Legendary . . .

Being that its my 50th blog, I thought I owed it to my readers to open up a little more and give you a glimpse into my life aside from the amazing adventures.

I'm a planner. I like to know what's coming next and plan accordingly. Things don't always work that way, which I've learned time and time again.

When I graduated college I was excited but mostly terrified. I'd lived in North Carolina practically my whole life. I'd always been within driving distance of all my friends and family. Suddenly I was applying for jobs all over the place and my friends were all moving away. I had no idea where I would end up. But I was 22, and everyone who goes to college goes through that exact same scenario so I knew I wasn't alone. Ironically, I got a job in my college town and didn't even have to leave my comfort zone.

I'm a designer. I love creating beautiful things, I love being challenged and I love learning about design. With my job, I very rarely got to do these things. In a sense I dumbed down my creative side because yellow page advertising is simple and straightforward which doesn't allow for much creativity. Every once in a while we were given fun projects to work on which did challenge me, but it wasn't enough. It paid the bills and kept me close to friends and family, I loved my coworkers and regardless I was gaining experience which would help me for future jobs.

Then the idea of Australia came up, and although my life was in limbo for a little while, I had a pretty good plan. I worked out the money and moving details with my parents, my boyfriend wanted to stay together and do the long distance thing and my friends were sad for me to leave but completely supportive. I was a little worried about what I'd do when I came back home, but that was 6 months away and family and friends offered places to stay and my boyfriend even asked me to move in with him when I got home. I look back on all the times I've been naive in my life and usually blame it on being in love and being young. Well, I am young and I was in love and I was completely naive and had no idea what this adventure in Australia truly held for me.

Three weeks after arriving in Australia, said boyfriend dumped me to "find himself." Well shit. There went most of those plans I had. I don't have the best track record with making good decisions in my love life, but I honestly thought I was finally done screwing it up. I turn 25 this year. 25 and single. It shouldn't be that scary, but to be honest I was terrified. I'd always had this plan to be married by 28, kids in the early 30s. So that would mean I have to meet my future husband as soon as I get home because I want to date for at least 3 years before we get married.

And finally I just . . . stopped.

Why do I keep making all these plans when I don't have control over it anyway? And why do I think 25 is old? I'm not gonna lie, 20 year old Kennan was a blast. That's the year I moved in with 6 random girls at 108b Ashley Forest Road. We knew how to party and I definitely made some bad decisions. I was pretty dumb sometimes too, and I would probably go back and slap myself for some of the reckless things I did. But I thought I did all of my growing up in college. I overcame and got out of an emotionally abusive relationship, I found my personality which for the most part had stayed hidden and I had some of the best times of my life with people that will be there for the rest of my life.

Its funny when you think you're done finding yourself. You're never done. This trip may have started out about education and seeing Australia, but I ended up finding myself and I didn't even know I was lost. I feel free. I'm not scared about not having a job or an apartment or a savings account anymore. I can do whatever I want. That's not scary, that's a gift. The most amazing gift anyone could ever receive. And as far as finding my husband, whatever, he'll find me. I forgot that being single is actually a lot of fun. I may still be in Australia, but there are already a few guys in America that are excited about my new "single" status. I guess I still got it. ;-)

A wise friend once told me "Everything works out in the end... and if it's not worked out, then it's not the end" (thanks, Jeff)

My journey is far from over . . . bring it life, I can't wait to see what lies ahead
:)