what upp orientation

Blogging is one of those things that I've always wanted to try but never figured I'd had much of a reason to. I had tried to search for an excuse to try blogging by trying to find something worthwhile to blog about. I would hardly call a year of service in Ecuador an excuse to blog, but it certainly has given me the push to start one.

So when I started this blog, I was trying to figure out what the heck I was supposed to name it. I felt like it was such a big step to finally start up this blog thing, and then I realized that I had no witty or remarkable thing to call it. I ended up deciding on that first part because it's the title from a book I just read (thank you Mitch Albom) and also because I wear a ring that says Faith on my right ring finger. The second part I once said at the end of an email to all the rest of the Rostro volunteers when we were trying to figure out what types of clothes we were supposed to bring (how do you pack for a year anyway?) and then I realized that it rhymes, so I decided that instead of liking it, I really liked it. I guess little things like that tend to really amuse me.

After finding out I would be spending a year in Ecuador, I started to get really excited, and really nervous, and really anxious. I probably experienced every emotion in the past few months, and having to say goodbye to people was the hardest part so far. I don't cry that much, but I cried saying goodbye, and it's weird because I know it's not going to be forever. It's only a year. Sometimes I think a year is really long and then I realize that the past four years of college felt like they passed within the timespan of a single week. I think it's strange how time works like that.

Anyway, I've finally ended all the goodbyes, which has been sad, yes, but also a sigh of relief. I feel like I can truly focus now on what next year will bring. Orientation has been great so far. All the JVC and RdC kids are so open and friendly, and knowing that everyone is kind of scared and kind of anxious and really excited is very comforting. We're all in the same boat, so we're going to make sure we all keep afloat :) (that also rhymed, and I just laughed out loud in the BC library...)

Contact can be pretty limited, but I'll do my best to update this as much as possible. Mom, I'm healthy and happy, so don't worry, and thanks to everyone that supported this maybe not-so-conventional post-graduation opportunity. It really meant, and continues to mean, a lot to me :)

Paz, Amor, y Ecuador (that means Peace, Love, and Ecuador) <3