Here goes nothing...

I suppose its time I start writing this blog that so many people have requested of me. It’s a hard thing to get started though. I want to be able to look back and read these words and know exactly what I was thinking at that point in time, and I want you all to feel the same. I leave for London on February 1st around lunch time, but I still have a lot of stuff to get before I take off. For those that don't know I am going there with a backpack full of clothes, and a EuRail pass. I have a vague idea of where I want to go and what I want to see, but I wanted to leave everything open so I could be more spontaneous. There will be sight seeing, walking, drinking, picnicking, and qt Euro-girls, that much I know. Anyway, I guess the best way to start off the documentation of my trip would be to discuss how I got to this point.

I have come to the realization that the only way for me to achieve the kind of purpose or direction in my life that I desire is for me to get out of my comfort zone. What do I plan on accomplishing on this trip? First of all I need to grow up. Its incredible to think that the amount of growth, spiritually and personally, that I think this trip will lead me to has such an overwhelming influence on the rest of my life. And in turn to think that I plan on achieving all of this in a 3 month time span is crazy. Three months in the scope of my entire lifetime is merely a blink of an eye. If I were asked to look back and try to specifically remember a quarter of a year that has shaped my life it would be impossible to do. However I have no doubt that these coming months will have that impact on me.

Clive says at one point in Narnia that "One of the drawbacks of adventures is that when you come to the most beautiful places you are often too anxious and hurried to appreciate them." Another friend of mind gave me the good advice to not look forward to the next city Ill be visiting, but instead try and appreciate the one I am in to its fullest. I hope this doesnt happen to me. Years from now I want to be able to vividly describe and remember the beautiful places I am going to travel to. This just makes me more aware of my situation, and another goal of my trip. That is to think objectively about every situation I am in, to overcome narcissism, and to be sensitive to myself. Which I feel are all related and necessary to get the picturesque and imaginative life that I desire. I suppose I might desire too much.

As excited as I am about my trip, there is still anxiety regarding it. I worry a little about what I am actually going to do once I get there. Every once in a while a fear will wash over me about being alone for such a long time. However I know I will meet interesting people to keep me company. Leaving all the people in my life right now also weighs on me. I am happy to be in a place where I have friends that care about me, and want good things for me. I am blessed to have them in my life, and I hope you can all keep me in your prayers.

I thank God for putting me in this situation, especially at a time where most people are worried about the economy, their jobs, and monetary situation. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to take a 3 month vacation with no worries to occupy my thoughts.

As for the actual blogging... I dont know for sure how often I will be able to give updates, since I am not bringing a laptop. However, I am pretty sure that most of the hostels I plan on staying at will have computers, and hopefully I will be able to upload pictures onto them. I dont think every post will be this long, as I may only have the chance to give a little blurb about where I am and what I have done. Jeremiah gave me the essential advice of not second guessing anything I feel like writing, and hopefully that doesnt make these posts sound too elementary. Thanks for taking interest in my trip and I encourage anyone to contact me via email, facebook, or on here with any comments or suggestions they have for while Im there. Ill get around to uploading a couple pics of my backpack and etc when I can.

-Kyle