On a lighter note

My initial post got a little heavy.  Sorry about that.  I am not usually so forward with my philosophy.  As my departure gets closer, though, I find myself reflecting on why I am making this trip.  I am leaving behind a lot.   But I think I will be gaining even more.   Bear with me as I figure out my style and direction for this blog.  It’s not every day you open up your life to the internet.

So why I am writing a blog?  It is simply an easy way to share my experiences with my friends and family in the United States and around the world.  It is also a digital record of my trip made for my own enjoyment.  The ability to add pictures and videos makes this a lot more convenient than traditional pen and paper. 

Since this forum is public though, there is also the chance random strangers will become wrapped up in my adventures.  I will try and keep this in mind, but this blog is intended to be more personal in nature.  If you do find anything offensive or critical in my opinion, I hope you will remember it is just that – one person’s opinion. We all perceive the world through the filter of our own experiences and biases.  These posts were written honestly and with a lot of thought.  It is not my intention to criticize, discriminate, demean, marginalize, annoy, or in any way irritate those reading this blog. There are enough unfriendly places in this world.  Let’s leave that for the less awesome people hiding in the shadows of the internet.