We Didn't Drown!

There are way too many roosters here.

Something about Bali that’s interesting. Liz and I have been around the shops and though the first time we found them, it was kind of a shock, we’ve grown accustomed to finding small wooden keychain penises and large wooden bottle-opener penises. Apparently, in Hinduism, it’s a sign of good luck. So don’t be offended if you receive one of those little charms from me. ;)

It’s been another eventful few days here. A couple days ago, with only the intention to go to the beach and lie out and read, our driver actually talked us into going to a beach water-sports business instead. At which point, Liz talked me into scuba diving. I have never been more terrified in my life! Looking back, being emerged deep underwater for a half hour straight, feeding tropical fish right out of our hands, and seeing clown fish in the anemone right up close really was a cool experience...but I wasn’t really fond of having nothing between me and drowning but a mask and a little rubber tube connected to a tank. I may have kind of freaked out a little bit. When we began to see sunlight filtering through the water, I reached my hand up, ready for the relief that would wash over me when my skin broke surface. So this leads to our next tip. (Forewarning, this one may seem a little weird—keep in mind that these tips are mostly for my benefit and you are free to choose whether or not to agree.) TIP #26: When in fear of a new adventure, keep the adventurous spirit alive by staying in the moment as best you can, but also picture the comforting face of someone brave (like Jesus, maybe your best friend, or a sumo wrestler) who's spirit can carry you through the adventure. And distract your mind when staying in the moment is like facing death from thick foggy goggles.

Another lesson I’ve learned. If you are lucky enough to receive the opportunity to attend a legit Balinese temple ceremony, always wait until the end. On the way to dinner last night with Pak Wentan and Bu Nanik, Nanik told us that near the end of the ceremony we attended the other night, around three in the morning (after we left), many people began to go into these crazy trances. The most spiritually and enticing part of any temple ceremony. And how many chances is one going to get to see that?!

It’s a rainy day in Ubud today. Liz and I are planning on taking another Yoga class, though I’ve been sore for three days since our last lesson. But I dig it! The instructor begins with a little sermon on how to live a more peaceful and kind-hearted life. It's like church for the body AND soul!

Monkey Business in Bali

My earlier exclamation on Bali’s beauty and culture was a rash statement. I had only been here for two days, that’s hardly enough time to get to know an entire country. However, three or four days is totally good enough. BALI IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!

(Me with a monkey in my lap>>>)

July 8^th Today we went to the Monkey Forest Temple. It felt like we were in Indiana Jones and I’ve never seen so many monkeys in my life! We fed them bananas and just chilled with them. They’re so cute! One monkey even nibbled on my sister’s arm affectionately (though she claims it bit her aggressively) and one confused me with a tree and climbed all over me. The temple was so cool with Monkey statues all over the place. Everything here is ancient, it’s so cool. This morning we also ran into a girl who danced with Liz’s gamelan back in California and her sister. They’re of course staying in the same hotel because that’s how coincidences go. We tagged along with them on a tour of Bali. We saw HUGE rice paddies (though by now, I’ve seen thousands), this place where that make and grow all sorts of teas and coffees and fruits (free samples!), a mountain (which we of course plan to climb), and the water temple (Zelda fans, can you say “fricken sweet?!). Before entering a temple in Bali, one must wear a sarong. Many Balinese people just wear sarongs all the time. This was one of those temples where there was a blessed bath that people were praying and bathing in. I honestly would be cool with going back and jumping in.

July 9^th Today Liz and I explored more of Ubud, on a quest for Kebayas. The Balinese (and I’m sure many other touristy cultures) play this stupid game called “bartering.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with bartering, I’ll explain. The seller tries to sell you something for double or triple the price that the item is worth. If you look scared, the seller whispers, “It’s ok, you can barter.” You then have to proceed to either act uninterested or say something like “Psh. I wouldn’t pay that much. I’d pay…” And you say about 20 or 30 percent of the price. The seller then will either laugh in your face or tell you “No no. Ok, I give it to you for…” And then they knock off about RP 10,000. Then you add RP 10,000 to you price. You continue to go back and fourth like this until you’re at about 50 or 55 percent of the original price.

I hate bartering. Stupid stupid game.

