About Ev

My name is Evelyn Helminen—”Ev” for short. TravelingEv, FreelancEv, whatev. I like to find unique stories wherever I am, and I like to travel to new places. This blog contains inspiring stories of self discovery, insights on the human condition, and fun anecdotes, all of which I bring to you through my experiences traveling around the world.

I am currently living and working in a small town in Armenia as a Peace Corps volunteer until August 2013, (with the A-19 group) and hope you continue to follow my travels as I tell of the adventures I discover along the way!

More fun facts about me:

• My first overseas trip was when I was 10 and took a trip to Finland, Sweden, and Estonia with my grandparents. Ever since then I’ve loved traveling.

• I grew up in a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (north of the Macinac Bridge). I am the third oldest of 15 kids, all of the same parents, with no twins.

• I have worked as a graphic designer, writer, website developer, marketer, photographer, and most recently a volunteer computer teacher, teaching in Armenian at an Armenian college.

• My hobbies include snowboarding, berry-picking, playing the mandolin, reading, painting, and playing volleyball.

• I can circle-breathe on the didgeridoo.

• So far I have been to 15 different countries and 42 states.

For me, it’s never a “once in a lifetime trip.” It’s my life. And yes, I’ll do this while I’m young, but I’ll also travel when I’m old. I love the adventure, the stories, and the people of the road.