But first...

“Like Alexander the Great and Caesar, I’m out to conquer the world. But first I have to stop at Walmart and pick up some supplies.
” 
― Jarod Kintz, The Titanic would never have sunk if it were made out of a sink.

This picture was only possible after an hour long trip to Walmart. Apparently, Europeans really love Walmart. The shopping the list of the day had some interesting products:

1. Light up balloon 

2. A months supply of Oreos

3. Lots of hangers (which were not included in our closets)

4. Lots of water bottles (the weather is slightly warm ;)

5. Fire works that were left in the parking lot, because Indiana bus drivers aren't fans of carrying them on buses

There will be more soon. Goodnight xx

The Next Crazy Venture

“What is that feeling when you're driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? - it's the too-huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.” 
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

I was on the bus heading toward school, hastily scribbling a farewell note to a friend who was moving to another country. I wanted to remind this person of the adventure that comes with going in the unknown. I wanted to share with them how much our short friendship meant to me. I was lost for words, and tearing up. I googled "quotes about adventure", and this quote came up. I wrote the quote down on the note as tears fell on the ink. (It was emotional, okay? :). Days later though, I couldn't stop thinking about this quote. Then, I started randomly seeing the book title everywhere. It seemed as though the universe was telling me I needed to read this book. 

On the Road, by Jack Kerouac, is sitting unopened on the floor in my bedroom. It's due to the library soon, but I still haven't read it. I was saving this particular book for a time when I really could fully appreciate the story. I will probably take it on the plane with me tomorrow, as I head off on my own adventure. 

I'm not sure, what lies ahead of me. I'm not sure what I'll learn by reading this book or getting on the plane tomorrow. But this quote has stuck with me. On this adventure in front of me, I'm going to "lean forward" into all the opportunities and moments. I'm going to say "yes", laugh, and let go. 

xx Kayla 

Traveling with Natural Hair (Part 1)

I leave in one week. ONE week. I am not ready.

Aside from a long list of **actual assignments** that I have yet to complete (I'll post more about those later), I have a problem that needs to be faced before I board my flight:

My hair. 

I love my hair and I'd love to wear it out, but I don't know how I will manage it for 4 weeks without copious amounts of coconut oil and trader joe's conditioner. Additionally, I'm going to be out learning things and I don't know if I will have time to be twisting and detangling my hair. Blaghhh... so basically I have some choices to make:

• Wear twists (and pray they last for most of the 4 weeks)
• Just go with it, bring lots of conditioner, and hope for the best
• Get professional twists done that will actually last 4 weeks... this might be the best choice, even though I don't really want to...

Part 2 will have the final decision... so stay tuned!

Kayla xx

(PS. I'm still playing around with the layout and style of these blog posts. It's kind of a mess right now, but I like the disorganization)

“It seems to me that you won't have had a proper series of adventures, unless you've gone through thick and thin.” 
― Avi, The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail

An Introduction of Sorts

Is the first blog post destined to be the one you cringe at while reading in the future? hmm... maybe. 

Hello! My name is Kayla. This blog's main purpose is to document my summer experiences with the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Summer Institute and any other summer adventures. It is also a learning experience for editing and web design, and my first "serious" blog. (literally just setting up the header and sidebar took hours, so I have lots to learn) I hope you enjoy whatever this becomes!

Kayla xx