New Adventures

Hello All,

Though I don't know if many people actually read this blog, I have hopes that my close friends will continue to do so while I travel abroad. I recently purchased a one-way plane ticket to Switzerland. The current plan is to be in Switzerland from July 26th through August 14th. Then meet Richard in Paris for a week starting August 15th. :) I will of course be couchsurfing while I'm in both places and I plan to continue my documentary. Though, I think I might try for a new angle in shooting. I'm visiting two friends in Switzerland, but I may also couchsurf with others and both of these friends I met through CS. One of them is the first person whom I surfed with, the other a guy I met in Dublin, Ireland while I was there. Both will hopefully become a part of my documentary.

I am very pleased at the prospect of being on the road again. I enjoy the company of the people I work with and my friends here in Conway. However, at some point that company becomes not enough to keep me here. I believe I have once again reached that point. I am itching to be in new places and learn new things. So, I have taken it upon myself to leave the U.S. on another adventure. This time, I have very little in the way of definitive plans. I want to hike in Switzerland and go clubbing. I want to see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower and eat way too much food. I would like to backpack from Paris to Germany and meet up with my friend Nina. Then, the two of us could backpack to Barcelona. I have wanted to see Spain in person for a long time. Perhaps it will happen soon.

I am also applying to teach English in South Korea for a year. I am only awaiting the receipt of my FBI background check in order to complete the process of finding a school at which I can teach. When I receive this background check determines exactly what will happen after that week in France. If I receive it before I leave for Switzerland, chances are I will leave Paris to fly to South Korea and be gone for another year. If I have not received it when I leave, what happens next depends on when I do receive the background check. However, I have hopes that I will be starting in South Korea as of September 15th.

I'm sure many of you have doubts about the fruition of my plans. I do have a tendency to change my mind when it comes to spur of the moment decisions involving long term plans. However, I have been thinking about teaching abroad for some months now and it is still what I wish to do. Therefore, if I am offered a position in South Korea, I will be taking it. It is a good opportunity financially and emotionally. It gives me room to grow and learn about another culture, while providing me with the financial stability that my part-time waitressing job can never offer me. Nor can my artwork. Though I will miss my friends in the year I am gone, I will make new friends. It seems that is my greatest talent: that I make new friends with such ease. I adore people and I cannot wait to learn how to function in a society that is completely different from my own. :)

I hope you are all well.
Ciao,
Sam