First off, the layout is great. It goes over the width limitations and has a small scrollable area, but it's alright.

Secondly. You're great. You know yourself better than anyone else I know. I thought I knew myself too well, but there are times were I just do something completely unlike myself. I knew I needed to get out of Maine, get away from everything that was familiar to me, and that's when I decided to come to Philly for school. The time came when I had to leave and I still was pretty unsure of my decision I had made months earlier. But since I've been on my own, I've learned whole new things about me. A couple haven't impressed me that much, but other things make me realize some major things about my life and who I am. I feel like you'll have a similar experience.

So in conclusion, plan it out and stick to it. Getting out of the house isn't a slap in the face of your parents, it's a learning experience. A really, really good one too. And if you're looking to do what I did, go somewhere where you know no one, don't know anything around where you are, or have any kind of connection to anything, I wish you good luck... and maybe you should just come to Philly. You'll have a friend in me, that's for sure.

Your future calls to you, and like a moth to the flame, we must go forward. The decision to leave the nest is difficult and traumatic. How will I find a place, get my life started and "Afford" to survive? Many questions that won't be answered until you figure out where your next stop will be. Discussion is necessary - but I think you face more of a challenge because of the present "situtation" but you know, we all go through this.

Beware of Separation Anxiety, because if anyone in the mix gets it, you may never leave home ever. If you feel the call to start moving forward, you must answer that call positively. Whatever fears you have are normal, just don't let them overcome you. Every young boy must make his way into the world at some point in his life. Some succeed, some fail, then there are those who NEVER leave the comfort of home. Don' get stuck...

Parents go through the truama of letting go as well. And knowing some of the challenges you face, like some of us, they might be a little reluctant to let you move too far away from the christian base they have so carefully crafted around you. (yes, that ISSUE!) If they let you go, they face the possibility of having to realize that one day you might return a "changed" man. So facing the future and THAT question at the same time is daunting, so one issue at a time.

I think you know who you are today. And that is good enough. Finding out who you will become can wait for the future - and where you decide to reside. (a good LGBT infrastructure) might be a selling point on where you go, and remember if you come this far out, You will have support here to help you. I think you are pretty level headed and if you need more information, all you need to do is ask.

Been here, done this, got the map to prove it.

It took me MANY years to get the "living on my own" right. I took the long and laborious path. (I call that the long term hell passage), but you have a grace that I found late in life. Don't get caught up in addictions or problems that will hamper you. Move forward clear, clean and easy. When the Lord says, "Come follow me, he says to take only that which you need, travel lightly and start walking."

This path might seem daunting, but God will provide as long as you stay focused on His Will and not your own. We make plans and God laughs. So Pray - and be willing to listen to what the answers are. And remember you are not alone. Anywhere else in Canada is very different from what you know in B.C. especially if you come East.

Look at your life, FIND your Passion, DO IT, Money will follow.

You have faced several challenges in the past year, and you are still young, and you have your health, there are a few blessings for you. I think figuring out where to go is more important that answering life's BIG question, you know the question I am speaking about - right?

Planning is a good thing, but one must also have a backup plan, if plan number one falls apart. Always have your bases covered, and know where safety is, in preparation for needing it. Canada is a big country - so come explore it.

It's all about the journey, who you meet and what you learn on The PATH. Sometimes it is not the destination that matters, but what you do and learn on the way there. May I suggest something. Before I moved to Montreal I did a fact finding trip for 2 weeks. I did all my research - returned home, packed up and made the move. So, if you are thinking about somewhere else, I suggest you go visit and see if you like it, see what that area offers and how you will be able to either work or go to school, etc... (the more information you have, the better informed decision you will make)

Do or DO NOT,
There is no try
Young Jedi...

Peace,
Jeremy

I just read Brokeback Mountain, I know what you mean... (Yes, I'll go see it as soon as I can conjure up a baby-sitter.)

And with the feeling of Realness being essential right now, moving out is probably a step on the right way... I moved out when I was 18, never considered staying - but I also had to move to go studying, it might have been different had university been closer. (As it were, it was 1,500 kms (about 1,000 miles) from home...) Living at home is a bit like wearing air bags, I guess, you never get to bump into real life like you would living on your own.

- I'd personally not go live with relatives / family friends, I've always preferred my own company (until I started a family), but you have to see what's right for you!

Best of luck deciding :)