Twenty Thirteen

I’ll never have a year quite like 2013.

I decided I was at a pretty unique point in life. I didn’t have a lot of commitments and I knew life wouldn’t look like that forever, so I tried to travel as much as possible and learn as much about the world as possible. Especially in the realm of international development.

I spent the first part of the year in South Africa, an experience that was isolating and challenging and taught me some of my most valuable lessons. I learned the spiritual practice of silence. I learned that lasting change takes a lasting commitment. I learned that presence was the most valuable thing I had to offer anyone.

I took side trips to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. That summer, Deanna and I took our first trip together to Europe. We based ourselves in London and I got to spend time in Morocco, Norway, Amsterdam, Belgium, Copenhagen, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Liechtenstein. I reconnected with so many friends in Europe.

I lived in San Diego for a bit. And in Bakersfield for a bit. I lived extremely minimally, mostly sleeping on an air mattress in a room I rented for $300. I worked as a substitute teacher and in a movie theatre. Subbing in a rough school district taught me as much as some of my trips. All my spare cash went either to traveling or to the stash I started putting away for an engagement ring.