Happier Notes

On my short journey, I managed to realize a lot of things. And the four days I spent in Asheville seemed like a lifetime. I made some new friends, learned something about myself and the world, and explored a new city. Upon returning home, I decided that I would finish my journey, only not all in a 2 month period. I think it would be better for me to spread out the journey and take one week mini-vacations to all the locations on my list. Or maybe I'll get restless next week and change my mind again, hahaha. (Most likely the case.) If this happens, I'll simply continue my journey in the opposite order in which I started it.

I did discover a career path that I would like to pursue. Inspired somewhat by Sky who is an independent contractor installing flooring in people's homes. I think I would like to be an architect. Though, I've decided I want to be self-taught rather than go back to school and effectively quadruple my debt. I've acquired a multitude of books on architecture and architectural history. After effectively trudging through 6 years of college courses, I think I can fully understand how to learn a subject. Start with the history, which is the building blocks. Then follow with the theory, which is the worst part, but clearly very relevant to today. Next comes the practical side where you learn to blueprint your ideas. Then finally you learn how to do the finishing touches; to make your idea come together fully. Keeping all this in mind, I plan to study architecture and continue working part-time jobs until I fully understand the subject. 

My current project is to build an enclosed patio extension to the back of our house. I've got the design all drawn up (something I started before leaving on my trip). Tomorrow I start digging the hole for the foundation (20ft x 8ft x 6in). That will be fun...hahaha. I'm content to be home for the moment, but knowing myself, I will probably get restless in a week or two. :/ In which case, I will travel to Albuquerque to climb La Luc with Michael and continue my journey from there. :)  Oh! Did I mention yet that I plan to hike the Grand Canyon from rim to rim in September? Super excited about that! And Richard is coming with me for this one! :)

**Addendum: After doing some more research I have concluded that in order to become a licensed architect, you have to attend a university and graduate with a degree in Architecture. Therefore, I will either have to go back to school, or figure something else out. :/


To see photographs from my trip you can visit here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samjgphotography

***Update:
I am not going to make it to the Grand Canyon due to my European trip, since I will effectively be without money after that. I will also not be an architect. Though I do still harbor hopes that some day I will open my own restaurant, I am content to make a little money and stay at home for now (we will see how long that lasts). I did manage to finish the project for the back porch, though it is a patio and not a porch (finances decreed that a back porch was not in the immediate future). I still believe that we did a good job see below for before and after.