Long Road

Well, it's been a long road up to this point. I remember getting to come back from France and wondering what my life would be like when I came back to the States. I had no idea that four to five months later I would moving again, to Australia. These past months of joblessness, scattered homelessness, frustration dealing with auto insurance companies and banks, and frustration over where my life was headed and the inability to eat at times has taught me a lot I think. As to patience, diligence, humility, I have learned that there is always room to grow as a person. I'm happy, excited, full of wonder for this next trip and next step in my life, but more so, I am just thankful. Most people who have helped me, either with money, with housing, with free dinners, with moral support, read my blog, and those who don't, I've tried my hardest to thank.

I guess now, I am finally going through the last steps of preparing for this trip, which has seen so many more difficulties than I saw before leaving for France. Rebecca and I have both sold our cars, cancelled our accounts, gotten rid of things - that has been a huge one - Rebecca has lived here in the State for 9 years, and packaging everything down to two suitcases is a tough job when you have so many memories, but we will be creating new memories, we will be forging new dreams and putting ourselves out there for the world to deal with once again; and we are both happy about that. In a few weeks my life is going to change forever, again. I can't put into words what living in France for a year did to me, I guess someone (who was really bored,) could go and read all of my posts and could up with a summation of how my views did, but there are no words that can describe what goes on in the human heart, the change that desperation, lack of ability to communicate, longing for home, and then finally a discovery of oneself, but at least I know what happened there. I can't wait to see what happens on this next journey. If it will be the same, no one can say. I think the non-language barrier will be a huge factor in how I change, and how easily I grow accustomed to my new place. Also having my best friend and love there with me, (or I with her to be more accurate,) will make this a much different trip.

I guess the largest question I have now is when this desire to travel, see and experience the world will end. Will it be with Australia? Will I move back to France? I know that deep down my my heart still beats to return there, and I, like Rebecca, never want to settle for a life I'll take when I can push for a life I want. Especially in today's world where international affairs are so possible and plentiful, I consider Australia not as an end, but as a step to finding out the future.

So to all who have helped me these last four months, you have no idea what you've done, and how much you've helped me. Every dollar, every night on a couch, every meal, every encouraging word. It has meant the world to me.