And the real journey has begun

As of tomorrow, I will have survived my first semester at Dartmouth.  It's been both the most stressful and most exciting time in my life.  Once again I plan on making my way home, and I look forward to spending the next two or so weeks lounging around my house.  I have no expectations going into this, but I do hope to get some rest.  

It's been a long journey these past four months, and I know that I still have quite a bit more to go.  I have a feeling that I have already learned more in these four months than I have learned in the last 22 years of my life.  This voyage is nowhere near over, and I still have plenty of time and opportunity to go down many different paths.  The sketch below is a symbol of my journey.  There is a path that I initially set out to follow while being here, but there is a good chance that a different road will be chosen.  

There comes a time where one must chose an altered path no matter how scary it may seem.  I don't feel obligated, but I do feel that it is important to explore the unknown.  I feel that my journey is evolving and changing in ways I never would have expected.  The idea itself gives me chills, but I cannot wait to lead myself down this unfamiliar road.

If I'm going to run, I may as well leap

I had been thinking about finger and foot prints (and how we all leave a piece of ourselves on everything we touch) and decided to sketch a montage of foot/shoe prints.  I find it pretty amazing that at one point millions of years ago dinosaurs and various extinct creatures were out and about living their lives all over the world including the very place I am sitting right now.  Our planet has evolved quite a bit since then; however, these ancient creatures were able to leave their footprints behind for us to now marvel at.  During their time, they would never have guessed that they would be studied and admired the way they are today.  Dinosaurs have made quite an impression on history.

One day I hope to make such a permanent impression - not necessarily on the world.  I would be content with just one person having a lasting memory of me and of the goals I have set for myself and hopefully accomplished.  I would like to look back and know that I have been the person I knew I could be and have no regrets.  This sketch attempts to convey these thoughts.  One large leap for me is just another small step for mankind.  Nevertheless, I hope to be a part of that step.

"I get by with a little help from my friends."

For those of you who know me, I don't really need to go into detail on my deep love for pigs.  For those of you reading my blog for the first time, I have an obsession..... with pigs!  Most people see a pig as just another filthy animal.  Well I personally do not agree, and think that they are the cutest living creatures on the planet.  If it were up to me, I would have my very own pig as a pet/best friend.  This particular sketch puts my obsession into perspective:

It is a sketch of my hand, a hand of a very close friend (nobody in particular), and my very best friend, Mr. Pig.  The hands are centered around a circular mirror, which to me signifies the intimacy and closeness hoped for in an everlasting friendship.  I have always wanted a friendship like this, but have found that truly caring and giving friends are much more difficult to come by.  One of my main objectives while in New Hampshire is to form bonds that last a lifetime with amazing people who are good down to the bone.

And now I leave you with the most adorable picture you have probably ever seen:

Teacup Pigs!