid giving a ‘1′; but I think we have the responsibility to be honest in our ratings and to call a spade a spade. We ought to at least have enough respect for ourselves, as well as for the other legitimately hard-working bloggers to only give credit where credit is due.