It was an exhilarating feeling standing on top of Angel's Landing. That wasn't enough, so I had to climb on top of the highest point. There's nothing like proving to yourself that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind on.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Angel's Landing = Amazing Time
It was an exhilarating feeling standing on top of Angel's Landing. That wasn't enough, so I had to climb on top of the highest point. There's nothing like proving to yourself that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind on.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Anatomical Blurt
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Passport
I wrote this during a summer writing class.
A license for adventure and the vivid memory of such can be held in the palm of my anticipating hand. The vibrant battered blue booklet has accompanied me to foreign soils, life lessons, and a yearning for exploration. A youthful inexperienced blonde version of myself inhabits the inside cover like a hermit inhabits a home. If only she knew then where that smile would take her. Each date territorially stamps its place in my continuous timeline like a scar forever remains after stitches. The colorfully faded and smudged ink stains instigate a reverie in the scrapbook of my mind. Like August 23, 2001 and the midnight humidity of Hong Kong. Or July 9, 2002, the date I humbly realized I didn't learn Spanish in the MTC. Or February 3, 2003 and my first encounter with a dread-lock adorned Rasta Far I. With lonesome pages yet to be claimed, my wandering heart pounds in sweet anticipation.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Dominican Republic
My summer adventures never consisted of going to the Dominican Republic. I went there last summer to volunteer at a youth camp for the DREAM project (Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring Project http://www.dominicandream.org/) and never thought I’d return. Last minute life change and I was on my way. As I was preparing to go, I still had no idea why I was going but felt that I needed to…and I was right.
I taught math in the adolescent camp (ages 13-18). I taught five classes of 20. The kids come from the local community. They attend camp for four weeks and take classes such as math, reading, writing, English, health, and grassroots soccer. They also get to go on amazing fieldtrips which provide opportunities that they would never be able to have. I loved my students and overcame some difficult hurdles with a few of them. A life changing feeling was seeing the light in their eyes become brighter as they learned and understood something that has been taught time and time again. I really broke down the curriculum and they responded well. One girl wrote on my shirt on the last day, “Por ti puedo multiplicar.” Because of you, I can multiply. Best feeling ever. Math was voted by the students as the best class of the camp!
I absolutely loved living in the Callejon! It’s the main road where the Dominicans live. With dusty roads, motoconchos (motorcycle taxis), street children, garbage, fruit stands, and a myriad of other things, I fell in love with it! I loved walking down every day and saying hi to all of my new friends. I loved heading up to the Loma (the mountain) and hanging out with my favorite family. The dirt in the Loma is red and I usually left with red toes. Fresh fruit was amazing. I regularly bought fresh cut pineapple. I fell in love with the fruit stand baby and would hold him and sing him lullabies. I wanted to bring him home with me! I also enjoyed attending church in a neighboring town and rekindled some dear friendships.
The camp is located in Cabarete on the north coast of the DR. It is a tourists’ destination as it boasts opportunities for world class kite boarding/surfing and wind surfing. It was amazing living near the beach. Most mornings I enjoyed water aerobics in the ocean as the sun rose. I highly recommend this as a day starter. For only 75cents I could hop on a local bus, also known as a gua-gua (a minivan crammed with 20-30 people and livestock) and ride down to Sosua. Sosua boasts an amazingly pristine shoreline with crystal clear waters. I frequently went there and became obsessed with collecting sea glass. I now have a huge bag of it…any ideas of what I can do with it? BYU sends a group of student every semester. Great peeps to pal around with.
After the 27 waterfalls! Amazing! Jumping off the waterfalls was such an adventure. My last day was spent with amazing people on an amazing beach! I heart Sosua!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Caribbean Dreams
We were herded off the boat as cattle are herded down a quaint village road. Solid ground and shouting locals welcomed us. We soon discovered that we were brilliant adventure seekers. Not purchasing excursions on the boat saved us a wallet full of cash. Plenty of excursion vendors greeted us and offered a “good deal.” We opted to swim with sting rays in the inviting crystal-blue waters. Kissing the sting rays was much more pleasurable than any past experience involving kissing (lol just kidding). We then ventured for a few minutes of snorkeling. We worked up quite the appetite and ate in a local-recommended restaurant. With jerk chicken and out-of-place country music playing in the background, I was soon satisfied with my 6 hour stay.
For our adventure, we suspended ourselves high above the jungle. Relying upon Honduran workmanship and materials we glided down 16 zip-lines. Flying free above the tropical majesty while overlooking the ocean was an amazing experience. Having relatively no fears has allowed me to experience the beauty the world has to offer. The beaches were more “bella” than anyone had ever imagined. Warm ocean water is the best way to relax. Once again a Catracha (nickname for Hondurans), even if for a day, was a much welcomed opportunity.
I was early to bed….for the following day would be my most cherished and anticipated day for the past 6 ½ years! I was up at the crack of dawn wanting to be the first in line to get off the ship. Long story short…getting off the boat was a crazy, confusing process. As soon as I stepped on land, I was in my area (Cinderella) of nine months. My friends (member from the branch) Omar and Robert came to greet us. Omar took my sisters and me around town for the entire day. We walked a lot! I was finally in the place that I love! The streets were recognizable! Kriol, rap music, and “Hello beautiful!” and many other pick up lines filled our ears. I was able to see some many wonderful people. People whom I only dreamed I’d see again. We even did some investigating to track people down. One man whom I taught in a park a few times a week was still sitting at his post in the same park!
Belize was much dirtier and more ghetto than I remember. I may have been used to it while I served there. It was still majestic and beautiful to me because of the love that I have for the people. I ate some rice and beans and found the Chinese bakery that sells the most delectable coconut buns! As the time to return to the boat crept closer, the tears began to swell. I wasn’t ready to leave after only a few hours. Saying goodbye to my modern-day pioneer heroes Omar and Robert was difficult. It’s hard to leave people behind when plans for seeing one another again aren’t in the immediate future. What a blessing it was to return…even if it was for a day.
Jet skiing around the island was a blast. I drove like a banshee! Luckily no one else wanted to drive so I got to be crazy for the entire perimeter of the island. To top it off we ate some famous Key Lime Pie purchased at the famous Blonde Giraffe (which reminded me of my sister Kristy…she’s blonde and tall…like unto a giraffe).
I know this post, my first, is long! Long story short….go on a cruise! It’s absolutely amazing. Best vacation yet. Dancing, pool side deck chairs, first class service, late night serenades by Joel, and good company make memories that will forever stamp there place in my timeline. I’m sure it won’t be my last!