Train Ride Across America

10) I want to leave room to DREAM.

So I have been thinking a lot about adventures I want to take over the last couple of months. For much of my life, I have been focused on getting out of America--seeing the WORLD. I love other cultures and languages and traditions. I have always fast forward through American history classes and over-studied zealously for World history classes. I take culture classes like it was my major or something (it is not). 

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Anyway, I got to thinking the other day how as much as I want to see the world, I really haven't see much of my own backyard, which is a shame. I have been to Chicago, Colorado, Ohio, Texas, and I am told that I went to New York as a baby (which doesn't count).

America is such a melting pot, and I have neglected to consider all the rich culture I could find in it.

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New Possible Plan: 1)Take my last General Education course, Geography. 2)See America. 3)Tour and volunteer at non-profits  and drink good coffee in that city.

In other words, I am considering visiting some close friends across the States, staying with them for a week or so, setting up a volunteer gig at a local non-profit, and visiting the local coffee shops.

For example, my beau's mom lives in Tulsa, OK. I have thought about visiting her for a week or so, volunteering at the Hispanic library (because they have a large Hispanic population) and frequenting a shop like Topeca to learn more about their coffee process. 

I want this to involve a train as a side note.

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My American Bucket List:

1) Visit Travis' mom in Tulsa, OK and volunteer at the Hispanic library and go to Topeca.

2) Visit Robbie and Katie Britt in Seattle, WA. Possibly tour World Vision Headquarters and visit as many coffee shops as possible.

3) Visit my current roommate Mallory Roth and former co-worker Jon Freihofer in Portland, OR. Drink LOTS of coffee.

4) Visit my friends, Jay and Amber, in Pittsburgh, PA. They are doing some great work with Americorp, and I know their is a lot of coffee and history there.

5) Visit my friend Lizzy in St. Louie, hang out with the Kaldi's coffee crew, and possibly work with Three Avocados, a non-profit coffee company.

6) Visit my Aunt Pam in Nashville, Tennessee. She is a PR professor at Belmont University.

7) Visit my former RA, Megan Eubanks, in Chicago, IL, check out World Vision, and Intelligentsia. 

8) Go home to Cape Girardeau, MO to be a part of the re-opening of my mom's cafe, and possibly work with Room for One More, an adoption awareness non-profit.

9) Visit my cousin, Christy, in California. Period.

10) Tour Compassion International in Colorado Springs, CO.

11) Visit my Aunt Sue in Indiana.

12) See a Broadway show in New York...for no apparent reason. :)

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OK, so there is my new idea. I definitely want to complete one of these bucket list items this year, but I think I can do more.

Thoughts? Comments? Ideas? 

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Compassion International in Colorado

3) Apply for an internship with Compassion International in Colorado Springs, CO.

Ever since I decided to become a Public Relations major two years ago, I dreamed about applying to Compassion International Internship program. It seems to be a great summer program, and I like Colorado Springs.

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Here are the details:

1. Students that graduate between May 2011 and May 2013 are eligible. Check.
2. Have a 3.2 GPA. Check.
3. It is a 10 week program from May 23, 2011 to August 1, 2011.
4. Deadline for application is January 9,  2011.
5. Internships available in the Communications Department.
6. More detailed job descriptions available December 6, 2010!
7. Optional Vision Trip August 4-11, 2011 to Dominican Republic. Cost $1, 200.
8. Paid internship of $8 an hour.
9. Four day work weeks (Monday through Thursday) and Friday will be a rotating volunteer day.
10. Out-of-state students have the option to living with a Compassion host home for $300. Transportation not provided.

Of course, I would have to find a fabulous coffee shop to work in there to incorporate coffee into this adventure. I am not familiar with the area, so I am up for ideas! This idea excites me because it would take care of the summer and fulfill every aspect of what I want this adventure to be. 

I would get to see the States as well as another country and get another internship all at the same time.

Thoughts?

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The Adventure Bug Defined

So I already alluded to this in an earlier post, but I REALLY want to travel ASAP. This summer is my last real summer before "real life" starts, and I want to have an epic adventure.

I have also been inspired by my lovely roomie and her buddy to blog about the adventure I hope to have. They have an awesome website called Wander and The Runaway, where they hope to build a community that supports their adventure and keeps them accountable to follow through. I want them to take me with them on their blogging/real adventure. I am kind of inviting myself. (hope that's okay) ;)

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However, I am going to make my own adventure. Here is MY adventure bug defined:

I want to do something out of the state of Missouri that involved coffee, culture, and community. That may be one thing that lasts all summer or a bunch of small trips. I am going to put this blog into practice by actively seeking it out how coffee, culture, and community interact in the real world.

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Okay, so here is my current brainstorm list. I physically cannot do all of the adventures on my dream list this summer, but I am going to explore the possibility of ALL of them. I am also open to any suggestions! :)

DREAM LIST:

1) Study abroad in Ecuador with Missouri State University.

2) Apply for an internship with World Vision in Chicago, IL.

3) Apply for an internship with Compassion International in Colorado Springs, CO.

4) Apply for an internship with Coffee Kids in Sante Fe, NM.

5) Work in a coffee farm with my wonderful friend in St. Louis.

6) Go to Spain to visit my Aunt (maybe with my lil sis).

7) Visit my friend's (let's call her ladybug) sister in South Korea.

8) Just move to a Spanish speaking country for no reason.

9) Work at an awesome coffee shop wherever I end up.

10) I want to leave room to DREAM.

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There it is. 

Between now and then, I will explore these options, dream up more, and keep you updated. I would also like to visit my former neighbors in Pittsburgh, PA and possibly go with my church to Vancouver, Canada.

Okay, so there. My adventure bug is defined and out there. Hope you enjoy this adventure as much as I will. :) Please don't let me wimp out and give me lots of ideas!!! For now, that is all!

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