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My Year 2015 in Photos

By Diana Marinova 16 Comments

You know where I stand when it comes to the meaning of freelance success, right? I don’t fancy myself a successful freelancer because I make a six-figure income (I don’t 😉 ) but because I have absolute freedom what I do with my time and I truly live my life on my own terms.

I am at such a stage in my life that I want to see the world. I want to meet new people, get to know new cultures, experience new things… so it’s only fair to show you what I’ve been up to during 2015 and why I think it was a successful year for me.

Remember that I was broke and jobless back in late 2009. It’s been only 6 years since I started freelancing and look where I got. I hope this post will inspire you to set your goals and free yourself in 2016. The only one standing in your way to freelance success is YOU.

My Year 2015 in Photos

Starting the year in Berlin, Germany

You should know it’s not so happy place to be in the winter but what can I do, that’s when I went 😉

 

01 Diana in Berlin

We were taught history in school, including World War II facts and details, but it was a real shock to see live the places where it happened, and what is left today of it. Furthermore, it was terrifying to truly realize it’s been only a few decades since World War II…

 Jewish Memorial in Berlin

On the flip side, while pub crawling Berlin, we met a couple from Chile who were a perfect match for some fun nights out in Berlin and Prague afterwards.

Next stop – Prague, Czech Republic

It was a nice experience, even though still quite cold during the winter. I saw the famous Astronomical clock at the Old Town Square (by the way, the “show” with the little figurines in the clock at every hour is not that interesting, just saying).  I tried by accident the dish that is considered most typical – roast pork with dumplings and cabbage. Also I went to a KGB museum, and learned there is, after all, a beer I like (thanks, Beer Museum – my favorite bar in Prague!)

Diana in Prague

in the KGB museum in Prague

We spent some time in Bulgaria to set up a base camp

We looked at over 35 apartments until we settled for one. In only three months, we went from zero to hero.

New apartment

new apartment three months later

(I promise, we fixed the whole apartment, but for some reason I only have a photo of the kitchen 😉 )

We returned to Amsterdam

Censorship allows me to upload only 1 non-incriminating photo 🙂 Even in bad weather, it’s still great to be in Amsterdam!

Diana in Amsterdam

We explored Florida big time!

It’s hard to share in a brief paragraph all the great things that we did and saw in Florida –

✓ met a dear client

✓ saw friends

✓ saw a baseball game live (yes, now I know the rules and it can be quite interesting!)

✓ went to the best beach in the US (Siesta Key Beach, if you’re wondering)

✓ touched a gator in the Everglades

✓ spent time in Miami South Beach (so much NOT like in the movies ha-ha)

✓ went on boat rides with 3 different types of boats

✓ ate the best crab legs in my life

✓ watched the famous sunsets in Key West and Marco Island

✓ had margaritas in Margaritaville…

… and so much more.

Diana and a baby gator in Florida

Diana on Marco Island Florida

Diana waiting for the Key West sunset in Florida

Having a blast in Miami Florida

First time in NYC – a dream come true

This was a dream come true. We had a great time exploring Manhattan (Central Park is awesome!). For the first time, I went to a live comedy show 🙂

Although with mixed feelings about the city (subscribe to PictraMap to learn details when I finally get around to blogging about it!), this is a must-visit and must-return-to city. We’re definitely going back for more someday.

Diana in New York City

 Selfie from the Rockefeller Building in NYC

I’m a great shot 🙂

Literally – my first attempt in a shooting range, I nailed it 😀

Diana at the shooting range

Diana's target

It even gave me an idea about a blog post – check it out here.

Hello, Dubai!

The desert safari was the highlight of our short visit in Dubai. I didn’t know it’s possible to build so many high-scrapers in a decade, such a beautiful marina, and so many malls! I also added to my memory collection yet another type of boat ride that we took – abra.

Abra ride in Dubai

dune buggy in Dubai

Diana in the desert in Dubai

Diana in the Dubai Marina

Singapore – the city of the future

Did you know that 49% of Singapore was green? Awesome city architecture. Quite humid (Florida can only hope to be so humid one day) but worth the trip, and the food. My first encounter with chop sticks happened here – not so successful. I didn’t starve and I did manage to eat soup with chopsticks. Plus, a new goal was born – learn to eat with chopsticks while in Asia 😉

Green Singapore

Chopsticks in Singapore

Kuala Lumpur – the little sister of Singapore

Much poorer than Singapore, it still shows a great deal of rapid development and city architecture. I wonder how it would look in 10 more years. Oh, and getting better with chopsticks already 😉

Beautiful night Kuala Lumpur

Diana getting better with chopsticks in KL

Also, for the first time, I met in person a fellow freelancer with whom I’ve worked in the past.

