Welcome to my blog! This is an account of my adventures across Europe and the U.S. so that family and friends can keep up with what me during this crazy 8 month season of travel. Four of those months--and the first big part of my trek across Europe, 6 weeks spent living in Uppsala, Sweden doing ministry with college students through Campus Crusade for Christ--have already passed. Because non-staff couldn’t bring computers on my summer project, I decided to wait until after returning to the states to start my blog. As a result I’ll be sprinkling stories and reflections about that trip amongst my other posts. I'll also write a bit about my experience spending my first real chunk of time at my family's new home in Oakland, California, where we moved from Long Island, New York last summer.
Another way you can get some details about Uppsala is by reading the emails that I sent out to a couple dozen people during my time there. My Gmail was being funky and so I was actually unable to send them out to everyone I’d hoped, so I figure I’ll post them here to give ya’ll an idea of how my trip was structured. And in case you are looking curiously at my use of “ya’ll” just now, you can thank the, like, 24 Southerners I just spent half of my summer with. I did not, however, inherit their love for country music…thank goodness.
So here’s the thing about my blog. I kind of wish I didn’t need to keep one. Part of me would love to simply be able to send out postcards from obscure places and have old beat-up payphones and snail mail be my primary means of communication. To fall off the face of the earth in a way—at least the earth that is Duke, home, etc.—and become completely immersed in my new environments, forced to make new and deep connections with complete strangers.
But, uh, postcards are really expensive. Seriously, international stamps are pricey. In fact, I’m pretty sure that half the people I promised Swedish postcards to didn’t get one…oops! But even more importantly, I think it would be selfish (not to mention lonely) to adopt such a blasé out of sight, out of mind perspective about my relationships. If I change as I continue to travel (and as I definitely did after the insanely self-refining, emotionally and spiritually charged experience that is Campus Crusade summer project), I want the people in my life to walk through that me. So please read, comment, and pray for me as I reflect on my travels and how they play into my walk with the Lord!
In 2 days I'll embark on the next leg of my journey and board a plane to Glasgow, Scotland, where I'll be spending my fall semester studying at the University of Glasgow through Duke's public policy department. So for now I'm off to get ready for my trip (a.k.a. eat as much real pizza and bagels as I can...Oh, how I miss New York.) Wish me luck!
I don't mind you using "y'all" - in fact, I say it too. But you have to spell it right. The apostrophe goes after the "y" but before the "all" because it is replacing the "ou" from "you."
ReplyDeleteMuch love.
Ha well like I said, I'm new to the phrase. I'll try to call you tomorrow or saturday to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteActually, I've lived in the south all my life and either spelling is correct :) We are so southern that sometimes we boil it down to ya all instead of you all so the contraction spelling is of your preference.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I'm so excited to get to follow you through this blog and hear about your adventures! I'd do anything to be back in Glasgow and visiting you and Grace!