Last night I was thinking about my next post. I have so many things I want to write about but what should I share for post number two? And then I thought, 'Duh, how about how this dream all started. How and when did I decide to travel Europe?' I told myself that was a good idea. So I began to travel (haha, travel) back into my long term memory which is actually pretty good contrary to popular belief. It's my short term memory that's the problem. I've lost my keys so many times this last year I've lost count and my mom is afraid I will lose my camera, ipod, passport and other various valuable things while in Europe but we'll worry about that when it actually happens (which I am planning to not let happen). What I'm trying to say in a roundabout way is that though my long term memory is good I can't quite remember how this dream all began. I will, though, share some things that I think may have influenced me in making this decision.
Six years ago my sister, Heather headed over to Australia to travel and work and then a couple years later she went to Europe for six months. I thought that was pretty cool. I thought I may like to try that out.Working at a bible school that brings in many international students, I began to get a peek into the lives of those people and their cultures and found it very interesting and a seed was planted that made me want to experience more of that. Those were probably some of the things that got me interested in seeing different cultures.
I am also very interested in history and you don't have to look hard to see that Europe is full of history. World War II grabs me the most and this interest in war seems to surprise a lot of guys but believe it or not war movies like Saving Private Ryan and the series, Band of Brothers are, though disgustingly gorey and very violent, right up there with heart fluttering, tear jerking, unrealistic but undoubtedly addicting chick flicks. I love them! But the thing is I was never really interested in history in school, it was probably more an influence from my dad watching his History Channel programs many saturday mornings. They usually caught my eyes and ears as I would be pouring my milk into my bowl of cereal. He has a knack for history and I think their might actually be a little bit of that in me too.
And art. Who could forget art? I never grew up playing on sports teams or knocking on doors selling girl guide cookies. No, I was too busy dancing and playing piano. At the time I wish my parents would have put me in soccer or something (the closest I got to an out of school sports team was lawn bowling when I was ten. Yes, me, another ten year old and a dozen white haired folk) but now I'm so incredibly glad for all the art influence. I wouldn't have it any other way! Europe also has a wide variety of this from its architechure to its many museums and I can't wait to see it with my own eyes.
And then there's food, a necessity of life. I have grown to appreciate the culinary arts as I have been learning to cook these last four years at Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre. I never thought I would like it so much, I always thought cooks were snobby and obsessed with food but this girl had a change of heart and she loves it! This is more like a bonus feature, the oppurtunity to expand the horizon of my taste buds. I don't suspect they will be disappointed especially with the pizza in Italy. Mmm!
Last but definately not least: Friends. Like I said earlier, I have met a lot of people from overseas and so I have many people I would like to visit and reconnect with. This I know will be such a highlight and I look forward to what God has in store as these paths meet.
Well, there you have it. It makes me excited just typing about it. Right now I'm wondering how this will all come together but the plan is in progress, do not worry (that is directed more towards myself). Yes, the plan. Hmm...that sounds like a good post number three.
