In a Perfect World...

**Warning: for those of you who are expecting wit this time around, you will be sadly disappointed**

When I was in college I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Some people grow up knowing exactly what they want to do, where they want to do it, etc. It's almost unfair that schools force students to decide what they want to do when they are 18 or 19 years old. I mean, when I was 18, I still thought Pitaya pants were awesome (reference to all my Carmel girls out there). The girl that I was when I was 18 isn't even a glimpse of who I am now.

From 18-24 I have made various life choices; one of which includes traveling the world. If you haven't done much traveling, I encourage you to start. There really isn't anything else like it. Whether it be by planes, trains, or automobiles, every time I have crossed another boarder I can't help but smile.

After celebrating my first month in Argentina I began to wonder why it is that I came down here. All one would need to do is open my passport(s) to see that traveling has been a huge priority in my life. But why? Is it for the rush of the unknown? Is it for the bragging rights? Or is it something deeper?

I have thus finalized my top three reasons for being down here. 1.) Spanish language and culture immersion, 2.) to step out of my comfort zone and 3.) to get others opinions out of my head. One and two are pretty self explanatory. I've found a great spanish tutor to help me work on my grammar, vocab, etc; living in Indy was killing me and I needed a huge change.

Then there is reason #3... I have always been very thick skinned which means that friends and family let their opinions be known, sometimes at my expense. Now, this isn't anything I would ever change and this is not a guilt trip, it is just a simple fact. Something I have always struggled with is letting peoples opinions dictate my actions. It may sound ridiculous, but being in Buenos Aires has helped me tune out all the noise, all the distractions, and has given me the time to be alone with my thoughts. All I need is a cigarette (kids, don't smoke), some black coffee, and my plastic rimmed glasses and I'd be a genuine hipster. Could I have achieved this in the States? Sure, but it's not as good of a story...

Here is the part where I may upset some people and for that I'm sorry, but I don't care. When I was 22, I met this person. We will call him "Sam" for all intensive purposes. So, this person was quite interesting and very intriguing. He asked for my number while I was bartending, not uncommon (I mean, I'm the cutest girl-next-door ever!), but this time I actually gave my real number. Weird. Anyhoo, we went on our first date and I knew I was screwed.

I'm not the type of girl who thinks about my wedding day or my dress, or what I want to name my kids. I am however, the type of girl who has compiled a list of attributes in my head of what I would want in my "perfect" guy. Here's the Readers Digest version: someone who grew up on a lake, attractive, blonde with blue eyes, above 6'0", can make me laugh, career oriented, close with their family, athletic, rugged on the outside and sweet on the inside (a guy's-guy if you will). Oh, and their last name starting in "S" because I want my initials to read "LEGS" (thank you 5th grade MASH games). I mean I'm not asking for much people! Unfortunately for me, all of these attributes were found in "Sam" at the absolute worst time in my life.

I'm now 24 and have kept in contact with this person despite all of the ridiculousness that should have made us stop talking. Do I realize that by talking to him I may be losing friends? Yes, but you can't live your life based on what others think, hence the reasoning behind moving. I'm 24 and can make my own decisions, gosh dangit!!

I recently received a gift from said person and it will be very difficult for others to top; it made me cry which isn't always the easiest thing to do. I'm sure Mama G will give him a run for his money in this department! I still have another 11 or so months down here and am looking forward to have this time for myself; time to be independent. Another part of me is even more excited to get back to the states to see what could happen with this person, even if that means moving to small town Indiana... (I know right?! Could there be anything worse!?!)

And for all of you "realists" out there.. Yes, I do realize that there is a chance things will not work out. But like the millions that pour into Vegas year in and year out... I've just gotta play the odds and cross my fingers for the jackpot. At some point everyone will face a situation where the rewards outweigh the risks; I stared mine in the face at Japonaise a few years ago and haven't turned back since.

Sorry, I needed to get that written down... Next post will be back to testing my comical chops! If you have taken anything away from reading this, then I have done my job.

Until next time my friends!