Jennifer
What is the BEST part about being there?
Me
Hondurans are sexy.
lol
jk
..No, but they are.
Jennifer
LOVE IT
Me
The best part is even if I'm just sitting at home, I know I'm doing something wonderful, and I'm far from home being kinda brave.
I don't feel brave 'cause it wasn't scary...
But I know what I'm doing is big,
and I love that.
Jennifer
=)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
An Email Home
"Hello all,
This is just a quick update to let you all know I'm here and fine. Honduras is great! I love it here. I just got done with two weeks of what we call "brigades", which is when student groups go out into Honduran communities and help out in the work Global Brigades (GB) is currently doing. The first week was Medical Brigade with OSU. We saw approx 1,700 with our group of 40 students in just three days out in the communities. It was pretty amazing. The next week a group of 13 of us stayed for Water Brigades and helped with some of the final touches on a clean water system within a community. The project there should be done in July. GB staff was really impressed with out groups, which was great, because it kinda reflects on me, seeing is my job this past year has been prepping groups for their trips. We had a great time.
I just got to my new place in Tegucigalpa, and I love it. Our office is connected to our house, which is very convenient. I'm in it right now, in fact. So far, I love my housemates. They are a lot of fun. Apparently they go out dancing in discotecas a lot, so I'm very excited for that. Reggaeton and Salsa, here I come!
My Spanish is improving a lot. GB offers a tutor as well, so I plan on taking full advantage of that. A one-on-one session with her for an hour is just 5 US Dollars. You can't really beat that, and apparently she's a ton of help. A lot of people have become fluent in one year's time. We'll see how I do.
My camera was unfortunately stolen, so I'll have to invest in a new one soon. I'll attach a few photo that I currently have. Thankfully, I uploaded almost everything the day before it was stolen, so I didn't really lose any pictures, I just lost the opportunity to take some more. It's ok though. I feel very safe here, and all is well.
This is very informal, obviously, but I just thought I'd check in and let you know I'm safe and happy. In the future, you can just check out my blog hollieinhonduras.blogspot.com. I'll be updating that soon. =)
Take Care,
Hollie "
This is just a quick update to let you all know I'm here and fine. Honduras is great! I love it here. I just got done with two weeks of what we call "brigades", which is when student groups go out into Honduran communities and help out in the work Global Brigades (GB) is currently doing. The first week was Medical Brigade with OSU. We saw approx 1,700 with our group of 40 students in just three days out in the communities. It was pretty amazing. The next week a group of 13 of us stayed for Water Brigades and helped with some of the final touches on a clean water system within a community. The project there should be done in July. GB staff was really impressed with out groups, which was great, because it kinda reflects on me, seeing is my job this past year has been prepping groups for their trips. We had a great time.
I just got to my new place in Tegucigalpa, and I love it. Our office is connected to our house, which is very convenient. I'm in it right now, in fact. So far, I love my housemates. They are a lot of fun. Apparently they go out dancing in discotecas a lot, so I'm very excited for that. Reggaeton and Salsa, here I come!
My Spanish is improving a lot. GB offers a tutor as well, so I plan on taking full advantage of that. A one-on-one session with her for an hour is just 5 US Dollars. You can't really beat that, and apparently she's a ton of help. A lot of people have become fluent in one year's time. We'll see how I do.
My camera was unfortunately stolen, so I'll have to invest in a new one soon. I'll attach a few photo that I currently have. Thankfully, I uploaded almost everything the day before it was stolen, so I didn't really lose any pictures, I just lost the opportunity to take some more. It's ok though. I feel very safe here, and all is well.
This is very informal, obviously, but I just thought I'd check in and let you know I'm safe and happy. In the future, you can just check out my blog hollieinhonduras.blogspot.com. I'll be updating that soon. =)
Take Care,
Hollie "
As It Was/As It Is
Written June 25th, 2010
9 AM
Sometimes I think I could swing in this hammock forever: listening to this music, watching the daily thunderstorm march forward from the distance, journaling just like this...
A flicker, a thought, a memory of familiarity, and I wonder what people are doing back home.
What I would give to be at the bean seeing those old faces. The ones that reside in that old building of which their lives are encompassed. Although the unwavering repetition of their lives was a curious thing to me, they made my job predictable, and, in a way, soothing.
What are my friends doing? What is my family thinking? What is the weather like? Has it stopped raining yet?!
I miss my bike. I miss speeding up just in time to cruise down Monroe, passing most cars on any given day. I used to create mixes just long enough to get me to work.
I hope I can buy a bike in Tegucigalpa...
