Bye Bye Comfort Zone

Graduation is quickly approaching and my feelings are all over the board. I am more than ready for the next chapter in my life, but I can't believe I have made it the 22 years to get there. I have watched my older brothers go through college and start their lives, and I knew I'd get there but I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I will walk off stage with my diploma into a full time job and starting the rest of my life.

That being said, I spent my spring break with many thoughts in my mind. I travelled to Arizona (the blog about that will come soon!) to spend 5 days with my best friend since high school. There is no one else in this world that gets me better than Dana does. One thing that I'll never forget is when I came back from my semester in London and one summer night I was in tears explaining to Dana how I don't feel at home and I wanted to go back to London. I know it hurt her to hear that but she wasn't selfish and she told me to go. She told me if I wanted it so bad, then I should apply and transfer. This meant so much to me and after consideration, I made the decision to stay here in Illinois because I knew there would be more opportunities out there. A few months later I returned the favor when she came to me saying she wanted to move to Arizona. No other word came to my mind than "go" and I can honestly say, I am so glad she did. Arizona brought out her beautiful smile, her quirky sense of humor, and her inspiring confidence. She went out of her comfort zone and made a life for herself and that is something I think everyone should do.

London took me 4,000 miles away from friends and family and I know that was the starting point of my maturity and my adult life. London opened my heart, mind, and soul to so many things, one being India which I mentioned my last post. Life truly doesn't start until you are out of your comfort zone and make something for yourself. So folks, do me a favor and travel somewhere you don't think you would ever go. Explore new land, breathe new air, taste new food, and find yourself.

Incredible India

It is hard to believe that a year ago I travelled 18 hours to India, and what a trip it was! For those of you who don't know (or haven't see the bulletin board in Baker), I took a "Doing Business in India" course at Bradley and as a part of it, we spent 10 days in India stopping in New Delhi, Pune, and Mumbai. There were 10 of us in the class: 4 guys and 6 girls, so the pairings were perfect. We got to know each other a little bit in class before the trip, but I think it is safe to say we knew each other well after that 18 hour trip I mentioned earlier.

India is a wonderful place and I don't think one can truly understand what I mean until they go there. The culture is much different than here in the US and I was so thankful to witness that. While there we went to a cookie manufacturing company, a university, a movie studio, Elephanta Caves, Jama Masjid, and the famous, Taj Mahal. I enjoyed that the trip had a good mixture of business and tourism, it kept us very busy and allowed us to appreciate the many sides of India.

I went through culture shock when we first got there because I couldn't believe how populated New Delhi truly was. We talked about the mass amounts of people there would be, but I never knew it would be as crowded as it was. Another thing that many of us didn't know how to take in was the fact that we could look out our bus window and see people bending over taking a dump. It was all a big change for us at first, but I think once we got over that, we learned to appreciate the people for what they were. One thing we found funny was how idolized Americans were. We would have little school children run after us to take pictures and we had people at the Taj Mahal line up to shake our hands. I didn't know if I felt like a movie star or endangered animal.

I think what I miss most about India is the delicious food! Every meal I had, from breakfast to dinner, was very appetizing. I couldn't really tell you what all I ate while there, but whatever it all was, I recommend it! =) One meal I do remember was when 6 of us went to a seafood restaurant. Keegan and I both got crab masala and let me tell you, it was one of the best meals of my life!! My drink of choice while there was the watermelon juice. In class, our professor would tell us how "divine" it was and it truly was divine.

At the university visit in Pune, we were welcomed with roses by the students and faculty. We were honored and definitely blushing most of the day. We toured the school and campus, sat in on a class, had lunch, and interacted with the students. This was probably my favorite part of the trip because it was interesting to see how their school system worked and I met a lot of great people that I still am in contact with today. We met up with the students that night and had a blast, memories for a lifetime.

Overall, aside from not being able to drink the water (cough Hunter and Ivan… cough) and being out of my comfort zone for moments, the trip was amazing and I am very glad I went on it. I made some great friends both in the class and over in India, I saw so many beautiful people, sites, and objects, and I had a few found admiration for the Indian culture. To anyone at Bradley who can take the India or China courses, I highly suggest it. It is worth every penny of the costs. To anyone who is considering going but are too nervous, do your research and try it out!

Namaste.

The Little Trips Count, Too

Today I will be going to the famous "Unofficial" at the University of Illinois. Yes, I am excited for the crazy antics that may happen, but I am also excited to get out of Peoria for a little bit.

Despite where you live, I think it is important to take little "trips" every once in a while. It can be a day trip to a city you've never been to or a store you always wanted to go but it's too far. It can be an over-night or weekend trip to St. Louis or like me, U of I. No matter where it is, just go! Get out of the bubble that you live in day-to-day and smell some new air and see some new things. To me, the only way to appreciate where you are is leaving and being able to call a place "home". You gotta shake things up a bit, especially after the brutal winter we had here in the Midwest.

So whether it be a college visit, a spontaneous road trip through corn fields, or trying a new restaurant 30 minutes away; just get out and enjoy.

Lesson Learned

Tonight as I was talking with my Mom, I realized that exactly a year ago I was home for the weekend. Unfortunately, that weekend I wasn't home for fun and excited things….I was home because that Monday I had to go downtown Chicago to get an emergency passport.

Let's back track a bit.

Last spring break I went to India as a part of the "Doing Business in India" class offered at Bradley. At the end of February, as we were filling out our visa information, Jim Foley mentioned that we had to give him our passports in the next few days. Not thinking anything of it, I called my Dad and asked him to send my passport so I can hand it in. Jokes were on me. I awaited the arrival of my passport and checked the tracking on the package everyday. Once I saw the words "DELIVERED" on my computer screen, I ran down to my mailbox (in St. James Apts) to fetch it…nothing was there. I was confused, but decided to wait a few hours and check again, but there was nothing. A little worried, I waited until the next afternoon, again, nothing. Before I could even try to feel anything, tears were running down my face. Of course this would happen to me. Knowing that my passport was gone made me feel like part of me was gone. I knew that I'd never get back my stamps from traveling while I studied abroad. 

Long story short, the post office didn't have my package and they didn't find it in any of their trucks, blah blah. Whatever that story is, I will forever be mad about it. With bloodshot eyes and a scratchy throat from balling to my roommates and parents, I calmed down and started to figure out what I had to do. After a lot of research, I realized that I had to go to Chicago ASAP to get a new passport. 

So that infamous Monday my Mom (she's the best) and I travelled to the city in hopes something would work out. Well, things weren't as easy as we'd like and I am forever thankful to my Mom for all she put up with that day just for me. Some of the things included running across the street to Walgreens for a smaller passport picture and searching 3 blocks away to find a FedEx so Jim Foley could fax me a letter to get proof that Bradley needed my passport the next day. WHAT. A. MESS. Things thankfully came together and I was finally able to leave that day, 8 hours later, with a  new passport. 

So folks, my advice to you….

1. never mail a passport

2. ALWAYS make copies of your passport and when you travel, carry a copy as well as e-mail one to yourself so you have access to it anywhere if needed

3. when working with government workers: keep calm, bite your tongue, and even if they're being mean, they're always "right"

4. always thank your parents for everything they do for you

Now that I'm all frustrated about this incident, I say good night! 

=)