Step One

Picking up your life and moving across the country or the globe is not an easy decision, for most.  About a month ago my younger sister sent me a text asking me to move to Hawaii.  I debated the idea for a minute or two, playing over any possible reason why not to, then realized I have nothing holding me back.  That night we started the apartment hunt.

My current life is anchored here in New Jersey, and I have a glamorous job waiting tables at a little riverside restaurant.  I live with my mom, but not for much longer.  She is moving out of our house of 14 years for a smaller house a few blocks from the beach, after a family tragedy turned our 5 to 4.  I am a recent college grad with a dream of traveling the world, while taking photos and helping people along the way.  I haven't yet figured out how to make that a lifestyle just yet without starving and still being able to to pay my crushing student loans.

There seems to be nothing left worth staying for here, and I don't recognize this place as my own anymore.  However pessimistic that sounds, I'm looking to the future with optimism.  I'm packing up all of my worldly possessions, saying goodbye to friends, and heading out to San Diego to meet up with my sister, then we are headed to Maui!

Everything has been moving so fast lately, but I'm ready for my new life to start.  I'm scared and nervous but I'm ready to jump right in.

Step one, complete.