Dani On the Road

I’m slowly but surely approaching my departure, and soon to earn my title of being “The World Traveler.” I thought it would be neat to write a little about what I’ve been doing lately in New Jersey, this past year, and my expectations for the approaching one. Let’s turn up the music.

I spent the past few days with my Aunt, who is one of the most fascinating and influential women in my life. The next time I will see her will be in Dublin, which will no doubt be amazing. She’s got tickets to three nights of U2’s world tour, and I’ve got a GA ticket to the last night. Dublin should prove to be lots of fun romping around and stalking outside Bono’s hotel, The Clarence. After all these years of fighting to go to rock concerts with my Aunt, I think this one will top all the others (and those others were GOOD!- Tom Petty, Pink Floyd, The Who!). I spent today following her around in the garden (pictured right, with me at age 5) trying to get a good picture of her to email to her friends. She was fussing about how she looked, but I always think she looks amazing. I guess I’m inclined to feel that way; I’ll always be that little girl looking up to her, no matter how old I get.

Otherwise, I promised to spend my last month before leaving at home with my parents, preparing myself (and them) for my leave of absence. My mother has been even more of a mess than she was last year when I left for Morocco, if that’s even possible. My dad is pretty much in denial and working a lot as usual. However, I hope in some way that my extra efforts to spend time with them instead of being on the run has offered some extra relief. However, I love my parents. They adore me, absolutely worship me and support me no matter what (despite their incessant nagging and darn annoying humanity).

But in the spirit of being home, I’ve rekindled old flames. I’ve spent a bit of time reuniting with ALIF alum, childhood neighbors and friends, and of course the old high school crew. I’m not sure if my presense has made a whole lot of difference, but it’s something. We’ve been having fun.

I have a lot of expectations for this upcoming journey based on my last trip to Fez. I still look back at my six weeks in Fez as the best days of my life. I felt free, passionate, like everything I saw, said and did had the utmost meaning. I’m hoping to rekindle that this upcoming year.

This past year, though, has been kind of crazy for me. A mix of everything, highs, lows, the sophomore slump, independence, challenges… I think the situation that presented itself this year for America was mirrored in a lot of our lives. I definitely felt it in mine. A bleak time of realism but with hope for change. And in all of that, I witnessed one of the most historic moments of all time, the election and inauguration of America’s first African American president. That’s really something. When Barack Obama said these words, I cried like a baby because it was so beautiful:

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled.

Bundling up (see photo of Nancy and Aaron, sososo cold!) to hear those words were so worth it.

Besides all that, I discovered a love for new places. Austin, TX and those whom I met there, you are the most wonderful, kind and genuine Americans and souls I have had the dignity of meeting. I hope to reunite with you and the beautiful Austin skyline soon. Additionally, I took a lovely weekend trip to Cancun, Mexico (pre-Swine flu massacre) with some crazy ladies and enjoyed the absolute magic of a great escape. I’ve lived with two of the most intensely passionate and complex people I’ve ever met, and learned a lot from that, but am glad to be getting back to a more simple life (no offense ;) ).

I’ve found that some people were there all along, and I am so grateful for that. I love that I have a best friend that I can roam around to the ends of the earth that will always be back home waiting to hear from me (but not waiting around of course!). I love that I have a friend that I’ve grown up with from high school to college (and beyond hopefully!). I love the people who have stuck around and will hopefully continue to.

And I’ve met some truly wonderful people/role-models and begun my interest in non-profit work and the fascinating country of Saudi Arabia. You guys were the best this year. You know who you are.

I’ll refrain from posting my full itinerary, due to an interest in privacy, however, I’ll update as I go along. If you are interested in the full itinerary, feel free to email me. You can keep yourself updated on my travels by subscribing via email on the right.

This blog will be a lot about things. It will be about growing up, it will be about maturity, it will be about challenges, it will be about culture, and it will be about truth. Some things that I reflect on may bother some, and enlighten others. I just ask you, that wherever you come from, whoever you are, that you please have an open mind. This world is filled with people, good and bad, but that is and will forever be humanity.

And what can you expect from me? Surprises, that I guess in the end won’t seem that surprising. To my friends and family, I will miss you and think of you often. To those of you who I have yet to get to know well, I hope you can sneak a glimpse of who I am and what I will be doing through these accounts. To those who our friendships/relationships seem rocky, I will think of you too, in the hopes of a greater understanding in the future. I expect to return a year from now, the same but different, and that’s just fine by me.

And so I mark this day, with remembrance, of who I am and how far I have been and have traveled… and will continue to.