Ann Arbor, Michigan

After the Hall of Fame we drove to Ann Arbor, Michigan because Electric Forest Festival starts tomorrow and it is only 3 hours from here. We found a little hotel, then went out to Thai and then went downtown to walk around. It is very green here. Down town is awesome. The University of Michigan is here so it is a real college town. We walked down the main street then walked up another street where we found a cool alley full of art. I wish that art and color and imagination would be everywhere but its not. This alley was covered and it only made the city more beautiful and interesting. I have traveled to a number of places already and seen so much wasted space. I have also traveled to some awesome places where they paint fire hydrants and alleys dont go un noticed and walls are plastered with art. I crave crave culture and color and shaped and creativity, it boggles my mind that not everyone does.

Tomorrow Electric Forest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i love rock and roll

We went to the Rock and Roll hall of fame museum in Cleveland today and it was absolutely amazing. Artifacts and collectables and old clothes and guitars and sheets of music from all the classics from Ottis Redding, The Who, Jimi Hendrix old school drawings, Big Poppas jersey, the beatles, I mean the list goes on and on. That place gave me chills because all those musicians are people that said "fuck you" to everyone that said being a musician would never pay off and put them down for following their dreams. Those people are role models to us all. I remember after my brain tumor one doctor said i would never dance again, well a year later i was the lead Arabian role in the Nutcracker and in the news paper and a paid guest star with the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and was on the advanced dance team at my high school. I remember when i had a dream to start a music festival and people didnt believe in me, its called Wonderland Entertainment and people asked me if they could be in my festival for free. You can do anything, and i do mean anything you want, you just have to really try. We spent a good 4 hours in there.

Pittsburg

Philly was a great time. Maybe part of the reason was that there was no boyfriend there so Kelly could breath and be the Kelly I know. Maybe part of the reason was that I could breath and not be ignored sometimes. Maybe part of the reason was that Philly is awesome or maybe part of the reason is that the people we stayed with and I met were awesome. It’s definitely a combination of all of those things. But then the boyfriend came by train from Boston and met us and the imaginary sign was let out. So then we drove to Pittsburg and stayed with one of Kelly’s friends from Colorado. She was great; she took us out and showed us around. The next morning we went to the University of Pittsburg’s Cathedral of Learning. There are classrooms in there from every country, an Italian classroom, one from Israel, Russia, Ukraine, the list goes on. People from that country were brought in to build these rooms. It was amazing to see beautiful rooms and chandeliers and carved chairs in classrooms when all we have now are plastic chairs with cold tiles as floors. After that we went to FatHead and ate giant sandwiches and then drove to Ohio. Well we got to Columbus and now we are staying at a Holiday inn. I had to get my own room because I am about to crack.

I am going to let it out and spill a little bit. Kelly and I were supposed to travel together this summer, two girls that are great friends on an adventure. Then she goes ahead and “falls in love” with Taylor who I introduce her to by the way and she informs me, no I don’t mean ask I do mean she informs me, that he is coming with us. After weeks of holding my feelings in I tell her I don’t want to do that so I will be doing the trip alone (i'm only going to be with them for another week then I'm off being free again!) and I have to ask for an apology which I do not get. I get one a few days later but it goes like this “I'm sorry you feel that way but…” Oh well, what are you going to do, im over it. So they have a relationship talk when im sitting in the car so I have to put on my ipod and then we run out of gas on the road and have to wait for AAA for a while. When we finally got here I peaced. We are going to Electric forest festival on Thursday then after that I am going to continue my adventure by myself, the way that I know will be great. There, I vented.

The room is amazing. I walked it and it was huge, wood floors, a huge bathtub that has a glass wall looking over the bedroom. I am glad I have this night to myself although it would have been great to couchsurf. What I want to do has been put on pause for a few days, but that’s life right.

