Thanks for your story.

@Susan P., thanks for visiting and great to hear about your like-minded adventures in France. Glad that you ended up swimming rather than sinking!

@Susan L., thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your thoughts & viewpoint on the ex-gf and thanks for the good wishes on my trip.

Basically, what I think is that , your girlfriend had the space between you two and the time to think through things. Also, she might be getting some advices from her sister. After all, you are going to leave soon so she might have figured out it is not so good to continue on the relationship. I do not blame her too. And don’t blame yourself also.

Enjoy your trip to Southeast Asia. Btw, I am from Malaysia, so hope you have chance to visit here.

But then serendipity came my way in the form of an advertisement for a month-long writer’s retreat in France. I looked at it as a way to find my spunk again, my desire for independence, as well as a way to escape and rediscover a passion that I thought had been lost. It seemed like a crazy idea, but, like you, I had nothing holding me back except for myself. So I did it. And sometimes I still can’t believe the adventure.

While I had been overseas to France and England before, this time I was completely on my own, totally self-reliant. And I knew that it was time to sink or swim. For awhile, I thought that I was sinking. I was plagued with terrible bouts of homesickness and travel troubles, but when I came home, I was a changed person — more appreciative of what I had left and stronger and so proud of myself for having done this on my own. I had found what I was looking for — what I was looking for was my reason for being, my independent streak, myself.

You say that you don’t know why you’re meant to be here, that you feel like you’re meant for some other time or place…Those words echo my own sentiments almost exactly. Maybe it’s the romantic in me, or maybe it’s the writer, but I feel like I was born in the wrong time, the wrong place, like I was meant for something else. And I think that’s why other places appeal so much, why they feel so much like home. Maybe it’s just the past seeping through.

But I also think we need to find a reason to be here, despite that longing for something else. This is your time, your opportunity to find out what’s right for you, to find out why you’re meant to be here, to rediscover yourself, your passions, to find even more opportunities through this incredible experience. From your post on BC, you’ve already taken that leap. Don’t lose heart; you’re doing exactly what you’re meant to be doing and although I don’t know you, I’m so happy and so proud that you’ve gone this far.

When you go back home, you’ll be changed, but if you let it, it can only be for the better.

Wishing you a happy, safe, and worthwhile journey.

go out and play, Allie

Yes had it happen to me as well (girl left, no warning, through text). And I wasn’t even dating!

It seems as our society grows so connected in superficial ways, (global communication being one aspect), true, heartfelt connection becomes rare. Then people with potentially honest hearts use superficial ways as an escape. Each one of us must make the decision to be vulnerable even when not reciprocated.

Technology eliminates heart-to-heart, face-to-face vulnerability.

Here is where I stand on the issue, and you know I’m being true: I choose to walk in forgiveness, faith and love toward those that not only forget me (the most hurtful of deeds) but who also act out in anger or offense; choosing love instead of bitterness or forgetfulness (who in their right mind believes ‘time’ heals all wounds? What a lie!) is the only way to move on.

Love is not a door mat. It is not hopeless nor serves selfish intentions. Its not fearful or revengeful. Love doesn’t run away when the ‘going gets tough.’

A man once wrote, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 cor. 13:4-8 NKJ)

You know Cody, wherever you go, whatever you do or end up believing, I pray you would know this: the true love that you seek — the true love we all seek — is given by Jesus alone.

Ya, that is rather a ‘christianese’ statement, offends a lot of people, excludes other faiths, is not a popular idea within modern culture, doesn’t really effect your emotions directly — it may seem like an empty sentiment. But to the heart that says, ‘ok, I’m through running, come in;’ to that heart great love and joy abounds throughout any circumstance.

I pray you never find what you think you are looking for but rather that which you do not consider worth finding now will overtake you later. Take care Cody.

To have the time of your life.

That’s what I did when I went abroad. And heck, that was only 3 months. I can only imagine what else I could have done with a whole year. So don’t keep too much fuzz in your head, keep your chin up, and have the time of your life.

But I know you’ll do fine. Why? Because you’re good enough, smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like you!

I’m glad that you’re getting out there and away from what confuses and/or makes you unhappy. It may only take six weeks for you to realize you have something to come back for…or you may never find it, but instead learn to DEAL.

If you want to try Canada (which probably is more of the same), get in touch.

*do you have an old Pancho for sale, or FREE?! didn’t see one on your list…actually, you may need that.