Wow! This is so heartfelt. I admire you for jumping the gun and going for your dreams. I wish you goodluck and keep us posted! ;)

Cute yearbook photo...Congrats again Lois, sometimes we follow "dreams" that aren't really our own, rather "dreams" of our parents who obviously want the best for their kids, but in reality, only us will know what's best for us...and sometimes the direction we wanted to head to, aren't the typical path most people do...and kudos to you for knowing where your happiness lies...On the Road!

The 6 month Asian backpacking is just a start for you, WoW!....leave some things for us in your Asian trail, hope to follow that path someday :*

Goodluck with your travel plan. Don't forget to update us at least once a week :D

ay panalong letter. mahilig ako sa mga open letter na ganito e.
seriously, i like the last part "I've never been motivated by money, fame or a luxurious life." -ditto!
i can't bring that when i die.

Panalo kayo girls, many have dreams like yours but only few have the courage to pursue them, hope you both have a great time, find freedom and enlightenment in this journey you're about to embark on, Go Pinays!

lois ann, isa kayo sa mga inspirasyon ko sa buhay. :-) nawa'y magkasalubong pa rin ang landas nating dalawa sa mga darating na panahon. :-)

this is really inspiring! hope to do the same soon!
now i'm dying to read chichi's version (that is if she has one)! haha
can't wait to hear about your SEA travel posts! more power to you ladies!

and when everybody else thought that life is just about working and getting married and all, traveling has also thought me to do choices.
hanga ako sa inyo! i hope your fathers will support you all the way (wishing the same with mine, in time na sasabihin ko din yang "papcy, I just resigned!"

Hey Kristel. Yeah, what a guilt trip at first. But then I know what I want to do. There's no point in trying to please others if you're gonna be unhappy anyway. Thanks you for dropping by and keep on following our adventures!

On the Road Marky! Seems like we are on the same road on the topic of non conformity. Hope we bump into you again in our travels.

Thanks Mica and I hope I get steady internet connection in India!

Thanks James! I'm glad you feel the same way. I'm more for experiences and not possessions!

yey! have fun lois (like i know you will) and be safe always!

Go Pinays Claire! Thanks for the boost. It was a tough decision but at some point you just have to follow your heart.

Inspire mo din lagi ako Paulie. So glad you were with us even in the beginning! I'm so blessed and grateful to have you as a friend. Good luck din sa start up niyo!

Glad I was able to inspire you even a little bit. I know Chichi has something in the works so stay tuned for that. Thanks for following our sole trail!

Yes, we're blessed to have family who support us and back us up all the way. Thanks Chyng, maybe in time you'll find the courage but for now, let's enjoy all the adventures we can get!

Oh yes I will Je! Hope you keep on traveling as well and go where those itchy soles will take you!

I will follow you blog ng todo kapag nagstart ka na :) I too am excited to see how your 6-month travel plan will go. I wish you two good luck and a safe journey! Magreresign na rin ako! SOON! hehe

hi Lois! good luck! i love your outlook in life. Hope i can join one of your trips and have the luxury you are enjoying :)) Be safe always.

Oh my Ada! It's like we're starting a revolution here Hahaha... I'm excited by scared shitless at the same time. I'm just glad I won't be by myself. Go PInays!

Very touching Lois! I wish I can join you along your adventures for just a bit!

Go girls! Thank you for such an inspiring post. It's not all about the money. God bless on your journeys. :)

Good luck with you eat,pray,love adventure! :D

Good luck, I've always believed in following your passions. I hope I can do the same too. :)

"Live you dreams, Carl." Words from you Lois and I'm doing something bout it. Hahahaha! . Reading your letter makes me realize that life is short. Tama ka. In life, you shouldn't be concerned of the things that will happen to you but be scared if nothing happens. This is very inspiring! You guys will always be our inspiration. Kiotsukete Kudasai!

Take care! We will keep an eye of your incredible journey.

