Lindsay's Baggage: So Long, Farewell, Aufedersein, Goodbye...

Here I am. Sitting in the airport. Early for my flight. I usually arrive for my flights rather early, but this time I was through check in and security with 3 hours to spare. Luckily, I brought my laptop and a book to occupy my time. It's actually quite relaxing to arrive this early. It is still hard for me to believe that the time has come and I'm actually leaving for my adventure abroad. Since I'm returning to California in 3 weeks for my best friend's wedding, it doesn't feel like I'm really going to be gone for 3 months.

I'm really looking forward to my time in England and the memories I will make. I know that this program was the best decision for me regarding my life's path. This change is a challenge for me because I already have such a great life in California! I have a wonderful family, boyfriend, and friends that I am leaving behind. I live in a beautiful home with gorgeous wilderness nearby. I worked at a great restaurant with all my friends and made good money. So why change things? Why shake things up?

I believe that change is good. Life is ever-changing, just as a body of water. It's not through calm waters that one learns to best navigate the rough seas, but through actually experiencing the storm and weathering through it. Sometimes one has to put themselves right into the eye of the storm.

I don't necessarily compare going to school in England directly to a storm. It's actually going to be more of a change in weather than a storm, perhaps a tropical shower. But I predict there will be times when I feel lonely and will wonder why I left the safety of my familiarity. I'll wonder why I left the beaming California sunshine, the smell of the Pacific ocean, and the sand between my toes in exchange for dark gray skies and rain. This is part of my path.

You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself. -Alan Alda