Humbled by my past week's experience and performances, I returned home exactly one week from yesterday to Rochester, NY from a beautiful and rewarding getaway to New England. My journey began in Ithaca, NY, which I was rekindled with an old friend, former college classmate, and Art major. We laughed thinking back to fond memories of our past, and shook our heads in disbelief as this May marks our five year departure from the lives we once led as wild, free spirited students. In catching up on each other's current lives, and listening to one another speak, rapidly it became apparent how our commitments, priorities and focuses have driven us away from our former wild selves. Growing up is a funny thing. Thinking back to the times which I proclaimed adulthood, yet barely took ownership, I happily am prepared to close in on my twenty sixth year, and embrace my twenty seventh with open arms.
My first genuine experience traveling on my own, to new foreign territory, From destination to destination I hopped with little expectation, and my fifty five pound keyboard in arms. American destinations, yet foreign in the sense which I didn't know anyone, and solely had myself to rely on. Traveling on my own gave me the opportunity to reconnect with myself, and to escape my regular tiresome routines. The change in scenery appeared even more beautiful, as early spring 70-80 degree weather made it all feel like a summer dream. Feeling no pressure to succumb to the requests of others, I traveled with very little agenda, making it my sole priority to explore my surroundings, and to share my music and message with those whom which I was encountered. Above all else this was my personal challenge to take everything I've learned in twenty seven years, and to captivate an unfamiliar audience.
When not on the road or performing, I took it upon myself to scheduled in enough time to explore my surrounding areas outside of where I was entertaining. I walked through an ancient cemetery in historic Salem, window shopped thrift stores, took the "T" and lost myself in the city of Boston, explored the many squares' of Cambridge, MA and admired the wealth and beauty of plantation-like homes of enchanting Ridgefield, Conneticut.
Along the way I was introduced to an array of uniquely open minded individuals, all of which told very different stories, yet had in common a warm and welcoming presence about them. One another we learned as we shared cheap drinks, and conversed intellectually. Automatically I felt fortunate as the presence of those special individuals whom which I fondly speak, enriched my experience as they took time out of their busy schedules to extend their world to me. Beyond blessed I feel to have met, and to be able to claim them as my new friends.
With four new performances under the belt, four new cities conquered, the extra miles became just a mere representation of how rewarding the pay back can be when you diligently are working hard for a purpose and towards a cause. I've chosen to acknowledge the weaker points that every new year will naturally possess, and in doing so, have discovered what has become potentially beneficial in the process. It's in sweeping up the pieces, picking up where I've left off, and in continuing to push forward that I've become self educated on the pertinence of living for the moments that rattle your core, and which shape you into a better version of your former self.
An expedition permanently marked in my heart and mind, now physically inked on my left wrist as the word "Discover" above the roman numerals for the number twenty seven serve as a reminder of the accomplishments, and growth achieved in all events leading up to my twenty seventh year of existence (Yes Mom and Dad, another tattoo…). A year well worth celebrating as I feel ever most complacent within my own skin, and with the direction I continue to grace.
My first genuine experience traveling on my own, to new foreign territory, From destination to destination I hopped with little expectation, and my fifty five pound keyboard in arms. American destinations, yet foreign in the sense which I didn't know anyone, and solely had myself to rely on. Traveling on my own gave me the opportunity to reconnect with myself, and to escape my regular tiresome routines. The change in scenery appeared even more beautiful, as early spring 70-80 degree weather made it all feel like a summer dream. Feeling no pressure to succumb to the requests of others, I traveled with very little agenda, making it my sole priority to explore my surroundings, and to share my music and message with those whom which I was encountered. Above all else this was my personal challenge to take everything I've learned in twenty seven years, and to captivate an unfamiliar audience.
When not on the road or performing, I took it upon myself to scheduled in enough time to explore my surrounding areas outside of where I was entertaining. I walked through an ancient cemetery in historic Salem, window shopped thrift stores, took the "T" and lost myself in the city of Boston, explored the many squares' of Cambridge, MA and admired the wealth and beauty of plantation-like homes of enchanting Ridgefield, Conneticut.
Along the way I was introduced to an array of uniquely open minded individuals, all of which told very different stories, yet had in common a warm and welcoming presence about them. One another we learned as we shared cheap drinks, and conversed intellectually. Automatically I felt fortunate as the presence of those special individuals whom which I fondly speak, enriched my experience as they took time out of their busy schedules to extend their world to me. Beyond blessed I feel to have met, and to be able to claim them as my new friends.
With four new performances under the belt, four new cities conquered, the extra miles became just a mere representation of how rewarding the pay back can be when you diligently are working hard for a purpose and towards a cause. I've chosen to acknowledge the weaker points that every new year will naturally possess, and in doing so, have discovered what has become potentially beneficial in the process. It's in sweeping up the pieces, picking up where I've left off, and in continuing to push forward that I've become self educated on the pertinence of living for the moments that rattle your core, and which shape you into a better version of your former self.
An expedition permanently marked in my heart and mind, now physically inked on my left wrist as the word "Discover" above the roman numerals for the number twenty seven serve as a reminder of the accomplishments, and growth achieved in all events leading up to my twenty seventh year of existence (Yes Mom and Dad, another tattoo…). A year well worth celebrating as I feel ever most complacent within my own skin, and with the direction I continue to grace.
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