First Post- "Why NOT?"

Four years ago I was a woman on a mission... vaguely. It felt wrong stewing within the walls of my middle-class, mid-western university merely THINKING about "you know what would would be really cool?" My "what-if" list accumulated, and near the conclusion of my freshman year it was quite extensive.

I'd always entertained the notion of studying abroad, so when I walked into the study abroad office my second year of university, I had no preconceived notions of where I "ought" to go. "If I can study art, I'm in," was my only requirement. Italy was the only country that came up several times, so Florence, Italy it was. For the next eight months I would live, breathe, bathe, shop, walk, eat, and (try) to speak Italian.

It all began there.

I met Edan around November of 2006. We randomly were introduced through www.couchsurfing.com when Edan was spending a few nights at a classmate's apartment. He called me one evening for fear of being included in an undesirable round of beer pong. "I'm just tired and want some peace and quiet," he said. My couch was open, so as participating couchsurfer, I accepted the guest.

I finished my remaining months in Italy studying photography, ceramics, figure drawing, art history, and all the while growing to understand what it really meant to be with one's honest self. It was the frustrations of being away and encouragement from classmates in Italy that enabled me to to return to Minnesota and have friends comment, "I don't know what happened, but you've changed, and I like it." Growing to appreciate culture and living among a different soil is when we truly begin to dig further within ourselves, meet fabulous humans, keep their friendship, and discover something brand new about life.

With Italy as our connection, Edan and I remained in contact, and were able to re-united this past summer (was it July(?) 2008) in St. Cloud, Minnesota; my lonely home town during his train trek across the U.S.

I am officially concluding my undergraduate studies in studio art/ art history December 2009, and as a plea to my sanity, I have remained unofficial with my plans... until today. After an hour and 45 minute telephone conversation, Edan and I have decided to travel the world in each other's company. No more what ifs this time.

Although I say, "I'm dead set on this happening," I still remain a bit apprehensive of the follow through and transformation of a fantastic dream into a reality, as I know I (and a lot of student artists), can be flighty at times. My tentative trip via California to see some old friends for spring break in March is now a "must", and will include some goal setting with Edan. A plane ticket will be purchased in February.


Quote: "Don't give up! Figure out what you want to do, figure out the steps to accomplish it and then keep going until it's done"- Tyler

Something new: I bought a map of the world (to start a journey), and a book about world travel at Barns and Nobel tonight with a holiday gift card from my father.

Next: Goals, and possible destinations.

Check out: my friend Tyler and his partner are departing in April for their own world trip check it out www.goingslowly.com