Tomorrow we are going to the rock n roll hall of fame. That is right up my alley and I'm so exited for it.

so electric forest festival is in michigan on thursday and kelly and tay have their tickets but i dont have mine. i have the receipt but i think the ticket is in long beach. so the plan is we are driving to pittsburg for the night then ohio then somewhere in michigan then the festival. i have the receipt so ill try to get in with that. im sure ill get in, im not stressing

well the guy sucked. i miss being in love. oh well, i guess i just got to wait it out. its going to be a long wait i think, but what you gonna do

Philly

Philly is so awesome. Its got the city feel like New York and the chill feel. its so cute and everyone walks. We went to Mac's tavern today, Mac from its always sunny has his own bar.

so last night when we were at this bar called Dirty Franks some dude came up to me and introduced himself to Kelly and I and asked me if i would like to go out with him tonight and got my number. He called me this afternoon and we are meeting up at 7. very interesting and i love that men have the courage to just walk up to you and say what they want. college boys dont do that but real world men do. So i decided to go because it might be fun and it will definitely be an adventure.

Boston and Cape Cod

New York was great. Then we drove to Connecticut to visit Craig. He went/goes to Arizona too. In Arizona he doesn’t even have a bed frame, his mattress is on the floor but apparently he is rich. He has a leather phone in his house. His house in Stamford looks like the white house. One section of it is my house. We had bomb pizza and ice cream then we drove to Boston. First we drove into Campton, a suburb 20 minutes outside Boston because Kelly’s good friend lives there. we stopped there for the night and the next day before we took the train into Boston he took us to this amazing Deli where I got one if not the most amazing Panini ever.

So we took a 15 minute train into the city where I was going to couchsurf because I didn’t want to be in the suburbs at someones parents house. Chris was his name and he was awesome, I got very lucky. He met us outside the station and Kelly, Tay, and her friend went right and Chris and I went left to grab a beer before he had to work again. I had the Sam Adams Red Brick, its only made in Boston! After beers he took me up to the top level of his office building where you can see so much Boston its amazing, too bad the weather was cloudy and foggy and the sky was grey. Then he went back to work and I met Pearl.

Pearl is a girl I met in Sydney, Australia in a hostel a year and a half, maybe two years ago. The first time I went I went by myself just travelling and I met her and a few of us went to Olympic park. We really liked eachother and have been pen palls ever since. I knew she lived here so I called her days/ weeks before and we met up. We saw eachother for the first time in two years and I felt like she has been my close friend for years. We drank and talked and laughed for days about eachothers lives and life in general and love and family. I am so lucky to have made a great friend. We spent a few hours together when a couple of her friends met us in the city and we got really good Italian food in the north end. So good was the food that it cost me a pretty $50.

At about 11 I took the train to meet my couchsurfer at a bar by his house. We had a good time then he asked me if I wanted to smoke a joint. He got a lot more exiting. We went back and did that on his water bed, he had like 50 concert stubbs on his wall and a bob Dylan poster and a Bonnaroo Poster from 4 years ago!! I lucked out.

The next morning Kelly, Tay, and Murph picked me up and we went to Cape Cod to see our Bonnaroo friends!! Tyler and Timmy camped next to us and we became good friends so we were here so we visited them. Cape Cod is nice and pretty, it was grey and foggy too. Then Tyler had a party for us at his house. Nice night. I didn’t realize how much fun chemistry was there but there was some. The next day Kelly and I drove to Philly and Taylor took the train to stay with his friend in Boston. Im glad because last night and day we had the best time. Finally no attachments. We are staying with Kellys friend Mike who she met in Barcelona. Other friends came down and we had a great night blunting and listening to music and beer ponging. Then we went out and I got a date for today. I have to go though because I am being anti social while everyone is smoking. I love it.

New York City part 3

Continuation of yesterday…

After walking around for hours I came back to the Ohm where Kelly was chillin. I chilled with her for a bit then Lindsay and the roommates came home. I went down stairs to grab a snack before dinner and while I was waiting for the elevator to come back up I met a guy. He pressed the button for the 20^th floor and I pressed the 21^st. As I was opening the door to the apartment he comes running toward me. yada yada, he gives me his business card and asks me to dinner. I had plans though but ballsy move. I respect a guy with balls.

