My departure date of March 1, 2011 is fast approaching and aside from a few things I have left to do on my to-do list I’m more ready than ever. I have put my fears behind me and not to sound sappy I know it’s a day that is going to change my life forever. In honor of all the changes coming up I thought it would be a good time to make some changes to Breakaway Backpacker. Here is the scoop on what’s going on.
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New Look
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Breakaway Backpacker on Thrilling Theme
Since I started my blog I have been using Thrilling Theme and I loved it. I think it is a great theme, but it’s a theme that I shared with many in the travel blog community.
I have been looking to find a theme that was unique and more me. I have found it, it’s a STUDIO PRESS THEME called LEXICON CHILD THEME (if you are reading this on RSS reader you may want to click over and see the new look). The new theme is crisp, has a great layout, awesome color scheme and is 100% me.
I wanted to wait and change the theme a week before I took off, but I thought it would be best to get the hang of it now. So please bare with me during the next few weeks as I play around with it. I’m also working with Jenny from Where is Jenny to make a custom header.
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New Changes
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Sunset over Waikiki Beach
Now that I am going to be living on the road full-time the tone of Breakaway Backpacker is going to change. Right now I have just been documenting my Pre-Trip thoughts and planning. Beginning March 1, 2011 you will start seeing new categories. To give you a sneak peak I’m going to list the new categories below (any of this could change).
Travel Blog
- Thoughts
- Adventures
I’ll post any random thought’s that pop into my head under “Thoughts”. I plan on having a blast and being a little crazy so those stories will fall under “Adventures”. WARNING: nothing will be off limits.
Travel Photos
- Gallery
- The Round Up
I’m no photographer but plan on taking plenty of pictures of everywhere I go. I want to move my current photo gallery from the top of my blog to “Gallery”. The “Gallery” is going to be all my pictures categorized by city. As for “The Round Up” I have never been a big fan of just posting one picture and making it a blog post so instead I will post the best 5 pictures of the week every Friday.
Travel Budget
- Daily
- Country
- Budget Tips
I have been tracking my expenses on a note pad for years for all my bills so keeping track of my expenses on the road is not going to be a problem. I want to use a spreadsheet to document my daily travel expenses from Day 1 to Day ???. I also want to give a summary of my travel expenses by “Country” and as for “Budget Tips” well that is self-explanatory.
Music Monday’s
I love music and I want to post songs and their lyrics (starting March 7, 2011) that inspire me to travel, to be myself or encourage me to do something I wouldn’t normally do. In the process of doing that I hope they inspire you as well.
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Same Jaime
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Surfing errr laying out out on a surf board on Waikiki Beach!!!
I’m going to continue to be honest, dramatic, crazy, and goofy. I’m always going to have an opinion; sometimes we may agree and sometimes we may not. No matter what though I will always respect everyone’s feed back. In the end though even with the new look and the new changes I am going to make sure I am the same Jaime.
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So moment of truth what do you think of the “New Look”, “New Changes” and “Same Jaime”? What do you wanna see or not see on “Breakaway Backpacker”? Even though I spent an entire day of hard work on these changes I want to hear your feedback so don’t hold back. Oh & be sure to click on “Home” to see the entire theme.
Love the new theme and looking forward to seeing more posts from you now that you have a plan!
Kieron recently posted..Frugal February Challenge 1
Thanks Kieron!!!
As you know I’m ready for a change on the theme too, so I think you made a great decision in changing to something different — very clean.
I really like the budget idea 🙂 I’m glad Chris is doing it, and whenever I’ve seen folks do it in the past (which is rare), it’s been helpful. You’re starting in places I’ve never been, so I’ll be looking to you for tips when I make my way to Central and South America one day.
And just watched Glee and thought of you! Just thought I’d share 🙂
Heather recently posted..No Macaron Left Behind- 47-54
Heather yeah I know we chatted about changing our themes. I say you should go for it (cus well a lot of use Thrilling Theme). Yeah I love reading budget post & packing post. I plan on keeping a detailed account of all my expenses. Oh & GLEE rocked, so glad its back!
Lookin good J!
I am thinking along the same lines as you, in defining my focus, etc, glad to see you got down some thoughts on what you want to focus on, should really help you put out some great content 🙂
Justin Hamlin recently posted..Navigate Focus Live Inspire
Thanks Justin, yeah I thought it was about time to focus on what I am going to want to write while I am on the road. Even though I know it may change but at least now I have an idea.
I love the new theme! I’m pretty new to blogging so I’ve been playing around with my settings too and its taken me ages to get it looking exactly how I want.
Looking forward to reading about your trip!
http://www.uktravelbug.blogspot.com
I love the new theme! I was waiting to see it since you announced the purchase on Twitter 🙂
And the countdown is so cool 🙂 Looking forward to see the gallery!
I also want to change mine but can’t quite find one that I like, plus I’m the laziest person on Earth :p
Yayyy “X” day is coming soon! Good luck Jaime, I’m excited for you 🙂
Giulia recently posted..How does it feel like Side effects of the Egyptian Revolution
Thanks Giulia, and all I can say is that if I can do it you can do it too. Trust me I am one of the laziest people on earth. Just start looking and then when you find it spend an entire day working on it.
