Why?

Me!

Who on earth would do something like that? Where did this crazy idea come from?

I realize that I am straying quite a bit from the beaten path, but this is not the first time I have deviated from the norm.

Adventure is thrilling for me. It fills me with excitement and motivation and passion. Thinking about what I will do next gives me chills and makes my heart beat faster. It's terrifying, nerve wracking, exciting, and exhilarating.

Home, sweet New Mexico

Over the past couple of years, I have been doing my best to do what is expected of a successful student: do research, take all of the required classes, go to career fairs and interviews, hang out with friends, and spend minimal time at home.

This has been draining beyond what I could have imagined. The lack of excitement has plunged me into a state of monotony and wreaked havoc on my mental state. It has prevented me from taking full advantage of an incredible school like Cornell.

Recently, I began to realize the importance of being fulfilled (thank you, Cornell Engineering Leadership Certification Program!)-- how important it is to take care of myself in order to make the impact I want and have the drive that it takes to pursue goals that may seem impossible.

Since this realization, I have begun to plan the next 15 months, and they are leading me in a direction I never imagined: taking a year off of school.

My loving and supportive mother :)

I have determined that taking the next 15 months off is the best option for me, to regain my fire and to decide what my next steps will be in school and beyond.

I am planning to accomplish some dreams that most might consider impossible-- biking across the country, traveling the world, and thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (details are below).

As such, here's to 15 months of solitude, meeting new people, deprivation, nature, hard work, meditation, sun, and finding my way in the world.

Any support in the form of comments or messages (or any other kind!) would be greatly appreciated! You can follow my progress here, on Facebook, or on Instagram.

Thanks for the support and interest, this is going to be quite a wild ride! :)

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The tentative plan:

- May 20th - August: Ride my bike from Ithaca, NY to San Francisco, CA with Laura

- August - November: Stay in New Mexico and pick up assorted jobs. Work as much as feasibly possible!

- December: Live in Durango, Mexico with family

- January: Possibly explore India, Costa Rica, Chile, or Colombia

- February: Go back to New Mexico and do some hardcore prep for the Appalachian Trail

- March 1st - August 22nd: Thru-hike the Appalachian Trail