It's no secret that I was quite devastated when I learned that I didn't get accepted into the competitive teaching graduate program I applied to last fall. I had put so much time and effort into something that had only a 9% chance of working out, yet, the rejection blind-sided me. But as I mentioned before in previous posts, the process itself taught me so much about myself that I have zero regrets. For example, I learned how much I am willing to sacrifice for something that means a lot to me. I learned how hard I'm capable of working toward a goal. And most importantly, I learned to appreciate the process of reaching a goal so much that I now perceive the outcome -good or bad- as simply part of the process. I also truly believe everything I learned will lead me to bigger and better things in life, regardless of whether or not those things have anything to do with a career change. And, in hindsight, I feel that the rejection from the teaching program was actually a blessing.
Having said all that, I've been inspired to take on a new challenge. Although I set only two goals for 2011, it was never set in stone that I'd limit myself to just two, so I'm throwing in a third. This new challenge warms my heart just to think about it. Unlike the risk of applying to the teaching program despite the huge possibility of rejection, this new major challenge will -with certainty- come to fruition, as I'm the sole person in charge of making it happen. No one can tell me "no" as I pursue this challenge. In other words, not a single person can get in the way of my biggest dream.
What the hell am I talking about, you ask? I'm going to take a solo trip to Italy next fall. In the same way that another woman's womb calls her to bear children, my heart longs to see the world, instead. I've imagined myself traveling the world -especially Europe- for so long that I can't even recall my earliest memories of learning that other parts of the world exist, and then deciding I want to see them. And while I have been to some amazing places, the lack of time and adequate finances have kept me from experiencing all that I would have liked to by now. There is nothing stopping me now, though!
After telling my friend, Megan, about my idea for this trip, she was incredibly encouraging. She took a solo trip to Australia and New Zealand two years ago and claimed that it changed her, which, I'm finding, is not an uncommon sentiment. In fact, I'm discovering that there are so many books, movies and websites dedicated to the solo female traveler. Additionally, Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat, Pray, Love and the subsequent movie with the same title aren't huge successes because she wasn't dramatically affected by her travel experiences. Therefore, I want to be changed. I want to grow! And I cannot think of a better way to do so than by traveling solo.
So, why Italy? Of all the countries and cities in Europe I'm desperate to see, Italy has always been at the top of my list. But, why? Well, this girl likes to eat. And drink. And Italian food happens to be my favorite. The decision was a no-brainer, really. When first thoughts of this trip began ruminating, I thought I might start in Rome and then travel to Paris and England, but because there are so many cities I want to see in Italy, I'm planning to visit only Italy and seeing 3 to 4 cities while I'm there. Tentatively, I'd like to see Rome, Naples, Florence and Venice. I'm only currently in the "gathering information" part of the process, but the more I learn, the more excited and happy this independent spirit becomes.
I'm looking at seven months ahead of me until the trip - a time frame that would make most people quite antsy. But as for me, I am looking forward to relishing the whole planning process. And as I've learned from prior experiences, the process is as exciting and important as the outcome, after all.
