Primer día

Wow what a great first day! The weather is just gorgeous here. So I'm told that it wasn't quite as hot as a typical summer day, but the breeze was wonderful. Despite the fact that the roads are dirt and many houses are shanty's, the town is just beautiful to me. The class that I went to teach today was up on the mountain side, which offered a great view of the town below. We take a small bus up, or the equivalent to a VW van, to reach the classroom. It costs about 25 cents to get to our stop called "el cemetario" for the extravagantly decorated cemetery on the hill. It's like no cemetery I've ever seen in the States. Instead of solemn grays and creams, the headstones are brightly colored as if to celebrate each person for whom they represent. It also creates a very stark contrast to the surrounding terrain of dirt and rocks. Another volunteer, Elizabeth and I played games with the kids before starting English class. There wasn't too much excitement in class being that today was quiz day. I promised more fun during the next visit. In the evening a few volunteers and I held a conversation class for a few young adults with more advanced English skills. I've already been unofficial nicknamed the "camp counselor", I guess I'm kind of spunky or something;) During class we of course spoke Spanish, but afterwards I had a chance to practice my Spanish with them. I got to meet Katti, a super sweet 18 year old that I will be tutoring in SAT prep. It's such an interesting and wonderful thing to be able to help others to practice another language and then turn around and allow them to help you. It really creates a give-and-take relationship, where everyone's on the same playing field. Sometimes as a volunteer, you have a one track mind about all you can do to help, but it's equally important to realize you need others and that learning goes both ways.  Tomorrow I have a few more classes, English, Math, and Spelling. I'm looking forward to meeting more adorable Peruvian children. Oh and the food---¡qué rica! I truly feel spoiled to get to eat delicious food everyday. The living conditions here are really above what I would have expected as a volunteer in a poor area of the country. However, we are really taken care of, plenty of clean water, home-cooked meals, hot showers (seriously!), wifi, laundry service…it almost makes up for the fact that we are neighbors to roosters and nocturnal barking dogs. Thank you earplugs! (A must for any travels to rural Latin America!) But I do feel very blessed to be in this experience. I'm looking forward to what's to come, but enjoying what's happening right now. 

Away on a jet plane

(Yesterday 9:31 am)

Reality has finally set in that I'm going to Peru, now that I am sitting here in RDU looking outside at the plane I will board shortly. Preparing for a 6-month adventure doesn't feel quite real until the night before when you're cramming last minute things into bags and wondering if you really have everything you need. I wonder if you can be too prepared? Well either way I packed the works: clothes, shoes, enough toilitries for a small family, snacks, books, school supplies, medicine, games, coffee, tea, hot coco…hmm, maybe I did go a bit overboard! The nice thing is that much of it won't be coming back with me. Maybe I'll make friends by being the go-to for all the good snacks -- haha =)

To answer everyone's questions, yes I'm excited, nervous, anxious, ready…and all the other things I've been asked about. I can't really give much more feedback about how I feel until I get there. It's like I'm getting anxious just talking about being anxious! Once I get in and check it all out, I can't wait to share it with everyone. All of your prayers and support mean so much. It's nice to know you're being thought of on the other side of the world.

Well as they say in Español, "¡hasta luego!" Or until we meet again….via the online world at least ;)

One month to go

(First post, 12/31/10)

Finished. I am finally done with my undergraduate studies, after five and a half long years. It's such a strange concept to me, no more cramming for tests, late night trips to the library, or crossing the famous NC State brickyard in between classes. The end of school has been immediately followed by holiday events, with a whirlwind of Christmas shopping, cookie baking, and family visiting that has kept me from the reality of being completely finished with school. I went from panicking about final papers and exams to stressing out about not finishing handmade scarves by Christmas. It has been a wonderful way to fundraise for my trip, but I felt like an elf in a workshop as I knitted for days to complete orders before Christmas. However, sometimes hard work is necessary and I'm grateful for everyone who has purchased a scarf from me to help me raise support. Now I've almost reached my goal and I still have 4 more weeks until I fly out. Christmas and New Years came and went so fast and the next big thing is my adventure to Peru. On the other hand, I only have 4 more weeks until I leave. It's been a topic of conversation for so many months now, I can't believe it's happening so soon. The more I think about it, the more excited I get. I re-watched the brief video with my dad and stepmom over Christmas and was motivated all over again. It was like the feeling I got when I first read through their website. I felt instantly connected, as if this was exactly where I was meant to go. I may not know exactly what's in store after Peru, but I know I'll find more answers when I'm there. My experiences have been the most instrumental in helping me to realize what I like and what I don't, and the kinds of environments I'd like to work in. Although there is structure and a plan for what I'll be doing in Peru, I'm looking forward to the unknowns and the surprises that will unravel during my time there.