2016-05-13
I'm writing this in a collection of days, because I simply have not been able to formulate my words about being back home. I'm writing this from my bedroom back in Huntington Beach, California; from the kitchen table with my coffee, and cat sitting next to me; and from the sofa in my pajamas and...
Read More2016-03-26
If I were to list every individual aspect of growth that I have seen in myself this year, this would be a very long(er) blog. From overall global perspective to my favorite act of showing “curiosity before judgement” to maintaining self-awareness, this year has given me the opportunity to become a person I am proud...
Read More2016-02-12
Back in Training Seminar 2 (TS2), in one of our many sessions, we focused on Storytelling but through a lense that we are not necessarily comfortable with. I spent an hour looking through old Renaissance paintings, observing specific color schemes and author's intentions, and recognizing patterns in size and theme. From there, we were given...
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2015-12-28
If you may remember, a couple months ago I wrote a blog about being gay and appearing to be “straight” in my community of San Juan. My standpoint on the matter still holds firmly, as I see no need to express this part about me to my community – especially because, after living here for...
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2015-12-28
When I envisioned my ‘Ecua-Christmas’ I didn’t really know what to prepare for in all honesty. In California where I am from, my family always gathers at my Grandma’s house on Christmas Eve to prepare a nice Italian dinner and open presents together. Then, the next morning, my sister and I would run into my...
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2015-12-16
When I came to Oakland (over 4 months ago) I knew I wanted to teach. Of course, my understanding of what teaching abroad actually meant was very limited, considering I had practically no teaching experience as well as zero knowledge of how to communicate in Spanish. All I knew was that I wanted to teach....
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2015-11-22
It’s crazy to think it has already been over three months. I initially would write ‘I have been away from home,’ but I have come to find that San Juan has become my home. To wake up every morning, having a bladder more than full, and rush downstairs to the restroom brings such beauty from...
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2015-10-27
Driving to Sayausi for the day, bus after bus, taxi after taxi, all I knew about the schedule was that we, Charlotte, Emery, Gabrielle, and I, were going somewhere to reforest something. This explanation basically sums up all things Ecuador, going somewhere unclear with little direction other than “vamos.” Sitting in the third and final...
Read More2015-10-16
This article I bring to you is exactly as the title states: sick. The medical, physical, and emotional level of having lesser strength, mental capacity, and/or understanding of reality. However, yesterday was quite the opposite. On Thursday, during one of my English classes, I noticed I started feeling a little…yucky. My nose was runny, my...
Read More2015-10-09
Let me just start out by saying, “Congratulations! You’ve already taken a giant leap just by thinking about taking a bridge year!” The fact you’re interested and pursuing possibly a different pathway mean’s that you’re ready. Senior year is a crazy one for sure. When I first heard about Global Citizen Year, I...
Read More2015-10-06
When I first had the idea to write this blog, I actually started with this title. I debated about titling it “Take Me [An Atheist] to Church” in honor of Hozier, but I didn’t think many people would get it. And, whereas this title is not meant to diminish the meaning of religion, nor is...
Read More2015-10-01
It’s no surprise that I’m writing this while listening to music. Sitting on my bed in my mom’s gigantic pancho, playing some Lykke Li with my headphones in my ears and the coldness surrounding the rest of me. When I’m sad, or rather just thinking about home and people I miss, I always remind myself...
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2015-09-26
If you had asked me if I was going to come out to my host family in Ecuador last year, or even last month, I would have said “duh” and left it at that. But now, it just doesn’t really matter. During Pre-Departure Training in August, I talked a lot about being...
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2015-09-22
I woke up yesterday to the sound of dozens of howling dogs and cah-cah-ing roosters. I climbed out of bed and put my feet on the freezing, wooden floor, only to walk down the stairs and outside to wash my hair and teeth. I went back inside, got dressed, grabbed my backpack, and headed to...
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2015-09-21
This morning, the alarm rang at 5:00am sharp. I got up, showered, put on some clothes, packed my bag, and was off to Estacion Norte. From there, Madi, Miyo, Rose, and I transferred to another bus that took us on a two-hour adventure through the mountains. Finally, after running out of Katy Perry songs to...
Read More2015-09-19
I am excited. I am excited to return home and share these old and new stories with my friends and family. I am excited to look in the mirror and see a changed me. I am excited to head to San Francisco for college. I am excited to call up my fellow Fellows and go...
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2015-09-04
Or, in English, happy Friday! I can’t believe I’ve only been in Quito for a week. Maybe it’s because of this Ecua-time. I live on the hustle-bustle street of Av. Américan, which lies right in the heart of Quito. Every morning I wake up to a slight pollo singing faintly in the distance, just for...
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2015-08-27
It’s about time to leave for Quito, and the transformation is already extraordinary. Sitting in the Redwoods, my back against a sixty-five foot tree, I have began to learn that comfort lies within one’s self, probably, more than expected. Leaving my home in Huntington Beach, my family and friends, everything I had grown accustomed to,...
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2015-08-24
When I look back at the past nineteen years of my life, an abundance of memories immediately flock my head. Singing in front of sold-out audiences. Dipping strawberries into delicious chocolate for people. Getting pure joy out of making four clicks when I punch my tap shoes into a wooden floor. Sipping my iced coffee...
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