across the stage. around the world.

It was a long and sweaty trip across the colourful stage of the Kingsmill Room at Huron University College and the stage at Alumni Hall at the University of Western Ontario this past monday at Western's 291st convocation ceremony. At the end of the journey was my well earned Honours Bachelor of Arts diploma and two beaming parents. A great first trip for me, but not for my parents who are seasoned veterans at the whole convoking ordeal.



It's been a great trip these past five years with more memories than I can count. Most of all I leave with an amazing group of friends whom I'll cherish for the rest of my life. With our adventure to Asia this summer I can keep the flame alive with two of my favourites Sabrina and Amy!

I had a slight detour preparing for my trip as I finished my USC work and studied for my GRE (Graduate Record Exam). Chris Reynolds (long time friend and college roommate) and I are both applying for the Early Career Masters at UBC that is launching for its first time ever this fall. So I needed to get this exam finished up so I could complete my application. I'll find out along my travels, so my fingers are crossed as we embark.

Now my pre-trip committments are almost all complete and I can start getting ready. A backpacking trip just wouldn't be complete without a good conquest of Mountain Equipment Co-op. What a great afternoon with my mom (and Dad's VISA...thanks Dad!) where we really did stock up on all the great gear to keep me safe, comfortable, and in good style too! Hey I went to Western, style counts! We've also talked to all the embassies and have our VISAs. My banker, Allison, was a great help this morning as I got all my travel cash sorted out and even a Power of Attorny for mom. Any trip home to Guelph just wouldn't be the same without a good stop at good ol' Pharma Plus to see Pharmacist Joe and get all my supplies. I still have to go to chapters to get a few more books to keep me informed and entertained. Grandma and Grandad have given me loads of great advice and some very handy clothese pins for hanging laundry. Grandma just always thinks of great things!

All in all, I'm leaving filling pretty prepared, but am excited to have a lot of loose ends to tie together as we weave our way through the Orient. I'm excited to have a good base, but even more excited to make some mistakes and hopefully great memories with two very competent and compensating women!

So as I leave I'm thinking of one of my favourite books and authors (The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman) where he wrote that 'it is better to have more dreams than memories' and it's on page 451 Amy. I'm so thankful for the life I've led, the friends I've met, and the memories I've made, BUT (and this is a very big but) I'm even more excited about the dreams that will come with tomorrow.

See you in Asia!