One of Those Trips

This week is finally over halfway over. It has not been an innately bad week or sad week or depressing week. It has simply been a busy week thus far; one where, at the end of the day I cannot remember many of the details and all I want (simultaneously) is a drink and some sleep. And no- I am not quite sure how that would work.

It is during this hectic, crazy, nearly third quarter, tax season period when I most want to get away and travel. It could be some grand, African safari or an incredible sabbatical through Europe. I envision living it up in New York, basking on the beaches of southern California, or hiking along the forested paths of the Black Hills. Anywhere not Nebraska- heck, anywhere outside of Lincoln. Not that I have anything against "the good life," I just want to digress from my 26 year old self and want to give back the responsibilities, the tasks at hand, the going above and beyond. I want to be somewhere where no one knows me; anonymity can be a good companion sometimes.

I have been getting nostalgic and reminiscing about some of my favorite trips. Vacations to my grandparents, family adventures at KOA campgrounds, student teaching in Orange County, studying abroad in Dublin, visiting friends in NYC, and lively discussions on back country roads come to mind. Such fabulous trips with wonderful people. And, as I think about wonderful people, I hear a little cry from upstairs in our tiny, two bedroom duplex.

I have had such wonderful adventures on this journey of life, and there are more to come. However, I have my best friend and our daughter to share them with. I am absolutely in love with my little family and this little half-a-house is our home. It is our safe haven; our getaway. Nebraska is not the tropics of the South Pacific, but it can be all four seasons in an afternoon. I can plan and plot out the future travels of the Olp clan. I can get lost in the anticipation of waiting for that next escape. I have the two best people in the world to explore with me the vast world in which we live. So, bring on Thursday and Friday. Bring on the appointments, the grading, the meetings, the rehearsals, the cooking and cleaning, clothes folding, pet feeding, the grad school paper writing, and anything else this week has to offer. I am ready. As Ellie from "Up" would say, "Adventure is out there!" And it is.