Congratulations Are in Order!

One of our dearest friends, Jenna, and her Mark got engaged! We are soo excited for the both of them. It's a little bittersweet being so far away at times like these. When we decided to move to Ecuador, I didn't think about missing things. I mean I knew I would miss things, like Chipotle and Trader Joes. But I didn't think about missing events. How could we have known, but since we've been gone Caders has been in the hospital, Toby has been in the hospital, my brother has been in the hospital, Adam is getting married and Jenna and Mark got engaged. I didn't think about missing things like this. Big things, life things, things I'd love to be there for.

But alas, if seeing the world and being content means missing some big life things, instead of being at home in a job that I hate and always yearning for more so that I could be there for them... well, the decision has been made.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the mobile life. For some reason, I love the fact that all of my possessions can be packed into 2 suitcases (or are in storage in my parents' basement). I've been thinking about all of the things that that means. We're an opportunity to present itself in Argentina or Colorado or Alaska, we could go. It wouldn't be hard. We could literally pack our bags (all 4 of them) and leave.

While I love everyone at home and it can tear me up at times to think about missing things, I know that, for me, this life, the mobile life, is the right decision. I see something new everyday, I explore someplace new every week, I eat new foods and I am learning a new language. Even the littlest task can be an adventure. This life here feeds a desire that is so essential to who I am.

But more than the sense of adventure and exploration and newness, when I am abroad I learn more about myself than when I am at home. Period. Fact. It's just how it is. Abroad stretches you, and challenges you, and surprises you, and teaches you about the world and about yourself.

I'm sad to be missing things at home. But I'm not sad enough to come home... anytime soon. And I hope, for myself, that the promise of abroad always outshines the comfort of home. So Congratulations Jenna and Mark! I wish I could be there to see the ring and to look through magazines with you, but I'm sure you'll manage and I'm sure I will too. That's what SKYPE is for after all, right?

MULUB,

Taylor