About a year ago I realized that I was going back and forth to work each day, and then doing the same ol’ stuff when not at work. It was all good stuff, but admittedly, sometimes I dreaded work (even though I almost always enjoyed it while actually there.) I had a great job, and a great life in many respects. But still, I was getting stuck in the day to day that is called American life. I was making money to support a life that wasn’t quite satisfying to me right now. I was the American consumer who needed more money than someone else just because I could make more money, so I needed it! I didn’t hate my life and I didn’t need to escape… I just wanted something else at this time while I am still single, unattached, and have the drive to actually get out of my comfort zone and go! I wanted to see the world and live for experience and growth, and I was afraid that if I didn’t fulfill that strong, innate desire of mine then I would quickly become very unhappy. So I saved money as I dreamt and planned and longed for my trip for months!
And, now I am here, in Malaysia, 8 weeks into it! It is still surreal!!!! It is definitely an alternative lifestyle though, which thousands of other backpackers, mostly Europeans and Australians, are participating in as well. Many Americans call it my long vacation, an early retirement, escaping real life, a quarter life crisis, or a European type holiday… but in the end… a day is still a day, in which I live, and every moment is just life. Doing life in a little bit of a different way! Yea, I’m on Holiday, and this Holiday is called my life! ;) As John Mayer says best, “I’d love to tell you, stay inside the lines. But some things are better on the other side… there’s no such thing as the real world, just a lie you need to rise above.”
Over the past week or two I have been asking myself, What I have learned so far? & Has it changed me?
The answer to both of those questions is- SO INCREDIBLY MUCH. Which is the reason for this blog. I don’t just want to tell the people in my life about what I am doing… but about why, and how I felt. A trip like this is not purely for fun or the constant pursuit of positive emotions, it is to track and take hold of other elements to well being, life, relationships, and ultimately the meaning of my own life as it relates to the world around me and the rest of the world so far from me.
The fact that I feel the need to travel and see the world is definitely an inherent desire. Who knows why I am blessed (or cursed) with this, but damn it, I am going to live it up while I can! So, welcome to my blog “Expressive Aphasia in Asia”. Look to the left for the reason for the title, and you will be sure to excuse me when I just cannot describe something fully… you really just have to be here!!! ;)
PS- is the dude in this picture not the epitome of a life well lived!!
Having shared a couple of trips and weekends with you I can see that travelling is not only a way for you to learn, to experience, to pursue the "unknown" and to really live the "there are no limits to what we want to do in life" but also a way that you are giving...giving to each person that you meet during these trips. Have you ever stopped to thing that it's not only what you gain during these type of trips but also the difference you can make on someonelse's life ? Sometimes I do remember those "strangers" that I met during my trips, how the made me feel, what we share, what we experienced together..and I'm thinking...there is someone out there in the world that knew me for a day or two...and I find myself smiling....every day you have this opportunity...and the world is blessed because you decided to explore even further than your day to day routine....looking forward to seeing you when you are back !
ReplyDeleteThanks Vero! Very true words from the wise! :) Also looking forward to seeing you, hopefully Kev is in NYC that time so I can fly through there!
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