I'll Be Seeing you on the Flip Side

The advent of my departure upon me I can’t help but be simply astonished by how incredibly lucky and blessed I am. That’s all that trails through my thoughts; it’s consistently in the smiles I receive and the conversations and relationships I have. I am not one to ever come up short with my words but I cannot express how deeply humbled I am by the relationships I have with those around me. From my parents who have a sometimes unorthodox way of showing their support to my younger sisters who I know are watching my next few moves closely to gage how badly I am going to screw this one up, to my amazingly supportive and mind-blowing friends. Not to forget my extended family from all walks who have given great advice along the way. I want everyone to know without you I would not be able to start the next chapter of my life. I look back on the last 9 years of my life, high school and University and don’t know really how to put it all in perspective, especially with what is coming up next. I am torn, it is going to be insanely difficult to get on that plane and leave all of it, the hard work, the accomplishments, the failures behind and just go. There is no choice for me though. It is no secret that I have an

amazing support network but I think to truly find myself I have to leave it and embark on something completely my own and I feel selfish, I do but I hope you can understand. I have always struggled with my identity if you are close to me you know that. I have coped journaling, writing was my way to free myself from that frustration. Korea could be a solution and that is thrilling to me. The best way to articulate what I have to say next is to be grossly descriptive. Bare with me. Leaving everything familiar is an excuse to test my being. Pretty heavy I know, but let me break it down, if you’ve read this far you can spare I few more moments. I have spent the last let’s say 9 years, to be fair, constructing me. I can take this ‘me’ this version to Korea and test it. My functionality as a human I guess. It is an opportunity to really push my being and test my boundaries. I can see how well I well I can network, how well I can teach, how well I choose my friends- everything sans influence, completely solo. That being said it is no coincidence that I have chosen to even travel by myself. I have always had someone to do anything I need for me. My father even takes my car to wash it. So lame. I envy people, friends and relatives who have no quarry in themselves, are happy with where they are because they seem peaceful. I am always looking for that peace. My head never stops spinning. In Korea I hope to find some semblance of that groundedness and bring it back with me! I am going to miss everyone so much but I know you will all be here when I get back and that gives me all the strength I will need to get on that plane. Whether a new friend, an old friend, a friend of a friend, someone I casually dated or seriously dated, relative, mom or dad, sisters- if you have wished me well thank you so much. You’ve all added something to this. Hopefully this insight will get some people to think about travelling as well because if there is one solid I have learned it is that feelings are more universal then any of us believe or even acknowledge. We all go through the same doubts, fears, growths anxieties etc. The reason I choose to write about myself is to let those people who fret to know they are not alone. Having someone there, sharing your experiences can mean the difference between doing it the hard way or being convinced and having resolve that everything will be okay.

And just so you know, everything is going to be just fine. I will miss you all.
Yours, Dominique