BTW: I am glad you are safe and sound out of Egypt!!! I hope by the time I am on that side of the world I can visit Egypt.
I’m going back to Egypt very soon. Hopefully by the end of the month. So I’ll be monitoring the situation for you! 🙂
Giulia recently posted..How does it feel like Side effects of the Egyptian Revolution
Oh wow you are going back that soon? Yes please monitor the situation for me & keep me posted. You know how much I wanna explore Egypt.
Yes, I am going… As soon as possible (I am following the situation to see what’s the best moment!) – I miss Egypt so much and I just want to spend some more time there, no matter what happens. I love that Country and I think it’s good to be there in such an historical moment! Only, I try to stay safe. Can’t wait to go 🙂
Giulia recently posted..All around Singapore in 7 hours!
I’m lovin’ the new look, Jaime! Really excited for your adventure to begin, and to read about your new blog subjects (I’m guessing Kelly Clarkson will come up on Music Mondays quite often?? haha) Always stay “honest, dramatic, crazy, and goofy.” 😉
Patricia GW recently posted..The Power of Ithaka
Pat thanks, I am so excited too & can’t wait!!! Oh & about Music Mondays ummmm MAYBE??? LOL well I know for sure the 1st one is for sure its the one that inspired the name for this blog.
And I will always stay “honest, dramatic, crazy and goofy”!!!
great theme, i am looking forward to the finished product
Thanks Zablon, I think for now its pretty much finished except for a few things here & there.
Great new theme!
We are at the tail of end a web desig/re launch of our site too!
Elise recently posted..The War Memorial In Sandakan
Elise, yeah its always a good idea to change it up every once in a while!
I agree with what’s been said above,
The theme is great, and a budget summary will be very helpful.
May is going to be here in no time.
Mike Lenzen recently posted..Selling Our House in Qu’Appelle- SK- Canada
Thanks Mike!
OMG!!! Another Saskatchewanite?!?! This is awesome!!!
And the site looks amazing Jaime. I’m very impressed!
Corey W. recently posted..Days 55-56- The Selva
I really like the new theme and colors! But am looking forward to the “same Jaime” going RTW and documenting it all 🙂
Ashley recently posted..Final Destination- A Home in Lake Tahoe!
Thanks Ashley glad you like and am glad you enjoy the “Same Jaime”. I will make sure to continue to be me.
The blog looks great… and I’m excited to read about your upcoming adventures! 🙂
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..5 Reasons You Should Learn to Paddleboard
Thanks Christy!!!
Eeeek, I’m SO excited for you!!!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Meet My Fiance- Lucas
Thanks Andi!!!
I love the new look; very Jaime! I look forward to seeing your new material and what music you choose.
Good luck!
Thanks QB, I am sure you are going to like most of the music I choose but I guess we will see.
Hot damm Jaime – nice clean crisp look my friend!
And TWENTY -ONE DAYS??!!!
That’s ridiculous – how awesome!
Thank Skott & Shawna, yup 21 days I know I can’t believe it. It is RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME!!!
The new digs look great, glad to see you stepping up your game. I’m excited to see what you and Jenny come up with on the header. Knowing her and working with her on mine, you’re in good hands.
Nick Laborde recently posted..The paradox of doing it all
Thanks Nick, yeah I thought it was about time I step up my game. I am ready to take it more serious and just have a blast and document it all. I kinda have an idea of what I want but I am not sure. I am sure though Jenny will help me make a badass one!!!
Nice pic on the surf board. Makes me want to surf!
Thanks Paul, I tried surfing but was horrible at it so instead just laid out and swam around.
Solid look man, your trip is Creepin’!
Scott recently posted..Backpacker Would Hate to See Anything Happen to Nelson Mandela- But
Thanks Scott, yeah its creepin up and I am ready!!!
Looks good! Can’t wait to see what Jenny does for you, and watch you launch your trip!
James Schipper recently posted..Technomadic Adventures in High Gear for 2011
Thanks James!!!
Love the new theme, and your blog sounds like it’s going to be awesome!!
I’m so excited and can’t wait to hear about all your adventures, in just a few weeks, weeeee! 🙂
Lauren recently posted..How to start selling everything you own in preparation for a RTW trip
Thank you very much Lauren. Yes its now about to be 2 weeks…. EEEeeee~
yay for changes! yay for beginning our adventures on March 1!
kay* recently posted..On The Past Five Days
Thanks Kay!
Okay, so this is kind of cheating since red is my favorite color and most of my wardrobe is red/black. It does look really nice and clean and will definitely help you stick out with the different layout.
From what I gather you and Jenny are working on a header? I think that will give it much more pizazz. I’m usually not a fan of straight up text headers.
Erica recently posted..Not a Vacation
Thanks Erica, I am glad to see we love the same colors. Red is my absolutely favorite color in the world. Yeah me and Jenny should get a header soon. I too hate the regular text header, but for now it will do.