18th birthday

I moved into my freshman dorm on my 18th birthday. Because I was nervous, I wrote a letter to myself with my goals to get through 4 years. I opened this letter 4 years later on my 22nd birthday and it said:

..."How did school go? Were you a math and business major? I hope you're ready for the real world. You need to get to that... and soon. I want you to go into the Peace Corps and help the world, get a good job for good people, and I hope you haven't gotten a car. I hope you never do get one and you ride your bike everywhere. Hopefully life goes well for you in NYC! Enjoy, my man. Always remember your morals, trust in God, and never stop smiling. Personality and confidence is what spreads throughout the world making it a better place. Good luck."

I am happy to say that I did well in school. I had a high GPA, graduated with honors, wrote a 50 page thesis on population migration in NC counties, and now have a degree in both mathematics and economics. I am now living in NJ working for a company based in NYC, though I work in Princeton. Of my goals, I have not joined the Peace Corps (and have no intention to anymore) and I do own a car. I am happy to say that the rest have been successful. I have grown and learned so much in college and I am so happy with who I have become.

When I entered college I had a crappy road bike and a dream to make a difference in the world through love and happiness. I have grown and developed more as a person almost as much as my bike has during the past 4.5 years since I wrote that letter. I now have a beautiful, blue Salsa Vaya named Sully. For those of you who don't know, I love the movie Monsters Inc and with my last name being Wasielewski, I like to compare myself to Mike Wazowski. Sully is my work horse and a complete tank. I can't wait for the adventures and experiences I get to have with my new companion just like Mike Wazowski and Sully from the movie.

 

Salsa Vaya X9 named Sullivan (Sully)

I've grown to love so much more than I did in since I was 18, as well. I've had long relationships as well as short ones. I've had my heart broken and mended a few times now and all due to the amazing people I met in Wilmington. The three people in the picture below were the people I spent a majority of my college years with and they have each taught me something I needed to learn. La-Rel (bottom) was my roommate and best friend for the 3 years he was at UNCW. He was the master of selflessness. He did so much for people without question. Always courteous and polite. Chris (right) was a great friend for all four years. He taught me about leaving my comfort zone and always sharing joy with those around you. Chris was a guy who would push you to be better at all times, mostly because "life is a competition." Molly (top) was my best friend for a few years in college, too. She taught me about love and enjoying the unexpected in life. We have had our ups and downs as friends, but the love she gave to me when I didn't deserve it is something I strive to share with everyone I meet.

Wrightsville Beach - Aug '13

My college goals were met with almost a scary amount of premonition, but that doesn't mean I can go back to the way I was. I need to continue growing and improving with every step I take. This trip across Virginia is a way to keep the last section of my goals a success. I plan to show the world what love and smiling can do if you keep sharing it with others. I proceed to keep spending any extra time and energy I have into making this world a better place, even if it's one person at a time like my three friends did for me. If you would like to share some of your good fortune to help me make a difference, that would be greatly appreciated. The link to my cyclist page is:
Zach's Donation Page

Give all that you are able and I will do the rest. Thank you and God bless.

Living a Dream

I've done it again. I signed up to ride my bike and tour this beautiful country. This time for different reasons than the last. When I first signed up for the Northern Tier, I did it in order to help people. I wanted to give back and do good things in the world. I felt the world was lacking optimism and hope. Recently, I feel like I have been lacking that. I'm living alone in NJ, working long hours, and don't have the same lifestyle I grew accustomed to in college. It's been a tough transition with the job taking a lot of attention and then my tonsils growing to the size of golf balls. I struggled to make friends, eat, sleep, and everything else that was important to me during the move. I need something to finally go right for me and I have decided 2016 will be the year of living my own dreams. The following are my goals for 2016 (and the rest of my life for that matter).
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Live Minimally and Make the World a Better Place.

There are few things I really admire in the world and I wrote myself a letter freshman year of college to make sure I didn't forget these things. On my birthday in 2015, I received this letter and it hit me harder than I imagined. I wanted to help the Earth. Maybe not in the "chase down every bit of little litter" kind of way, but in the support of sustainability. I love riding my bike more than I enjoy driving my car (especially driving in NJ) and I think the week I am taking off work to ride my bike is a good way to show how to it's possible to travel minimally. Hopefully, with a new bike, I will also have something that is better equipped to take me to and from work on the average day..
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Build Friendships and Find a Home

Other things this trip helps me with is to make friends and build stronger friendships. Often times, I'm trying to hold onto friendships that are in the past or letting go of friendships that are important to me. This bike trip is a part of both new and old friendships. Getting to ride with my friends Alex and Kaylyn will be wonderful, but making new friends is also important in my life. Life isn't a journey we ever go at alone. This goes for all aspects of the ride. From Bike the US for MS staff to route leaders to riders to donators and employers of riders and even friends and family, we all work as a unit. As someone still adapting to a lifestyle change, any system I fit well into is one that I plan to join.
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Smile.
This is the first item in my bucket list. The world is not about who makes more money or who is more attractive. I want to live my life based on what I am happy doing and what will make me smile. People often times tell me that I'm "too happy" or "too outgoing". To me, I don't see why I shouldn't be. If you aren't happy with where you're at, what you're doing, or who you're with, you need to change it. Yes, it's hard to change. Yes, there might be rough times before you smile. There is just no reason why you shouldn't always strive to have a smile on your face. If I every have a choice between something and happiness, I am going to choose to be happy this year. The bike trip is just a part of that mission..


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As there is obviously more posts to come when I get my new bike or get more information on people I'm riding with, I will continue to post here. I do need to post a link to my cyclist page. Many of you might have donated last year or even if you're familiar with technology. It's pretty easy to donate. Click the link below, go to the page, click the donate button, insert your information. I understand if you wish to remain anonymous, but I want to thank you all personally for helping me make my 2016 dreams a success. If you wish to just shoot me an email or wish me good luck, please send them to zacharywasielewski@yahoo.com

Cyclist page: http://biketheusforms.org/cyclists/detail.asp?cid=879