I'm officially homeless, but still in America. I'm already packed, but not prepared, to leave for Thailand for 6 months. In fact I can't even say I know exactly where I'm going. All I know is on January 7th, I have a plane ticket to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I will spend two weeks there in a Language Corps program getting certified to teach english as a second language. After Cambodia I'm going to Thailand to finish the course, and being teaching. I can't say exactly where I'll be, or what I'll be doing after that, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.
I'm not going alone, of course. I'll be with Valerie, my favorite person to travel with, and one of my best friends in the entire world. I think we both find a lot of comfort knowing that the other person will be going through the exact same situation, and we'll be together the whole time.
I've been living in Estes Park for 18 months now, and so much has happened, I am definitely a different person than I was when I first moved here. This is my home, and always will be where my best friends live and where I love to spend my time. It's scary to know that I'll be leaving behind this prefect life I have created, and moving to a country where I dont speak the language, know anyone, have a car or a place to live, etc. I've made myself comfortable in Estes, and while I love every second of my time here, I know I need to be on the move again and discover other parts of the world that will tell me more about myself.
"As every flower fades and as all youth departs,
so life at every stage, so every virtue, so our grasp of truth,
blooms in its day and may not last forever.
Since life may summon us at every age,
be ready heart, for parting, new endeavor.
Be ready bravely, and without remorse,
to find new light that old ties cannot give.
In all beginnings dwells a magic force for guarding us and helping us to live.
Serenly let us move to distant places
And let no sentiment of home detain us.
The cosmic spirit seeks not to restain us,
but lifts us stage by stage to wider spaces.
If we accept a home of our own making,
Familiar havit makes for indolence.
We must prepare for parting and leave-taking
or else remain the slaves of permanence.
Even the hour of our death
may send us speeding on to fresh and newer spaces,
And life may summon us to newer races.
So be it, hear: bid farewell without end."
-Herman Hesse
