I just had to share this with you. If you’re looking for a cool way to connect with your long distance love you’ll definitely want to check this out. Pillow Talk is is currently in development, but the idea is that each person would wear a ring sensor to bed at night. The ring then wirelessly communicates with their partner’s pillow, no matter where they are. When one person goes to sleep, their partner’s pillow begins to glow softly. When you put your head on the pillow you’ll actually be able to hear your long distance love’s heartbeat. Isn’t that cool? Would you buy one?

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The older you get the more you realize friendship takes work. It’s not like when you were a child and cultivating friendships was one of your only real “jobs.” Think about it– you spent most of your time planning slumber parties, attending celebratory functions and navigating the social scene on the playground. But somehow with adulthood comes responsibilities that threaten those friendships: jobs, families, distsance. And often it’s a lesson you don’t learn until you’ve actually lost one friend– or even ten.

I was so happy that Her Campus Magazine chose to feature The Traveling Journal in their article Creative Ways To Keep Your Long-Distance Friendships Alive. I wasn’t simply happy for selfish reasons, although I do think The Traveling Journal is a pretty awesome website and concept. But I was happy because I hope that it helps save some friends from growing apart. I hope young women read the article and it hits home that they’ve got something special in a friendship, something worth working for.

I feel blessed that the five of us still talk, email and share our Traveling Journal. But our friendship doesn’t still exist because someone sat me down and told me as a young woman just out of college that it will be far more difficult to keep these friendships than lose them. I think that’s a conversation more women need to be having. Physical distance between friends is one thing, but once that spiritual and emotional distance sets in, it can feel almost impossible to get back that closeness you once had.

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While the Traveling Journal keeps us connected year around, there’s nothing that can replace the excitement and thrill of getting together.  After our last minute trip to the Big Apple in July, we had something else to look forward to in October: The Dominican Republic.

On October 9^th, Morgenne, Dawn, Tonya and I met in at Dreams Punta Cana in the Dominican.  Alison couldn’t make it.  First off, people there couldn’t believe that we were 32 years old!  I just wanted to throw that in there because it made me feel really good.  We all dieted and exercised a lot to get ready for our swimwear.  Dawn’s husband, Dave was kind enough to treat us all to facials while we were there!

If you can manage to do a girl trip, take full advantage.  We took about 500 pictures between the four of us and we have so many new beautiful memories and pictures from our time in the Dominican.  From the new friends we made from the UK and Boston to the evening we played Truth or Dare.  There’s nothing like girlfriends that can make you feel young and free again.  I can’t wait to add my new pictures into our Traveling Journal.  

If you’re thinking of taking a girl trip and need advice or help, feel free to email any of us.  friends@thetravelingjournal.com For 12 years it’s been a tradition for the five of us to meet somewhere at least once a year.  This year, we were lucky enough to see each other twice. 

So while the Traveling Journal will keep you close during your ‘off’ time, there’s nothing that will ever replace human contact.

I’m not a big phone person. I don’t really like talking on the phone. But when you have long distance friends it’s just something you’ve got to do. Although lately I have to admit I’ve had trouble getting my girlfriends on the phone. I’ve called and (most of the time) they call me back. And of course as phone tag continues, the return call usually comes at a time when I can’t answer. Then I try again when I’m free to call them back only to get their voice mail. Yes, it’s frustrating. But there are a few communication backups in place.

Facebook: It’s nothing new but if I can’t get my friends on the phone I’ll usually see what they’re up to on Facebook. Some are good about posting daily updates and even if it’s something silly about Melissa’s eating habits or Tonya’s dog at least I’m learning something about their lives.

Email: Even if we can’t seem to get our schedules to collide on the phone, emailing is super easy. We can write group emails filling each other in on life and what’s going on. Recently we’ve shared some funny stories through email and seeing them pop up in my inbox definitely helps me to feel connected to my long distance friends.

The Traveling Journal: Even though I don’t see the Traveling Journal every week or even every month, knowing that it exists help create a foundation of friendship. Even though we don’t talk on the phone regularly and our game of phone tag seems never ending, at least we share something unique in the pages of our Traveling Journal.

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We love showing that long distance friendship works. That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to Jen and her best friend Ewuraekua. They’ve been BFFs for 15 years, but Jen is boarding a flight for Rwanda on September 13 to begin her service as a Peace Corps Education Volunteer. She’ll be gone 27 months– but they’ve developed a keep-in-touch plan that includes sharing a Traveling Journal.

TTJ: How does it feel knowing you’ll be away from your best friend for so long?

Jen: The prospect of going on this journey without my best friend scares me a bit and the idea of saying goodbye to someone who has been such a positive force in my life is heartbreaking.

TTJ: How did you and Ewuraekua meet?

Jen: Ewuraekua and I met in 7th grade, we were in a few classes together and had a few other mutual friends. I was kind of a nerdy kid and I kind of clung to her, she was really extremely welcoming. Coming into high school we became extremely close and continued that friendship when she lived in Ghana with her family for sophomore year, it was extremely difficult not having her here to share that part of high school – learning to drive, boys, new friends, school etc. We have always been close – she and I – and we have grown into our own people now and we’ve come to appreciate how special our friendship is.

TTJ: How have you managed to stay close for so long?

Jen: We can both get busy with life, relationships, graduating college etc – but we always seem to be able to come back to each other and it is as if nothing has changed. She has truly been one of the greatest friends a girl could ask for and the greatest gift I can give her in return is my friendship. She’s currently working with autistic children in Philadelphia while setting herself up to go back to graduate school for Psychology while I graduated with my teaching credentials and plan to come back and explore my options here as well as abroad. She will be the last person I say goodbye to before leaving for Rwanda, and neither of us would have it any other way.