Kelly and Tay went to a fancy dinner date and Lindsay and I had our own. I had only met her once before in February before staying at her place but dinner was awesome. We didn’t stop talking the whole time. Then we walked home and on our way we were stopped by a guy on his bike. Very handsome, black slicked hair, a blue shirt and looked at me and asked if I would like to hang out, so I said sure. He bought a six pack and the three of us went on the fourth floor courtyard. We talked. Lindsay went to sleep and yada yada it was 3:45am and I’m telling him to put his shoes on and leave. We fell asleep on the couch. He got my number and we said fare well for now.

New York: 2 points

Boston today i guess

New York City

Today I took a ballet class at Steps on Broadway. When I got up to the third floor there were dancers galore and dance classes in session. I looked in one of the studios and saw Stella Abrera and Craig Salstein from American Ballet Theatre, just in class doing their thing, oh and the teacher was David Howard. Then it was my class. It was packed but just how I remember it. every one looks like a professional dancer at first but by center I was in the front doing my thing. The studio is on the third floor and windows all around looking over Manhattan. it was amazing.

Then I walked around for hours. Maybe NY?

picture of us driving through West Virginia and picture of the Lincoln Memorial in D.C

NYC baby

We got to New York last night and are staying with Kellys friend Lindsay. She works for some high end designer that i can not figure out how to spell, Dian von furshefsburghejseigfs, something like that. you would not believe this apartment. its called the Ohm and the lobby tells me that the rent is like the down payment for a car. but the best part is when she took us on the roof. the roof has the most incredible view of New York City. it is absolutely breath taking and i feel so unbelievably lucky to be here.

last night after we met Tays friend Trish up somewhere in New York we had a few beers at this one bar then walked to find this amazing indian restaurant. it was small and two indian men played a cool looking citar and drums. our food was amazing. i had lamb something or other. it was green. then we walked around and asked around for the right subway.

you can get anything you want delivered to you. we had an asian man deliver us some green at midnight last night. i cant believe it. i also cant believe how much we payed for it.

after that we went on the roof for a sesh. looking around i just couldnt help but say how lucky i am to be here. when did my life come to sitting on the roof of a great New York apartment with the best view. i am very thankful but also it is funny to think how far away i am from having what Lindsay has, but i am ok with that. we have chosen different paths. i know i will get to where i want to be and i have faith that what im doing is the right thing to do for myself.

Today is another day in NYC. we are going to explore. tomorrow im very exited to take some dance classes and go to the Met and do all the things i would have done if i didnt get a brain tumor. So far i love it here and i am thankful for my life.

maryland

we ventured to Maryland today and we went to Sams house. it is in Rockville. Maryland is so green. picture green, then take it up a notch. She has a forest in her backyard with a creek and we saw deer (as in multiple) fireflys, huge vines tarzan style. we were in there for about an hour and half having an adventure in the forest. her mom made us dinner and we are about to get a good nights sleep, im in my own room. tomorrow we are going to brunch in washington d.c to meet kellys friend and sam is coming with us. i enjoy being in washington d.c. its pretty, but thats about as much as i can say. good night.

washington d.c

I have been in D.C for two days and already so much has happened. This place is so wonderful. brick buildings, different color, all close together. Brick streets and lots of trees and llots of people walking around. Granted all these people are preps, all the guys have on collared shirts, either lacoste and polo and duck shoes. i dont think i fit in here. we are staying with kellys friend in Georgetown. its such a cool place. i have pictures but i am using someone else's computer for the internet.

first day
Capital Building, the mall, botanic gardens, sculpture garden where we found a secret tree and had a smoke sesh. then the air and space museum where we saw the very first air craft used to fly to space by the russians, talk about clostrophobia. then the natural history museum, and the Halocaust musuem. the washington memorial, lincoln memorial, the monument. it was a very touristy day but i cant help it that there is so much to do.

then we went out in Georgetown to some guys apartment. saw from the balcony some guy from tucson. hung out with him a bit. then went to bars. this should describe it, i was the only one in jeans and flip flops and someone said "hey theres a hippie" talking about taylor. nobody dances and of course we did. it was alright.

today we went to eastern market. its awesome. the best fruits and produce and shops and shoes and food and we went to a used book store. it was amazing. tonight we are hanging out with sam, my old roommate and off to new york tomorrow.

