In January 2010, I embarked on an adventure with Dave’s Mini Donuts, a traveling concessions business.
Wait. Back up.
In 2007, two weeks before high school graduation, I had all of my hopes and dreams crushed when I was informed that I would not be able to attend the expensive out of state college I was planning on going to in the fall. They wanted $12,000 more than I was capable of getting my hands onto. Thus, I ended up at Louisiana State University-the very last school I had hoped to attend. My escape was put on hold. At least, for a little while.
I started LSU in the fall of 2007 as a biology major with every intention of going to medical school afterwards. After a couple of weeks of college level chemistry, I made the big bold leap of changing my major.
And then I changed it again.
And again. And again. And again.
12 times total. Biology, history, photography, French, international studies, philosophy, nursing, religious studies, anthropology, geography, elementary education and physics.
I discovered that I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
I started working at the archery booth at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in November 2007. I learned how to juggle, lace a bodice and speak with a silly accent. I met so many incredible people from so many different places. People who were educated, interesting and passionate. I was inspired to believe that I could make my dreams of traveling a reality.
I continued at LSU for another year then decided to make a run for it. I wanted to go as far away from Louisiana as I could. So I packed everything I owned into my Camry and drove to Minnesota. In December.
After spinning my car off the road into a ditch, I decided to turn around and drive back home.
I wasn’t ready to leave.
I did a lot of nothing for a semester sitting out of school. I lived in the ghetto, grew tomatoes and took pictures.
I worked at a local coffee shop called Highland Coffees. I met some of the most amazing people and my love for the delectable bean grew. Highland will always be a place to hang my hat.
I returned to LSU in the fall of 2009. I thought I had my head back on to force myself to stay put for a while but the renaissance festival started back up in November. I felt the wanderlust yet again. And I found an opportunity that I’d be stupid to refuse.
In January 2010, I embarked on an adventure with Dave’s Mini Donuts, a traveling concessions business. I packed my life into a piece of shit Honda and drove to Miami. South this time, not north, for the winter. I learned my lesson. I now travel to renaissance and music festivals, serving espresso drinks, coffee, donuts, cider and breakfast to the Dave’s Mini Donuts adoring masses.
This blog is a recording of my journeys, my thoughts, my fears, my pictures and my slow discovery of an unmarked path. Living my life on the road, seeking balance between opposing internal forces, the fabulous-and memorable for other reasons-people that I encounter along the way, challenges, struggles, defeats, hope, imagination and determination.
All for the sake of the wanderlust.

“But I’m freedom’s happy bond-slave, and I will be till I die,
And I’ve got to thank the Wanderlust for that.” -The Wanderlust, Robert William Service