Hilary for Park Ranger with Hilary Billings

Living in Las Vegas, I have been lucky enough to meet Hilary Billings – The NomadGrad – in person a couple times.  Actually the first time I met her in person was when I accidentally ran into her while attending my first Swing and Lindy Hop dance night at the Aruba – Thunderbird Lounge in Vegas.  

And let me tell you, can this girl dance!  

Hilary has quickly become one of my favourite people in Vegas mainly because of her love for life.   Her enthusiasm is infectious!  You just can’t be around this girl (or even talk with her on Facebook) and not get smiley.  So when I heard she was up for Park Ranger in Australia’s Best job in The World contest, I couldn’t help but be super excited for her.  

And I am thankful to announce, that Hilary has made some time in her ridiculously busy schedule to let me interview her about her blogging, how she became one of the 25 people on the short-list for Park Ranger, and how you can follow her/support her for this job.   

Hi Hilary, so where are you from?

Originally from Southern California, but I have been raised in Las Vegas and attended college at The University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

How old are you?

24 years-old. But depending on the day, I may act like an excited twelve year-old.

When and why you became a travel blogger?

I started my blog after I graduated college.  I faced the biggest rejection of my life when I was rejected from graduate school, even though I graduated summa cum laude and was named Outstanding Graduate of my class.

I decided to attend this surf retreat in Nicaragua, run by this awesome pro-surfer, Holly Beck.  And right before I left, I decided to blog about the journey.  After all, my life was suddenly more ridiculous than fiction.  Little did I know that two years later I’d still be blogging and have an amazing following from around the world.  Now the amazing and ridiculous is my everyday.  And I encourage others to find everyday adventure as well.

What’s the most unusual/unique/craziest thing you have ever done?

Over the past two years, I’ve done some pretty unusual and crazy things. But the one that sticks out right now is volcano boarding down the world’s most active cinder cone volcano.  As if that wasn’t crazy enough, I did it during a thunderstorm, which apparently is a big no-no.  Turns out volcanic ash is a great conductor of electricity, so now I know.

You recently entered Australia’s BEST JOB IN THE WORLD contest and got picked as one of the 25 finalists (from over 45,000 people) for the Park Ranger job. What made you want to apply for this contest?

I was on Facebook one day and saw a lot of my travel blogging friends (including Going Nomadic) talking about this amazing contest and I had to go check it out.  It seemed too good to be true… getting paid generously to travel, explore, conserve, and share my adventures with the world? It really couldn’t get any better.  So I figured I had to give it a shot.

Why did you apply for the Park Ranger position?

I love nature and being outdoors. I’m an adventurer and advocate for wildlife conservation. We’re so lucky to live in a world that offers such awe-inspiring landscape and I feel like it’s our job to not only enjoy it, but preserve it for future generations as well as all the other creatures we coexist with.  I’ve worked with sanctuaries in the past and thought I would be a good fit for the position.

How long did it take you to make the video?

It took about two weeks to plan, write a script, pick locations, photos, and edit it together.  Of course, a lot of that time was deliberating back and forth as to whether I was taking the right angle and ensuring I was addressing everything that Tourism Australia had asked for in their terms and conditions.

Were you nervous?

Incredibly. I wanted this so much, but I didn’t tell anyone that I had entered because it sounded like such a long shot.

Did you ever think you’d get on the shortlist? (be honest)

No. I believed in my video and my abilities, but there were 600,000 applicants.  And it’s a tough situation because you’ve got amazing candidates from around the world and you have no idea what their videos or backgrounds are.  And at the end of the day, you never know what they’re really looking for, or what conversations are being held in the decision room.  So I wasn’t going to believe it until it happened.

How did you find out you got on the shortlist?


My parents told me. They called screaming and hollering and telling me to pack my bags. But I reserved my happy dance until I saw my video up on the website.

What was the very first thing you did when you found out?


I probably spent ten minutes jumping up and down.  And then I think I sat on the floor to let it sink in.  It’s all such a blur.  But I remember feeling sky high!

What part of the Park Ranger job are you most excited about doing?