Hey Wheng it won't exactly be a luxury because it's gonna be a backpacking trip. But it's more enjoyable for us that way. It gets us out of our comfort zone. Thanks and hope to see you on the road.

Oh you're welcome to join any leg of the race Thomas. ;-) It would be great to see you esp. since I haven't seen or chatted with you in so long.

Passion is never about the money right? Thank Josiah!

Ohhh thanks Robbie! It will be a blast! Email you pics as soon as I get a hold of Chichi :-)

Follow your bliss Tiara! I'm sure you can!

Awww.. thanks Carl. You have really helped us big time and you are always part of our journey. Hope you guys come out to Cambodia.. Laos... Thailand or whatever. Pick a country!

Appreciate it Justin! Hope we see you on the road soon!

Wow, this is so admirable and inspiring. Enjoy your journey, Ms Lois!

"Be afraid that nothing happens to you." pede ng status message hehe :-) keep on living your dreams sole sisters :-)

I can so feel the emotion and passion here!!!you guys are YES again inspiration for us to make the most out of our fantabulous life!!!!can i say this---(in a cheerleader tone) IM ENVIOUS and UBER EX- *SITE*- TED!!!!lots of besos and oh lets meet up muna for something ha before the big BAG PACKING...:)

What a wonderful post, this will be such a great journey for you.

Pang status message nga. We will keep on living flip. See you on the road! Curious na talaga kami how you look haha

Thanks for dropping by Karen! We will enjoy it for sure!

Ohhh Mikey you get us so excited din. No need to be jealous because I'm sure you'll be traveling a lot yourself. And yes, you are a great cheerleader! Big hugs from Chichi and I!

That means a lot Ayngelina. It will definitely be life changing. Any plans of traveling to Asia in the near future?

Goold luck Lois!! I envy your determination in doing what you want to do and not been afraid of the unknown... We all should have a little bit of this. I hope you have a great trip and enjoy every single moment!! Hope to heard all the good stories and always remember that you have a home in NY when you feel like comming by... Love Vivian

Thanks so much for dropping by Viv! I miss all our NY adventures. Thanks for the offer and I know I will definitely see you again. You are a great friend. Love Lois

Hey!My first time to read your blog Little Miss Traveler...glad ur enjoying life! keep us posted, para para na rin kaming nakasama hehehe :)

GIRL, I support you 100% :) The world is waiting... hopefully one day we could cross paths again... Keep me posted! All my love to you and your journey...

GO!!Whatever your heart desires cuz:) Am sure Papa Lowell will understand.After all, happy is what any father will always want for his child to be. Loveyah! Just take care in all of your travels, ok?

You go girl!

Wow! Good luck Lois! This will be an inspiring travel for sure and we'll join you all the way here virtually. Have you read "Honeymoon with my Brother" by Frank Wizner? You can probably make a sisters version of that. haha

been browsing a number of blogs and ended up here. ^^

the quitting really did catch my attention! i wish i could have the same courage. oh well, good luck to both of you! ;)

Thanks for dropping ny Berry! I will definitely keep everyone posted. Few days left!

Eartha! You are definitely part of the sistershood! I'm sure we will share an adventure someday esp. since we are so adventurous. Stay in touch and see you on the road.

Thanks for dropping by and for the kind comment cuz. I wasn't sure if the family would understand. But I remember my dad saying he loved me and supported me. That's the important part. Love ya and I will see you again soon.

Appreciate it Lil! Maybe Chichi and I will catch up with you on your travels as well. Good luck on your quest for an extraordinary life. Wishing you many happy adventures.

Thanks Ferdz, we will follow your adventures closely as well. That's the first time I've heard of the book and now I want to get a copy. 53 countries in 2 years! Wow! Let's see how far Chichi and I can go. And the idea of writing a book about about it doesn't seem so bad either. Thanks for the boost Ferdz!

