This is taken from my blog which can be found at zstern.blogspot.com
If I were to die sometime soon, please don't ever tell people that I 'died too young.' I've lived a life...boy, have I lived a life. Although I'm only 24, the past few years have been so jam packed with excitement and adventure that I think it's safe to say that if I were to pass on sometime soon, that I've lived a full life.
The best part is, the adventure's just beginning...
I'm writing this from my last days of first-world comfort in the small town I grew up in, just 30 minutes north of Portland, Oregon. In 4 days I'll take most of my worldly belongings and board a flight to go live and work in Romania for the next two years. This will be the sixth time that I've packed up all my stuff and headed someplace new in the past six years. Much like the previous five journeys, I know nobody in Romania and I don't speak one word of the language. But, like most things in life, I'll get the hang of it with time.
It's hard to relate the flow of emotions one goes through when getting ready to live in another country. Everyone tends to ask the same standard questions 'are you nervous?' 'do you know the language?' and the ever so boring 'how long is the flight?' I think it's funny that the one of the first questions people conjure up when asking someone about their upcoming international journey, where they will settle for the next two years, is the means of transportation they will take to get there. Maybe being on an airplane is one of the few things people can identify with in regards to someone moving overseas. Probably because the thought of living abroad is so foreign to a lot of people, flying in an airplane is the one tangible concept about the move they can comprehend. Living abroad certainly isn't for everyone, and I'm not even so sure it's for me...but I'm the kind of guy who lives for the story.
Undoubtedly, I'll find myself in challenging, awkward and funny situations and I plan to use this blog as a means to relay all of the random and crazy situations I'll find myself in to those people concerned about what airline I'll be taking in order to get there. (Lufthansa, if anyone cares)
Although I don't plan on updating daily, I'll definitely make sure to tie in all of the previous journeys I've been on, which I'm sure will somehow relate to the events I'm about to face.
I guess the next time I update, I'll be jet lagged, tired and confused about a myriad of cultural differences...but that'll be when the blog will become interested.
Please feel free to comment and say hello...I'm certainly an egoist and need the satisfaction of knowing others are reading this!
All the best.
If I were to die sometime soon, please don't ever tell people that I 'died too young.' I've lived a life...boy, have I lived a life. Although I'm only 24, the past few years have been so jam packed with excitement and adventure that I think it's safe to say that if I were to pass on sometime soon, that I've lived a full life.
The best part is, the adventure's just beginning...
I'm writing this from my last days of first-world comfort in the small town I grew up in, just 30 minutes north of Portland, Oregon. In 4 days I'll take most of my worldly belongings and board a flight to go live and work in Romania for the next two years. This will be the sixth time that I've packed up all my stuff and headed someplace new in the past six years. Much like the previous five journeys, I know nobody in Romania and I don't speak one word of the language. But, like most things in life, I'll get the hang of it with time.
It's hard to relate the flow of emotions one goes through when getting ready to live in another country. Everyone tends to ask the same standard questions 'are you nervous?' 'do you know the language?' and the ever so boring 'how long is the flight?' I think it's funny that the one of the first questions people conjure up when asking someone about their upcoming international journey, where they will settle for the next two years, is the means of transportation they will take to get there. Maybe being on an airplane is one of the few things people can identify with in regards to someone moving overseas. Probably because the thought of living abroad is so foreign to a lot of people, flying in an airplane is the one tangible concept about the move they can comprehend. Living abroad certainly isn't for everyone, and I'm not even so sure it's for me...but I'm the kind of guy who lives for the story.
Undoubtedly, I'll find myself in challenging, awkward and funny situations and I plan to use this blog as a means to relay all of the random and crazy situations I'll find myself in to those people concerned about what airline I'll be taking in order to get there. (Lufthansa, if anyone cares)
Although I don't plan on updating daily, I'll definitely make sure to tie in all of the previous journeys I've been on, which I'm sure will somehow relate to the events I'm about to face.
I guess the next time I update, I'll be jet lagged, tired and confused about a myriad of cultural differences...but that'll be when the blog will become interested.
Please feel free to comment and say hello...I'm certainly an egoist and need the satisfaction of knowing others are reading this!
All the best.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
i really liked your blog, youre a good writer.
i cant really think of anything else to say bc i am so tired my brain wont work.
but wanted to let you know i read it
i must say im the one living for the story too, never too sure if living abroad might be my thing, but i have moved a couple times already.... and i dont plan to settle down anytime soon!!!
during my trip i met a girl who was in the peace corps, it was amazing to talk to her even though she was always laughing cause im much of a funny talkative person.....
But believe me besides the always and usual question of how long is the traveling hours.... the other one that got me at some point tired is..... How is your country political issues going on....!!!?
so... i definetely wish you the best and i hope you find whatever you are looking for in this next trip!
there is no doubt, travelers will always find out with a hiding part of each one during all this experiences, and that must be the thing i love the most of it!
My very best wishes mr!