As far as siblings go, my sister and I are pretty good at sharing. T-shirts, makeup, boys (just kidding)-we give and take pretty well. As far as challenges go, however, well, this is where we tend to differ.

I’ve always wanted to get away. We grew up in the suburbs of Florida-I go to school in Philly. I skipped college graduation to hang out in Costa Rica. I taught in Taiwan for a bit-just for kicks. I hope to go to grad school in Spain. By my own determination I’ve become bilingual (English and Spanish) and I’m teaching myself French. I love interacting with cultures-I seek it out as much as possible.

Melissa has been the ‘steady’ one, if you will. All of her life she’s wanted to be an elementary school teacher and, after her last year of college this year, starting next fall, she will be. She’s rarely left Florida and has never left the States.

Lately, Melissa and I don’t share as much as we used to. Not because our relationship has changed-but more because our lifestyles have. I spend my spare time on the computer planning my next adventure. She spends her spare time training for a marathon. We couldn’t share shirts any more even if we wanted to (because she’s so fit and I’m, well, not).

But I want to bridge the gap. I want to share more with her. On New Year’s Eve we decided to try to meet each other in the middle. I’d try something of hers and she’d try something of mine.

So, last week, I started cross-training: swimming, biking, and running. It’s uncomfortable but, man, I can’t wait to be changed by it-to be in better shape, to finish a triathlon-just like my sister.

And she, well, she would like to travel. Aside from trips to Disney or our grandparent’s house we haven’t traveled together-yet. She’s still researching the possibilities. I think Australia would be a good starting point for her to become more travel-savvy. I know it would be a great way for her and I to have one more thing to share .