D.C is like san fran but with less color and culture. its all politics and squares here. i am a circle.

View from our room. off to d.c today

we are in charleston west virginia in a budget inn. drove from nashville for 7 hours to get here. tomorrow we are going to d.c. i am going to see Chelsea. i went to kirov with her (my ballet boarding school in d.c) and we havent seen each other since we were 25. we lost touch for a few years until i gave her a call a couple years ago and we chatted for hours. now we need eachother and miss eachother and love it. i cant wait to see her.

it happens

I am in a four person room and this morning when I woke up I met Victoria from the country in England. She was on the bottom bunk opposite from me. We started talking about how I finished uni in Arizona and don’t know where to go or what to do and am just going with fate and she told me about her life. She had a boyfriend in the country in England so after she finished uni 2 years ago she got a job near him. Then they broke up and she wanted to travel. She was going to travel to Asia but then read a book and decided to come to America. She is traveling with one of her girlfriends. A couple weeks into her trip she met a guy from North Carolina. She said that she kept bumping into him and one night they happened to sit next to each other and started talking. She is continuing traveling but going back and forth to see him, it has been about 2 months. So now she loves him but she’s not in love with him just yet. She is going home to England in 2 weeks and he is applying for a passport to come over and meet her family and be with her for a while. Then she is coming back to America to live with him and be with him forever.

Wow, that is one hell of a story.

Stories like that happen every day. People from different countries and backgrounds find each other and something electrical happens where they just know and it happens so quickly. I was lucky to have that once. It was intense, back and forth and to me it was love. But it’s over now. I have faith that something like that will happen again and the next time it will be strong enough to last. That is what I want so that is what I'm looking for and that is what I'm going to get. Whatever you want that is what you will get, just have to have patience.

Music city hostel, Nashville Tennessee

The idea of a hostel is a great one. People from all over the world sharing living quarters and hanging out. They are usually traveling and have great stories and are laid back and young. Some hostels are not very good but the Music City Hostel in Nashville is one of the best.

It looks like apartments with a big patio grassy area in between. The rooms are painted with musical notes and the walls have faces of famous musicians colored on them. Each room has about 16 beds and one bathroom but somehow it’s enough. Kelly, Tay, and Jess dropped me off and went to a hotel. I wonder how Jess likes being in a hotel room with a couple who haven’t shared a real bed together in 4 days. Oh well. When I first got here I was a little shy because everyone seemed to know each other but the girl in the office showing me around was nice. After I went to my room and put my stuff down I went to hang out outside. They have trees and chairs where people are outside talking and pretty much everyone has a musical instrument and can sing. I sat under a tree listening to Jared jam on the guitar to some Neill Young, how perfect. After a while more people came to sit with me. Then Jared came over to me and we started talking. He is like a mirror of myself. A few months ago he started on a journey quite like mine. He said he was lost and searching for freedom, searching for somewhere or someone. He kept a picture book throughout his journey and it brought tears to my eyes. He said that everything happens the way it is supposed to, everything happens for a reason. He works at the hostel now because a few months ago he got off on the wrong exit and was lost but got found here. He is very inspiring and I started to realize that I am not alone. The great thing about Jared also was that he got me to play the piano once again.

I played the piano for 7 years and have stopped for about 7 years. I forgot everything. I look at the notes and they are swiggles. But we sat down and he taught me for a little and by the end of an hour we were playing “Hey Jude” and “Angel” by Jimi and “killing me softly.” It brought out a side of me that was buried.

After that I started to meet more people. One of my roommates Claire is Australian but lives in Canada and works in Whistler. She is going to Burning Man, we might see each other. So after hours of sitting on the porch drinking beer and meeting friends me, 3 guys that went to Bonnaroo (Ansel, Mike, and Alex) and Claire went to the local bar to see live music. Apparently every Monday there is an open mic night at this bar and all the people that work in the hostel go play there. We had 2 pitchers and great food. Then Ansell Alex and I went down town and had a great night.

