The Pursuit of Happiness

It probably comes to no surprise to those that have known me for more than a week is that I am an absolute travel junkie. I think that happiness can be deeply rooted in geography—we tie our memories and all of our experiences to places—and therefore the more places we go, the more memories we have, the happier we are, quod erat demonstrandum. Stepping out of the ordinary and exploring somewhere new is exhilarating and always refreshing. Boredom is created out of monotony, but by placing yourself in a new place, everything—food, sights, smells, people—will all be new and one will actually have to make an asserted effort to be bored. And while Unfortunately, very few get to travel around the globe they want on a whim, but the good news is there are always new places to be found. Whenever I go home, I try to explore new spots in Boston and am still learning my way around Columbus.

As a whole, I love to travel because I love to explore and cross places off my bucket list, but I get the most happiness in places oozing with history. This may be a little abstract or too obscure, but I get a lot of pleasure from reading, learning, or seeing historic events and places. It may sound strange, but I just get joy from history. Growing up, my house was filled to the ceiling with books in every room of my house, almost all of which were about history from the emergence of man on earth to man's first trip to space. While most kids were reading Harry Potter my dad bought me collections of history books. Almost every car ride or dimmer, my dad would lecture and retell the exploits of Frederick the Great or Genghis Khan..those were my bedtime stories. Even when I stepped out of the front door I was slapped in the face with history. Going to hangout with friends in downtown in Boston, we'd be surrounded by the sites that the Founding Fathers started our country. Whether it is visiting a historical place or learning about an historical event, I think the warm glow I receive is because I vicariously am able to participate in what happened.

And last but certainly not least, of course home is the everlasting fountain of happiness. I have been blessed beyond measures with an amazing,  loving, supportive family that never ceases to positively build me up and give me the strength I need. Without them, I would have never been able to pursue my peripheral sources of happiness--traveling and indulging myself in history. It's all tied back to Boston and back to my family. Home is where the international experiences can be instantly grabbed, where history is unavoidable, and where I receive more positivity and rejuvenation than anywhere that I'd be able to travel to. I may not be able to go to Italy anytime I want but I can get to the Italian area of Boston called the North End and order food that rivals those in the trattorias in Rome and then be quickly transported to 18th century America by stopping by Paul Revere's house. Home is where my heart is and I could not have asked for a better place to grow up in, come from, and go back to. I'm "wicked" proud of where I'm from, happy to be where I'm at, and excited to be where I'm going.