TTJ: How do you plan to stay in touch while you’re away for so long?

Jen: A few weeks ago, we were discussing things we could do to keep in touch, facebook, iChat, emails – all of these seemed a bit impersonal. She came across your website and we instantly fell in love with this idea! We plan to use your concept in our own way – sort of – we have devised rules and a plan of how this would work but the bottom line is that for the entire 27 months of my service in Rwanda, I’ll be more connected to my best friend than I had ever imagined.

TTJ: How do you think having the Traveling Journal will keep you connected?

Jen: I know this way missing the events, the moments, the shopping trips and funny commentary – won’t be nearly as bad. I wanted simply to email and thank you for creating this project. I love the idea, I cannot wait now to start our first (of what I’m sure will be many) journal.

This was the first time I had ever been to New York City.  I had never really thought about taking a trip there because I am more of a tropical trip type girl.  I love nature and being outdoors, so if I was to plan a trip it would be to a place where I could be in the sunshine doing fun outdoor activities or laying on a sandy beach somewhere. Don’t get me wrong, I was very excited when I found out that my best friends and I were going to take a trip to New York City together. 

Alison and Melissa have been to New York City a few times so they already had an idea of what to expect.  The one thing I wanted to make sure we made time for was to go to Central Park.  That sounded like my kind of place in a big, cement filled city. Green grass, big trees, rocks, park benches, water and  running trails… sign me up!

As we walked to the park it was early on a Sunday morning.  I remember noticing that the streets were actually quiet.  Not much traffic, so no taxi cabs honking, and not even very many people out walking the streets. I was surprised to feel very relaxed and comfortable.  A little part of me was getting really excited to see the park for the first time.  I had my camera ready to capture all the scenery. 

We crossed the street by the Plaza Hotel and saw all of the horse drawn carriages waiting at the entrance.   We walked a few more steps on the trail and I immediately saw a small pond with ducks swimming around and a man fishing.  A small bridge with crawling vines was just behind him, just like a scene from the movies.  I thought for another minute, as I stared at the bridge, and I remembered that this bridge looked very familiar.  It had been used in a movie.

We walked further into the park noticing all of the people running and walking their dogs.I found myself having mixed emotions.  A part of me was very comfortable and relaxed to be in such a beautiful place, but the other part of me was excited as I noticed all of the familiar scenes.  I took so many pictures of fountains, stairs, street vendors,  park benches and pathways that looked familiar from some of my favorite movies. We even decided to go to “the boathouse” (from the movie  27 Dresses) to take a row boat out on the water. We spent an hour on the water laughing, taking pictures and enjoying Central Park together.

Central Park was just as beautiful, clean and inviting as it is in the movies! 

Excitement filled my body as I got the news that my four best friends and I were going make an appearance on The Today Show.  My pure excitement soon turned to fear as I thought about all of the the things I needed to do before I took off for New York City. Nails, lay out in the sun, shop for the perfect outfit along with shoes and accessories. Getting just the right outfit was stressful enough, but having to do my own hair and make up would have be too much. Panic really set in as I realized that I would be seen on national television and I am not an expert, not by far, at applying make up or doing my hair. 

As the show approached we received more details about what would be happening  and I was so relieved to hear that the show would be doing our hair and make up. Thank goodness!!

After checking in at NBC Studios, we headed to the green room to begin our television transformation.  (We thought this might take a while!)  Minutes after setting foot in the green room we were all called over to the chairs.  Melissa, Alison and Dawn started with their hair while Tonya and I got or make up done first. Then… the switch. I was really impressed with how quickly they got the five of us ready for the show. I think I was in the chair for maybe 15 minutes.  They really can make miracles happen in a very short time! All of the hair and make up people were extremely friendly! Everyone involved at The Today Show really made our experience great!

At the end of our segment on The Today Show we were able to give Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford their own Traveling Journals. We gave Hoda the Jessica Journal in grass and Kathie Lee the Jessica Journal in berry. Hoda thought it was a great gift idea for long distance friends!

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Often times people just wanna hear about the good things or the exciting things that happen in life. When people ask, “how are you doing?” They want you to say that everything is alright because sometimes people don’t know how to respond to, “it’s not a good day.” You’re true friends want to hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I am so lucky that I can share those bad days with four best girlfriends and they will love me no matter what. My father passed away this year and I could not have received more support from each one of these girls. This event will definately be something I add in our journal. So know that this journal can have its ups and downs throughout it but what is amazing is how you can look back at these challenging events in five years and see how you’ve grown from them!! It has been a difficult year for me but I know my friendship with these women and our traveling journal are constants in my life and give me something to look forward to. So don’t be afraid to add the hardships that come along in life with your journals! “That’s what friends are for….in good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more….thats what friends are for…” haha …click here to see the video!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oSpBp4QX74

We’re all about real mail here– the kind that’s delivered by a mailman right to your mailbox. But we also like technology so when the two combine we get a little giddy. Millions of people use their cell phones to snap photos. Now you can turn those photos into postcards with just a few clicks thanks to the Postagram app. It’s a free app that let’s you upload photos from your phone’s photo album or from your Instagram account. Type a message, click send and your postcard will be printed and delivered in two to five days. Each postcard costs just $.99 to send and that includes the stamp! We have some pretty embarrassing photos we could turn into postcards that might have the mailman blushing. How about you?