Anyway, we went to the Market (where everything is still expensive, even after bartering) and bought our Kebayas. Kebayas are these long, pretty shirts traditionally worn with a sash and sarong by women at temple ceremonies and performances. After shopping around for a while longer, we met up with one of the young Balinese hotel guys Made (mah-day) and his much older friend, Made, and hopped on the back of their motorbikes for a tour of the countryside. Again, Bali is BEAUTIFUL. After our return to the hotel, we got our new traditional Balinese outfits on and went with our California sister friends, Rika and Linda, and their friend, Yoga, to a temple performance that Liz’s gamelan teacher was playing in. Balinese gamelan music now officially ties jazz as favorite musical style. It’s so magical! Balinese dance is pretty fricken sweet as well. We plan to take lessons soon with Yoga’s wife. After the performance, we hung out at Pak Wentan’s (Liz’s teacher) mansion for tea. He and his wife and Yoga all have such positive energy surrounding them - it’s amazing!

July 10^th Yesterday, Liz and I adventured through Ubud to Wayan’s Medicine shop, from Eat, Pray, Love. At first, she wasn’t there, so we ventured through the unexplored street, visited the book store, and came back. By then, Wayan was there and swarmed with tourists. In order to do her healing, she apparently has to drive her patients to her other location and could therefore not fit us in the car. Ah well. We headed back for our hotel when it started to pour.  TIP #25: If it rains, unless you are in a hurry, just stop somewhere for tea or coffee and wait it out. Don’t choose to walk the mile back to your hotel and definitely don’t choose to try and take a shortcut through the Market. Later that evening, Yoga picked us and Rika and Linda up again and took us to have dinner at Pak Wentan’s house and attend an all night long temple ceremony and performance. At dinner, we met a Lithuanian girl and a French boy whom we hope to rent a house with in a few days. We’ve met so many people from all over the world, it’s crazy. And they are always surprised at how short our stay is in Bali. But that's because Europeans take holidays - usually for a few months. Americans take vacations - maybe for a week? Anyway, we were all very sleepy at the temple performance. After the excitement of watching Pak Wentan dance, our attention began to wane. And after an hour or two of listening to traditionally dressed comedian drag queens without having understood any of their jokes (though the Balinese thought they were hilarious), we trekked back to Pak Wentan’s house and Yoga took us back to our hotel. This culture truly is amazing! But man, they stay up late for the ceremonies. Its like Midnight Mass every week! Today, Liz and I have no plans again, but as the past goes to show, I’m sure it’ll be another eventful Balinese day. Thanks for reading!

The Routine of Paradise

Jetlag sucks. TIP#22: When traveling across the world to a time zone that messes with your day and night a little, don’t go to bed early, no matter how exhausted you are. Drink something caffeinated to keep you awake so you don’t find yourself twiddling your thumbs at 3 or 4 in the morning, wide awake, singing happy birthday to yourself.  Also, FYI, a glass of wine is not caffeinated.

However, Bali is AMAZING! It’s our second day here after a days worth of flights and airports. We’ve even made a few friends already! (Two Canadian blokes who advised us on Balinese wine and one French woman.) There don’t seem to be too many Americans that come here. This is okay with me though—all the different accents add to the cultural experience.

But yes, yesterday and today are my birthdays (I’m counting both Bali’s and America’s time zones so I can celebrate twice).  Yesterday, we spent the day at a Balinese spa, getting treated to massages, scrubs, oils and lotions of which I’m not even sure, baths brimming with pink flowers, lunches, manicures, pedicures, and hair cream rinse. I’ve never been treated so much like a fairy princess in my whole life and it was all for a little over $50 US. 

A few words about the currency. In Bali, their currency is in rupiah. 100,000 rupiahs equals about $12, as I understand it. TIP#23: Before traveling to a foreign country, learn the exchange rate. Study it in a way so that you can easily calculate it. Otherwise, when you find your bags being dragged around the airport for you upon your arrival, you might accidentally be giving these men tips equivalent to about $24. Oops.

But oh well.

Ubud, the city we are staying in, is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Even it’s equivalent to pigeons are pretty!  There are temples and sunrays and stairways and tropical plants and flowers and offerings to the gods and beautiful dressed up Balinese people and marching gamelans up the YIN YANG! I have never been surrounded by such beauty in my LIFE. The Balinese live by a communal beauty routine. Each day, the locals begin to appear out and about around seven, cleaning their shops and gathering materials to create their offerings. The offerings consist of little handmade baskets of palm filled with anything from flowers to candy. These baskets decorate the statues and streets each day, adding to the general communal splendor. Fresh flowers are also produced each day to decorate most statues and temples.

I wish that cities in the US took care of themselves a little like like this. Their daily routines often seem to consist of no more than emitting as much smog into the air as possible. But thats just an illustration of the cultural differences. America is more focused upon the individual's health and happiness and success; Bali's focus is more upon the community's health and happiness and success. Not that one is right and one is wrong. They're just different (obviously). :) Each morning, Liz and I have our own little routine of practicing some Yoga before breakfast (for something to do, considering we thus far have been waking up before sunrise).

