Do you MeetUp?

Hello lovely beings! I hope you're having a really awesome/relaxing/insert whatever-adjective-you-need- weekend! 

This isn't sponsored post, I just want to express my honest opinion and experience. I love finding amazing resources, so this one has me really excited to share. So, I'm wondering...do you use meetup.com? Have you heard of this thing? 

I'd heard of this online social network awhile ago, probably through friends. Actually, I wouldn't even call it an 'online social network'. It's an online way to get people off-line through events, sharing hobbies and meeting people locally. It's creating communities in our communities! Similar to what Couchsurfing.com used to offer for local communities, MeetUp goes the extra steps.

From their website:

Meetup's mission is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize. Meetup believes that people can change their personal world, or the whole world, by organizing themselves into groups that are powerful enough to make a difference.

Why MeetUp?

Connect based on interest. Have you ever wished you had others to share your favorite hobby with or go on adventures? 

It's zero to low-cost. Sometimes groups charge for participation (some more than others) or an annual fee. This is because it actually costs money to a running a MeetUp group. Generally,  the focus isn't on money, but rather on creating community. 

Variety of groups. You could probably find any type of group you could want. The groups range from photography to tennis, to long backpacking trips, to gaming....Heck if you can't find one you like, create your own!

Transparent. It's pretty much self-run. Organizers post events and dates. Participants RSVP, discuss, organize carpools, etc. So you choose whatever events you'd like to attend from whichever groups you've entered. 

Sync it. I guess this wouldn't be a reason to try it, but it's definitely a perk that MeetUps can export straight into GCalendars or iCal.


To my knowledge it only runs in the US so I wasn't able to try it in Peru. Being in California, I was curious to try it out and see how it worked.

People are people and they're interesting. Throw in some fun activities and it can't go wrong. I've been participating in a few groups: a photography one, radical homemakers, and nature hikes, all close to where I love. It feels really good to be able to meet people through these passions. And it seems like people usually just 'click' from the start.

And after this post and browsing their website more, I'm just smitten with the positivity that beams from them. Yay for this movement in building community and sharing passions! Here's what some MeetUpers have to say:

What are your thoughts? How do you connect with new people?

Liebster Award

Wow! I've been blogging every once in a while, for awhile but am just seeing how big and wonderful the blogging world is. I didn't even know there were awards haha! Thank you Leia @ Latitude Adjustment for passing this onto me:) She's a constant inspiration and has really good tips from travel to DIY to recipes, so check out her blog!

The Leibster Award is a way to connect and get to know other new bloggers. It's passed onto other bloggers who have less than 200 followers and helps them get exposure. I've been blogging awhile, but it was never really an interactive process, so this is a good way to get out in the blogging world and meet others.

Here's how the Liebster Award works:
1. Post 11 random facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions from the person who nominated you.
3. Pass the award to 11 other blogs who have less than 200 followers. You cannot pass it back to the person who nominated you.
4.  Ask them 11 questions.

Random facts:
1. I love love animals. 
2. I´m adopted.
3. Getting married with my Peruvian love.
4. Jars are a fetish of mine. I use them for everything.
5. I love tea (in jars).
5. I speak English an Spanish and want to start a 3rd language.
6. Nature is my religion.
7. ´Re- or upcycle it´ is my motto. 
8. My fiance and I met on a bus.
9. I have traveled 4/8 regions of the world. 
10. For the past year and 1/2 I have been living in Peru.
11. The jungle is somewhere I´d like to live for awhile.


11 Questions from Leia @ Latitude Adjustment

1. What is the story behind your blog's name?

I'm a butterfly on an adventure! It's just kind of a fun name that came to me :)

2. What is your all-time favorite food?

Coconut vegetable curry and rice mmm!

3. What countries have you been to?

Us, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Netherlands.

4. What was your most enjoyable trip/vacation/holiday?

My first trip to Costa Rica with best friends and boyfriend of the time. We rented a car and had an epic trip, forging a river, to get to an isolated beach. And also, stayed on a magical organic farm!

5.  If you could choose anywhere in the world to live, where would you choose and why?

My fiance and I would like to live in Asia - either S. Korea, Japan, or Thailand. For the food and very different culture than we´ve experienced before.

6. What do you think the world will be like in 25 years?

Either much better than it is now, or much worse. Technology will keep growing. Hopefully our hearts can catch up with our minds.

7. What is your favorite word?

Quintessence (the most perfect embodiment of something)

8. If you could learn another language, what would it be?

Good question! I would like to learn an Asian language if we live there for a few months. Also, French!

9. What's your favorite city?

Granada, Spain always has a place in my heart. 

10. What's something that annoys you?

When people lie in front of you.

11. What's a passion of yours?

Jewelry-making!

I'm passing this onto...

The Married Couple
Tales of a Kitchen Herbwife
Wildcraft Vita
Hearts'n Crafts Boutique

...goodbye, yellowbrick road

I'm still finding blogs to follow, so just 5 for now!

11 Questions to ask:

1. What´s your middle name?

2. What´s your favorite mode of transportation?

3. What inspires you?

4. What´s one of your quirks?

5. What is your favorite place?

6. What country would you like to live in?

7. What´s your favorite book?

8. What are your hobbies?

9. What do you think of religion? (in a few words)

10. What culture interests you?

11. If you could choose a super power, what would it be?