Year On

A few weeks ago I meandered "The Grove" of Ole Miss, visiting with old friends, smiling, and nodding at many parents and answering the simple small talk question, "Where are you in school?" The answer to which most people found shocking and pathetic. I enjoyed the look on all the mother's faces when I told them, "I'm not in school. I'm living at home." Their expression, quickly masked by a disproving smile and nod, made me giggle. But their question bothered me because it is a social assumption that I should be in school right now, which there is absolutely nothing wrong with, but I'm not ready. I don't feel too imature to be at school, or scared to leave home, it's just, I don't know what to want.

My thought was, how can I study the world, a world which I haven't even experienced. My friend Jay and I talk about the balance between experience and responsibility and at this point in my life I am ready to experience: joy, sadness, hunger, desperation, faith, hope, pain, success, trial, and passion. I need to have purpose for the next 4 years of my life. So this is what I've decided to do:

First and foremost, seek the face of God. He is where I discover my purpose and my passion.

Second, spend time with my family. The older I get the more I realize how little time I have left with them and I've missed out on the past 4 years with them, so I'm dedicating 5 quality months to be part of a family.

Third, experience the "real" world. Which is why I'm dedicating 5 months to living in Africa.

Fourth, acquire some skills that will allow me to serve people. Thus I dedicate 3 months to acquiring my Wilderness EMT and my Private Pilot's liscense.

So for those of you who care to know my experiences I've created this blog so that you can stay informed and follow my safari. It's here when you want it and it won't fill up your inbox. Thanks for caring.