... you realized not much has changed

As soon as I got back to Cincinnati I realized while all my stuff didn't take up too much room in the UHaul, it did in my childhood bedroom. So I launched into a nostalgic but necessary purge session and cleared out 6 giant boxes of my "treasures" (ie every flavor of lipsmackers known to man, the remnants of my hair accessory obsession, and notebook after notebook of high school class work). Among these treasures I came across some hilarious notes like this one below...

Now I have to say, 8 year old Evelyn had some pretty great taste. This "favorites" list was found along with a drawing of the pet store/boarding/vet clinic that was my dream to open (that was in case my first aspiration of becoming a garbage man fell through). While so much has changed - thinking back to what I loved doing as a kid I realized a lot of those interests still exist. I still absolutely adore animals and think playing with pets and being outside all day doing a manual labor-type job sounds oddly appealing. It's got me thinking that while a million other things in life may have changed since my carefree days as an 8 year old, maybe there's something to be said for revisiting those old hobbies and interests. Apologies in advance to Anna if I try to start singing again on our trip...

... you packed your "life" away

Packed and loaded Uhaul... Not as packed and loaded as I thought (I obviously overreached with the 17 footer). After a 6 hour drive back to Cincinnati with Ellis, things are starting to feel a bit more real. Now that work is over and the move is done, it's time for the realization to set in that this trip is happening! But weirdly it still isn't... Ill keep you posted. Until then it's time to get packed and ready!

... Shit got real?

One week left in Chicago... cue freakout. Last night we had an amazing going away party at our place and my sticky beer-covered laptop is currently paying for it. I couldn't stop hugging everyone and felt so happy that I've met these incredible people who have seen and helped me grow into the adult I'm still becoming. I selfishly wish more of my life could be like that... that I could just carry my friends with me in my back pocket. Having so many in one room was amazing - if you were one of them, thanks for coming it meant the world! If not, you owe me a drink.


It's hard not knowing what this trip will be like and how it may change me and the direction I want to take my life. It's all very terrifying and exciting but there's a sense of comfort in knowing that while things will never be the same, I'll always be able to come back here. I just keep hearing that phrase in the back of my head - "the only constant is change." That's something I'm still figuring out how to accept and hope I can eventually embrace. I plan on spending this next week just enjoying the little things about my life here that have made me happy - my morning bus rides to work, barre classes with co-workers, girls nights with my college friends, couch sessions and long conversations with my roommates... I think it's important to recognize those little things and realize which ones make you happy. Then do more of them. I plan on spending a lot of time in the pursuit of happiness on this trip, I can only imagine how talking to people about how they're living their lives may change or shape the vision I have of how I want to live my own.
Time to get packing...

…. you booked a one way flight to Bangkok?

Anna and I sat in our kitchen back in January with trigger happy fingers ready to make the move. But all I could think about was my job, boyfriend, apartment, money, things, friends... what was I going to do about Chicago and my current life? I didn't feel ready for the change just yet. After a year and a half of one life altering event after another, some stability in Chicago had been a peaceful escape from the past year’s events. I was able to get wrapped up in a life separate from my home in Cincinnati, and finally began to feel purposeful and on “track.”

The click made it real. Within seconds we had both made the commitment to go down a different path. I think I expected to feel instantly happy, excited and ready, but in reality I felt overwhelmed and anxious about this huge decision, and of leaving all those things that felt secure for something totally unpredictable and unknown.

The past few months have involved lots of restless nights, hard conversations, and hours on the phone with my insurance company arguing about Malaria medicine. The process leading up to the trip has been tougher than I imagined, but there’s a voice in the back of my head telling me this will all be worth it in the end. A good friend Megan summed it up quite well when she asked me “Evelyn, have you ever heard of someone going on a trip like this and saying, man - I wish I hadn’t done that. What a waste.... NO. That never happens. You need to do this.” Chats with Megan and many others have given me the confidence moving forward that all the stress and planning will be worth it in the end.

In just a few weeks my best friend Anna and I will be embarking on a trip to Southeast Asia and the excitement is finally setting in. It’s happening and I have no idea what to expect. But I’m ready to be shocked, awed, challenged, and inspired. I’m so ready for this next chapter! Feel free to follow along...