Around the World With Joey Bags: A Long Time Come, and a Life to Continue...

Wow. So it's been, what? About four months since I left my home on the sea? Yeah, that's about right. A long time, but still something my heart attaches itself to. Something it still feels with every beat, as with every swell in the ocean. I think of it everyday.

I was meaning to continue with this blog as I traveled around the world, but I lost sight of it. And you know what? That's OK. The blog became mixed within a whirlwind of experiences, emotions, and other commitments that took over every waking second. But that's what I wanted. I wanted to live in the now, and that's exactly what I did. I was living the dream.

Regardless, I do apologize to all my faithful readers who were rudely cut off from my escapades. It's pretty cool to hear people actually read this thing. I've been meaning to write an apology/sum-up blog, but that too never happened. So here it is.

I write this from the comfort of my own home in Cupertino, CA. The sun is shining and it is about 60 degrees. I apologize, Ithaca. It was nice Skyping with you today though. Enjoy the 10 inches of snow you got last night. What's it supposed to be tomorrow? Oh, about 32 degrees? Nice.

Anyway, I sit here in my chair in my room looking out at the east foothills. I reflect upon my life, from the incredible experiences around the globe, to the days I walked around at St. Joseph elementary as a first grader. All is a blur, but if I sit back and slow it down, it all comes into view, and it all comes to have purpose. I am who I am because of my experiences, and they all define how I play out my life, espeically right now. It is constant contemplation of what's next and what was, but also making sure to stay in the now. Now is the only thing that's certain, and to deny that would be to ignore reality. Never lose sight of that truth.

You may ask why the hell I'm home. Well, it's not spring break. I didn't drop out. I didn't transfer. I am home because my stepfather, Del, is perhaps going into the last legs of his journey through life. Battling cancer for the last ten years, this terrible disease has finally managed to make its mark against treatment. He is home with us now, and we are making sure he is comfortable as he begins his transition into the next life. I love him dearly, and each moment is a fluctuation of emotion, but I must trust that all will be alright in the future. I must make sure that I do what I need to do to make sure he is ok, and, even equally as important- if not more, is that my mom is supported emotionally. She has carried him on her back alone through this whole journey.

I'm not sure exactly how Del feels about his situation. He doesn't talk much. But from an outside perspective it truly makes you understand your own mortality. And it is with that understanding that I look back on my life and realize how fortunate I have been. I am the luckiest son of a bitch alive. I have incredible parents and I love them (all four of them: Del, Mom, Dad, and Stacy) from the bottom of my heart. Del has been a huge pare of my life, and a true influence to my growth and well being. I am the man I am today because of him. I love him, and it hurts (as it obviously does him) to see him go through this terrible, terrible time, but I know it will all be OK. We will all join hom at some point, that too is certain.

Step by Step

I realize this is a bit "heavy" for a blog about travel, but it is because of travel that I have made it to this point in my life, both emotionally and intellectually. I see life differently than I did before I left the docks of Halifax, Nova Scotia on August 27th, 2010, and that change in perspective is driving my actions and viewpoint now. Four months and 11 countries later, I am a changed man.

The Fall 2010 Semester at Sea brought me to Spain, Morocco, Ghana, Mauritius, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, and Japan. Each country was special in its own right, and each country I will remember for the rest of my life.

Take every action as it comes, and never get overwhelmed with what the future holds. Nothing is definite, except for the present and the eventual completion of our journey in life.

Semester at Sea was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I, along with three of my best buddies (Adam, Dallas, and Cody), have the word "UBUNTU" tattooed on the arch of my foot to commemorate the Archbishop and his teaching of Ubutnu (come to me if you want to know the meaning. It's South African). I have community of friends who I will love for the rest of my life.

Though that part of my life is closed, a new chapter opens, and it is constantly writing itself. I look forward to read what it has to say.

As my good friend Dave Matthews says, "As the road gets rocky, girl, just steady as we go. Troubles they may come and go, but good times they are gold."

Some pics of the journey....finally.