Oh man. There are so many great things about this position.  Not only would I get to learn alongside experienced guides, but I’d get the opportunity to talk with The Aboriginals, play with wildlife, and most importantly to me, keep their state parks protected.  But, as is the driving factor behind my blogging, I love to share what I’m doing with others and inspire and motivate them to have their own adventure.  So the most exciting part for me is showcasing all that Australia has to offer and getting people interested in visiting and helping to protect their parks.

Have you ever done anything like this before?

Enter contests?  Not really. I won’t even call when there are giveaways on the radio. There was something about this that called to me and I’m thrilled that I listened to my intuition.

Do you have any other talents that you think would help you do this job?

I’m a great communicator, and am so lucky to have a following that believes in my writing.  I know I can tell a story, I know I can engage readers and I know I can market.  I also have a TON gumption and spice for life, so having a new adventure everyday appeals to me greatly! I think my travel experience and coming from Las Vegas, a city that boasts 40 million tourists a year, are also additional brownie points.

What skill would you like to learn as a Park Ranger in Australia?

I think I’m most excited at the potential to immerse myself in the culture, land, and history as a whole. There’s so much knowledge to be had on such a thrilling backdrop.

What animal are you…

 - Most excited to see?
A cassowary. They look like real characters!

 - Want to hold?
Certainly koalas because they are fuzzy and adorable, so who wouldn’t want to snuggle that?  Also would like to pet a kookaburra. But really, I’m such an animal lover, you’d have to convince me not to cuddle a snake because it’s poisonous.

 - Want to learn about the most?
I think as a surf enthusiast and beach bum, I’m looking forward to learning about sharks and colorful marine life.

What is your plan to get picked for this job now?

We’re all in the middle of battling it out via social media.  I can’t give away my secrets just yet, but know I’ve got a plan and it’s growing daily due to increased involvement and community interest.  Please check for updates on my Facebook page and blog as to what I’m up to!

What can people do to help support Hilary For Park Ranger?

I need as much social media support and help as possible!  Please LIKE my Facebook page, FOLLOW on Twitter, and check out my blog to see what crazy adventures I’m getting into along this journey.  I can only do this with your help! So please support  #TeamHilary  for  #ParkRanger!

Contact Info: (click the links)

Blog: www.NomadGrad.com

Facebook:  HilaryForRanger and TheNomadGrad

 Twitter: @TheNomadGrad  and @HilaryForRanger

Support Hilary by sending her tips and ideas on how she should prepare for her Park Ranger position!  Want to see the video that got her on the shortlist?  Check it out:

There’s always people saying “YOU SHOULD PACK THIS” or “LEAVE THIS AT HOME”  and sometimes I think these people have never traveled, or never done long-term, non-wilderness backpacking.

This list, is not geared to weekend jet-setters, or 3 week trips up a mountain side.  This is my list,  from experience,  for people who backpack for a month or more, in cities and countryside, and who probably will be doing more sleeping in hostels than in a tent on a cliff in the middle of some unmanned forest area, and who are likely to hit a few different weather areas/seasons.

PACK JEANS

I don’t care what everyone says about jeans.  They are not that bulky, they are comfortable, and you will fit in much better with the locals – oh EVERYWHERE.  Your anti-microbial, quick dry, stupid expensive, zip-into-shorts, pants you bought at REI or wherever SCREAM ‘tourist’. 

You wear jeans almost everyday at home right?  So why would you not want to wear them traveling. 

Plus, you can’t always find fitting jeans abroad. Especially if you have hips and a strong dislike (aka: abhor) for skinny jeans.  Pack a pair of jeans.  You will regret not bringing them.

DON’T PACK RAIN GEAR

Rain gear is bulky as hell, and you will likely misplace it/have it stolen along the way.  Especially when it is sunny, and you don’t realize, until it rains 2 weeks later, that you don’t have it anymore. (Did you leave it at the last hostel or did someone skeeve it from under the bed?)
It’s going to rain.  Pack an umbrella.  They are lighter, smaller, and much easier to carry and replace.  Better yet, you can buy an umbrella overseas. Or buy one of the LED umbrellas from ThinkGeek and look super-awesome!

PACK CARABINEERS

These things come in so much handy it is unbelievable. 

You can:
-hook things onto the outside of your bag
-clip your hostel keys to your person (or inside your walk-around bag so you can find them easier)
-clip your bag/purse strap to your belt loop”
-use them to hook 2 belt loops together to hold your pants up when you can’t find/broke/um… ‘misplaced’ your belt.

