My First Blog

Hello everyone,

I have decided that I will indeed throw my voice in with the masses and write a blog during my time in Switzerland and maybe even Italy if we’re lucky.

Now on the off chance someone who doesn’t know me decided to read this blog, I guess I better introduce myself. My name is Samantha and I’m from a small town in the state of Georgia. I’ve been in a math PhD program for the last couple of years, but I’m currently taking a break from that. I love to travel, to paint, to cook, and to make bread! I recently asked a bunch of people to describe me in five words and the answers I got included words such as compassionate, aimable, funny, intelligent, adventerous, generous, and determined, so maybe I’m all those things as well.

{Edit added August 2020: My life has changed a lot during COVID, but I’ve decided to keep blogging even though I am no longer in Switzerland. Therefore, one can still expect all the same things, but the adventures and pictures will come from other locations. }

Why a blog?

My reasoning is probably mostly to scratch the itch of always wanting to be productive as well as the fact that I enjoy writing. I tell myself that a blog will give me a chance to practice writing and hone the craft. (Some of you may know I wrote a book/memoir last Spring semester… however as it came to the editing and the how do I publish this thing stage the progress has tremendously decreased for many reasons, not limited to but including the fear that it’s not really any good). On that note a blog would be public and thus I couldn’t chicken out of publishing. Plus, part of the allure of writing is sharing one’s thoughts. 

Moreover, a blog would allow me to post my pictures and play around with effects and angles and the like, which would make my creative soul happy.

 Finally a blog would allow me to tell all my friends and family an overview of my trip at once, which is probably a more efficient route then copying and pasting and sending a million texts as is my normal habit.

What to expect from this blog? 

Typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors. My secrete weapon in school is having friends and family (thanks mom!), who are kind enough to proof read for me. However, since I only have internet access occasionally (I’ll explain later) I’m going to publish without outside proofers! If you’re the type who needs to point out errors, go for it. I may or may not fix them. 

Other things to expect, fake words or overly large words. If I think it sounds cool, I’ll probably use it. 

Beautiful pictures that will make you either jealous or inspired. (Not because my photography skills, but because Switzerland is gorgeous.)

Fun segments or side stories such as: an embarrassing moment in Sam’s life, lines that would make good hipster Instagram captions, fun facts about random culture I encounter, and whatever else I think of along the way. 

Oh and hopefully in my first real post you’ll get a satisfying answer to the question everyone asks, “What is L’Abri? Did you join a cult?”

---

What I’m hoping for?

I’m a sucker for words of affirmation so I love comments and compliments. Especially if I make you laugh or cry, tell me!!! 

Constructive criticism… maybe in the form of a compliment sandwhich. See first request.  You’re complete and utter secrecy because I did join and cult and I don’t want to get kicked out. Just kidding, it just felt like I needed a third expectation. 

Well that’s all I’ve got for now folks, in the words of some of my favorite podcasters, “Love you, bye!”

Follow My Blog

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.