Exploring on My Own

Reverb 10

December 10: Wisdom
What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?
(Author: Susannah Conway)

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I didn't make any big decisions this year. My year was pretty much a rinse and repeat of the previous year. While I contemplated moving (away from Austin) or finding a new job (both in and out of Austin), those remained thoughts.

I suppose the wisest decision I made was going on vacation. I know that sounds pretty dumb, but let me explain. 

My plans for the summer were thwarted by others on 3 different occasions, so I didn't get to visit San Diego, DC, or Vegas. I decided that I can't keep waiting for others, that if I want to go somewhere then I should just go.

And so I did. My longtime friend Morgan was getting married in Pennsylvania in September. I decided not to go to the wedding because I had some work events but also because I hadn't seen Morgan in almost 13 years, and with all the craziness surrounding weddings, I wouldn't get to talk to her very much that weekend. But I still wanted to see her, so I had an idea to visit the first week of November. While I was up in that area, I figured I might as well see other cities and friends.

The plan: Monday - fly to Philadelphia and stay with college friend Bino for two days; Wednesday - take the train to NYC and stay with former scholar Prashanth for two days; Friday - take the train to Harrisburg and stay with Morgan for three days. I confirmed with everyone that it would be okay and then, with limited hesitation, I booked my flight. This was the first vacation that I was taking on my own. I was excited yet nervous at the same time. I also didn't have any major plans except to see the sights and attend the Penn State game that Saturday.

Did everything go as I hoped? Not exactly. But again, I went up there with no plans other than to take a much-needed trip out of Austin and to see new cities. At one point in time, I was close to each of the 3 people I stayed with. But I hadn't really talked to them in awhile, so it made for some slight awkward turtle moments. This is why my 2011 word from the Day 1 prompt is "rekindle."

The reason I say this was my wisest decision is because it was a vacation I took for myself. The time spent alone on the trains and in NYC made me feel empowered. I navigated my way through the subway system and the city streets without getting lost. I hit the pavement early in the morning and didn't come back until later in the night. Where I was going, I didn't know. But I walked, or slid my Metro Card through the turnstile, and explored. I might not have "done" anything during my trip but that wasn't the point of the trip.

The one thing that did go as I hoped was the outcome of the Penn State game. I've been a big Joe Paterno fan for a long time and seeing him coach a game is high on my sports bucket list. As it happened, the game I was there for was JoePa's 400th win! 

The trip rekindled my desire to travel more. I'm starting to make plans to knock off some other sports bucket list items in 2011. And I'm looking at other cities I want to visit and have decided that if I have the vacation time and money, then I'm not going to hesitate for too long. If nobody can go with me, no problemo - I now know I'm capable of traveling on my own.