Today we are getting a tour of the countryside from one of the hotel dudes. Then, sometime soon we’ll start our lessons in gamelan and dance from Liz’s professor and his wife. Thus far, I’d call this a pretty chill trip.  I don’t think I’ve ever really been on a trip before without at least having something scheduled. And really, I’m ok with this.  :)

Adventure Guide, Chapter 2: Bali, Indonesia!

Greetings from my sister's apartment in California! In a little less then 12 hours, Liz and I will be flying over the Pacific Ocean to Taiwan and then on to Bali, Indonesia. The adventure will be three weeks long and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I am young, single, (finally) healthy, not (yet) broke, and not held down by any commitments to work or attend school. I have packed enough clothes for once, about every over-the-counter drug we thought might be necessary, plenty of sunscreen and ALOE VERA (I learn from my mistakes sometimes), and of course, my trusty bunny, Rabbit. Aside from a little broken suitcase (TIP #20: Always make sure that the extender zipper on your carryon suitcase actually zips.), we are good to go. However, in the words of the character Mark in the movie JUNO, "I know we're prepared. I'm just wondering if... I'm ready."

On every flight, I always kinda hope that fate will give me a new found friend from afar to sit next to. However, I haven't truly made any flight friends since I was maybe fifteen on a school trip to Europe. She was an older Indian woman with several sick daughters who advised me dearly not to get married or even think about boys until I was well traveled and not to travel until I was well established in my career. She told me about her regrets for marrying right away and how it has messed her whole life up. :) She was a fun and colorful human being. When I look back at all my flights prior to our meeting, I realize that I pretty much always made a friend on my flights. So why haven't I made one since? Is it because society has changed and it is now considered more creepy to talk to complete strangers? Is it because I have become shy in the last few years? Or maybe its even worse; am I subconsciously waiting for someone more interesting to sit by me and talk to me? On the flight to LA yesterday, I was assigned general seating. I sat in an empty row by a window, passing seat upon empty seat, I chose to sit alone, leaving fate to determine my flight partner. It ended up being an old man who was on his way to visit his son who lives in California. After a couple details about our trips were exchanged, the conversation ended, and we pulled out our reading material for the rest of the 3 hour flight. 

It was lame. I never even asked where he was from, what his name was, or what he did for a living. And these are the three necessary questions of any Midwesterner (christened by my lovely professor, Kim, as the Theory of Dakotativity). This leads to TIP #21: Always follow the Theory of Dakotativity when meeting someone. You never know who might share a mutual friend or connection. Unless maybe he or she is holding you at gunpoint, swearing to shoot if you say a word. That might not be too wise. 

So my first goal of this whole trip is too make a new flight friend. Or at least a few Balinese friends. I have a feeling my sister and i will be sitting together for the 16 some hours of future flying, splitting our time between watching movies and sleeping. :)

At least I made this new friend. His name is Dexter. 

If you haven't noticed, today is July 4th, aka INDEPENDENCE DAY. A day where Americans gather together to celebrate the freedom and independence that our country has celebrated since the Declaration was signed. The same day I am going to take flight across the ocean to celebrate this independence by striving for.... well.... independence. Granted, I will be traveling with my sister, but we have barely any plans, have no obligations in the way, and have the opportunity to test ourselves, our wit, and our abilities in a foreign country...freely. Independence, here I come.  

Unlike dear Mark in JUNO.... I am ready. :)

...I think. ;)

Sunshine Summertime

The Summer has pretty much begun. Except, of course, for the fact that I got sent home at the nick of finals week because of a kidney infection and mono. So, though my school year isn't yet technically over and I haven't even packed up my room back in Sioux Falls, it is still summer. My Dad is outside, probably in his creepy basketball shorts, mowing the lawn, and the Chamberlain High Seniors have officially graduated. The trees even have full, plump, salad-worthy leaves on them (which I forgot was possible). 

I am in my room, dreaming of all the things I want to do, to plan. I've already begun practicing my origami skills, though my rabbit definitely looked more like a roach. I love dreaming. I love making lists. Give me a subject and I'll dream up the craziest list I can contrive. My problem is being proactive. 

One day this last year, my friend had found some old books that his library was going to throw out. He saved them and one, he turned into one of those secret compartment books. You know, the ones you can find at a quirky gift shop where all the insides, the guts, of the book have been cut out? He was so excited about it. All year, I watched him get excited about creation after creation. Everything that he plans, he usually does. 

