Five days. That's all. Five days until I am on an airplane flying across the Atlantic Ocean to my new home for the next three months: London, England.
I've always loved to travel, regardless of where I was going. Before I could drive, I loved riding along with my dad to go grocery shopping at Walmart or running Saturday errands with my mom and stopping at McDonald's for a hamburger, small french fries, and a medium diet Coke. As I got older, we went on several interesting and extremely memorable family vacations, such as a trip to Colorado which involved white water rafting and me falling completely out of the raft and into the rapids. Or a spring break trip to Arizona where we rode mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and then traveled through the biggest snowstorm of the decade on our way back up.
From that love of travel a desire grew to study abroad. Initially I didn't know where or when I was going, but somehow I decided to go to London for the fall semester of my sophomore year.
Several people have asked me why I wanted to do this, including my less-than-genius brother, who I love dearly but thinks buying a motorcyle instead of studying abroad is a much better investment of my money (Because then he could ride it also...?). Anyway, his question made me really wonder why I've always wanted to do this. The easy and obvious answer would be because traveling has always been fun and exciting to me. But that's not the real reason. Maybe it's because no one in my family has ever done it before? Or maybe it's because a semester away from my "comfort zone" that will really allow me to find out who I am as a person?
I guess the bottom line is this: There are many answers that could work, but none of them really answer the question, "Why?". So maybe that's the real reason why I'm going. So that I can figure it out. Because if I already knew the real reason why... is there even any point in going? (Besides that fact that I get to spend 3 months in London and travel all around Europe!)
Finally, I would like to end my very first post with this quote I found online not too long ago. Whenever you have time, I hope you keep up my travels and leave comments so that I can still feel connected to friends and family even though I'm a little further away. :) Thanks!
"You cannot fully understand your own life without knowing and thinking beyond your life, your own neighborhood, and even your own nation." ~Johnnetta Cole
Until next time,
Rachel
6 comments:
Sweet... I totally de-virginized your wall.
I believe you meant to say, "your MORE-than-genius-brother."
I'll see you before you go.
Hi Rachel,
Your blog is super and I look forward to reading it while you are in London.
What an appropriate quote you chose for the end of your first entry and for the blog's title. It really does sum up why you want to go to London.
It is nice to know that you and Jeff can "argue" on the blog as well as in person. That is good -- you won't miss each other so much that way.
Travel safely, dear Rachel. I am looking forward to reading of your adventures in London AND to visiting you in November.
Love, Grandma Jane
Hi Rachel,
I enjoyed your first entry. I look forward to reading all about your adventures.
Have a safe and uneventful flight!
Aunt Carolyn
Rachel,
I know what you mean when you're having trouble to articulate "Why" you're deciding to travel... but somehow you know deep down that there is a calling for adventure, exploration, and to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. And you probably won't be able to see the way your experiences have changed you on a very deep level until you're back and it's months after your adventures... But you will know it when you recognize it.
I'm *so* excited for you. I've never been to Europe, but I hear that it is magical with it's history, art, and maturity. It will be a challenge and overwhelming, and you will miss home at times... but I hope you can find the pleasures in simply taking it all in and asking for nothing more or less than what it is :).
Can't wait for you!!!!
Excellent blog Rachie! I'll be excited to read about all of your European adventures (wait, that sounds like a National Lampoon movie title...)
This is a great experience for you. I know how much you love the Royals and traveling...just don't forget to get some studying done too!
Hurry home...Tessa will miss you! :)
Rachie!
You are so fantastic and I'm so lucky to have you as a best friend! I'm sure you'll have a great time in London and you will come back with so many stories for me to sit and listen to at Starbucks. And I cannot wait until then! We'll keep each other updated on the happenings in our lives, don't worry. I'm going to miss you tons, best friend!
P.S. I think you were correct with "less-than-genius-brother." But now it is "less-than-genius-brother-with-a-pony." ;D
Lovies!
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