Freelance Meetup in Kuala Lumpur

Final stop for 2015 – Phuket, Thailand

I know this climate is for me. Feeling a bit odd to celebrate Christmas in a bathing suit (we usually have so much snow this time of year!) The first days of our stay, I added to my list famous landmarks like James Bond Island and Maya Bay (from the movie “The Beach”). I saw a walking fish (yeah, that’s real – photo below!)

On the way to James Bond Island in Phuket

on the famous Maya Bay in Phuket

Walking fish are real - Phuket

 

Now I can kick back my flip-flops and just enjoy the weather, the beach, and the awesome food.

Amazing water in Phuket

Thai food rules - Phuket

Enjoying the weather in Kamala Beach Phuket

That was my year 2015 in photos. Cheers to an awesome 2016!

~Diana

P.S. I am currently in  Thailand, heading to Vietnam in early February for a few weeks – if you are in either country and would like to meet, shoot me an email, I’m sure we’ll have a blast 🙂

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About Diana Marinova

I'm a freelance marketing consultant by day and a traveler by heart. ツ I help fellow freelancers and small business owners achieve their goals within budget. Stay updated and get a free ebook - join here!

Comments

  1. dawnlidwellDawn says

    at

    Awesome photos, Diana! Next time you’re in the United States, you should visit Pittsburgh, PA – the city of bridges! I’m originally from Pittsburgh (still have family there, actually!) and you wouldn’t believe how many bridges that city has! Many are quite old, yet still very beautiful especially at night! When I was younger, after we moved from Pennsylvania to Tennessee, we would drive to Pittsburgh once a year – almost always entering the city at night. The city, the lights, can truly be a breathtaking sight to behold.

    And, of course, if you do make it to Pittsburgh, you MUST stop to eat at Primanti Bros!

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

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      Thanks for the recommendation, I just Googled Pittsburgh, PA and there really were some nice photos, especially at night 😀 Adding it to my ever-growing bucket list!
      ~Diana

      Reply
  2. Ashley says

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    great job! awesome to see you living the dream Diana, I am going to fill my year with fun too :>

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

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      good news, Ash! A year filled with fun is what I wish you then 😀

      Reply
  3. Deevra Norling says

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    So now… when did you get to do any work?? Lol. What a great year you’ve had. Wishing you continued success and more trips for 2016. ?

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

      at

      ha-ha, truth be told, sometimes I don’t even notice… I work in between fun activities and it goes so fast, doesn’t bother me at all LOL. I know how much you like traveling but don’t do it as often as you;d like, so, Deevra – this is my wish for you, more traveling for you in 2016, ok? 😀

      Reply
  4. jacquiegum says

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    Ahhhh…living the dream:) Good for you and continues success in 2016!

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

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      Thanks, Jacquie – all the best to you, too 😀

      Reply
  5. Arvind says

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    Hello Diana, Nice click and a great year for you.
    Wish ya happy new year and best wishesh for your new year resolution and your product.
    As a New freelancer mine year was also great, visited some destinations and enjoyed the freelancing life.
    Can you please send me links or any material for time management tips, for me you are way 10 times more productive, wish I could be that multitasking guy. ??

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

      at

      Hi, Arvind – kudos to you for making the most of your year. Wishing you an even better in 2016 😉 As for time management – check out the time management tips category on the blog. It has several posts to help you improve your time management, more to come soon. Start with the Google Calendar post (it’s the first in the category, so… it’d probably appear last in the category view), I use that approach for years and I have not found a better way to teach myself time management.

      ~Diana

      Reply
  6. Jeri Walker (@JeriWB) says

    at

    So glad you got to visit a good number of places in 2015 and on top of moving into and setting up an apartment as well. All the best to you in 2016 🙂

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

      at

      All the best to you in 2016, too, Jeri! I hope I’ll have the opportunity to work with you again 😉
      ~Diana

      Reply
  7. Mariken Zuydgeest says

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    Wow, great pictures! Aka great year ;o) Here’s to another one like it! Onwards and upwards and happy New Year.

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

      at

      Happy New Year to you, too, Mariken! I know you already landed that first client (you should email me more about it!) so I wish you 2016 to be filled with many new AND repeat clients, all of them happy and sending business your way through referrals. How’s that for a new year wish, huh? 😀

      ~Diana

      Reply
  8. Phoenicia says

    at

    Someone has been busy! All these countries in the space of one year. You look so happy in each photograph taking in the culture, food and sunshine.

    I look forward to seeing more of your photographs as we move into 2016.

    Reply
    • Diana Marinova says

      at

      Yes, it’s been a busy year indeed. Thanks for stopping by, Phoenicia – I’ll be sure to share from time to time what I’m up to 😉

      ~Diana

      Reply

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