Journey to Yourself...

Short & sweet is usually not me, though I am only 5' 0". ;) I need to learn to forgive myself (and others) for more than just my rambling though. 

In our viral, personal, & professional worlds, we all usually wear different masks. I had an idea mapped out for my life: go to college (work really hard while doing so), marry, have no kids, and travel! I mean, the theme of my blog is all about travel. However, over the past two years, I have been taken on a much different journey. 

I have found out who true friends are, through hardships of my own and some I have most likely brought upon myself. I'm human though (and so are they). Forgiveness #1. 

I found that when I truly begin to look around me, the surroundings do not make a lot of difference. Ideally, many would enjoy scouring every inch of the gorgeous world we all call home (yet ultimately take for granted). But sometimes it is not possible. I moved to a new state (with a higher cost of living), began a degree I was honestly blind-sided with from idealism (created on my own part) [forgiveness #2], changed degrees, got another job in the business world, and now am right back to doing what I love in the first place, just for less money. 

People can vent about their own problems all day long, but when it comes to yours, often they simply say "It'll be ok" or "It'll work itself out." Forgiveness #3. Easier said than done. However, they are right ! Life will work itself out, just not usually as the lowly human intended, crafted, and planned because we really cannot control our own destinies, regardless of what we think. By no means am I getting sappy, or "seeing the light" (in an ethereal sense). I am however, realizing that I need to let go of some of the ridiculous expectations I have put on myself (society driven or otherwise) and just become me, even if it appears messy. 

Who cares! In the end, none of us get out alive. <<I know, cliche & cheesy, but I like it. So, to reiterate, who cares? 

Therefore, instead of fantasizing (not that I'm not) about trips I will take overseas or throughout the U.S. or reviewing past ones, my blog will most likely take a turn. It will be more-so about my life's journey. Then maybe I won't fall off the face of the blogisphere for half a year again...fearful that my material doesn't fit some arbitrary "theme" I created myself (and therefore have control over altering)! :) 

Transparency, honesty, & happiness are all part of my new goals! I hope everyone's remainder of the year is excellent. 

Here are some recaps of my favorite days from the last six months...

March- We started exploring some new places & continued on my weight loss (calorie counting/ exercise) journey, begun at the end of January! I've lost ~30 lbs, so far this year. :) 

Flat Rock Cedar Glades & Barrens

April- I love exploring cemeteries, always have. My mom & I used to do familial grave rubbings. + my love of history & culture feeds this fascination. This cemetery near our townhouse has some amazing historical connections, from the masons to Civil War monuments. This particular grave was my favorite. Tombs with anchors not buried near bodies of water were actually a secret symbol for Christianity, when crosses were not allowed. Later, it was just a symbol for the Christian faith. 

Evergreen Cemetery: Murfreesboro, TN

May- This was the end of my 2nd semester teaching again in TN! I absolutely love my students & learn so many things personally, culturally, & from a professional development standpoint, during every class! One particular student shared their Russian cultural tradition about giving the language teachers flowers, out of honor for keeping up the language of the land. Precious. 

Riding "buddy" Murdock: flea bitten gray pattern. 

June- I began horse-back riding lessons, after classes were out (teaching & those I'm taking for my Ed.S.). My teacher had ridden for years and was very eerily nonchalant when he bucked twice ("You need to fall off a few times"). + I really strive to treat all animals with complete respect. She attempted to tell me horses do not bond with humans & her mentality is that they are beasts of burden. I would love to try again one day; but, with that experience, I decided to take a break. 

+ we tried kayaking/ canoeing, watched some baseball, & visited a lot of cool local places, festivals, & small towns, nearby us! Wandering locally is cool too! <3 

July- Took a short road trip to meet a friend for 

white water rafting the Ocoee! Awesome. 

+Met Shorty Rossi from the former Animal Planet show "Pit Boss." He rescues and advocates for the "bully" breed that has an unjustified bad name! Great guy. Anyone rescuing animals and giving them a voice, is a wonderful person, in my book. 

August- I made a huge decision to quit my full time job this month, in order to expand my horizons in my chosen career path, teaching. I needed to be on campus during the day, and so was not able to work a day time office job any longer. It is a huge pay cut and caused a ton of friction/ second-guessing. I said goodbye to some friends permanently & others temporarily, due to this. However, I truly believe it was the best decision for my life's passion. 

We traveled back home to visit family before I begin the busy semester again and got bicycles! Truly excited to see where this new journey will lead. 

Foreseeable Fall Future :)