"You can do anything you set your mind to." -Benjamin Franklin

I can't believe that in just six short days I will be boarding a plane to Chiang Mai, Thailand! These months and months of planning, preparing, and packing have gone by way too fast. In fact, my entire life seems to be flying by lately. I'll be 24 in roughly two weeks. It seems like not long ago I was 17 and packing up my stuff to move into my Freshman dorm at WKU. Then I was 22 and packing up my car to move to California. Now, I'm basically 24 and packing only a backpack and daypack for a three month adventure in Southeast Asia.

Is this really my life?!

I have always dreamed of traveling the world. I want to see as many places as I can. I want to experience different cultures. I want to see what it's like to live in other countries; to live like the locals. This is why I decided to volunteer throughout Southeast Asia. As a volunteer I will not only be helping others, but I will be able to learn their values and customs. My hope is that I will learn to see things differently and find my place in this world.

Many people ask me if I'm nervous about traveling to the other side of the world by myself. My reply is always no. This is adventurous and exciting. I am ready for whatever is to come. I am looking forward to learning new things about myself and being forced to step out of my comfort zone. I love being independent and all the freedom it gives me.

Traveling is the only thing that makes sense to me right now. When everyone around me has careers and are settling down, I just want to travel. I never thought I would be able to fulfill this dream, but all it took was a vision and determination. In six days I will begin my journey to five different countries. Volunteering, exploring, learning, and documenting along the way. I don't know what is to come in my future, but I do know that I can and will do anything I set my mind to.