Montana? Really?

"I might be movin' to Montana soon
Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss"

For those of you unfamiliar with Frank Zappa's song "Montana" please proceed to youtube for a real musical treat =)

Hello, Friends and Family! If you've made it this far, you must be truly curious as to why I, (a 20-something from the Chicago suburbs; a girl often found in heels and dresses) have chosen to move to Montana to camp/hike/and do manual labor for a little over 5 months. Welp, I will tell you...

Reason #1: Grad school. Oye! The grad school experience is two-fold: (1) An amazing self-reflection opportunity that renders a growth process unparalleled by any other experience known to man, and (2) *sigh*. Ha, there's really no other way to describe it. All of that learning, growth, and self-exploration comes at an emotionally draining cost at times. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend graduate school, and I may try for another masters or PhD at some point... but for now I am relieved to be DONE. It's time to set aside my laptop for a while and get my hands dirty.

Reason #2: Yoga. I started practicing yoga in undergrad to counteract the often intangible pressures associated with undergraduate life. In grad school I continued my practice and enrolled in Yoga I & Yoga II. I had always been interested in the self-reflection and meditation opportunities associated with yoga, but it wasn't until this year that I began exploring yoga teachings and philosophy. Lately, I've been reflecting on the Yamas and Niyamas - ten ethical guidelines (see http://www.theyamasandniyamas.com). As I reflect on each, I am humbled by how much I still have to grow. Ha, they are extremely challenging to actively practice on a daily basis... doing backbends and handstands is much easier than patience and self-reflection.

Reason #3: Yes, I do love the outdoors and can swing a hammer with the best of 'em. No, really! Some of you may know I've advised two Ohio State student trips to Mississippi to work with Habitat for Humanity. Though they were short experiences, I loved waking up at dawn, working all day, side by side with friends and students, then ending the day exhausted yet accomplished. I am excited (and nervous!) for the opportunity to continue this type of experience.

Welp, that's it! I will do my best to blog regularly about my experience. There is a chance my crew may spend twenty straight days out in the backcountry at a time... in which case I will just have to blog every 20 days. I will be journaling the entire time so I'll have plenty to reference I'm sure =)

Thank you, again for your support!

Julie

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined"

-Henry David Thoreau