I love Nashville and I have only been here for one day. It is very musical; everywhere has live music and is decorated. The first bar we went to they were shooting a music video. I think the song is called “one more drinking song” because that’s what he kept singing about 5 times. Met some great people. Danced a lot. Met some hot Australian guys that bought a van and for the next 10 months are driving and surfing. Next they are going to California then South America. They asked if I wanted to come and I really do. I guess I didn’t have the balls to go with them last night but I have my own journey.

After that I had my first white castle experience. It was ok. We got 20 burgers between the 3 of us. They were small and I had 3 before passing out. Now I have quite a headache but it’s on to the next day.

Don’t get stuck in a rut. Go out and be scared and put yourself out there and you will receive so much, so I’m learning slowly.

pictures from bonnaroo

Bonnarooooooo

It has been quite a ride so far. After Kelly, Taylor, and Jess picked me up in Memphis we had beer and bbq on Beale st then headed off to find a spot to camp between Memphis and Manchester. We drove for about 2 hours when we got to a camp ground that had a real bathroom and showers! The next day we drove to Manchester and as soon as we got in Bonnaroo was in the air. We went to wall mart to stock up on goodies and it was packed full of Bonnarooers. It was like staples on the last day of summer but 100 times better. You could feel the good vibes in the air. We got our supplies and headed to the car. The parking lot of wall mart was absolutely filled with people camping out, playing music, drinking beer, and sitting in chairs, all waiting to go into Bonnaroo.

By the way it is unbelievably hot in Tennessee. Super hot, super humid. Then we drove to get in the line of cars to get into Bonnaroo. We waited in line for 2 hours but it was so fun. We were moving slow, Tay was driving so Kelly, Jess, and I got out and met the cars in front and behind us and walked to see the top. We were so exited to finally be there and every one is so happy and exited as well. The van in front of us was from Wisconsin. Cutie from Wisconsin Patrick really left an impression. They are so friendly, say hi and smiling and yelling “Bonnaroo.” By the time we got in and set up our camp spot it was about 3 hours later. We got lucky with a spot. It was on a walkway of grass and next to amazing people. Jerseyers on one side, Minnesotaers on the other, and everyone else that wasn’t from California (it seemed) in between. Giant smoke sesh was in session that night and the next day it all began.

It is so hot that you can only sleep until 8, 8:30 the latest. Jess and I shared a tent and the couple Kelly and Tay shared the other. Bonnaroo is so large, so much walking that it hurts and no shade. Over 100,000 people and a lot of dust. But that doesn’t matter when you’re there. Lying down on the ground is heaven, never felt so good. My feet are still womping hard. Every day is so different. Different concerts and different people you meet.

j.Cole. Atmosphere. Beats Antique!!!!! Freelance whales. My Morning Jacket. Primus. Bassnectar. Pretty Lights. Shpongle!!!!!! Oh my word Shpongle was incredible. Absolutely great. Pretty Lights was amazing also. So amazing that he blew out the left speaker on the last song. That night we didn’t get back to our tents till 6 am. I was completely drained and had nothing left. I went to bed for about 2 hours before the heat kept us up. Lying down outside you were sweaty, in the shade you were sweaty, there was no escape from the heat. The next day we didn’t go in until an hour before the Black Keys. I got there an hour early to get a good spot while the rest of my friends went to !!! (pronounced check check check) The Black Keys killed it. They blew everyone away. The love continues. Then the most amazing show, EMINEM!!!!! I can’t believe I saw EMINEM. He put on a great performance. He did old slim shady and new stuff from his Recovery album. It was a perfect combo. Obviously for the encore he did YOU BETTER LOSE YOURSELF TO THE MUSIC YOU WANT IT YOU BETTER NEVER LET IT GO, YOU ONLY GET ONE SHOT DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BLOW CUZ OPPORTUNITY COMES ONCE IN A LIFETIME!!! Fireworks after, obviously. Blew me away. Then the Scissor Sisters, Gogol Bordello, and STS9. Again the music didn’t stop till 6am. It is sooooo much fun dancing. My old college roommate Dana was there who I went with last year. We spent that whole night together. it was wonderful. We partied together for 2 years and we love each other. It was great to be with her just because I miss what I used to have. It was nice. The last day the music went until 11.

