And so the journey begins.

            We had just topped a curvy, mountain road, and biked down the other side of the mountain loop when Kelsey expressed her homesickness for traveling. Having backpacked across Europe last summer, she was no stranger to the thrill of adventure. Kelsey had moved to Chattanooga, where I was also resident, only a couple of months prior, and having sensed an adventurous nature akin to mine with only a glance at her Facebook profile, I knew we had a lot in common.

           

            Without hesitation, I suggested we go somewhere new, somewhere with a purpose in mind. She mused aloud, tossing out the idea of teaching abroad, an idea I immediately accepted. So many instances in my life, I’ve heard people express their desire to do memorable things, never actually following through. I vow never to be that person. And that's the day I knew we were going to Thailand.

            How relevant of a metaphor those 30 miles of mountain terrain became as I looked back on the day I spoke the idea aloud, thus giving it life. For several weeks thereafter, we spent every spare moment learning about foreign cultures in which we dared immerse ourselves. But how would we save for such a trip?

            Within a whirling span of 2 weeks, a time on which I now reflect without the slightest recollection of detail, we made the decision to move home to our college town, a place we vowed never to return yet were so reluctant to leave. Laying low for a several months, I tried to avoid conversations of "Why are you back?" for fear of being thought of as the one who'd given up. Worries aside, the past seven month have possibly been among the most blessed and amazing of my life to date. Untapped opportunity, cherished time with my family, a once-in-a-lifetime friend and an unprecedented trip are among the things I’ve gained.

            A few weeks ago, as I mentally prepared for a Skype interview, I wondered if it might finally yield the answers we'd been wanting. Nirund Jivasantikarn, president of a Thai University, was about to hand us the dream for which we’d been relentlessly searching. I learned about Dr. Nirund's desire to unite Thai and American culture and his keen interest in the English language. He humbly expressed to us the prestige of his organization, one which sent out only the most qualified to infiltrate local schools and be their primary teachers, instilling them with proficient speaking skills, writing abilities and an interest in literature.

            Signing a 10 month contract, we are now entrusted with young lives we've yet to meet. We embrace the fact that we will be without certain luxuries and living with meager means not unlike the people we will be serving, but that in itself is an experience. We aren't expecting American fast food, ample air condition or for our hair to cooperate in Thailand's 100% humidity. Being able to relate to a person half way across the globe will hopefully give me the human awareness I need to come back home and appreciate the aspects of life I take for granted every day. Putting aside materialism and appearance yet being accepted and revered by a culture is a true testament to that culture's true character and the importance it places in relationships. I'm not even there yet, and I miss them.

            We leave for a flight across the globe on May 28th and fly into Lampang, Thailand to begin our adventure. Really though, the adventure began that day last Fall when we decided to take this journey. Mine and Kelsey's commonness and friendship has grown abundantly since the time we biked over that mountain, and I know it will be strengthened on this trip. I couldn't think of anyone else with whom I'd rather share such an adventure. For her dedication to this vision, I am truly an admirer.

            As for the wonderful family I will be leaving 12 hours behind, they are my anchor. Not an anchor keeping me stagnant, but in a figurative sense, my foundation and my home. My mom, from a military family, lived in Thailand for several years of her childhood, so I feel as if my trek is only a nostalgic continuation of that adventure from decades ago. Being the avid yet amateur writer I am, I will be keeping folks back home updated with blog posts. But if this is that last you hear about the girl from Gadsden who moved to Thailand, just be comforted by the fact that small town people can indeed do extraordinary things.