The big metal box on wheels wobbles from the rustling of the inhabitants inside. I’m awakened by heavy machinery beeping and clunking outside of my window and I crawl out of bed. Careful not to wake my roommate who sleeps above me, in a groggy stupor, I slip on my hoodie and shoes and make the routine trek across the lot, blinded by the sun’s salutation. Sometimes I can’t decide what’s more inconvenient: getting dressed to walk outside past all the trailers to use a portable toilet...

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        I’m writing this from the home of my wonderful friends Alyssa and Dan, who have opened up their hearts and spare bedroom to let me stay here for a few days while I visit Fargo/Moorhead. Returning to South Dakota was emotional, but it wasn’t until I drove into Fargo, North Dakota that it really hit me. “THIS feels like home,” I said to myself as I was driving through the snow-covered highways of the city. I’ve visited with a lot more of my family, surprised my “Fargo f...

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    I had the wonderful pleasure of crossing paths with my dear friend Jacob in Lincoln, Nebraska this week as I have been making my way “home” to my comfort zone in South Dakota/Minnesota. We discussed the recycling phase of coming home after a long journey and the conversations were exactly what I needed right at that moment, at the end of my adventure around the United States. The drive into South Dakota was long and I could feel the anticipation of seeing my friends and family build u...

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    Trying to fit in a chaotic, heavily cultured world can be messy. For an adolescent especially, acceptance is pretty high on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. But what is a person to do when their true nature conflicts with societal expectations? Lie, of course. You can have your cake and eat it too, if you do it right. I’m uncomfortably writing this post and exposing a very ugly skeleton in my closet in hopes that, if anyone who reads this finds themselves relating to any of it, they c...

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11/22/16

Within the last 3 weeks our family has gained, and lost, a member. My sister married her partner, but soon after my mom’s sister lost hers to cancer. While I’m still processing the news of the latter, I’ll dedicate this post to my beloved family (and after all, my beloved global family).

My sister’s wedding was incredibly beautiful, almost as much as she was. One day afterwards while Amy was out running a couple errands, Joe and I had some time to bond. We had gotten along...

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    Since June, every week is a new adventure for me. When I was attending college, there was a weekly routine; when I was working any job, despite the newish experiences in the environment, it was still close to a routine. This summer has been the opposite. Situations present themselves in such various shapes and sizes, even if they do resemble a past experience—it’s in a completely new environment, with unique characters. This week, I’ve been bashed with the choice between fear an...

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    One of circuses’ missions is to play on the concept of novelty. “The1^st Official Aquatic Circus in U.S.” is plastered on a few of the Cirque Italia trucks and novelty items are sold by the dozens every show.  The performances are designed to keep you on the edge of your seat, and children especially swim in the ignorance during the clown acts and intermission activities.

    What is it with our brains and the addiction to novelty? Is it something that’s been around since humans ...

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I had the pleasure of starting off this new chapter in my journey by riding with Emilio (my tightrope walking counterpart) on my way to the next circus stop in Tennessee. We talked about our past and future, he taught me some Spanish, and he comforted my troubled heart after he mentioned the long-lived state of murderous affairs in Mexico. My time with him has been a series of reminiscing my angst-driven teen years, testing my moral compass, and feeling my heart melt into a puddle despite the...

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    I arrived in North Carolina with no money, no physical/emotional/social energy, and no motivation. I was worn out from traveling and missed my friends and family but was also so drained from people that I just wanted to hide away from the world. I was also worried I’d be a burden on my friends with whom I was staying for two weeks since they had just moved into a house a few days before my arrival. My time in Wilmington, however, turned out to be exactly what I needed. I found the circu...
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Last weekend was a crazy one for me. I reevaluated my morals, immersed myself in the culture of a circus tribe, worked 28 very sweaty hours in four days, fell in love with a circus performer, changed (slightly) the way I look at myself and humanity, and have (slightly) changed my travel directions.

 Joining the Cirque Italia was a last minute opportunity. I completely ran out of money by the time I hit North Carolina (not to mention going negative from a $180 seatbelt fine…). After hour...

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