Well, in less than 2 weeks I will be overseas for the next four months of my life. Pretty crazy to think about. And to think, 4 months ago I was questioning my decision to go. Thankfully I have wonderful, supportive friends and family, and stubborn Dutch roots; therefore, I am about to take on Europe "one double bike ride at a time" with my wonderful roommate, Larae. We found out that we are indeed living together with a wonderful family in Zwolle who have 6 sons (we asked for 8, but 6 will do, I suppose). I cannot wait to meet them and see what else this semester has in store for us. Seriously, how can we go wrong in Europe?
While talking to some of my cousins who have been to Europe, I realized a lot can actually go wrong-- maybe not necessarily "wrong," but not "right" in the eyes of an American. For example: They only put one ice cube in their drinks? No free refills? McDonald's is a delicacy? I have to hold my bags while I sleep in a hostile? London isn't all about Harry Potter and pigeons? So maybe some of these things are from years ago when they traveled, but still-- the American way is not the European way. Seems pretty self-explanatory, but I don't think I'll really grasp that until I'm there-- along with many other things as I study and travel all over Europe.
So, here's why I'm writing today. I'm not usually a New Year's resolution type of person, mainly because I can't keep up with a diet long enough to see (positively negative) results. However, this year I'm making a few. I have resolved to do three things: to be completely honest with others and with myself, to live in Europe with an open mind, and to write every day. Maybe these seem like pretty simple resolutions to make, or maybe you think I'm a horrible person for waiting until I'm 20 years old to resolve that I need to be completely honest, but here's the deal. There have been plenty of times where I've said, "Oh, I love that song" but I've never heard it before, or I've said, "I don't care whether we scuba dive or play cards today," but I really don't want to play one more hand of Rook or Dutch Blitz- ever again. No more of that. On top of that, I need to be honest with myself. Am I trying new things like I said I would? Am I doing things for selfish or selfless reasons? Are my decisions glorifying to God or do I need to hide this story from Him (and therefore, probably my parents). No more of that either.
In the New Year, I have a few plans for my writing, but I'm looking at the big picture and I know I need to start smaller: writing daily. For anyone who has tried to keep a diary or write a book or a paper, you know how tiring it can be to write every, single day.
And finally, traveling with an open mind-- this is a huge commitment. Maybe I won't like everything I try, and I certainly don't have to tell people that I do, but I have to be willing to at least try these things. I'm not going to leave Europe with regrets or with unfulfilled goals. I'm going to experience Europe and "do as the Romans do" in every country I visit with a smile on my face, even if that means eating snails and not having ice cubes in my drinks. It's all going to be OK. In fact, it's going to be better than OK; it's going to be great.
"Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. The sleeper must awaken." -Frank Herbert
Happy New Year, followers!