One of the things I was looking forward to during my whole adventure is meeting people that just come to me. At Bonnaroo one of them was Patrick. Their car stalled in line so a few people behind them went ahead of them, our car being one. I was sad we lost them but I guessed it just wasn’t meant to be. But then once we got in we ran into him walking around, a few times actually that night and the next day inside Centro. Eye contact was electric and the hugs were great. The next night we had a smoke sesh just us in the middle of the night. I guess like a date according to Bonnaroo style. The last day we spent together. Jess and I went to their campsite in the day and smoked and hung out with his people. They are awesome and funny. Bonnaroo is not just music it is a community of people that I want to be around. People that you can just walk up to and start talking to, high five and walk away, and ask to hang out. We hung out with them for a couple hours then Patrick came with me and Jess inside. We saw Gregg Alman!!! Which was incredible. The Cold War Kids. Robert Plant!!!!! He played on the main stage, which was a huge grassy field in the evening time so it wasn’t hot. It was perfect. The three of us sat and smoked and I kept looking at this handsome man who loves what I love and is smiling like me. Kelly and Tay came and they took Jess to Explosions in the sky while Patrick and I stayed for the rest of the great member of Led Zeppelin. Just dancing and feeling free and being able to be yourself and do what you want in front of a perfect stranger is great. Then we went to see the jam sesh with Dr. John and Dan from The Black Keys. You can imagine how that was. By the last day the dust was uncontrollable and horrible. Patrick and I went back to his campsite and laid a blanket down and laid there for about an hour watching the sky and talking. It is funny how things happen and how people meet. I could tell he wanted to kiss me but it wasn’t the right time. After a bit we walked back to see the last act of Bonnaroo, after that I would meet my friends and we would hit the road. It was Widespread Panic and they put on such a great show. We danced and smoked and hugged and smiled at each other. Finally during the last song we were sitting on the ground and he kissed me. Tall, dark, and handsome he was. After that he walked me to the meeting spot and we said our goodbyes and left. I wrote him a note earlier with my number on it because I am going to be traveling to Milwaukee in about a month and he lives there and it would be cool to hang out with someone that lives there. So we said good-bye for now, kissed, hugged, and left each other. Kelly drove to a hotel about 20 miles away where we had our first showers and slept in an actual bed. Today we woke up and drove to Nashville. I’m in a hostel while they are in a hotel. I wanted to stay in a hostel because I wanted to meet people. So that’s what I’m going to go.

I’m sure I missed stuff telling about Bonnaroo and I'm sure stories will continue to pop into mind but for now that’s it. On with it, right.

the memphis train

Memphis is awesome! I had such a great time here yesterday and last night.

So when I got off the plane I called my couchsurfer Adam but his phone was off. I texted him and left a message but no answer, so ok I took a cab downtown to a hostel that I had looked up. When I got to the “hostel” I took one look and told the cab driver to take me to a hotel. The “hostel” looked like an old run down apartment slash crack house. It had no sign with a name and no sign of people. Definitely sketchy. So I went to the double tree, it was sold out but this really nice man helped me call around and find a room. I found one across the street at the Peabody.

The Peabody is very nice and luxurious. Even though it was a little pricy I figured I could treat myself with a queen sized bed and wonderful sheets since I am heading to Bonnaroo on Wednesday. Four days in the heat with out a shower or a bed. But right after I got into my room Adam called, said his phone died. Oh well I guess it wasn’t meant to be although staying with him would have been preferable. He already had one couchsurfer there and was expecting more. Anyway

