Re-Naming 'Ali's Blog'

Setting up my Blog, the program asked me to give a 'Blog Title'... huh? Having very little experience reading blogs, much less writing one, I hadn't realized I would have to name it. And, being me, I couldn't just come up with something on the spot (oh, no, I'm not that clever or quick!). Plus, I wanted my blog to have a unique name, something that speaks to me and tells the reader the essence of what is on the blog. That's a lot to ask from a title, I know! But it can be done - Lori, my blog mentor, calls hers 'Brown Eyes in Ireland' - and it's a perfect title for the blog! So, overwhelmed by the task at hand and the dilemma of the perfect blog name, I simply put 'Ali's Blog' for the title, wincing at the inanity of it, and promised myself that inspiration would strike soon :)

It was more than a month later that the idea came to me (evidently my inner muse was on holiday :)  I was on my first WWOOF farm, in Co. Wicklow, walking with the dogs on a muddy farm path and enjoying glimpses of the valley through breaks in the trees. The track was at turns muddy & a bit overgrown; the light was soft and dappled, despite the trees still being leaf-less. This picturesque setting brought the last lines of Robert Frost's 'The Road Not Taken' (a favorite of mine) floating into my thoughts: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I? I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." And so the light bulb came on and my blog had the perfect name : 'The Road Less Traveled'. That is how I think of this journey I am on (both literally and figuratively). Sure, I will see a lot of the touristy parts of Europe (I have already visited the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, St. Patrick's Cathdral, etc here in Ireland), but I also want to experience the cool places/things that most people miss in their travels (attending an Augustinian Mass at a random cathedral in Dublin, exploring the ruins at Rinn Duin on a quiet Sunday afternoon, or just enjoying time with a lovely Irish family - some of my recent adventures on the Road Less Traveled :)

I started this blog to chronicle my travels in Europe and despite having had many very cool adventures so far, my poor blog only has two posts! My conclusion : I'm over-thinking this blog thing just a bit. (Those who know me well are going 'Now THERE'S a big surprise!! ;) So I've decided to use my blog as an informal journal of sorts, to share thoughts and experiences as they happen and not worry about pictures (those take the most time) and more formal posts. I don't know if anyone will read it, but I think it will be a fun way for me to look back on my adventures! Some posts might be real short - just a quick thought or experience. Whereas others, well, let's just say I won't promise any length limits ;) I'll still post lots of pictures on FaceBook for you to enjoy - so send me a request* if we aren't 'friends' yet :)

For those of you that read my blog, and put up with my, at times I'm sure annoying, verbosity, you have my thanks! I love to hear from you - whether in the comments, by email, or on FaceBook. Being so far from home, for so long, I'm finding myself more connected (digitally) than ever before - needing to feel close to my family and friends back 'home' (wherever that is :). There are many days that I breathe in the sweet, fresh, European air and think "I'm on the adventure of a lifetime!! I'm so lucky!" And an occasional day that I have a little sniff and think "I miss my mommy!!" (or Poppi, or brother, or just my whole family! :) But when I am feeling homesick, just thinking of my loved ones helps so much, because everyone has given me so much love and support, so much encouragement to follow my dreams to Europe. So to all of you (and you know who you are!) I send many thanks and big hugs for believing in this for me <3

Ok - enough sappiness for this post :) I will sign off for now, but look for me again real soon!

- Alison

* To any unknown readers : even though this blog is currently open for public viewing, it is intended for and addressed to family, friends and friends of friends. I generally only 'friend' people I know; this is to protect not only myself, but my other friends on FaceBook as well. So please do not be offended if I do not accept your request. Thank You :)