Unintentional Wanderlust

I have always liked the idea of wanderlust. Having that moment in life where you’re free to choose any path you like–opening up doors to meet new people, learn new things, and find places that feel right. It’s a great thing to be able to wander and it’s even greater to have a lust for it. A lust for life, really.

I’ve always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures and meeting people. I especially like traveling with other people so I can share my experiences with someone and because I like having someone to laugh with. Being insanely lucky in life, I’ve managed to fall into most of my adventures.

My high school choir was pretty successful. I am aware how extremely lame it is that I was part of such an activity, but it brought me to some amazing places. In one school year, we were invited to compete in Italy, sing for the Austrian president in Vienna, and join a handful of other choirs to perform in the Sydney opera house. Needless to say, after those trips, I had the travel bug.

Instead of going to university somewhere close to home, I went to a school in Northern Utah surrounded by mountains and not much else. It was totally different from what I was used to. I met a lot of great people there. It felt refreshing to live somewhere new.

A couple of years later I decided to study abroad in Canterbury, U.K. and instead of staying there for 3 months, I stayed there for 3 years and finished my history degree. Canterbury was my happy place. London became my favorite city. And I managed to hop over to Edinburgh, Paris, and Oslo while I was studying. I also met some of my favorite people in Canterbury, one of them being my husband.

After getting married, I moved to a Canadian town that I knew nothing about. It’s bizarre that I wasn’t even looking to travel during most of these moments, but I found myself in situations that led me down these paths. Most of my experiences were extremely good. There have always been bad and scary scenarios but I feel like those things happen when you step outside of your comfort zone. I always look at the big picture, and as a whole, my life has been pretty great. No complaints.

I like that everyone’s journey in life is different. Some people never leave their home state and others travel outside of our planet’s atmosphere. I have been given much, and therefore I feel like much is expected of me. I expect much of myself.

Our world is pretty small. Wandering and living life to the fullest is the best thing we can do with our short time here. I saw this video the other day and it made me think about our sweet little planet and how much it’s given us.

This post has been inspired by The Duck and The Owl’s Theme Week

Going green. Another reason for me to hate everyone.

Is this some kind of secret black magic coding?

Ever since I can remember, I have hated recycling. I know its good for the earth and it makes it better for future generations, but I just hate it. I especially hate the people that live for it.

Let’s be clear. I’m not one of those people who throws trash out my car window without batting an eye. I will only throw out biodegradable things. I just like to have one trash can for everything. I also hear that recycling is expensive. And I’m all for extra money. Its just so much more work to sort things, or to remember to put boxes in one bin and cans in another. My husband likes to recycle our cans because the government gives us money back. And by money, I mean 4 bucks.  But whatever. As Tesco says, “every little helps!” I like to say that in my Bert from Mary Poppins accent. Aka the worst cockney of all time.

I failed biology my freshman year of college. Mind you, I got A’s and B’s in everything else. I am convinced that I failed because my teacher made us take this online quiz to measure out carbon footprints. Let’s just say…mine was the biggest.

Anyway, Canadians are super into going green and all that jazz. During the first week we were moving in, I had a lot of boxes from all of my stuff from home that I had sent here. And, like a true Canadian, I put the boxes in the paper and cardboard box. One day, when I was bringing another box inside, a man in my building stopped me and asked, “Did you put all of your boxes in the dumpster?” I said yes, looking down at my box that was identical to the ones I threw out. OBVIOUSLY. Then he said, “You need to break up your boxes because you didn’t leave any room for me in the dumpster. I had to break them up to make room.” What I should have said was, “Oh, poor you. I’m sure that really ruined your day. Shut up and get out of my doorway before I punch you, and your Lord of the Rings shirt in the face.” Instead I said, “Oh! Okay. Sorry about that.” Like a total n3wb.

So basically, even when I try to recycle, I do it wrong. See, what that guy really did was discourage me from ever recycling again. Its his loss, not mine.

Final note: Nothing disgusts me more than compost piles.