My name is Jess Damerst. I am a girl, very much like another girl you may have come across in the past. I enjoy laughing, learning, reading, running, dreaming, living and believing. I have blue eyes, a splattering of freckles across my face and curly brown hair that is impossible to contain. I’m a girl of Greek and Scotch-Irish decent, who went to a public school and graduated with good grades to attend a local university. I studied art and business and I come from a modest background surrounded by the love of family and friends. However, I am not at all like that girl you may have met before. For I am a girl in love with the world and all it’s wonder. I am a girl who’s eyes are blue on most days, green on some and grey on the others. I am a girl who is both determined and enlightened. I am a girl who is afraid but brave, downtrodden but uplifted. Most importantly, I am a girl who wants to grow and learn in love and life.
I have decided to take my dreams 6,000 miles away from home to see what I can make of them. This is the story of that journey.
Edit: A year after the fact, this journey has been an amazing one. The school year has about 3 weeks left in it, and I’m off to some different adventures- namely South East Asia and relocating across the US. After such a year of translation, these next steps of the adventure are sure to be equally exciting. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’d be lying if I said wasn’t scared. But, that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? As they say, adventure begins just outside your comfort zone.
*All opinions in this blog are my own
The Girl In Translation 
Wow, I really can’t believe how much we have in common. I am a graphic designer, gamer, bookworm, geek AND a dreamer as well. 🙂 Not to mention I’m getting ready to spend a semester in Nagasaki starting March 27th.
I totally understand the excitement and apprehensions you are feeling, so if you want to connect with someone who can relate to your adventures feel free to contact me or check out my blog.
Best of luck!
Thank you for stopping by and that’s so cool that you are coming to Japan too! What is your gamer tag? It would be nice to game with someone in my timezone 🙂 I’ll definitely check out your blog, I hope we can meet up someday! I’m looking forward to sharing our adventures in Japan.
It’s PhDragons921 but I share it with my husband, so it’s usually him playing. I’m more of a casual gamer rather than hardcore. I won’t have my consoles in Japan, just my handhelds. Friend me on Facebook if you want to PM me. 🙂
I’ll definitely add you once I get all set up in about a week!!
You are a lucky young lady. Good to travel when you are young. Easier to adjust to surprise problems and situations.
6,000 miles from home is pretty daunting. Good luck!
Thaaaank you! So far, it’s been amazing!
Sounds like fun (although as someone else said, also daunting)! I look forward to reading more about it! :] Good luck!
Did you ever think of trying modeling? You have a great face. Very classic.
Aw thank you, but I’m definitely too camera shy! That was a self-portrait, the only kind I can manage haha.
I’m an artist and you do have classical beauty. If you ever need money, think about it. I’ll bet you could even do some acting.