I have lived a life of meeting expectations. It all started when I was a small child and simply wanted to prove that I was an equal to particular individuals in my life rather than being viewed as inferior to them, as I had often felt. How did I do this? Originally I tried my hardest to never get into trouble for I feared punishment. Next, I excelled in my studies in school from kindergarten and into high school. I had the highest average my high school had ever seen, I was captain of the high school basketball team for three years straight and captain of the volleyball team for one. I was leader of the Smartrisk program and PARTY program, and was also a member of the Student Council. Sports and art were my life, and I always was able to find time for my friends. But something was always missing.

Then graduation came. I had always kind of hoped I would never have to plan for my life passed this point because I was tired of meeting expectations. But it came. And I had to plan. I applied to a number of universities and selected UBC in the end. I left my small town of 900 people and entered a whole new world all alone. Soon after, I went through the worst break up of my life and found myself alone in an unfamiliar place with none of my best friends there to help me. It was the worst year of my life.

A large part of me only went to university because of the expectations placed upon me to do so. I was unsure if I was coming back this year, but I decided I would give it one more try. What gave me the strength to do so?

I volunteered in the environmental sector in Belize this summer and it was the greatest experience of my life! I helped build palapas and benches for nature trails, as well as building stairs and clearing paths. I was able to go to the Belize Zoo and pet a jaguar! While on this trip, I met some of the most amazing people who I will never forget! I was able to experience another culture that was so beautiful and relaxed and it was healing. If I could go back, I would in a heartbeat-- I never wanted to leave.

Now here I am. Back in university. I am enjoying my studies and I am doing well, but I often sit here and simply wonder, "What am I doing with my life?"

Although I know I may regret not finishing my undergrad, I often feel that this is not where I am meant to be currently. I am always day dreaming of going to Africa to volunteer and help wildlife conservation projects. I want to go and help the lions. I want to help the elephants. I want to see the world and be happy!

I apologize for the long, poorly written introduction, but I will summarize my perfect adventure now.

It would start with me and another friend, and we would fly to Cancun and spend a few days there. While there, I would want to learn everything I can about the culture and learn their way of life. Since I have been told Cancun is highly commercialized, I would love to travel to the Yucatan and see the beautiful nature and ruins that exist there. Afterward, we would bus to Belize where I would return to see all the amazing friends I made. While there, I would love to start up a recycling program because they do not have one in Belize and the organization I had volunteered through had some amazing ideas to get a recycling program going.

After I spent a few weeks in Belize, or even months, I would love to fly to parts of Europe and just experience the culture: Italy, Rome, Greece! As a child, I was always fascinated with Egypt, so I would go to Egypt (in Africa) afterward and see everything this country has to offer. At this point, I would travel further south in Africa and volunteer with whatever projects I could, especially those that help conserve wildlife and nature. I would love to help raise abandoned baby animals, and track animal populations as they live in the wild. I am absolutely fascinated with such projects!

After several more months in Africa, I would then travel to Australia to see the great outback! I would love to scuba dive the beautiful coral reefs, and venture into the untamed wilderness. If I had the opportunity, I would volunteer as often as could as well. I would love to see the kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles and all the other unique wildlife Australia has to offer.

I would not stop there. You see, I have the travel bug, and I have it bad! I want to see the whole world because I feel that we as individuals cannot fully understand and appreciate the world without seeing how ways of life differ across the earth and without knowing what the world has to offer us. I would travel to Singapore, New Zealand, Fiji, and India. I would explore the dense rain forests and jungles. I would experience every culture and respect it for what it is. I would try all the new foods and perform the activities that each culture does for fun; I would attend festivals and celebrations and I would learn as much about the world around me as possible.

Therefore, my ultimate adventure is not really one adventure. My ultimate adventure involves the entire world and every single individual that lives in it. I want to see the whole world and the travel bug is biting me bad, telling me to get off my butt and get out there before the chance passes me by! Sadly, school drains what little money I have, plus more. And I feel trapped. Hopelessly trapped in thus unfamiliar world that provides a wonderful education, but nothing in the matter of currently fulfilling my dreams and seeing the world around me.

As soon as I get a chance, I am going to see as much of the world as possible and I would love for all of you to join me! And now I must return to the world around me and quit daydreaming and go to class.