A Whole New World

It feels as though months have passed since I was in Belize. During the week or so that I was home I got a much needed haircut and a TB skin test(I’m healthy!), signed the papers to allow a background check for my next volunteer spot, unpacked, repacked. And that’s just the boring stuff. I …

A Trip to Customs

I have to be honest with you guys. There’s been a lot recently that I haven’t been telling you. I feign dramatics but in all seriousness there always seems to be more to tell than I can put into words. Most nights I go to bed wondering, “how can it be that this morning was …

In awe

A glimpse at my usual schedule, so far: Note- all of this is done in English (though their accents aren’t always easy to understand) 5:30am wake up 5:45 prayer with sisters and “the girls” in chapel (on the property) then drive about 10 minutes into town 6:30 Mass at St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church …

Little life-changers

My time volunteering locally is coming to an end. Early Thursday morning I will be getting on a plane to Belize City. Where I will be staying the next two months, Punta Gorda, Belize will have a low of 65°F that day. Here's hoping I won't have any trouble getting internet access and posting every …

Happy New Year

Hello again! I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and continue to have a joyful season. Happy New Year as well! Whether you are the new years resolution type or not, I wish you luck in dreaming big and achieving your goals. There's something silly my dad says any time someone says, "Have a good …

Getting Here Pt. 2

First, let me say, thank you for bearing with me as I explain how I got here. Secondly, I wish you all a wonderfully merry Christmas and joyous holiday season, whatever you may celebrate. There's a small chance I'll post on Christmas or Christmas Eve. We'll see how my gift wrapping schedule goes. Here is …

Getting Here, Pt. 1

When I entered high school my older sister gave me this superb advice: figure out what you want before you start trying to get it. Of coarse, I didn't take her advice to heart very well. But thankfully, through the process of creating this gap year I had my mom faithfully guiding my scattered thoughts …

Holiday Break Volunteering

As I've mentioned and I hope is evident, my gap year is not just me "taking a year off".  That being said, I have noticed a significant decrease in my stress levels compared to this time a year ago.  With Christmas on its way it feels like such a luxury to have the time and …