I was seven when I thought of the idea. I wanted so badly to pack my football (soccer, pfft) bag with all the essentials like pizza crusts and cheese and hitchhike my way around the grand state of Massachusetts. You see, at the age of 7, Massachusetts WAS the size of the world as far as I was concerned. My presence was insignificant when compared to the size of the my home state and traveling to Boston seemed like it would be one of the biggest adventures I could have. Bostonians even had foreign accents!
I guess I've grown up since then (only physically of course) and my ambitions have also grown. Come September 2013, I will be leaving my fuzzy children and loved ones behind and heading out on my own to travel and see as much of the world as possible.
In theory, this seems like a dream come true. How many people have you heard say "I wish I traveled when I was younger. I wish I saw the world."? How fantastic of me to get a start on regretting less in my life by backpacking my way to Asia and beyond! Only one problem (or maybe multiple that can be lumped into one). I'm as nervous as I was in 3rd grade when we were doing speed multiplication tables and our teacher was calling on us seat by seat. Remember those times? Your palms start sweating, you're close to passing out, you're desperately trying to keep down your breakfast that is dead-set on making a reappearance, and the only thing that keeps your ears from ringing is your pathetic desire to count how many seats away you sit in correlation to the problem you will be asked? Or maybe just imagine you're Charlie Sheen and you're... well do I really need to even explain that analogy?
Well, I feel like that, except I'm twenty-six and I'm having reoccurring dreams of becoming homeless in China due to my inability to ask for directions based solely on the fact that I STICK OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB. Not just a sore thumb, but a bandaged in hot-pink and safety-orange colored wrap because you got it caught in the car door while the car was running and the keys were locked inside kind of sore. For the fun of it, google "blonde in china" and take a look at that personal-bubble popping phenomenon.
Now, don't get me wrong. I know full-well what I am getting myself into and I do look forward to not being in the majority population as I travel. I like the possibility I could be confused for a celebrity solely based on the fact Casper the Ghost is my doppelganger. It goes without saying that I will be documenting this particular part of my trip very well. I guess where my real nervousness lies is within my ability to be... forgetful and unique... fornique?
I would like to take this time to introduce you to "Past Tina". Past Tina is a douchecanoe-goober that perpetually likes to mess with Current Tina's plans and ability to function normally on a daily basis. Don't believe me? Let's just take a stroll down memory lane.
December 12, 2012:
So, I lost my flash drive with my entire semester worth of work on it. I spent the last hour frantically searching for it in logical places like my electronics drawer, backpack, car, and other related places. Then, I remembered. I forgot my ENTIRE capstone in the fridge my senior year of college... so WHY would my flash drive be anywhere logical? I started by looking in the fridge and no dice. Instead, I found it tucked away IN a sock in my sock drawer. WTF is wrong with past Tina? At what point did she say to herself "the safest and most memorable place to put a very valuable item is in a sock tucked away at the bottom of this draw. I'll totally remember that." Current Tina would like to punch you in the face.
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May 5, 2013:
I went to the store today and saw a nice jacket I wanted to try on. As a normal and well-adjust person would do, I took off my current jacket to try on the new one. Today, Past Tina forgot to put on a shirt. Today, Current Tina stripped down to her bra to try on a jacket without noticing until it was too late and a small child was staring. Past Tina wins again.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. There are times where I am wearing my inductee badge to the Space Cadet University loud and proud. Now, when I'm close to home and surrounded by VERY supporting individuals (thanks ya'll) I can still manage to feed myself, shower, and go about my day without major consequence. But when I think of transporting Past Tina abroad... that's when SGR (shit gets REAL). Who will save me from Past Tina's mistakes of getting on the wrong plane? Who will be my savor from her ridiculous thought process that social cues are only suggestions? I shutter at the thought of the consequences and awkward times that may lay ahead.
I guess it is time for Current Tina to put on her big girl pants and *GASP* actually focus on the task at hand. It's difficult when there are so many shiny objects around and your brain processes much faster than your feet, hands, mouth, and other necessary body parts can. It is time for me to actually read maps, ask for directions, and add a filter to the drivel that comes out of my mouth! Maybe, just maybe, I could stop Past Tina in her tracks and finish my trip without international relations problems!
Of course, if I'm unable to, I guess it only means this blog will be much more enjoyable in just a short couple months. Happy trails!