I walked around. At first I did not like it because there were no people anywhere. But then I got to Beale St, Wow. It is so lively. Live music pretty much everywhere. Restaurants, bars, and patios. I walked into a show outside, the guys were playing all the classics, Jimi, Lou, Buddy, Al. I stayed there for about an hour. Then I walked down the street and heard another show. This one was amazing. A lady with her Memphis king band and beer served outside. After a beer, I got another bought for me by the band I heard earlier. Then I met the Australians who were at the table in front of me. I heard the accent and had to come over. Andy and Andrew are from the Gold Coast and are best mates, they used to be romantically involved but aren’t anymore. We had such a great time and got drunk with everyone there. As the night went on we met some other cuties, Jared from Louisiana stuck out and we danced the night away. I met people going to Bonnaroo! We all partied at the bar down the street, there was a live band in there also. Even though I was by myself I had a great time with the friends I met. We danced together and drank together and laughed together and hugged each other and yelled bonna who, BonnaRoo!!!!!

Then I went back to my lovely hotel room and slept. Today Kelly, Taylor, and Jessica are picking me up and we are heading to Bonnaroo and spending a month driving around together until Electric Forest Festival in July. I am very lucky and finally am having a great time.

let it roll, baby, roll

Its my last night in Austin and the first stop of this trip. I think I can cross Texas off of the potential places to live. Its not that I did not enjoy it its just that I didn’t enjoy it enough for me to want to live here. I can cross “Bill” off the potential list also. I don’t want any more “Bills” I want love. I guess that is what this trip is about also in a way, finding some one or some place that clicks and love happens. I need that.

Tomorrow it’s off to Memphis where I will be couchsurfing with Adam for one night then on Tuesday my friends Kelly, Taylor, and Jessica pick me up and its off to Bonnaroo on Wednesday.

I am a little tripped out because I feel scared. I feel uneasy and nervous. Maybe its because I feel a little alone too. Hopefully that will pass, I’m not used to this feeling. Last year when I travelled to Australia by myself I felt wonderfully free and exited and happy to be alone. Now I feel as though I don’t know what I’m doing. My life has pretty drastically changed, I mean the life I have had for the past 5 years is over. I am not a college kid. I don’t live among college kids and go out and have fun all the time. I don’t live with my girls and near my friends anymore. I don’t have that comfort anymore. it will just take some getting used to I guess. I think I need a hug.

Bye Austin, lets see whats next.

Austin

Texadelphia, texas philly cheese steaks

The first day is behind me. The first day was the scariest, probably, but then it got good.

The plane ride was ok. At the Austin airport waiting for my luggage I was next to Manny from Modern Family. It was him, blue Jordan high tops and a black French hat. I asked if it was him and he said yes then I gave him a hug and went on my day.

Andrew, my couchsurfer, texted me to meet him downtown so I went to information and asked where the bus was and for maps and for general information, nice old man helped. I got on the airport flyer which heads to downtown and that’s when I felt it, the freedom of traveling and excitement of unknown. I got dropped off downtown with my big suitcase and walked around for a bit. It was really hot and humid so after a half hour I went to a place called Buffalo Billairds and had a local beer. Then I walked to meet Andrew on 4^th and Lacava. He picked me up with his roommate and we went to his house. Both of them are awesome and I am extremely lucky to have such wonderful hosts. The car ride wasn’t awkward at all, we joked and got to know each other. When we got home we had beers and played records and met his other roommate. They are all going to Bonnaroo as well. After a while Andrew and I went to get something to eat and then went walking downtown. The University of Texas is here in Austin and you can really tell. Even though its summer and finals are over the streets were filled, and I mean filled, with high-heeled gals and guys holding their hands and clubs with music and dancers. It was craziness. Way crazier and busier than Arizona.

Then after a couple hours, some alcohol, and some pool we went home and Andrew jammed on his guitar for an hour or so. Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Beatles, Janis Joplin and I sang along. Then he went to him room and I went on the couch. Little did I know my night would not be over.

A few minutes after I turned out the lights I get a call from, we will call him Bill. Bill is a guy who went to the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA with me. We dated for a little bit but I could tell that he was absolutely perfect. I felt like we were headed down the road to the big “I really like you” moment when he got a job in Austin and left. 6 months went by and now I am here and I told him. He picked me up last night and it was like old times but our new selves, it was great. Skinny-dipping and lots of fun after.

First night was a success.