Every Story Has Its Ends!

What does one do when one has 2 weeks left after a year in a foreign country? I have laughed, I have cried, I have spent the best times, I have spent the worst times in Turkey. I have went through my ups and downs to adapt my life in Turkey. I have made Izmir, Turkey, the "city of love," my home!

I have only two emotions about going back to America. I have absolute excitement to see my family. They have been going through possibly the most worst scenarios a family can go through, and I want to be a light of hope for them. I also have complete and distinct fear of leaving Turkey and returning to the many problems that await me.

I feel like everything that I have experienced is coming to an abrupt end! How can this be? How does one cope with this kind of energy? This has been nothing I have experienced before. I know this slightly what I should be going through; however, the extremes that I will be going back to, to be frankly honest, scares the living shit out of me! I would like to know your thoughts, opinions, and advice in the comments section below!

How should I spend my last 2 weeks here? Life is spinning out of control, that I need to grab a hold of something. I will! Dustin means brave and valiant warrior, and I believe our names were given for a reason. I have the strength to fight a million, but I feel like I may fall down to a peasant level, not able to fight anymore. I may need a refresher course to become the warrior I was and am currently.

Like my family, Turkey has been the light of hope for me. It has made part of who I am and appreciate them both soo much! I have learned many things through the eyes of the Turks and I hope to bring that back with me!

I have promised myself to be as strong as possible through this,, but it will be painstakingly hard. I have come here to become the person I am now, and would not trade any split second of a moment, EVER! I will leave with tears water-falling from my eyes and my heart beat at an irregular rhythm, but I would recommend this experience to the world!

I leave every single person that reads this with strength, hope, power, happiness, passion, courageousness, stability, knowledge, compassion, confidence and ultimate love for your near and far future!

Video to watch: Dido - Sand In My Shoes

Dream Away To Success!

After studying abroad for a year I am faced with many theories. Turkey has brought out many positive things for me, I have been able to adapt, I have grown personally, and I am constantly growing in strength. None of this would be possible if I wouldn't have had a dream and so many people supporting me. My friends and family have been more supportive than I had ever imagined and I thank each and every one of them. My dreams are constantly coming true and I have matured physically and emotionally through my experience.

So I have a question. Why do so many people let their dreams die unrealized? I think in general, the biggest reason is the negative attitudes and energies of other people. They are not solely from our enemies, but also from our friends and sometimes family. Our enemies don't bother us to greatly; we can typically handle them with little trouble. Our friends and family are reassuring at times, but sometimes punch holes in our dreams with their cynical smile and a put down. Or how about all those road bumps you find along the way?

We get that excitement about a possible new home, new education route, new career, or new experience. We see the opportunity of finally making something happen for ourselves, make more money, do more meaningful things in life and rise to a personal challenge. We start feeling our heart pounding steady again, get excited, and the stimulation of success start pumping. Then we tell someone about it, and there is a smirk and a "really?" they then proceed to script out a 10 foot long list of all the problems and obstacles along with 50 reasons why we will never make it and are better off to stay where we are in life.

Before we know it, our excitement has fallen to zero and then begin to second guess ourselves. We begin to think of the reasons why we might not make it, instead of all the reasons why we know we will. We all dream of a better life and more resources to provide for the ones we love. The problem though is that we live in fear, fear of what others might think of us, fear that we might crash followed by a "I told ya so," and fear that we might fail if we step out of our comfort zone.

Consider yourself. Give your dream a chance to happen. Don't let others rob you of your faith, and don't let little mishaps along the way get the best of you. Things are sometimes bound to happen that will postpone or slow the process, but kick through the obstacles. If you have the flame and desire deep down, do something about it and do not let anything take it away.

Remember that successful people do things that average people won't. Successful people are able to handle frustration, remain strong and keep dreaming. Dreams eventually become goals, which soon enough become reality.

Find your inner energy and drive onward! 

Belated Revamping - Poem

A poem I wrote awhile ago. I really like it. Everyone has their stages, but what is to be remembered is that everyone must be positive. There is always a flame burning inside of you. Dig deep within yourself, find it, and let it burn brighter! You can push through anything. I am proof. I find times can be hard, but if you point your face to the sky searching for the suns energy, you can find that inner strength to push on! So do it. Never settle for less and treat yourself to a full glass of happiness and positivity!

Belated Revamping
By: Dustin Sherman

What is it?

Locking me up,

Leave!

Let go of me, I want release.

Strength is needed,

My soul corrupted and strained,

tugged at by starved minds.

Nagging, yelling, clenching, wrecking

Stop, this is me,

My flaws have no collision on you.

The crash will explode,

Cease, leave, break, sever

Repairment.

You are still here?!

A dedication to my decline.

Still lonely, torn, loved, and promised

Help me, Liberation

Fancies me.

Internal bombs,

with the pins pulled, ready for attack.

Once more,

a weakened soul, who would have thought?

My heart is a maturing diamond,

Mantled and empty of color.

Blue topaz, the stone that will bleed,

Adding shade to my dull color.

Here let me clean that up,

Let the monotonous life persevere.

Blemishes covered up,

Minds soaring to different channels.

Stitching up my wounds, to a

Healthy angel.

You will tear me down, where I will corrode,

You will strike me with the words and manners,

but most of all my ammunition will be removed,

but I shall become numb to this crashing, disheartening world.
Pushing onward, evermore!