Life is really great right now. It should be,”It’s a short ride, you gotta enjoy it!” Dad says. A song I heard says,”So fill your heart with what’s important, and be done with all the rest.” That sums it all up pretty well too.
I don’t know how else to put it; it has just been one great thing after another that’s making me realize I’m forging a good life for myself. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction. There are a lot of new things in my life that are making it better, but mainly its the realization of what I have and what I accomplished in my life thus far. I am becoming the person I wanted to be like when I was a child and the person I need to be for the things to come.
Ann Arbor is a small city that I absolutely enjoy living in right now. It’s big enough that there’s always something going on, but small enough as to have that small town Michigan charm. When I bike around with my big scruffy beard I fit in with the locals, but if I want to pretend to be a twenty year old student I can shave it all off and go to a crappy bar and say I’m an art major. It’s a great fit for me. I also live with some pretty cool roommates (gotta give props to the homies-Amelia, Dan, Joanna) in an awesome older house right by the Michigan Football Stadium.
I have an incredible art job where it’s all designing, painting, and crafting; all things I think are more fun then work. Its like preparing for a school play everyday. Plus I’m working a few minutes from home so I can bike to work through the autumn leaves.
In November I’m going to be headed for South Africa again for an extended month visit which is really exciting! I booked the trip last year, and am looking forward to what adventures lie ahead of me in Cape Town. One thing I’m hoping to do is go Great White Shark cage diving!Ā I’m terrified of deep water, but I don’t think I can pass up an opportunity to see a Great White Shark up close in a strange land.
One thing that I have been finding out about myself is that I’m looking for adventure more and more in the world. When I was young and running in high school I realized I ran the farthest when I was in a new area of my hometown or in a strange woods exploring. I am so thankful that through my connection with Survivor and my own work schedule I now have the time and means available to extend my need for discovery out into the rest of the world. I am meeting people and families I never would have the chance to meet.
When I took my first big trips out of the country I freaked out pretty bad and had a panic response that would override my normal functioning, resulting in a pretty horrible travel experience. After so many failed trips I guess I’ve gotten used to having my cage rattled once or twice far from home. I wouldn’t say I’m not afraid now, I’m just getting my emotions under control more when I am afraid, and that’s something.
I have a lovely girl in my life too that isn’t trying to vote me off the island. That always helps!