The first post: how it all started

One fact concerning any sort of writing venture is this: Starting is the hardest part. But once you have something on the page it just sort of flows. A blank page is like a daunting hurdle that once overcome yields an authentic creation. I may be speaking too broadly; however, this “fact” is certainly true for me. I knew I wanted to start a blog, but it’s taken a while to actually get it going. I have so many thoughts in my head and I know that they desperately want to escape, but at the same time I also know that they are very unorganized and that it’s going to take a bit to sort them all out…yay!

Though, I guess that is what this is for, so hopefully I’m headed in the right direction.

The purpose of this venture, as many of you already know, is to record the thoughts and happenings that come along as I embark on my adventure in Austria, which in some ways has already started…

Once upon a time, there was a girl who did not know what she wanted to do after she graduated college. After four years of academia, she just needed a break. After spending four months in Scotland, during those four years, this girl was now quite enthralled with international travel. Be assured: Enthralled is not an exaggeration. Even though it was a short time, she knew she wanted to fully experience other cultures different than her own.

She was certain of that and one other thing: She enjoyed being around children and caring for them and teaching them new things and just being a big silly goofball with them. After all, even though she is 22, she is much younger at heart. With a lot of thought and prayer, she did the next most logical thing, she decided to put those two interests together and pursue them.

The pursuit ended in February 2012 when she accepted the live-in au pair position offered to her by a lovely family with two little girls living just outside Vienna, Austria. She leaves in 15 days.

So that’s that.

I fly out on the twenty-third of August, and at this point I have a very quiet excitement about it all. Obviously I am looking forward to actually getting on that plane and flying away. But at the same time, I am starting to realize how much I am going to miss my family and my friends and all that is familiar. I know it’s going to be challenging, but I also know I am going to learn so much. That is probably what I most anticipate.

I’ve come to realize that life is indeed very short and also that the world is filled with beautiful places and beautiful people, all of which we can learn things from. We never have to stop being students; what changes is what or whom we are being taught by. I am looking forward to a whole new set of teachers set in the beautiful Austrian landscape.

I have also realized that being assured of and comfortable with your roots gives you the courage to unlock that sense of adventure, spread your wings, and fly. 

Sarah