I have had many hobbies and things I enjoyed doing, but I never really had anything I was super good at or extremely passionate about. I've always loved music (who doesn't) people have always told me I should pursue finding a place in the field of making it but I really think id rather just listen. The outdoors are fun. I love skiing, hiking, boating, fishing, I am always down to go get some fresh air in the mountains and grew up learning to love and respect nature.

Sure, there was soccer and in playing for 14 years the sport has had it's place in my heart on and off, but I was never in love with it enough to want to push myself to try to be the best like some of the other girls did which actually upset me. I wanted to have that fire but I could never get a spark to stick. All these things have a special place in my heart, but I want a burning passion. I want to be so invested in doing something that I cannot think of life without it. I used to think that thing was love. I love with my entire being, as many do, I loved so hard that it took over my mind. But that's a topic for another post.

Throughout the years my list of things I enjoyed doing or learning about was always changing, I didn't really have something that felt was "my thing". However, one item has always been on my "passion list", traveling. I always felt weird for saying that growing up as I had never even left the west coast until I was 17. How could I claim I loved to travel when I didn't even own a passport? Never the less, it stuck and the daydreams have never stopped. The urge to see the world is the only part of me, that I can think of, that has stayed the same in the long 19 years of my journey. Right now, it is the IDEA of seeing every corner of this beautiful planet that is my passion, I want the act of actually DOING it to become the part that consumes me. The idea of seeing the world is actually, the one thing that got me to go to college.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue my education right out of high school because I really have no idea what I want to do when I grow up, then the idea of studying abroad hooked me and lured me in. For now, the maps on my walls mock me as I sit in my dorm and do homework or get ready for my 5-hour shift. It's like every little island pictured laughs as I put another day's tips in my "adventure jar" where I hold cash that will hopefully fund a future trip. For some unknown reason, the idea of exploring new places gets my adrenaline pumping like no other. A smile sneaks its way on to my face when I think about walking through the streets of an unfamiliar city. I want nothing more than to taste new air, meet new architecture, and see different faces.

To be immersed into rich diverse cultures, learn different ways of living from other places, and to grow into a well-rounded global citizen is so much better than the American dream in my eyes. I could live out of a single suitcase for months if it meant I could go anywhere and see anything I pleased. Many talk about how they hate the airport and how even the idea of planning a trip would stress them out. I guess I am weird because the airport is one of my favorite places and I dream of planning trips in my free time.

Why does everyone act like my passion to travel is so courageous?

What do you mean there are people out there who don't care to explore the world we live in?

Who wouldn't want to learn about new cultures and different ways to live life and see the beauty in every corner of the Earth?

I just got home from my family's spring break trip to Mexico and I seemed to be the only one who was upset about coming home to the familiarity of Boise. Don't get me wrong I love Idaho and feel so blessed to call it home but I'm just so ready for adventure and exploration. As we walked through the streets of downtown Cabo San Lucas with a couple of residents as our guide I was star struck by the authentic chaos of the streets. I loved getting away from the strip of resorts that ran down the beach crowded with other tourists. I didn't mind that I could hardly communicate with the locals, in fact, I loved it, all more to add to the adventure. It was like what people say about getting a tattoo, you want more once you get one. The first stamp in my passport was addicting and I just want to add more and more. I never want to lose this feeling of pure excitement and happiness. I hope I get to travel for the rest of my life and I can't wait to write about it all the way around the world.