Some Inspirational Travel Quotes

So, as my adventure approaches, I've noticed that I'm a bit more apprehensive than I realized (and who wouldn't be - I'm moving to the other side of the world, all by myself, to a country where English is not a common language, and to a job that I'm not even sure I'll be good at. Phew!) In order to motivate myself, I've been looking up some inspirational quotes about traveling. And now, I'd like to share them with you! (Maybe you'll be inspired to travel too!)

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” - Henry Miller


“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” – Hilaire Belloc


“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin Bube


‎"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." - Saint Augustine


"Twenty years from now, you will be more dissappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain


"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined." -Henry David Thoreau


And of course, don't forget the Chinese Proverb at the top of this blog. 


So feel free to add inspiring words or quotes of your own (although, you may have to be a member of this site to do that). If it's easier, just shoot me an e-mail: oecunningham2010@gmail.com - I need all the encouragement I can get! 


Zai Jian Everyone!


Olivia

Pre-Departure Pros & Cons

Today is July 25th. Which means that I will be leaving for Hangzhou, China in roughly one month and three days - it's unbelievable. For the time being, I'm keeping busy by packing up my belongings and cleaning my house 'til it sparkles. As I go through all my things (and trust me, I have A LOT of things), I realize how much I'm going to miss while I'm gone, but also how much I am looking forward to. To keep it simple, I'd like to make a list for you.

Things I am looking forward to:
- Real Chinese Food
- Learning Chinese
- Making new friends
- Seeing amazing new places
- Really beginning my life after college (finally!)
- Teaching English (my dream!)

Things I am NOT looking forward to:
- Real Chinese Food
- No Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs... the list goes on (Don't understand? Check out the Great Firewall of China)
- Eastern-Style Toilets (Picture me, poppin' a squat over a hole in the ground - don't laugh)
- Being away from my family and friends (and Roxy) for so long (Come visit me!!)
- Adjusting to the 12-hour time difference

Both of these lists are rough drafts - each only a preview of the things I'll come to experience. But I figured it would give you a little insight as to what I've gotten myself into. Now, I'm going to continue getting all of my many, many things together before I get myself all worked up about this trip (if the butterflies are strong now, I can't imagine what they'll feel like come August 28th). Wish me luck (you should see the state of this house...)

Zai Jian
(That's "Goodbye" in Mandarin Chinese)

Olivia

Oh, and for those of you who noticed, I mentioned that blogs (American blog sites in particular) will be banned in China. Fortunately, I have a wonderful and caring mother who has accepted blog duties while I'm away. I'll e-mail my entries to her, and she'll post them on this site. So no worries - my stories will get to you, regardless of the "Golden Shield Project."