I am thankful for the music that is constantly beautiful no matter where I am in the world. I am thankful to have people miss me as much as I miss them.
I adore Honduras. From the moment my first plane landed here in June 2009 it has felt like home.
However...
Sometimes having 2 homes and 1 me is a heart-splitting feeling...
Let me affectionately add: 2 homes is better than none at all. ♥
9 AM
Sometimes I think I could swing in this hammock forever: listening to this music, watching the daily thunderstorm march forward from the distance, journaling just like this...
A flicker, a thought, a memory of familiarity, and I wonder what people are doing back home.
What I would give to be at the bean seeing those old faces. The ones that reside in that old building of which their lives are encompassed. Although the unwavering repetition of their lives was a curious thing to me, they made my job predictable, and, in a way, soothing.
What are my friends doing? What is my family thinking? What is the weather like? Has it stopped raining yet?!
I miss my bike. I miss speeding up just in time to cruise down Monroe, passing most cars on any given day. I used to create mixes just long enough to get me to work.
I hope I can buy a bike in Tegucigalpa...
I am thankful for the music that is constantly beautiful no matter where I am in the world. I am thankful to have people miss me as much as I miss them.
I adore Honduras. From the moment my first plane landed here in June 2009 it has felt like home.
However...
Sometimes having 2 homes and 1 me is a heart-splitting feeling...
Let me affectionately add: 2 homes is better than none at all. ♥
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Commence ADVENTURE!! Starting in... Dallas, Texas? Eff.
We've made it to Dallas, Texas. I have not been looking forward to this layover at all. Our next flight is not scheduled for another 16 hours. 16 HOURS. How does this happen? However, deciding to make the best of any situation, about nine of us called up a Motel 6 to crash for the day. The hotel approved the nine of us putting our stuff into one small room as long as only two individuals sleep in the room this evening. SCORE!
Texans have been kind with their southern charm, complete with a "y'all" here and a "howdy" there. The temperature is soaring, but I think our meek Oregonian bodies simply aren't acclimated to these surroundings. Stellar was the first to put on her sunblock: a true Oregonian.
We ordered Dominos to deliver, and to pass time we've been playing cards, watching movies, and swimming in the pool. I guess a 16 layover doesn't have to be a bad thing after all. =)
More to come... This is the beginning. =)
Texans have been kind with their southern charm, complete with a "y'all" here and a "howdy" there. The temperature is soaring, but I think our meek Oregonian bodies simply aren't acclimated to these surroundings. Stellar was the first to put on her sunblock: a true Oregonian.
We ordered Dominos to deliver, and to pass time we've been playing cards, watching movies, and swimming in the pool. I guess a 16 layover doesn't have to be a bad thing after all. =)
More to come... This is the beginning. =)
A Summer Nights in Corvallis
It is an understatement to admit that saying goodbye to loved ones has been difficult. With countless recent goodbye gatherings, I am more than grateful to be surrounded by so many that I love. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to say goodbye - or perhaps a cliché "see you later" here and there. Every party and dinner has been wonderful. Because it is fresh in my mind, and I want to post before I leave, I wanted to share with you the events of yesterday evening/this morning.
Last night was incredible. Several cherished friends came over to hang out one last time. I took in every moment I could. Truly. We drank strawberry daiquiris, and made our way through ridiculous amounts of junk food. Sitting on my porch, it was reminiscent of last summer when my roommates and I ate dinner outside on warm evenings. All I wanted before I left was a taste of Corvallis summer. Megan asked that we have a party on my porch before I left, but I didn't believe the weather would permit before I had to leave. Thankfully, I was wrong.
Christmas lights twirled around porch beams and tea lights shone through glass jars that hung from above. This was what I wanted, what I had been hoping for.
I asked simply to be surrounded by friends, but on top of this, I was brought handwritten notes and thoughtful gifts. Jenna and Holly drove up from Eugene to share in the evening. Even after longs days at work, no one missed out, and even beyond that, nobody wanted to leave, soaking in every last minute I was in town. I could not have asked for more. We played rage in the cage until about 2:30 in the morning. Just in time for me to finish any last minute packing before leaving at 3:30 AM for Portland. I could not have had a better last night in Oregon. Really.
So, here I am. It's all officially starting. Early this morning, on absolutely zero hours of sleep, Holly and Jenna drove me to Portland.
PC: Nakalan Buzza - Summer '09
Last night was incredible. Several cherished friends came over to hang out one last time. I took in every moment I could. Truly. We drank strawberry daiquiris, and made our way through ridiculous amounts of junk food. Sitting on my porch, it was reminiscent of last summer when my roommates and I ate dinner outside on warm evenings. All I wanted before I left was a taste of Corvallis summer. Megan asked that we have a party on my porch before I left, but I didn't believe the weather would permit before I had to leave. Thankfully, I was wrong.
