The lotus is a unique flower. Its petals blossom one by one but it will only grow in mud. For this, it is a prominent symbol in yoga and buddhism and a constant reminder that we can flourish from whatever life presents, no matter the circumstances.

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"I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world." - Mary Anne Radmacher

In 2009, I travelled alone to study in New Zealand. It was my first official trip outside of The United States (a cruise to the Bahamas doesn't count) and it very much changed the way I look at the world.

I saw life in a different perspective and watched the sunset over the Pacific, the snow fall during the summer, and the moon shine with different stars. Well, the same stars from a different view. And I saw all of this 8,622 miles away from home.

Since then, I have now seen the moon shine from four different places I've called home on four different continents. And each time I see it, I see it a little differently and I also see a little difference in myself.

-- This picture was taken during my second week in Spain when I traveled north of Barcelona to visit an old friend. We watched the sun set and the moon shine over the Banyoles Lake.

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I took this picture of a graffiti wall outside of my favorite bar in my neighborhood in Madrid. This street art is weird and beautiful and I am embarrassed that I'd walked down that street many times before even noticing the wall. This reminded me to take in my experiences and be grateful for the life I am currently living...

Life is always an adventure and everyday can be a learning experience, but you must dive into the unusual and make yourself a little uncomfortable to discover something new. I have spoken before about my cravings for the unfamiliar, but I realize I do not always have to travel to fulfill this feeling.

Yesterday, I was invited to join an improv comedy group. Acting scares me. I like to be myself and I don't want to pretend to be anything else for the entertainment of an audience. But with a little pressure from a friend, I decided that I will give it a try. Who knows what I will gain from the experience!

What unusual are you adding to your ordinary life?

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"If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello." - Paulo Coelho

This is a picture that my friend Julia and I self-timed during a sunset on the beach of Canoa, Ecuador - a place that we called home for a year.

My time in Ecuador had its ups and downs and I don't know if I could have handled it without Julia. We met very early on and became fast friends.

There were times when we had stomach parasites, times when we were robbed, times we couldn't speak the language and other times (later on) when we could speak very well. There were times when we lived easy and times when the money was tight. There were times when we just wanted to give up and go home (Julia back to Germany and me to The States) and there was a time when we were crying at the bus stop because we didn't want to say goodbye.

It's hard living in many different places because you are constantly saying [a temporary] goodbye, but it seems that a new friend always emerges just as you begin to really miss the ones you had to leave behind.

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"Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures." -Lovelle Drachman

I think being curious is one of the best traits to have. I've mentioned it on many job interviews during the oh-so-original "What three words best describe you" part, but I'd also say it is one of my worst characteristics. 

When I was 8 years old, it led me into many patches of poison ivy. At 13, it was mistaken for nosiness by pre-pubescent girls. At 17, curiosity was journalism. And at 22 it turned into wanderlust.

Now at age 24, I'm not sure how to define my curiosity, but I do have a continuous desire to learn more, know more and (of course) adventure more.

The picture is me hiking at La Cru de Gurb taken by my very talented friend Lucia Mueller. 

Look for future "Words on Wednesday" every... WEDNESDAY, of course!

What are your favorite quotes about travel? 

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