tid-bits of the present and snapshots of the future

Hello all!

SO glad it's Friday. I'm sitting in one of the offices at school, safe from the monsoon outside. Man, Bangkok in rainy season is one wet place. Thank you to everyone who responded with so much encouragement from my last blog. I was kind of surprised by how open I was, but I think there's something freeing about sharing what you're really going through. I am excited to keep growing and walking in the freedom of knowing that as a mere human, I don't have to shoot for perfection. I'm going to mess up everyday and that truth is not something to despair over; rather, it should be a reminder of God's mercies that are new every morning.

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As far as life plans go, I have been toying with some interesting options. I was recently reminded of an interest I had a couple of years ago that had somehow been pushed aside. I think it'd be so fun to work in the hospitality industry. First of all, I love working with people, second, I would definitely not mind working in a spa, boutique hotel or resort setting (I mean, who wouldn't right?) and third, I've always dreamt of owing a B&B someday, and going to grad school for hospitality and tourism management would for sure be a solid step toward that goal. Florida International University has a great program that I'm really interested in! Their campus is on Biscayne Bay in northern Miami and the hospitality program helps out with the annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival - that would be so fun to attend! I'll defnintely keep you all posted as I continue to research prospective life plans :)

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On another note, I'm off to Australia and New Zealand in a few short weeks! We get our mid school year break in October, and Ashley and I will be heading down under on Oct. 3rd! We have a really exciting itinerary as we'll be going on a "Savannah Walkabout" in Melbourne where we'll get to see koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitats, we'll be touring the infamous Syndey Opera House, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Townsville, and taking a three-day island tour in Auckland, New Zealand. I am so excited and blessed to be able to go on such a journey! Our itineray is the result of a couple months of planning and researching the cheapest and best means of seeing all that we hope to see. We'll be spending about three to four days at each stop and will be taking a total of 10 flights to get everywhere! We'll definitely be on our toes, but it's going to be a blast! Then, before I know it, my sweet family will be visiting in late December, and I'll be back in the States by March! What a whirlwind this journey east has been so far. My dad lovingly reminded me that although it's important to look ahead, it's just as important to enjoy the present and savor every moment. My pops is a wise man :)



Well...I hope things are just splendid back in the land of the free and I would LOVE to hear from each of you!