What I have discovered in the past few months at Curry is 1. being sick on campus is torturous and 2. I don't want to settle down. Being sick on campus was the worst experience in the world. My mom wasn't here to reassure me I wasn't dying and I was stuck in bed all day because there was no way I was going to walk around feeling like a zombie. As I was nursing myself back to health I discovered that I like being on my own. I like depending on myself and making my own decisions. I love my family, but they will always be my family no matter where I live, and I have come to terms with the fact that I will not be living with them much longer.
I want to travel, I have always wanted to travel. I want to see the world and explore the Earth we live on. I don't want to settle down, have children and not have stories to tell and cool moments to share with them. I want to educate myself on as much as I can and see all that I can before I plant my roots and grow. I don't want to get married, I want to meet as many people as possible. I don't want to buy a house, I want to live in various locations. Who cares about a traditional way of life, I want to live.
I have the opportunity of a life time to live my dream and go on a trip to China. I am terrified, but I am so excited and beyond grateful that I have gotten myself to where I am. I have been working hard and I finally know why. Part of discovering yourself is coming out of your comfort zone and trying new things. Traveling is my way to come out of my comfort zone and try new things, learn new things and grow as an individual. I don't want to be trapped in a routine of living in the same place and working with the same people and making the same memories.
I will always be proud of where I came from and the family I grew up with, but I need to live life the way I was intended to. I want to live in different states and take pictures of different winters. I want to build a scrapbook like no other before I make a family. You don't get anywhere in life by rolling with the punches.
Somethings to keep in mind when you decide to travel. Your family will always be there when you get back, even though you are going to miss them. Money is nothing compared to the experiences you are going to have. Travel light, don't take every electronic devices and every pair of shoes with you. Lastly, meeting new people is scary, but you never know what you can learn from a stranger. Don't worry about getting lost, when you travel you are never lost the trip just didn't go as planned. Memories last forever, and I want to make those for the rest of my life.