The definition of traveling is to go from one place to another. Apart of traveling is exploring, unexpected events, and even drifting paths. For me, traveling is what 2015 consisted of, whether I mean that in a literal sense or a metaphorical sense, when I think back on this year I think of the word traveling.
The year pretty much started on a plane across the pond. Last January, I took a short study abroad class and lived in London for 2 weeks. My class only had 5 students in it, and one of those was my best friend/roommate Kiani. Even still after all the cities around the world I have now seen, London remains the most fascinating one for me. When I think back to that trip, I remember the feeling it was traveling on the train during our free weekend. Exploring the town of Oxford all on our own without any plan. Coming back to London and bonding with my class over coffee discussing the day’s sites we explored. London was metaphorically like the perfect cup of tea.
Kiani and I at The London Bridge
Last summer 2015, I followed my study abroad dreams to Spain to live in Madrid. The difference of this trip to London was it was longer, I truly lived amongst the locals of the country, and ultimately was stretched beyond the fairytale talk of what study abroad is. Yet, the journey this trip took me on involved finding myself through losing it. That sounds dramatic, and honestly it probably is too dramatic of a quote for this, yet that is the most basic quote I can match it to (and I am told I am a dramatic person). Spain took me to the top of mountains, around the metro in a city that spoke a foreign language, and to new people that will be connections I’ll always have.
Retiro Park in Madrid near the school I attended
One of my favorite day’s in 2015 – hiking Mount Peñalara 1 1/2 outside Madrid with new friends in a foreign country
The free weekend took me to Portugal where I explored a city I had never heard of before I went on the trip. On the plane I met my friend Alex from Germany and we exchanged stories of our countries. Neither of us had been to the other person’s country. Then my 2 months in Europe ended with me strolling through the streets of Paris to walking on the beaches of Normandy with my family. In 6 months, I traveled to 4 different countries. I’m proud to say I did it, but more importantly I learned enormous lessons about life and myself.
Free day spent in Lisbon, Portugal on my free weekend trip during study abroad trip to Spain
Our Family Christmas card photo this year comes from our trip to Paris
Yet, even though everything I have discussed has been a literal sense of travel, I also use it as a metaphor to explain 2015. I experienced a transition as I turned 20, became a junior in college, and watched God close doors to lead me to new ones. Back in the spring all I wanted was to become an freshmen RA. I had planned and worked hard for it since I began college. Therefore, when I got the email that I was not chosen, I was devastated. It was a hard time for me, yet it only lead me to finding something better.
This past fall I got an internship that changed my world. The Rick and Bubba Show gave me an opportunity to find that my skill is my ability to talk and entertain, and that is something I can purse in a career sense. Becoming a “redneck star” is what I call it, but walking the turf at Bryant-Denny Stadium gave me the adrenaline rush that my career has only just begun and I am super excited to see where it leads me. I view this as a metaphor to traveling because I had the journey ahead of me, but the goals and routes changed, but I still found a new perspective of who I am and what I want.
Broadcasting the AHSAA Championship Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium
2015 was so good to me. Friendships that mean the world, a family that is always there, and a God who never fails. Last night we celebrated my parents 25th wedding anniversary with a huge party. My parents who have given my sister and I the world. I know I am blessed to have a milestone like this to celebrate with my family and even end 2015 on this note.
Celebrated my parents 25th wedding anniversary on 12/30/2015
Today I leave for a New Year’s cruise. I love cruising and haven’t been on one in 3 years! I still dream and hope to work on one someday. Don’t be surprised if you see me as MC McLane! I am so excited to bring in 2016 but before midnight I am looking back at 2015 with a smile filled with gratitude, excitement, and humbleness. A year where traveling took me to literally new places and on journey’s where my heart found new adventures alone with new dreams. Here’s to 2015!!!!!
Family on Christmas Eve Service 2015
See you in 2016!!!!!
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