The stuff dreams are made of...

As many of you may or may not know, I recently made an announcement of a "Top Secret Life-changing Mega Plan". Well, the wait is over folks and all shall now be revealed.

Since my return to American soil, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. This tends to happen after major moves, particularly on an international scale...reverse culture shock, they call it. Despite having gone through this on a relatively smaller scale twice before, I don't believe it's something one ever gets used to. Granted, coming from the south, most anywhere is going to be an extreme shock of culture, due to our very Southern way of life, a way of life that I know and love, a way of life like no other. It's my home, my roots, the very center of my being. However, with that being said, I have and always will long to see more. While the south may be my heart, traveling the world is the blood pumping through my veins...the very thing that keeps my heart going.

After reading a friends blog ( http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/lifes-cheat-code/the-god-mode-mindset ), I decided then and there that I have to start living life on MY terms. I'm tired of living a certain way just because that's what is expected of me. I know that some of you may find this confusing as you probably thought I was kinda sorta maybe already doing that. The truth is...I haven't been. Yes, there have been moments or glimpses of what I want my life to be and where I would like to see it go, i.e. all my moving adventures. The thing is, well, most of those choices were made to please others in a very round about please Beka at the same time way.

Despite what anyone may think, my decision to do the grad school thing was not because of some intense desire to get a masters in Events Management or really even to further my education. Basically, I wanted to move back to London and grad school was more of a means to an end than the actual goal itself. Don't get me wrong, I'm truly happy with my choice to do so and it was one of the best decisions that I've ever made but I'm trying to make the point that I keep making decisions based on what others expect from me and society in general. They expect us to get educated, put some roots down, get a proper job, get the man, have the babies...which I want to do...eventually...when it's right. The fact of the matter...I'm not quite sure it's right yet. I've still got dreams I need to accomplish on my own before I can see myself in that life and even then I highly doubt I'll do anything the traditional way.

Hence, the BIG plan.

Riding along after a day of relaxing under the clouds, Beebe (the BFF) and I were gabbing away as usual. Subject of the ride: planning a trip back to London for my graduation next June. I mentioned that since we were going to be in the European neck of woods, we should haul our southern asses on down for a grand Italian adventure and pop by to see my old flatmate, Tabata. One ramble lead to another and by the time we glided into park, the BIG plan was in motion...

BeeKa Does Europe:

So here's the plan. The next 10 or so months are basically going to consist of a whole LOT of working our knuckles to the bone...or maybe something less dramatic and painful. Point is...mass quantities of money must be saved by means of two jobs or one really really amazing paying job. THEN comes the Life-changing part. Although it should probably be noted that Beebs and I working 2 jobs and saving money instead of blowing it left and right could and probably should be considered life-changing. But on to the good stuff...Beebe and I are taking on Europe! As of now, the plan is to spend two to three (or more) months backpacking through 12 countries (thus far) including our stop in London to watch me grab that masters degree.

So how is this grand plan life-changing, you might ask. Aside from the obvious seeing the world, experiencing different cultures, stepping outside the comfort zone, meeting new and intriguing people fabulousness, we have a motive. Seeing as Beebe and I are travelin' fools, we've been scheming for years upon years about how exactly we could combine our passion with some money in the pocket. Many an idea has come and gone but there is one that has never left the mind and now we've tweaked it into what we think is pure perfection and we're taking the plunge!

Basically, this BIG plan is all a lead up to us pitching a travel show! The details are going to remain on lock down for obvious reasons but I will say that it is pure GENIUS...an absolute original. Our entire European adventure is going to be documented via video and blog, which will be an obvious part of the pitch when we return. Call us crazy if you wish but I'm just doing what I've always wanted to do....living out the life I've imagined! I'm ready to take a risk and if I fall at least I fall trying for something I have an intense passion for rather than sitting around always wandering what if? I'm done with what ifs and shoulda coulda wouldas. If all we end up with after this trip is the journey itself, I will still count myself lucky because at least I did it my way, on my terms.

"It's a shame to be caught up in something that doesn't make you absolutely tremble with joy."
~Julie Child

Peace, Love, & Chicken Grease

Beks