Glad you found us Yhun! Chichi is also from Cebu and it's great to find another itchy soled sister. Hope you find the courage soon, but in the meantime, there's no stopping you from having many wonderful adventures 'in anywhere else' ;-)

I cannot blame your dad if he feels that way. Based on my own experiences the reason why I cannot travel alot is because I have to support my family. I can only travel 2 weeks the most since I need to go back to work to support myself and my family. Perhaps what your father or your family is in need, we must never forget that our parent's sacrifices. Ask yourselves guys, before you go out and explore the world is my family eating 3x a day, do they still have money for the utility bills and lastly what will happen if they get sick, can I support them.

But of course Lois, if its your dream go for it.

Thanks for your insight Mike. That situation is true for most Filipino families. We are not always capable of pursuing our passions because of our responsibilities. And culturally, family always comes first. That was a major consideration when I started to plan this trip.

Rest assured that when I spoke with my father he understood my passion and he supports me all the way. I believe in living life in a manner contrary to social norms. Why wait until I'm retired and tired to travel and see the world? I have great health now and an able spirit. I think it's perfect timing.

Again I appreciate your input and thanks for stopping by.

okidoki Lois ipapanalangin kita...pasalubong lang (mga abubot) mula sa lahat ng dadaanan mong mga lugar...Blessings!

Thanks Kuya Greg! That helps a lot. Surely, I'll get you abubot. Greets to the fam!

love your blog, got here from CS forum link. Cant wait to read about how you funded your travel. :)

I have total admiration of you!

The Sole Sisters Guide to Saving up for your escape fund is coming up Mau!

We appreciate it!

go girl!!! goodluck sa lahat ng journey mo! stay safe!

Well written. I feel you. :)

Thanks Kat. Glad you can relate to this story.

Sole Sisters you become my inspiration and every time i read your blog i feel like traveling for free...

Thanks Vernice. We hope to inspire more people (especially kababayans) to travel and break free from a mundane life. Do follow our adventures!

ill quit my job next month,then on august ill be heading to thailand,myanmar,laos,cambodia and vietnam... ;) im a non conformist as well ;)

Woot woot! Congratulation on that major life changing decision. Perhaps you should write a blog and share your experience to the world. It will be a rewarding project, we promise ;-)

"I have stopped seeing travel as a once a month, do-it-on-the-weekend kind of thing." - are you referring to me here?? ehehe kidding!
I admire you, and at the same time, envy you. I hope I'll have that kind of courage! :)

I'm sure you'll get to a point Carlo where you'll just decide, it's time. I wish you will have that courage soon. Travel is a very rewarding and enlightening experience especially if you do it long term.

'And now I need to go on a journey and experience more of the world. I
want to seek out my own truths and define success in my own terms. I
know it's difficult. But I hope you would love me enough to let me go.' - Hi Lois! Finally told my parents about my plans. It wasn't as hard as I imagined it to be. But they still had a lot of questions, especially the 'success in my own terms' part. But I guess I just have to learn to accept and respect their opinions, and slowly let go of that need for approval.

Thanks again for the inspiration! And can't wait to hear more of your stories during the Travel Talk. :)

First of all congratulations! It was a really daring move on your part. So you're done with stage one, on to the trip planning stage? I'm really excited for you. How I wish I could also go to Nepal and trek with you! I am absolutely looking forward to seeing you and chatting with you in a week's time!

nice one Lois c",) enjoy the adventure :)

Gustohin ko man pero baka palayasin na ako for good. I have obligations to meet. Sana nga may work and travel at the same time na ikasisiya ko.

Traveling is my life. Doing what you did is my dream, in my wildest dream. All the constraints in my life, I'm gonna bump them one day... God Bless you!!!

I'm torn between travelling now and saving first then travelling later :P

Wow. This letter is so sincere and heartfelt. I can never imagine me writing a letter like that to my dad or my mom, they'll never understand. Like you I've always wanted to travel but, I don't think I ever can.
I'm very happy for you! Keep living the dream!! :)