I stopped attending college nine years ago, but I have always tried to maintain a level of learning and reading outside of the confines of a structured class since then. As many well know, I separated from and divorced my ex 3 years ago. We had travelled on tour and I did see more of the US, Europe, and Australia than most. I also visited cities in Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Korea on those tours. But, I really just started to travel shortly after my separation. My travel bug all started so simply really. I met up with some friends at the Yardhouse in Newport Beach for a couple of drinks and catching up time. They were going to Cabo for New Years which was a week and a half away if I remember correctly. It happens that a friend had cancelled and I was asked on the spot to join taking the vacant ticket with pretty much everything but basic drinks and meals being covered. It was easy to say yes but why did I automatically say no? They couldn’t understand really why I was saying I couldn’t do it. Was it too spontaneous? Did I really have so many affairs that I I couldn’t get away for a few days? I didn’t have plans for New Year’s Eve already so why was I saying no? This is what I asked myself on the drive home. What was stopping me? The answer is quite simply put….me. I was stopping myself. Why?…. I wasn’t exactly sure then, but I did ask myself, “Why not?” And….so I went. That was the beginning of my freedom. It should be clarified by saying that from the time I was 16-28 which spans 12 years, if you took the time I was single and added it up collectively it would only surmount to 2-1/2 months. I know….crazy right? So freedom to do whatever I wanted without thinking of someone else did not come naturally to me. It took some time but the momentum grew to the point that I stopped trying to control it. The world opened up to me in every experience and trip that I took. With that though my understanding of religions, governments, art, food, architecture, wars, cultures, wine, nature, the universal language, and ways of life blossomed in my eyes and my heart. It has changed what is inside of me although you see the same on the outside. It might not be noticed with the naked eye but my understanding of people and myself is very different now. I have received an education that no one could match in any school. I have experienced firsthand some of the most amazing places and people. And…that is where I have been. On a wonderful journey worth every sacrifice.
Tags: education, life's journey, sabbatical, travel
June 19, 2009 at 7:41 am |
“Intelligence is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love… ”
–Frank Zappa
But you’ve never been to Tampa… J/K!
Do you travel like I travel? Though I rarely have the opportunity to go anywhere, when I do, I go off the beaten path; where the locals go.
June 19, 2009 at 3:14 pm |
I cannot believe that it has been three years. where does the time go?! I also am in shock about the 2.50 months, that is unbelievable. You definitely needed some time alone to sort out what matters most to you.
Traveling and seeing new places and meeting new people are unbelievable experiences. And I completely agree with you that you cannot measure how precious those memories are, or how much you learn and understand.
Education at all levels can be very beneficial when you specialize in a specific field. (medical, computers, finance, law, etc…) But many of the broader subjects like history, theology, general business, and sales, real life experience trumps classes by a very wide margin.
And the problem with traveling, it is very addictive.
It is really nice to hear from you (the person) again.
June 19, 2009 at 11:01 pm |
Hey Aria, I`m glad to hear your feeling better.
Your blog message is something to think about. We all come in situations that make us think why we make the choices that we do. Specially when your life comes in rough sea. I had a very rough period myself last year and nearly died due a very heavy infection. It is much more different then your divorce but it deffinitily made me think about choices in life too.
I have to agree that when your “alone” it is easier to make the decision to start something that you would not do naturaly. I could never think of a travel schedule like you had the past years, having a family to look after to.
At the same time I wonder if I lead the life that I want to, all I did in my life is what a normal man should do, work, get maried, have children… I suppose I should be happy with what I have and I am, but since my period last year I feel empty spots in my life, I started to wonder if I take the most out of it and feel the need to do things, where I only had dreamed of in the past.
I read your blogs and follow your candids for many years, bit by bit I became amazed by the life you have lead so far. You can say you have really lived! Maybe it was just not ment for me to be able to do the same, but if I could turn back time, I`m certain I would go for it too.
Your live has become a education it selves for many other people, I`m sure of that.
June 22, 2009 at 5:26 am |
hey Aria you gotta go check out New Zealand really beautiful, magical place, Ive been there half a dozen times and it really is one of those special untamed spots, you don’t want that one to be the one that got away. cheers and happy trails
June 24, 2009 at 3:06 am |
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your site and wanted to say
that I’ve really liked browsing your posts. In any case
I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!
June 25, 2009 at 7:47 pm |
Well living in England, it’s so easy to pop over the channel into the rest of Europe. So many cultures etc… it’s great. Must admit, Europe aside, and the USA (I’ve been to the USA loads of times, fav place has to be New York, Boston a close second), I’ve not seen too much of the rest of the world. I will go to India one day as my Grandmother was born there (good old British Raj days).
July 1, 2009 at 4:01 am |
man i wish i had the money to do that. maybe i should take up nude modeling
July 2, 2009 at 1:54 am |
The life’s college, the best college.-
I envy all you travles
July 3, 2009 at 2:23 pm |
Wonderful to hear your insights about travel and life’s journey,
- long may your journey continue
July 6, 2009 at 4:40 pm |
Probably the best thing about traveling is discovering how differently people in different parts of the world view life and what’s going on. I’m sure you’ve discovered this and opened your mind to many new concepts.
As for education, it’s not so important how many classes you attend or how many degrees you get (although that always impresses people), as it is what you do with the knowledge you possess. Adding to our knowledge only reminds us of how much we have yet to discover. A curious mind stays curious.
Good for you!
July 14, 2009 at 7:35 pm |
Sorry to go off topic, but, being a beautiful, intelligent and famous young woman, what are your thoughts on obessive fans who track you through the Internet and post comments on website/myspace/blogs as if you are old friends, despite the fact that you have apparently never met before? I was just curous being that I’m a dull, unattractive nobody and entirely unfamiliar with such creatures.
July 23, 2009 at 8:02 pm |
EXACTLY! Well said.
July 18, 2009 at 5:40 pm |
Hi Aria,
College education is fundemental for life.After The person have graguated from college,The person faces to face with life.Aslo You are popular around the world,It is very benefical to meet with your fun by travel.
For example,I like you very much for a Turkish person.So I advice you to visit in Turkey.
I love you,
I kiss you sweet
August 16, 2009 at 4:00 am |
hi Aria!! i lovr you videos in hollywood tunes jaja
February 7, 2010 at 5:52 pm |
Aria, nice article, also just like to know how to contact you as well about getting a promo page for your site added to mine, can’t find a direct e-mail address to send the info you need to get that set up..I am a webmaster in your site program as well