I couldn't be happier right now. My life long dream is finally coming true. I am officially going to Peru for 9 months starting August 29th and returning May 7th!!!!!!!!!!
Doing this, is the weirdest feeling ever. Never in my life have I felt so great about a decision and as my friend Gabrielle said to me tonight, "Everything happens for a reason...I really do believe that." So true. If I hadn't faced such adversity with my Dad, if I hadn't left Fordham and if I hadn't finally taken a risk...none of this would be possible. Everything really did happen for a reason and it feels amazing :]
Let me explain what I will be doing for 9 months in Peru. I will be volunteering in the city of Huancayo, about 7 hours east of Lima. Monday thru Friday I will be teaching at a mountain school with an organization called Tinkuy Peru. I will be teaching children English, Math, Reading, Writing and History with an emphasis on basic English. On Saturday's I will be given the opportunity to visit waterfalls, caves, forests, ruins and beaches all around the country. Sunday is a true day of rest in Huancayo and before nightfall, markets line the streets for people to buy produce, meat and other goods. I will be staying in a volunteer home with the director of Tinkuy Peru, Tino, and his family. I honestly can't believe I will be living in Peru for the next 9 months, it is a real dream come true.
If anyone would have told me back at the start of my freshman year at Fordham, that in one year I would be volunteering in Peru...I seriously would have died of laughter. Dreams like this don't come along all the time, so I jumped on it. I have heard positive and negative input from many, but the common denominator among all contributors is that this is the time to do it. As I have pondered for many months, Why wait? Why not achieve my dreams now? What the hell am I waiting for? I am now no longer waiting.
I am honestly sick of planning. I have tried to plan my entire life out since I was very young, and look how far that got me. I planned on going to Columbia University, being a cardiothoracic surgeon, being a part of Doctors Without Borders and marrying a fellow Doctor. HA. Obviously none of this went as "planned" and I am currently doing something drastically different. So, the planning stops now. I bought my plane ticket last night, with my best friend by my side, and that's it. As of right now, I am going to volunteer...but beyond that I am not planning. I can't spend any more time worrying about the future, because plans are always changing. I am always changing. Will I be going to school when I return? Yes, that is what I hope to be doing, but planning what school, when I will apply and where I will be accepted is out of my hands. For now, I am a volunteer and I couldn't be happier with that decision.
As I prepare for my departure on August 29th, a lot of emotions will be running through my bones. Happiness of course, but I will be sad to leave my friends and family, anxious for the trip, nervous to see where I am staying, excited to teach and I will be extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity.
So, as of right now...life is good (really good) and I am taking things into my own hands, making my own decisions and taking the biggest risk of my life! CHEERS :]
But the search ends here,
Where the night is totally clear.
And your heart is fierce,
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer.
No comments:
Post a Comment