Here Goes Nothin'...

Starting your own blog kind of feels like standing out in the street naked at first. It is always a scary thing to create a place where your thoughts, opinions, experiences can fall under the criticism of anyone who decides to take a peak but then I realized that's just every day life. As I prefaced in the title, I wanted to start this blog to really document everything I learn, experience, and witness while on this journey. I'm definitely not starting this to voice all types of opinions on politics, creating my own soapbox to preach from. No. I am just looking for a place to reflect on my own journey and share that with people who might be interested. Looking back, I wish I would have started this from where it all began back in July, but better late than never, right? I guess I see it as a way I can share everything with everyone all at once. I know I don't get to see, speak, and share with all of you as much as I would like, and this creates the perfect climate for all that (minus the seeing part but thats what skype is for ;) )

Now that we know why I've decided to blog I think its important to give some insight into why I've chosen the path I have for this time in my life.

There have been things in my life that I have always known for certain and other things have remained a mystery. I think once you know what the constants in your life will be, for me, family, friends, small town values, you begin to try and solve all the things that remain a mystery. You want to see who you really are when you are tested, alone with the unfamiliar. I think that these are the years that I have been given the freedom to find out.

I have lived in a world similar to the one I was brought up in. I went to college with people that came from similar backgrounds, with similar interests, mostly a "midwest" point of view. It has been incredible to first go to Wyoming and be immersed in the culture of that place. A state known for its low population and upon arrival soon realized that that is exactly the way everyone there wants it. I loved the pace, loved the people. The way of life was slower, simpler but they embraced and loved it. I feel the same way about home. People question what could be so wonderful about a place like Iowa but you don't really see the beauty in simplicity unless you were raised on the stuff.

Now I'm in Jacksonville, Texas. The Bible Belt. The Lonestar State. So far, I have loved it! The people I've met have validated that southern hospitality is a real thing. Everyone greets you with warm words and smiles. I do have to admit it could be my partial love of the southern accent playing a role, and lets be serious, the warm weather in February doesn't hurt either. I started my first day of service to The Almond Tree Community Resource & Training Center the first of February and have loved it so far. I am 1 of 10 VISTAs that will work for this organization through the AmeriCorps VISTA program. I am the only transfer and the only person from outside of Texas for that matter.I can't wait for everyone else to get started the 16th and really get to know even more people with different stories to tell. It is an organization that is really still in its early stages but has the potential to do incredible things.

Well, I guess thats all for now. I move into my new place on Saturday and I can't wait to have somewhere all to myself. Living in Tyler, a city of 80,000 north or Jacksonville will also be a nice change of pace. I have never lived anywhere that big before and look forward to having so many things at my disposal.

Aaaaan I'll wrap it up with some sites I found today that I really loved.

50 Most Inspiring Traveling Quotes
http://www.bravenewtraveler.com/2008/03/07/50-most-inspiring-travel-quotes-of-all-time/

and

http://thebarstoolromantic.com/

<3 Ash