In 2006 I hit the pavement with all four wheels as I traveled all over the country. I realized whatever sense of direction I thought I had was null and void in 49 states.

Getting lost is something that puts everything into perspective. It's no place to stay and whenever you find yourself out of it you feel just a little more capable to find yourself the next time it happens.

Me and my best  friend Jenny drove to Pinecove Camp in Tyler, Texas to visit some friends for the day. We had our map and were ready to go.

Little did we know that Tyler had a huge roundabout and our map had a huge mistake in it.

After passing Broadway Street a total of five times, frustrations raised but laughter was louder. We had to work together if we were ever going to make it out of what seemed like a never ending circle.

Four hours after we had left Ruston, we found our destination. Finding the destination is the most victorious feeling in the world. But every street sign along the way that pointed us in the right direction were moments that kept us going.

It's New York City. August 28. And it's my and my sister's birthday. We had high hopes of making it onto TRL that day. We separated from the parents and found MTV studios. A little late. Apparently four hours late. At this point, my sister and I find ourself in the middle of World War III over who was to blame for this and life in general.

We walked 10 steps in front or 10 steps in back because I didn't want to be seen with her. Forget the fact that we look exactly alike and people could probably tell we were together anyway.

After a few blocks of this we realized something. No map. All anger subsided and we died laughing. Lost in New York City. Could this BE any more rehearsed? Two small-town girls lost in the Big Apple. But we made our way back.

And on that way back be passed by Radio City Music Hall which just happened to have MTV Video Music Award performers, filing out or filing into the building for rehearsals. So we didn't get our big break at stardom waving on TRL but we did have a great time trying to find it.

And finally my summer of dreams was beginning in the city of brotherly love: Philadelphia. My map was my passenger for those months. It wasn't your average map. It was a book with cross-references, letters, numbers and 10 Walnut Streets. It was great. But it didn't keep me from making atleast one turn-around a day. And that was on a good day. I was excited when all it took was one to get me on the right track.

I think its time I took my map skills and confidence across the big  pond.

 

Valerie Metrejean is a senior journalism major from Lafayette, who serves as editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to vmm008@latech.edu.