Culture

I had a random thought today.

There are so many different cultures around the world and each and every one are just so interesting! We all perform the same tasks, but in different ways. It’s just amazing how we each have our own way of doing things, but it all gets done, and we’re all still here. Basically, there are many different means to an end. I only wish I could travel to every single country and learn everything about each culture. It’s all just really amazing. And to be perfectly honest, part of me wishes I was a part of one of the cultures with the interesting history and elaborate traditions.

But my favorite thing about different cultures is – and I know it sounds weird – is the colors. There is never a time where I see a picture with brightly colored images from a culture where I can’t tear my eyes away from it. It’s like every time I see that picture, my mind gets sucked right in and carried away and I just start thinking of stories. Pictures with bright colors just get my creative juices flowing. And to help demonstrate to you what my crazy little blog means, I’ve found some photos that “spoke” to me and posted them below along with what country they’re from.

Hopefully these images will inspire you to watch PBS, or the History Channel, or the Travel Channel – or go to the library and read some books and learn more!

The Netherlands

Mexico

Italy

India

Honduras

Brazil

Argentina

Africa

So the Christmas story goes...

So the story goes…

I didn’t feel that I would be able to buy my own ticket to Texas for Christmas, and after finding out my parents had already bought theirs, and we hadn’t talked about them getting a ticket for me, I figured I definitely wouldn’t be going.

My dad did call me and let me know that he was feeling sad that I would be the only one not with them at Christmas, and he’d be willing to go halfway on a ticket with me. Unfortunately, things are really tight for me, as well as most other people these days, and I couldn’t even do that. Keep in mind that it would have been a $200-250 ticket, which doesn’t seem like much, but that’s just half!! And the later you buy, the more the prices go up.

So I had come to terms with being the only one out of state for Christmas, and was making plans to do things up here with Justin’s family and trying to get a seasonal retail job. But one day out of the blue, the younger of my 2 older brothers called me. He wanted to let me know he had read one of my Facebook updates where I wrote I wasn’t going home for Christmas. He explained that he really wanted to see me, and wanted to know what days I’d be available to visit, because he wanted to participate in buying me a ticket. I was actually speechless – I didn’t think they would do this. I know they love me, but I was really blown away by the nice gesture.

A few days went by and I wasn’t really expecting to hear from them because money is tight for my siblings as well, and my parents had already spent about $1,000 so far on just getting themselves down there. However, my dad called me last weekend and said, “Did you know your brother was leading a campaign to get you to Dallas for Christmas, and is getting everyone to chip in and buy a ticket? Well, everyone loved the idea and we’d love to buy you that ticket”.

I tell you what; I’ve never felt more loved by my family then when I found out that they had done this. I mean, they’ve come to graduations, and plays, and marching band competitions and things over the years – but this was huge, and really meant a lot to me. I finally purchased the ticket last night at my parents, and I will only be there about 4 ½ days, which is not nearly as long as my parents 8 days, but I’m still grateful that I’ll get to see them all and grateful that I even get to go.

I will see some at Thanksgiving, but this Christmas trip will probably be the last time I will see any of them until Thanksgiving next year. Once a year – that’s how often I get to see my brothers and sister and their extended family. Makes me sad to go, because then when I leave I know it will be another year, but even happier because I get to make the most of it. And leave with memories to last a lifetime. I’ll be telling my grandkids about this Christmas!!!

Travel

I want to travel.

Of course, without the money, that becomes nearly impossible. But I have been itching to leave the country and just travel for weeks or months at a time. In order to do so, I probably wouldn’t be able to do so with a dog, or a job back home, so there are responsibilities that can also weigh me down. Language, on the other hand, could be considered an obstacle that could be more “easily” mastered than responsibilities or money. That just leaves getting a job that allows travel. And I’d have to give up Bailey, or give him to a family member for a few years. Yeah. Right.

I am probably one of the rare people who enjoys travel. I enjoy plane rides, and that feeling I get when I walk off the plane into the airport. What should I do first? What’s my hotel room going to look like? What cool features will the hotel have? What is specific to the city that I MUST go see? What experiences will I have to remember and talk about for the rest of my life?

I went to New Orleans for the first time back in October of 2007 to visit my friend Steve. It was one of the best trips of my life. I was only there for about 1 ½ days, but I got out to Bourbon Street twice, and down to the beach in Biloxi, Mississippi. The places I got to visit, the things I got to taste, the sights…just makes me ache that I can’t take trips like that more often.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to move anywhere anytime soon – what I “crave” is travel. Being in different places and experiencing it, and then coming home and reflecting on everything… I can only wish (at this point) for that feeling about everything I do each day.

Maybe someday…