Bon Voyage! (0 Days!)

Well... here we are.

Boarding the MV Explorer in a matter of hours.

It's been a long road here, full of the ups and downs that the passage of time generally holds. It has been a long journey, but it has also been a spectacular one. It's unnerving to know that this first chapter- the waiting , the stress, the endless planning- is coming to a close. The voyage is beginning. Stepping onto the ship is the first of many steps into a new life, a new understanding, and a new Mallory.

But mostly I can't believe it's real.
Seriously, someone should pinch me.

New York City and Montreal have felt unreal- more like a very vivid dream than my actual life. Both cities have been wonderful.

a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTcPbWIuk1poEB7surrLdRZcG68ba-S27Dr3VaGM41cBPHnzqTMKTvkR_qCUMYVpHTQSIwwTy_B-ziUsH13bTwMcOydArK2EUElLbxagO0wCLmv0SpAcQpXL5Q6mYSa6tXxhMqY64e0RI/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG">A friend of mine once sang "NYC, what is it about you? You're big, you're loud... I'm spinning" in my middle school production of Annie as he spun around in a desk chair during a rehersal. We laughed then, but it turns out that is not far from the truth. New York City was larger than life. The lights, the sounds, the smells, the people, all too much for my imagination to have created- but there they are. The city moved and ebbed and flowed in a way no place I have ever been to in my life has. I loved the city, and saying goodbye to NYC to board my train was more like saying 'see you soon' to an old friend. I feel like my life will lead me there again, and probably soon.

If New York City were to have a cleaner, smaller younger sister it would Montreal. The people move in similar ways, but the french speaking and distinctly Canadian relaxed vibe of the city makes it less stressed- more like a fancy Parisian lady who is running late, but stops to have a drink anyways.

Last night, my last night in Montreal, I hiked to the top of a mountain (I use the word mountain liberally... it is more like a large hill). Up at the top, the view of the city was beautiful, lights as far as the eye could see. It was one of those moments in life when the world seems to stretch out before your feet, just waiting for you to answer its beckoning call, and all you have to do is move your feet and be open to the universe of possibilities.

As I prepare to drag my super large suitcases down the flight of stairs to check out and then into a taxi, I would be remissed if I didnt take a moment to thank the people who have made this voyage a reality for me.

Thank you Mom for pushing me to continue to work hard even when all I wanted to do was sleep in. Your support has meant nothing short of the world to me, and as I head out into the world, know that I take you with me in spirit everywhere I go.

Thank you Mamaw for making this voyage a reality. Your help has assisted in so many ways- I could not be here without you.

Thank you to Matthew and Christine Quiat. Your kind words, guidance, and help has opened my mind to the wiser possibilities of the world (and inspired me to read Lord of the Rings again).

Thank you to my Dad, who has contributated to getting me in ways that have been a huge help.

Thank you to DR. Reed and Dr. Ammon of ASU. You guys have opened my mind to ideas I had never considered before.

Thank you to all my friends- there are simply too many of you wonderful people to list by name. I will miss you tons and can't wait to see you come Christmas. Start listening to Christmas music in October for me ;)

See you soon!