I had a plan. I really, really did have a plan when I was 17. At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to college, but once I was sure, I started making my plan. I'm going to have a gap year to save up money for tuition, working my butt off at three … Continue reading The Plans God Laughs At
Advice
Our Walls of Thorns
When I moved to Tennessee as a kid, my parents bought a property with a creek bed running through it. This creek bed was severely overgrown, it hadn’t been maintained for many years, if at all. In the creek, there were tons of vines growing on the trees, choking out all the plants, sucking the … Continue reading Our Walls of Thorns
Our Lines in the Sand are Walls of Stone
Have you ever had to cut someone out of your life? I have. Many, many times. And I've heard more than once that cutting someone completely out of your life is rude or cold-hearted. I've been told that it is a sign of being toxic and fickle. Which is absolute bullsh**, because cutting someone out … Continue reading Our Lines in the Sand are Walls of Stone
The Value in Discomfort
One of the feelings I used to hate the most was being uncomfortable. I mean, most of us (well, I’m guessing all of us, actually) hate the feeling of being uncomfortable. It's one of those feelings we never forget and we relive before we fall asleep at night. When we’re in an uncomfortable situation, we … Continue reading The Value in Discomfort
I Attended University Abroad: What did I Learn?
I wasn't originally going to go to university at all, when I graduated from high school. Sure, I had an interest in Asia, but I didn't want to continue schooling at all. I have hated school since I was in 1st grade of elementary school (no offense to my former teachers intended). I hated group … Continue reading I Attended University Abroad: What did I Learn?
What Heals Wounds
Ripping the Bandaid Off of Your Fears I have heard many, many times in my life that telling people your issues and fears is scary and painful. We always feel that revealing our weaknesses will cause us to be in pain and suffer unimaginable consequences, so we hold them close and cover them up, even … Continue reading What Heals Wounds
Entering the Unknown
When I first decided to leave, I'm not sure what I had in mind. Probably something like: "Japan. Sure! Can't be THAT different from what I know!" Ah, naivety. How I miss you. Now, there's no need to fool myself. I go into a new country thinking "Well. This'll be fun."(That's heavy sarcasm, by the way. If … Continue reading Entering the Unknown
Just Look for the Blonde 