“Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity” - Henry Hartman

Hi everyone!

Thanks to all you faithful readers who have been asking about my blogosphere return. It's been a long summer filled with many highs, and many deep lows, so I haven't even known where to begin in keeping up the blog.

My circles above on the map are tiny, but I'll be in those regions

Yet, I've decided to start again due to this grand opportunity that presented itself several months ago: a one month trip to India! Now, the time has come to make real preparations, as I leave for the adventure on August 31. I'll be flying into Delhi, spending my 24th birthday hanging out at the Taj Mahal in Agra, then traveling to the North to spend the majority of the trip in Dharamsala. The focus of the trip, is neither purely academic, nor missionary, but as I like to call it: a cultural exchange. I took a class that included reading books and writing papers over the summer, which left room for pure exploration and observation while in India. We will be taking in the sights, sounds, and yes, even smells, of a country that is so different from our own. I have also been partnered with a Tibetan pen pal, who I will get to know while spending time with her in Dharamsala. I hear rumors of meditation and yoga, a trip to Tibetan Monks' caves, tea plantations, and coloring with children in the Tibetan Children's Village. The itinerary is "flexible," so I am keeping an open mind about where we stop and the activities that we will be taking part in while abroad.


For now, my focus is on packing (read: shopping). Yup, for those who know me, I made the jump. I traded my 5 inch heels for those bad boys over to the right. I mean, just look at that big 'ol rubber toe. No Himalayan Mountain, nor rabid monkey for that matter, is messing with these feet. I also acquired more cargo capris than any one person should own, as well as my very own hand-made sleep sack (thanks mom!). And, just like any inner-eighty-year-old wouldn't dare leave home without: crossword puzzles and a book light.

Who's ready for India? This girl.

Maybe... kind of... okay not at all... but I've got 6 days to get there!

P.S. I'm taking requests for email updates while abroad, so leave a comment if you would like to be included!

“You will never win if you never begin.” - Helen Rowland

Calculating Risk, photo courtesy Flickr

Time for a confession: I'm a 'fraidy cat. There, I said it. Yup, I'm a play by the rules, check everything twice, plan in advance, cost-benefit analysis kind of girl, and 99.9% of the time, I'm proud of it. But, what I'm learning, is that 0.01% of risk-taking generally pays off.

For example, learning to ride a bike. Sure, you get a few scratches here and there, but in the end, you can ride around the neighborhood, wind in your hair, free from elementary responsibilities until sundown. Or how about trying new food: While octopus sounds gross and slimy, it is actually delicious, and you can brag about being adventurous and eating octopus. Or finally, what about applying for that dream job for which you may not technically have enough experience? You run the risk of a "thanks, but no thanks" letter, but think about if you actually get it? Risk. Action. Win.

So, logically, the greater the risk, or, the greater opposition to even taking the risk from the beginning, the greater the success of the win, right? Hmm... ok, still on the fence about that one, but I definitely agree with this logic: you can't win if you don't play the game. And with a calculated strategy, sure, I'll play.