It is about to Begin...

I will be completely honest and say that when I decided to start a blog, I had no rhyme or reason besides simply being a journal entry type of post. Mainly practice into something that will soon become (in my hopes and dreams) well-worth someone's while to read. Since my last entry about graduation, "real life," and the scary black abyss that I was plunging into, a lot has changed and happened. I have already moved to a new city and gotten a completely new job that will all actually change again in just one month.

Tomorrow marks August 1, 2011 and the countdown until my flight to Israel officially begins. Metaphorically it's me with a shovel, creating a brand new path, with the destination being unknown. I am going to be in Israel for a year teaching English to Middle School aged pre-teens. This will be an amazing year filled of experience and opportunity, wherever it leads me to afterwords - I have NO idea. I should throw in the disclaimer that I never really have had an idea of where I am going, what my plans are, what I want out of life. It leaves all the good stuff a surprise and all the disappointments not so terrible. I know there are other young women and men out there who feel the same way. Feel this age is pulling you in several directions, mainly to have fun and embrace being young, but old enough to have your shit together. People - you don't need to have it together. Live it up. Be wild. Be free.

There are 27 more days until I am embark on my journey into the fabulously unknown. I need this blog as an outlet. To not freak out. To express all my many, many emotions. Most importantly, to encourage everyone else to experience their own adventures. My goal is to reach out to young adults, with their own unanswered goals. They will able to come to this page and feel motivated to live. 

For those still in college (so lucky!) about to enter another year of exams, parties, all nighters, lecture halls, and libraries full of dusty books. PLEASE consider studying abroad. Whether it is through your university or through an independent program - DO IT. College is not complete without this experience. Here are some tips:

• List out a few different places you would like to go. After that start doing the research on what has the best program for the field you are studying.
• Consider you finances. Talk to your parents and figure out how much you are willing to spend on a semester or year away from home. You need to calculate cost of tuition as well as spending costs. For example, my friends who spent their time in Europe spent a significantly larger amount than I did because I was living in Thailand.
• Do not make decisions based on what your friends are doing. This is YOUR experience. It may seem like a really long time but a semester is 3 or 4 months, the time will fly. You will also show up and meet amazing like-minded people and instantly make friends. 
• Find out what programs your school offers and browse the internet for outside programs. Once you figure out which is the better fit for you, making sure credits transfer, etc., works out. It is VERY important to visit your academic adviser on campus to help you figure it all out. It is a big deal and you can't figure it all out on your own.   

Try looking into University Studies Abroad Consortium! 

To this very day, I still wish I was still on my semester abroad.

The Journey is the Destination

I have been a student for 16 years or so of my life. My days have been filled with linoleum tiles under my feet, wooden desks holding up my elbows, fluorescent lighting illuminating my Maybelline covered skin, and the sounds of laughter, sighs, and schools bells ringing in my ears. My nights have been dedicated to dance practices, homework assignments, slumber parties, and running around at my part time job greeting and seating customers. This has always been a routine. Life has always had schedule and it has always revolved around school. The stress of research papers and exams have kindly forced me to accept that pill bottle on my nightstand. My schooling has burdened my mother with phone calls whether filled with tears or joy where I made her stay on the phone with me until her ears bled. From preschool through elementary school, middle school, high school, and now college, I have become the person I am today, typing away on my Mac Book and listening to the sweet melodies of post-rock, indie-funk tunes. Events that are considered "major" in my life: being nominated for Prom Court, studying for a semester in Thailand, and things of that sort, have also been the contributors to my persona and exist only because of my education. I am forever grateful that I was born in a place that has given me the ability to go to school for free and attend a college of my choice for a price that I may or may not have to pay back later. But now I am faced with this inconceivable fear. I am graduating from my four-year university with a Bachelor's Degree, majoring in Journalism in Media Studies and minoring in Jewish Studies. It sounds fascinating, and it has been. I have learned more in four years than I have in all the years of my previous education combined (which I believe is the case for all college students). Now I am given this paper that I can use to prove my accomplishments to other people and apply for jobs with fancy titles. It all sounds wonderful, but without school - who am I? I don't know any other lifestyle. I don't know mornings without three cups of coffee guzzled down my throat and rushing out the door with only time to put one arm through the jacket. The fear is equivalent to the excitement. It is overwhelmingly exhilarating knowing that the entire world is mine to be had. I can do anything, apply for any job, travel to any country, volunteer with any organization, and wake up at whatever time I please. School has taught me that being unproductive leads to depression, therefore I will not allow myself to become a full-time waitress, but the fear lies in the idea that school has not let me be a failure - what if the "real world" does?