A couple carabiners, maybe one small and one large are cheap and you will cherish every moment you have them. You can also get locking ones, that don’t unclip with a simple push. 

PACK CHAPSTICK

Chap stick can be sometimes hard to find.  It’s so much easier if you always have your own spare.

DON’T PACK YOUR WHOLE MAKEUP BAG, (but bring a couple of things)

I don’t really wear makeup, but no matter how much we say “I’m backpacking! I don’t need to dress up!”, at some point you will eventually want to.  I pack clear mascara, a lip stain, and maybe one eyeliner.  That’s pretty much all I ever wear, but it is just enough to make you feel pretty after you have been in the jungle and sweaty and dirty for the last week. 

Please don’t pack your entire makeup kit.

You will hardly ever use it, and just get made fun of by pretty much everyone else.  You don’t look like a supermodel, you look like you have pancake batter on your face.  Especially after walking around all day.

PACK TAMPONS

If you are a tampon user, bring a bunch with you.  Throw them in Ziplock bags in your backpack.  It’s not that it’s hard to find them overseas,  but when you do, they are so expensive to buy, and are the kind without the applicator.  Which are fine, but sometimes can be a pain in the ass to get in.  Bring your own.  Save them for when you can’t stand the little OB ones anymore. Plus, you will have some when you suddenly realize that you need them NOW. 

You are traveling.  You are so not paying attention to that shit.

DON’T PACK HIGH HEELS 

Seriously, it is not worth lugging around a pair of high heels for the 1 night you decide to use them.  Not because you actually want to, but because you feel you need to make the pain of carrying them around purposeful, at least once.   If you end up somewhere you need high heels, you can find them cheap enough anywhere you are. 

(Note:  if you can’t find high heels, you are probably in a place you don’t want them, like the Amazon jungle, or African desert).

PACK SOME SUNSCREEN

You can usually find sunscreen any major city you go to, but if you like a certain brand, bring it with you.  You will need it immediately, and you may also not be able to find your brand abroad.  If you, like many people, may have issues with certain scents, or skin reactions, having your own ‘safe’ sunscreen offers protection while you are out in the sun, hoping store to store, to find a local brand you like/can use.  You don’t need a huge bottle though.

Just a little one to protect you for the first day or two until you learn the city and can get to the store.

DON’T BRING YOUR CELL PHONE

If you are from one of those countries already on the GSM network and using SIM cards, you can ignore this.  If you are from the USA, most of our phones are not on the GSM network (ATT is pretty much the only one, but even then, there a different frequencies of GSM networks.) Its technical. 

Basically..if you are from the USA, there’s a really good chance your phone wont work abroad.  BUT, even if you have said phone, you probably didn’t know you must have it unlocked first.  So you awesome phone is suddenly nothing more than an expensive paperweight.  Also, that iDroidBerry system you are using is pretty much useless, unless you have the intention of buying an international cell plan while traveling. 

And even if you have a SIM-slotted, unlocked iDroidBerry… just try using your data on a $10 SIM card.  You have about 2 minutes.

Just buy a phone overseas if you really need one.  Or ask the hostel if they know anyone with an old phone.  Or just use Skype.

DON’T PACK HIKING BOOTS

You won’t use them.  Except for maybe that one day, during Altavoz festival, when it rained and was cold, you used them, for 2 hours.  

Unless you plan on hiking the majority of time, hiking boots are a totally, pointless, waste of space.

And if you think you will need them for possible jungle expeditions you are wrong.  Also, if you think you will actually have the desire to hike up Cotopaxi, in the cold, and the rain, you are probably also wrong. Or you’ll just wear sneakers because they are lighter.

DON’T PACK A SEPARATE OUTFIT FOR EVERYDAY YOU ARE ON THE ROAD!

There are these cool machines they have overseas.  You put your clothes into them and a little soap.  Then you shut the top and push a button and in about an hour, your clothes magically come out clean and smelling good.  It’s Cah-ray-z!  But seriously, there are sinks, there are laundromats, there are ways to wash your clothes. 

Put what you want to bring in a pile.  Now put half of that pile back in the closet.  What is left is STILL more than you need. 

You are a chic; you know your going to buy shit.  It’s genetic.

