My whale obsession.

Each day I put my whale necklace on I am reminded of my future adventures. I feel as though I grow closer and closer to my beloved whales. I hope to someday say I have experienced their territory, and studied their ways of the world, as such a graceful mammel is not to be overlooked.

The history of my whale necklace is quite brief. I found the charm this past summer at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee. I roadtripped to the fair with friends. One of my best friends convinced me to go ahead and purchase the charm at one of the flea market type booths in the commerical exhibit building. For a small price I bought the whale tail charm and a whale tail bracelet. Both possessions I now treasure and could not imagine living without. They both are pieces that are a constant reminder to where I am going and what potential I have for being one with the whales.

I know I may sound crazy, but whales have always been a passion of mine. Or marine life I shall say. In third grade I was determined to be a dolphin trainer after visiting the Minnesota Zoo. I grew to love looking at the fish at the pet stores and yearned to see Shamu at SeaWorld. I researched destinations in Florida that I could see dolphins from the shore. But I was never up close with a marine mammel until senior year of High School when I went to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Beluga whales have always been a great mystery to me. Their smooth ivory white body, large alien head, and persistent grin on their face dazzle me. I always wonder how such a large mammel can gracefully glide through the water, turning and twisting like a ballerina. They seem like gentle giants to me, such as their family friend the manatees (to which I've always wanted to go to the Everglades to see). I was fascinated by the beluga whales and stood in front of their aquarium watching their movements through the glass.

A key factor that turned my interest into more research based fascination was the fact that there were workers (interns I'm assuming) who got to have their own chair right up to the glass and observe the whales with clipboard in hand. I longed to go behind the roped area where they were to get a closer look and observe for hours as a career. Since then I have always thought about becoming a Marine Biologist. It still is not out of the picture, although I have a stronger desire to turn my passion into a hobby rather than a career. But perhaps everything can be intertwined someday.

Since the Shedd Aquarium in 2006, I have traveled to the world's second largest aquarium in Valencia, Spain and viewed their beluga whale exhibit for what seemed like microseconds, but was more like 20 minutes according to my friends. I have yet to go to Atlanta, Georgia where the current world's largest aquarium is. I would one day LOVE to discover the great mystery behind beluga whales. I dream about dancing with them through the waters - gliding around with no feeling once so ever.

Ever since third grade I have been exploring the possibilities. I shall shine in whatever I put my mind to, yet this passion of mine has turned into an obsession. Who knew someone could feel so much emotion and passion toward something as magnificient as whales.

L'Oceanografic, Valenica, Spain

01 02 18

Today's Find.

Roaming the aisles of Michael's I stumbled upon a unique find that I am cherishing already. I found discover, shine, and fly labeled items: note cards, decals, and a coffee mug. They are now my prize possessions. Dedicated to hitting the road in five short months, these will accompany me, reminding myself to not only discover (part 3 of my motto) but also to shine and fly. For those who may receive a note card along my journey, know that this stationary is precious to me and by taking possession of one you join me on my path.

01 02 18

Background Knowledge

I caught the travel bug like no other at the age of 20. During the Spring of 2009, I traveled abroad for the entire semester with an amazing, life-changing program, called the International Traveling Classroom. Ever since, I have not let go of my future possibilities. From travel plans leading around the world, to dream careers that take years of experience to acquire, to where I will live and what decor will fill the place I call my own, my future has never left my wandering mind.

Call me futuristic, because I am. My top strength is being futuristic. I daydream in my spare time about what my life may be like in five years, ten years, and beyond. I think about bumping into a stranger on the snowy covered sidewalks and magically being enveloped in love for eternity. I dream about the possibilities for expansion at my current internship I hold with the department of International Student Services. Overall, there is never a dull moment in my mind where I don't think about the future.

Needless to say, this has created quite the build up of anxiety within myself, as I have not left the Midwest states since May of 2009. How can I deal with this? With the possibility of the future of course. So upon graduation, I'm packing up my 2008 Dodge Stratus and heading across America to Washington state. Why Washington? My passion for whales exists there. Through endless google searches and curiousity among travel books and magazines I will make every effort possible to attain a job and have a place to stay on the San Juan Islands - a serene chain of islands I've only witnessed through pictures, but have fell in love with.

Thus, my blog will explore the aspects surrounding this future endeavor of mine; the steps leading up to my departure as well as aspects of my life that affect my persistence. I will indeed be dreaming with my heart while I discover who I am, where I am headed, and what Washington holds for me. 01 02 18

And so my adventure begins...

Inspired by this quote from Mark Twain, my adventure begins today:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

The journey begins today. What journey? Good question. Perhaps I don't even know, but that's part of the adventure and mystery behind it. I do not know exactly where I am headed, but I am going to take an adventure, take a leap over the pond, and find out where I land.

First stop: San Juan Islands, Washington State.
Anticipated Arrival: May 2011.

Photo: One of the many San Juan Island Adventures.

Sea Kayaking with the migrating Orca whales.

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