My Thoughts on Road Trips

Tomorrow is the last leg of my two month vacation. Two months of traveling, seeing the globe. I've seen more aspects of he world through that time then I ever had in my life. This road trip that I've been on was one of the most enlightening experiences of my life. I left Minnesota a few days ago after visiting with Emily and her family. Since then, I've been driving back home. I had never driven this long before, but tacking 3000 miles onto my car has really helped put some perspective on the rest of the country.

The variations in different regions of the nation really make themselves clear when you're spending 6-8 hours on the open road. For example, when I stopped in rural Ohio for the World Cup game on Thursday, I was shocked about how tight knit the community was. And likewise, visitng Bard College in Red Hook, NY was a new way to meet some very interesting young adults, in addition to catching up with one of my oldest friends.

I think the coolest part of driving alone is all the reflecting I was able to accomplish on my trip. Especially on my drive yesterday, through northern Pennsylvania, I spent a lot of time thinking about my life up to this point, and on my life going forward. For me, time alone is nice. It provides piece of mind for me to sit by myself and let my mind run like my corolla, endlessly galloping down the open road.

Driving is relaxing. When it's beautiful out, and I have new, exciting scenery to see, it provides a bliss that I would have never known until this trip. I can't wait to do it again, no matter when it ends up being.

My Thoughts on Father's Day

I'm aware that it's been awhile since I've blessed the internet with my horribly articulated opinions. I'm aware that, since I am no longer posting these to Facebook, my readership will remain practically zero. But I've decided that I'd like to pick up this blog again, if only as a personal journal of sorts, although, slightly less private than most.

Today was Father's Day. I'm sure many people are aware of that, but for me, it was a tough one. For the first time in my life, I did not have the privilege of spending the day with my dad. As I'm sure I've alluded to, if not outright said,  my dad and I are very close. He is the single largest male influence on my life in so many more ways than he could possibly imagine. I told him earlier that I hope to someday be a fraction of the man that he is, and I don't know if he understands how literally I mean that. The selfless way that he goes about his day-to-day life is something that I continually strive to accomplish.

For years now, he has worked tirelessly to provide for my family. He and my mother have made quite the dynamic duo in terms of raising my sisters and I. The other day I was having a conversation and this is what he said to me, "I work hard every day. I've gone to work for 30-something years now, never complaining, and always with you and your sisters in mind. I have driven you guys all over for social gatherings and sporting events, I provide pretty much anything you guys ask for, and what do I get as a reward? The opportunity.. To pooperscoop"

Well dad, I hate to tell you this, you drew the short end of the straw. While I know that sometimes it may suck to imagine a life like that, I can't imagine what my life would be like if you had done otherwise. Everything I ever accomplish can be directly credited to you and mom, and I like to think that you two will one day share in whatever those accomplishments may be. Although there is only one day where society dictates I acknowledge your brilliant parenting, I'd like for you to know, that I remind myself every day how lucky I am to have a father like you.

For me, my personal thoughts on Father's Day consist of this: to serve as a reminder that few, if any, people in the history of the world, are as lucky as I consider myself.

I love you, dad.