There are certain things, little things, which have always been familiar to me. Back home we always went to the same stores, saw the same people, did the same things and lived in the same place. Nothing ever changed seriously and everything that I was familiar with was within twenty five miles of my house, which never moved.

It has been strange sometimes, to do things which are unfamiliar. One year ago, the extent of my U.S. geography was knowing that California was under Oregon, which was under Washington, which was under British Columbia. Of course, I knew that Mexico was under all of that and England was across from it, but if I had been asked where Louisiana was I wouldn't have known.

In nine months I have been to twenty three states, twenty of which I had never been to before. I've met many new people in all of those states, and done a lot of interesting new things such as hiking up a 1400ft cliff only because it was suggested by a friend, or being in the same body of water as sharks and sting rays. I'm sure that if I had been asked nine months ago whether I wanted to swim with sharks or not, I would've definitely said no! I know now where Louisiana is, and all the other states that we've been to, and I have learned that everything is only unfamiliar once. The person beside you is only a stranger until you say hello.

Yet there is always a yearning for familiar things and as much as I have enjoyed learning about the history, geography and people of the United States, I am thrilled that we will be back in Canada next week. Even if we're on the other end of our country, it still feels like we're closer to home.

Love Eden.