It begins . . .

I've kept away from the whole blogging phenomenon for quite awhile now. Surprising seeing as I'm probably one of the most longwinded and expressive people I know when it comes to the written word. Enough people have requested that I keep them updated on my next journey abroad though that I figure this is going to be a pretty good method. But now the questions arise . . . how expressive - how open do I be? I've hardly written in my own journal in the past two months . One of those many phases where I'm so busy living and enjoying life that I can't find the time to record it, contemplate it or analyze it.

But now if I decide to write in a blog will it take the place of a journal - and if so will it take the place of that spot of openness and revealing . . .hmmm - and will I be able to write stuff I wouldn't want my parents reading - now - that's a big question as well because they're probably the ones who are most going to want to know what's going on in my life. Perhaps I'll do the whole pick and choose/ copy and paste thing from this into emails to them. Sounds like a good idea :D

Life right now is . . . interesting to say the least. It's full of oddities and blessings, confusion and moments of bliss. My folks finally found it within them to leave me with the house for an extended period of time - 2 1/2 weeks. A hard feat for my father despite the fact that I've lived in England, travelled Europe, and had my own apartment in Poland. I was very proud of them. The timing was unexpected - rather than having the place to myself during finals season it ended up being after graduation leaving me at home alone with virtually no responsibilities and no specifics to fill my days. A specific time filler came however (and here's where the vagueness that wouldn't exist in my personal journal arises) and taught me a lot about myself, my ability to be open, and to let myself experience. It revealed that all the growth I feel I've been experiencing in the past year or so really has changed me. I hope the teaching continues.

Also, amazingly I'd been trying to find a way to get to Toronto to visit my brothers, niece, and best friend. I mentioned this in the presence of three friends and asked these friends if any of them were interested in a road trip . . . they all were. None of them were working at the moment and all of them had some money they could spend. So with little notice and little planning and hopes that I could get a hold of my parents to clear taking the van before I left (I finally reached them at 10pm in time to leave at 4:45am the next morning) - I took my first major roadtrip with some amazing people - we didn't fight or argue once!!

Enjoying the sun with my girls - Britt and Jenn, and Paul the pigeon King!!

I bonded with loved ones, explored the city I was stolen away from too soon ;) and received affirmation that yes . . . if the grad school accepts me - Toronto is where I want to be.

Clinton and me at the Korean BBQ


James and me on Queen