My rite of passage.

I'm going to Europe.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking - I've been there five times.

This time I'm going to BACKPACK through Europe. As in, the verb.

Yep. I've decided. My bookmarks tab on my laptop is full of guide websites and advice columns, community forums and hostel locations. I've already ordered Rick Steves' College Student's Guide to Europe, and Let's Go! Europe.

I've joined CouchSurfing.com (on the advice of Yvonne Brett, whose sons apparently love it) - an online community of people ALL over the world who will host travelers, and vice versa, in their homes ("on the couch"). It's all free, as an international "pass it on" kind of exchange, and traveler guests simply do chores or help out around the house in return for a place to sleep. I was skeptical when Yvonne first told me about it, but every host is verified with the site and other people who have stayed with them vouch for them. And it has amazing reviews from over 2 million people and acclaimed guide sites/sources, so I'm a bit relieved.

And of course, I have Bjorn. But his taste for the luxurious, however tempting to me, is going to be on the backburner for this trip. I want to do this old-style - literally with only the things on my back, and a damn good pair of walking shoes, I'm going to travel through Europe. Doing whatever I want, whenever I want, for as long as I want...or until my money runs out, of course.

Oddly, I'm not that scared. I'm EXCITED beyond belief. It's a daring, nerve-wracking, courageous kind of excited though - it's taking a plunge I've never taken before, but I know deep down that I want this more than anything.

I want to see things without a time constraint. I want to walk around and soak up the art, architecture, history, culture, natural beauty, languages, and the people. I want to go "wherever the wind takes me" - and discover myself along the way.

I know it's not all romanticized fun and pleasure and relaxation. But regardless of the trials I encounter, I truly think this will be a rewarding journey of self-discovery. I'm SO excited to go!

So. I think I know what I want for my birthday now... :)

I'm Feelin' Alive...

Hello world - I know, I haven't posted in awhile...since I left college, actually! can you tell I'm enjoying summer a little?

Let me back up a bit -- since I last posted in my dorm room at CSUN, I have moved back home for the summer, been to New Jersey and seen three Bon Jovi concerts at the New Meadowlands Stadium, traveled around Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, saw my first European castle, started a new job that works me 8-5 (usually) and has already yielded a beautiful paycheck, screamed my head off at the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament and watched the USA go home too early [:(] but the Netherlands go verrry far (!!), and spent good quality time with friends and family.

I love summer.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July, and we're having a little get-together at my grandma's park. Then I'll join my best friends and watch the fireworks show at Bradley Park, a "tradition" we've had for a few years now.

I have Monday off, but I work the entire rest of the work...then on Friday night, I pick up Bjorn and his sister at the airport!! I am so excited to see them (again), and this will only be Ester's second time in the U.S., so we're going to sight-see a lot more than usual. The World Cup final will be on the Sunday after they arrive, and we're HOPING the Netherlands will be in it (they play in the 1st semi-final on Tuesday against Uruguay - HUP HOLLAND HUP!) so we can have a big party.

For some reason, I've had dorm decorating on my mind, and I've been looking at furniture and other odds and ends for our dorm apartment (with KITCHEN) for this coming year. Go figure, of course *I*, the one who couldn't wait to get home in May, am excited to move into our new dorm. (Father Time, that doesn't mean you can speed up my vacation, thankyouverymuch! I am perfectly happy with still having 6 weeks left until move-in.)

That's pretty much all that's new on this front - if anything else happens, I'll try to remember to blog it. I hope you're all enjoying your summers as well, and have a happy and safe 4th of July.

My state of mind currently:

HEEEY!
This is the night!
This is the night!
HEEEY!

I'm feelin' alive
I'm feelin' alive
My heart goes boom as the stars go blue
Like a sea of cell phone lights
The moon gets light as the sun goes down
Somewhere behind the Hollywood sign
Have you ever felt like you're living in the shadows?
Have you ever felt kept down?
I know sometimes that it feels like a battle
but it can turn around...

HEEEY!
This is the night!
This is the night!
HEEEY!
I'm feelin' alive
I'm feelin' alive

The kick drum starts as the boulevard,
Fills up with all the boys and girls
From the Jersey town to the L.A. crowd,
They hear us all over the world,
Have you ever felt like standing on a rooftop,
Have you ever wanted to scream?
Everybody dance, burn it up till we blast off,
Just like a rocket machine (Yeeahh!)

HEEEY!
This is the night!
This is the night!
HEEEY!
I'm feelin' alive
I'm feelin' alive

Cause we're not alone tonight,
So raise up your hands and touch the sky,
Cause we're not alone tonight,
Oo-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
HEEEY!

This is the night!
This is the night! (Yeeaahh!)
HEEEY! (Yeah-ah)
I'm feelin' alive
I'm feelin' alive
(I'm feelin' alive)