Hello! Welcome to our blog! This is where Tracy and I will be documenting our study abroad and travel experience in 2010. Sure, that’s a long time away, but I personally think it’s n e v e r too early to start planning! We will be visiting at least 6 different countries within 6 months. I am SO excited! Stay posted! There’s MUCH more to come even before we hop onto our first plane!

A word on the title I chose for this blog, “the world is our oyster,”  from Shakespeare’s play  ’The Merry Wives of Windsor’ (1600).

Falstaff: I will not lend thee a penny.
Pistol: Why, then, the world’s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.

Act II, Scene II

One popular interpretation of this saying includes being rich enough to take everything and anything you want in life.  It alludes to the ability and freedom to obtain all good things in the world, for inside this oyster is a beautiful, perfect pearl.  While we are definitely not the wealthiest people around, we have been given this opportunity.  We’re hungry for adventure.  Curious for places we’ve never seen before.  Longing to travel.  Ready to make it happen.

Upon returning home, I’m sure we’ll have a lovely new collection of pearls in the form of stories, photos, souvenirs, passport stamps, and memories.

For now, it’s time to plan, plan, plan!