CHEERS!

I am one of the fine young ladies who geared down for the first ever 2013 Travel Blogging Calendar.  This brain child came about when Chris Walker-Bush  of Aussie on the Road  innocently asked who may be interested in doing a calendar for charity.  Within hours he had a ton of responses ranging from “Yes” to “Hell Yes” to “But what about the men?”   What started off as a passing idea, has now become the amazing reality that is the Men and Women of Travel Blogging 2013 Calendars.

There is 2 calendars.  One is of the men, which I guess is ok if you want to see half-naked men, dressed in various outfits (or lack of), and strutting their stuff around the world. (So getting one of these for me)

The women’s calendar however is a delectable dish of sexy, sultry, and close to nude ladies teasing and titillating your every spidey sense. (ok, so getting this one too)

I’m buying both.  Which you should too.  They are only $25 and make great presents.  Oh, and all the money made off of them (after the shipping) goes to the following 2 charities:

The Mitrata Nepal Foundation for Children and VSO Bahaginan

ALL THE MONEY!

 No person, photographer, advertising company, promoter or anyone made any money off this.  My photographer, Christina Camera, did the shoot for free, as did all the photographers.   Even UPrinting has donated to print 250 free calendars.  So that’s even more money that get to go to these awesome charities!

We are hoping to raise $10,000 total.  You can pre-order your calendar now at:

So now that you have all the info, what is the calendar like?

Oh something like that.

My shoot happened to take place in the middle of the desert about 20 minutes outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Down some dirt road, in the middle of nowhere.  It was awesome.  Running around the desert in a thong and pasties is way more fun than I ever expected!

And of course, being a totally professional (I hate my photo taken) model, I had to make some of the typical model poses…like:

Duck Face

Super Duck Face

Porn Star Face

‘Look..my fingers are guns!’ pose

The “I’m Gangsta” pose

And I may have a bunch of me laughing my face off or sticking out my tongue cause I am nervous and a total tool.  (Christina, my photographer, was awesomely capturing all the behind-the-scenes moments for me too, so I could have photographic bloggy fodder)

CHEERS!

And remember:  Now you can claim that half-naked lady calendar you have hanging up is because you are a sweet, philanthropic…not a creepy perv.   Just saying.  It’s a great cover story.

You can also see some more photos from this shoot at VegasHasThat .

 This is another awesome, geeky travel item, from ThinkGeek.com that you can’t live without.

Well, I guess actually you could, but then you wouldn’t look nearly as cool!

LIGHT UP UMBRELLAS

It rains, and having an umbrella is something we don’t usually think of bringing when we travel, but end up buying because it’s easier then lugging around your rain gear.   For us city travelers, umbrellas:

• Let you take photos in the rain without totally drowning your camera lens
• Fold up nicely for when the sun comes back out
• Helps keep our backpacks dry without making us look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame

Oh yes, I have become a ThinkGeek.com affilliant.

Why?

 Seriously, do you have to ask with ads like this?

ThinkGeek is hands-down my favourite store ever!  I buy almost everyone’s present from ThinkGeek.com  I have a whole bunch of ThinkGeek Points too I can use to exchange for some awesome stuff.  Awesome STUFF LIKE…

A shirt that plays theme music!

You can walk down the street jamming the  Saturday Night Fever theme out your chest!

 

 

Canned Unicorn Meat?    Why, FUCK YES!, please!

 

 

 

 

LED FAUCET LIGHTS – because who DOESN’T want their water to:

1. Glow in the Dark

2. Show you, IN COLORS, what temperature the water is

 

Seriously, ThinkGeek.comis the best store ever.  And im pretty sure that is a fact, not an opinion.  And even if it is an opinion, you have probably realized by now that my opinions are filled with awesomeness and should probably just be regarded as fact.

So if you want to find all sorts of amazing things you never you needed, but always wished exist, go waste invest a couple hours or more of your life to the wonders hidden inside these webpages , head over to  ThinkGeek.com

Oh yea, they also have a bunch of pretty awesome AND extreamly useful travel gear too. But thats a whole other post

 

ThinkGeek.com AND GoingNomadic.com

 

Fueled by EXTREME MONKEY POWERED AWESOMENESS!

 

 

CHEERS!