Christmas lights twirled around porch beams and tea lights shone through glass jars that hung from above. This was what I wanted, what I had been hoping for.
I asked simply to be surrounded by friends, but on top of this, I was brought handwritten notes and thoughtful gifts. Jenna and Holly drove up from Eugene to share in the evening. Even after longs days at work, no one missed out, and even beyond that, nobody wanted to leave, soaking in every last minute I was in town. I could not have asked for more. We played rage in the cage until about 2:30 in the morning. Just in time for me to finish any last minute packing before leaving at 3:30 AM for Portland. I could not have had a better last night in Oregon. Really.
So, here I am. It's all officially starting. Early this morning, on absolutely zero hours of sleep, Holly and Jenna drove me to Portland.
PC: Nakalan Buzza - Summer '09
Monday, June 7, 2010
Packing, packing, and.. Wait.. Yes, queue more packing.
This is my life in one disgustingly messy, process-of-packing nutshell.
Ugh.
When you realize that almost all of your material possessions can be boxed up and practically forgotten, you question the necessity of any of it. GIVE IT ALL AWAY.
On the other hand, allow me to completely contradict myself by informing you that I bought something new!
I really wanted a duffel bag for my adventures. Lauren, my wonderfully outdoorsy roommate, tried to sway me in the ways of the backpack because they are ideal for get-up-and-go situations, rather than an awkardly large duffel. This, however, sold us both with its great reviews and backpack capabilities. I doubt it'll be a supportive backpack, but if packed correctly, it may save me a lot hassle.
This baby should be waiting for me at REI tomorrow. YAY!
Ugh.
When you realize that almost all of your material possessions can be boxed up and practically forgotten, you question the necessity of any of it. GIVE IT ALL AWAY.
On the other hand, allow me to completely contradict myself by informing you that I bought something new!
I really wanted a duffel bag for my adventures. Lauren, my wonderfully outdoorsy roommate, tried to sway me in the ways of the backpack because they are ideal for get-up-and-go situations, rather than an awkardly large duffel. This, however, sold us both with its great reviews and backpack capabilities. I doubt it'll be a supportive backpack, but if packed correctly, it may save me a lot hassle.
This baby should be waiting for me at REI tomorrow. YAY!
When You Come Back Down
I've been thinking a lot about how I'm going to feel at the airport when I leave Oregon. It's a silly thing to contemplate, really. I'll feel how I feel, and whatever that may be will be okay.
As the plane takes off and I see Portland as a thousand tiny dots and toy cars driving beneath me, I'll think about the life I am temporarily leaving behind and the new things I'm about to explore. For every goodbye I am currently experiencing, there will be so many more hellos.
Today, I rode my bicycle home from work for the last time; it was my last day working as a barista for Allann Brothers Coffee. After a few short hugs, goodbyes, and thank-you-for-everythings, I put on my headphones and began to pedal up Washington St. towards home.
What to listen to?? Nickel Creek? I think yes. Although I don't admit to liking much country, I do love me some blue grass. I'm a sucker for strings. Listening to Nickel Creek on a long bike ride has the ability to make everything in the world seem right.
"When You Come Back Down" began to play, and as I rode home, I started to realize that it was quite suiting for this moment in my life right now.
This upcoming Sunday, my plane will take off from Portland, Oregon. Nearly everything I leave behind, I love. Everything that lies ahead of me will begin when my plane lands in Honduras. =)
As the plane takes off and I see Portland as a thousand tiny dots and toy cars driving beneath me, I'll think about the life I am temporarily leaving behind and the new things I'm about to explore. For every goodbye I am currently experiencing, there will be so many more hellos.
Today, I rode my bicycle home from work for the last time; it was my last day working as a barista for Allann Brothers Coffee. After a few short hugs, goodbyes, and thank-you-for-everythings, I put on my headphones and began to pedal up Washington St. towards home.
What to listen to?? Nickel Creek? I think yes. Although I don't admit to liking much country, I do love me some blue grass. I'm a sucker for strings. Listening to Nickel Creek on a long bike ride has the ability to make everything in the world seem right.
"When You Come Back Down" began to play, and as I rode home, I started to realize that it was quite suiting for this moment in my life right now.
This upcoming Sunday, my plane will take off from Portland, Oregon. Nearly everything I leave behind, I love. Everything that lies ahead of me will begin when my plane lands in Honduras. =)
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