So far, everything in my life occured because I was given permission to do such by my parents. I am required to ask about everything and have gotten used to the fact that the things that I do are, in the words of my father, "privelages not rights". While I can agree with the fact that my parents should have a say in my life while I am living under their roof and eating from their refridgerator, the time is approaching within the next 7 months when I will graduate high school, move out of the nest, and try to start my own life. Only, I don't know if my parents are going to be ready for that.You see, ever since I was in the seventh grade, I have been working various jobs to save money for a trip to Europe as soon as I graduate from high school. Although I got the chance to travel with the French class at my school to France this summer for three weeks, it didn't quench my thirst for Europe and I still want to go back this summer, stay with old friends, and ride the trains all around with only a pack on my back. However, my problem comes in that my father would definately not support my wanting to spend money that he believes I will need for collage next year on a trip to Europe. In his mind, he cannot fathom how and why I thirst for my own adventure across the pond and, frankly, I am sure he has a difficult time trusting me to handle myself without parental supervision for just one summer.
So, I have been pouring over travel guides for almost 6 years, have the financial means to fulfill my dream adventure, and the only thing holding me back is the invisible chain my father has latched around my neck to stay home and work at my amusing little job as a waitress in an establishment that requires me to don a mustard-coloured cap. Real cute. I am debating whether or not to discuss my plans with him, or just be dramatic and take off on a jet to Copenhagen...
Over the past few weeks I have been batteling with my decisions on this trip and feeling encouraged/discouraged from many people with whom I have spoken on my conundrum. I feel like I deserve to go since I have been saving up and researching to no end and I cannot think of any other way I would like to spend my summer before I transition from my hum-drum little highschool life and small town to bigger and better things at college. Yet, my guilt for disobeying my father is my only set back. I think I need some encouragement and some means of reasoning with him because, in the end, it's my own life- not his.
Sorry this has been an extremely bland post to those of you who probably couldn't care less. Hopefully I come up with my answer soon...
Granted this picture is from November, but I would just like to post a little bit about my hometown co-op. For those of you that don't know what a Co-op (or Cooperative) is, it's a business organized by people to provide needed goods and services and are based on the values of self-help, self responsibility, democracy, solidarity, equality, and equity. Basically, the Stevens Point Co-Op rocks. It always smells like fresh baked breads and cinnamon rolls mixed with fresh ground coffee and essential oils. All mixed together, it ends up smelling warm, if you could bottle up that scent. 
