To the people I am yet to meet....

Remember in school when you had to stand up in class and say something about yourself in order to "break the ice" I am feeling that sense of dread now, that deep in the pit of your stomach dread that makes you feel nauseous, but I am also excited.........Are you?

I feel I should maybe introduce myself, I would really like us to be friends, to enjoy this trip of a lifetime together, even if we only spend two minutes together and never see each other again. I hope I leave a good impression.... My name is Dolly, I am a 28 (in October) year old Nurse from Manchester, England. Well, I say I am a nurse......I have given all that up recently because of the stress, observing the unhappiness of others I have worked with who have nursed for years, my own unhappiness and the lack of management support has driven me out. Therefore, I am returning to University in September to pursue another career but I don't know what that is yet. Maybe you will inspire me? Maybe I will inspire you? Who knows...

Maybe I am running away from something, maybe you are too? Maybe I will find what I need on this trip, maybe you will too?..... Yes, I am shy. Yes, I am reserved. Yes, I am a deep thinker. Yes, I am generally not a positive person. Yes, I have confidence issues.....but when I let my guard down, I am fun loving, caring, intelligent and funny ;-) Just a little warning though, I am the emotional type.....I cry at chick flicks, talk in my sleep, love a nice peaceful bath, I love my Friends and Family to bits and will probably miss them like crazy, so I will probably tell you that a bit to much.....I am way to honest about my feelings, maybe you're not?.....

I have never done things the right way round in my life, I stayed at home when everyone else went away to uni, when everyone else moved out, I stayed were I was waiting for something to happen. I got a job when everyone else went travelling, I remained single and planned to return to uni when everyone else was settling down......So this is the first time I have really been away from home.....

In my head I plan to be adventurous, outgoing and interesting... In reality I'm not sure this is the going to be the case.... I have travelled a bit, though I was 18 but I was so homesick and I couldn't wait to get home. I am the home comforts type, when we are going to be camping, I am unfit when we are going to be trekking....but I need I challenge, I am bored with the fact that I am standing still when everyone else is moving forward. I am wasting my life, when I want to live it to the full!....Maybe you can relate to that?

Apologies in advance for my short temper and obsessive cleanliness, but may I point out that I am also generous, a clear thinker, a peace maker, great in emergencies and your on hand medical professional ;-).....I really hope we become great friends and not just travel companions.....

My Nan says "Strangers are Friends you don't yet know" Here's hoping she is right ;-)

I look forward to meeting you soon,

Dolly x