Let's go on an Adventure!

I've never pegged myself much of an "adventure seeker" until last year when I was in South Africa. Since I only had 5 precious months there I needed to make each moment worthwhile. From mountain climbing and sight seeing to shark cage diving and bungee jumping, each day became it's own adventure. Even the days I spent around the neighborhood were thrilling in their own way - finding a new running path, trying a different restaurant, checking out local shops; I discovered the little things had just as much value, if not more, than those that got my blood rushing. After being back in the States for almost a year now, I realized I had lost that curiosity and desire to explore my surroundings. That is, until last night.


Last night I went on an adventure. It was simple but completely eye-opening. The sky was a velvety black when I met my friend Sam outside. He wanted to show me one of his favorite spots in the city so when we started walking I had no idea where we were headed but I loved it. For someone who lives by a planner and a schedule it was freeing to let go and embrace the sensation of wandering. Purposeful wandering. When we arrived at the destination I stood there in awe. There was nothing out of the ordinary - water, stars, trees, but the arrangement was beautiful in a simple way. He told me that he stumbled upon this place when he was walking around one day and I couldn't help but wonder, "When was the last time I did that? Just take the time to walk around with no itinerary and see what I find?" The fact that I couldn't remember motivated this entry.  "Milwaukee has so much to offer but unlike Chicago where you can easily find cool things in a lot of places, you have to look for those spots here." "You're right, Sam...guess I've got a lot of exploring to do!"


When was the last time you threw your schedule to the wind and went on an adventure? I'm not talking five day camping trips out in the woods (though those count too) but even just five minutes to put down that article for class or project for work and simply observe your surroundings? You might have noticed how windy it was when your hair annoyingly whipped across your face a dozen times but did you see how the trees over there elegantly danced in rhythm with the breeze? Or how about the little boy laughing as he played with a stick at the bus stop when you rushed across the street to class?


So what are you waiting for? Go on an adventure - you never know what you're missing unless you take the time to look.


Blessings,


Janelle

Will you join me?

"I never thought this day would come." A common phrase on the lips of many recent college graduates. We all heard it from our parents, "They're the best four years of your life so live it up because they fly by" but often it just went in one ear and out the other. For me, adjusting to a heavy course load, new environment, and 60 housemates my first semester was enough to make it feel like 2 years, so I was actually wondering how in the world I was going to make it through 3.5 more...I could've sworn those thoughts were buzzing around my head just yesterday yet here I am, a recent grad. In addition to being an Evans Scholar, my situation is a little different than most of my friends. It all started this past January...

"This placed is packed with underclassman!"

Looking around the ballroom I couldn't agree more. "Wow...we're old, Lissie. I feel so...out of place, which is weird because I love dances but this one...I dunno, it's as if we're finally being nudged out of the nest"

"Yea...this is weird."

...and that's when it first hit me. I finally understood what it felt like to be "nudged from the nest." It was a foreign feeling and I didn’t like it. Sure, I felt a little bit of it in high school but a majority of my independence and personal growth occurred in the last four years, so instead of being excited to fly to new heights I was scared out of my mind. As the semester continued I learned to accept this new change. Feelings of longing to relive old memories were replaced with excitement to form new ones. Here is where my situation becomes unique: most of my friends were going off to grad school or work in various states after graduation, spreading their wings to far horizons. I was also spreading my wings and flying...but simply to the next tree over. I will be staying in Milwaukee for the next two years to finish the Marquette Physician Assistant Program, so I didn't have far to fly. But I still had to leave the nest. I said goodbye to the Evans Scholar house which has been my home for the last four years and (as of next weekend) hello to my own studio. I parted ways with an undergrad schedule and as of this past Monday invested myself into a graduate routine of classes from 8-4 Monday thru Friday. I left my tree of comfort and security for one with higher branches but a gorgeous view. I'm only three days into year two of the program and I'm already excited for what lies ahead. Those ahead of me in the program warned me that this will be the most challenging and taxing year of my academic career but that's only in the short-term. A year is nothing compared to a long-term future of promise, opportunities, and success. Which brings me to the purpose of creating this blog...

Life is about more than grades and exams. It's beyond the sweat of anxiety, tears of struggle, and fears of failure. I can assure you that I will experience all of these feelings this year because they come with the territory of a rigorous academic program, but I will not let them control me. This is why I created this blog. To keep me grounded and serve as a tangible reference that life is much more than any problem I'm currently facing. Life is not a noun, it's a verb. In our busy lives we often forget that life is to live. It's walking along the lake and taking goofy statue pictures with your Aunt and Uncle. It's stuffing yourself with dirt cups until you feel sick with your girlfriends. It's calling your Mom to tell her you love her because she doesn't hear it enough. The list goes on and on but do you get my point? 

So, my goal is to post something inspirational, encouraging, thought-provoking, etc once a week, most likely on Wednesdays since that marks "hump day" and we could all use a little food-for-thought to get over the "hump" in each of our lives. 

I would love for you to join me in my journey, exploring this hazy yet beautiful view from another tree.

Have a blessed week,

Janelle