On My Way

3 September 2010

Today began my journey to the South American continent (4 for 7 in eleven hours!) via Spokane. I went up to Spokane on Tuesday for a few days to visit my Australian/African friend who is studying abroad at Gonzaga. Also note that my buddy lives up in Spokane teaching freshman math (get this, his colors are yellow and green plaid and they are the Highlanders – totally Scottish) so it was very nice to spend some time up North visiting before heading down south. Unfortunately, it makes for a long day of travelling – give or take 36 hours all said. I hope you know how much you cost me Nick!

Now that I have been on two of my flights, let me break down the fellow airliners thus far: One the first flight, I sat next to a young woman who was going to grad school. I inquired what for to which she responded – evolutionary biology. Hold the phone! This is awesome – if I went back to school in biology it would have something to do with evolution so I’m pretty excited for this coincidence. Turns out that what she is researching is something that I remember lightly covering in one of my classes and was able to keep pace with the conversation.

I met up with my fellow volunteer in Minneapolis and together we took our voyage down to Miami. Now I have some preconceived notions about people in Miami, but never did I believe that I would be sitting near two passengers who, I can only describe as, the next contestants of Jersey Shore 3. One of these young ladies was about 4’10” and had a uncanny resemblance to Snooki. Both were loud gossips, talking about how this other girl (we’ll call her XX) was upset with them because this boy (XY) was picking them up and that XX and Snooki 2.0 both sort of liked him. I can’t wait for next season!

In other more important news, I’m about an hour away from heading down to Chile. It’s becoming quite real that I’m going now. And I don’t think that I will be able to get out of it anymore. Now yes, I know that it’s going to be quite an experience and that I am going to end up loving it. It’ll be life-changing, awe-inspiring, and difficult experience that’ll make me all the better person for completing it. That being said, I’m having more trouble finding out whether my rational or irrational side is more convincing. Irrational is telling me that this is not a good idea and making me feel all somber for not teaching this Fall. I must admit, that the past week or two, anxiety was running a bit high about this trip. Fortunately, I finished a book that helped calm me a bit. I picked up American on Purpose by Craig Ferguson because 1) He’s my favorite late-night host and 2) I wanted to read it. After hearing his story, I feel as though a little trip down South isn’t the worst thing to do and I’m stealing advice that he received from a previous lady-friend: Between safety and adventure, choose adventure. I don’t feel as though this is the safest choice I could have made post-college so let us hope that it is one great adventure!

Take Care,