I plan so many things and dream so many dreams up at the same time that they overwhelm me. I scarcely finish anything that I plan. Another trait that I fear I've picked up from my mother. its very unsatisfying. Its lead my whole life. The procrastination of every assignment and project in school, the easy projects I'll leave on my desk for months on end, the clothes I'll never get rid of because I'm sure I'll use them someday....

This leads to TIP #19: Make something. Right now. 

I wonder how much good the concept of "to do list" is for the world anyway. The list is obviously never going to end anyway. Why not just live as seems fit? 

My To Do List

Crap Ton of Math Homework

Study for Math Final

Prepare LAR Final

Figure out When Those Finals Are

Get Julia a Grad Present

Talk to Kim about Theater Final

Fix Bank Account

FInd a Place to Live in SUF for 2 Weeks

Clean Room

Pack up Sioux Falls Room

And trust me, the list goes on....

I mean, what's the point? I know I have to do all of these things. Listing them just makes me anxious (considering I'm supposed to be sick in bed, incapable of doing them anyway). The list is going to get completed though, whether I list the items or not. What a silly listing lifestyle I have lived all these years. Snorkelers don't have to make todo lists. Snorkelers are proactive. It's about time I put on the gear, at least, and go take another crack at origami. 

PS: I'm not sure how coherent this post even is. Considering my illnesses, I'm on a drug that makes me a little loopy. Just so ya know. 

In Need of Advice

Last night, I went to my first scary movie in a while, Insidious. I hate scary movies. But the opportunity arose, so I took it. And it was ok. Yay adventures!

Earlier that day, I also stepped in a bucket of paint.

Later on, I lost my phone.

At least it was an interesting day. :)

Not having a phone is pretty much really super freeing. Every decision I've made since losing it has been a spontaneous one. I feel old school. Yesterday, I really wanted to see the Jazz Crawl downtown, but hadn't really talked to anyone about going yet. So, I knocked on a couple doors, but received no wishes to join me. I remembered the feeling I got one day in Belize, waiting for someone to do what I wanted to do and I realized that I didn't have to wait now. I could do exactly what I wanted to do. Then, as I gathered my jacket and purse, a friend stopped by to say hi and decided to join me. It was a spontaneous adventure, going through parts of downtown Sioux Falls that we don't really get the chance to see very often. I really enjoyed not worrying about contacting people to see where they were at, what time it was, or what I should do next. Then, this morning, most of my friends were sleeping when I got up. So, I went shopping with a girl I don't really hang out with, because that was exactly what I wanted to do. Getting to know someone who I see all the time, but really don't get to talk to, was awesome. Once again, I couldn't really be texting anyone about the rest of the day, so of course, when I got back to the dorm, everyone was gone. And once again, I got to make the decision of what I wanted to do and then I got to do it. Unplanned and a little adventurous. I'm learning to live like a snorkeler. It's a piece of Belize that I accidentally took back with me and was brought out with the loss of my phone. In Belize, no one ever knew what time it was. I like this feeling. TIP #17: For one Saturday or Sunday, make no plans, turn your phone off, do what you feel like, and see who you run into. 

But I still want my phone back asap. I was literally in only three rooms in the fine arts center when it disappeared. I seem to lose and forget a lot of things. All. The. Time. Sometimes, it gets so frustrating, I want to cry. And then I do cry. No matter how hard I try to keep track of things, they still manage to slip away from me. Though I survive, I still get myself into a lot of trouble and have to depend on others to help me out. However, all I can do is follow TIP #18: Remember to be grateful for those who do help me, keep trying and hoping for the best, and to use the resources I have to fix things to the best of my ability.


However, now that I've sufficiently doled out at least a years worth of tips, I am in need of some advice. This summer is supposed to be an adventurous one. I can feel it. However, my problem is not finding the adventure. It is deciding on which adventure to pursue.

Adventure Option #1
My sister has been planning on going to Bali in Indonesia for a couple years now and is finally going to make her month long journey in July. My brother and I have been thinking about the possibility of joining her for that month. The cultural experiences would be FANTASTIC (and make great blogs) and it would be awesome sibling bonding time. If I were to take this option, I would move back home to waitress right after school (so as to afford the trip itself), then go to Bali through July, then come back home and waitress until school. The most expensive part of the trip would be the plane ticket as living expenses are cheap.

Adventure Option #2
My best friend is planning on taking a bunch of road trips this summer. She plans on going to either the South or the North Pacific.  I would be able to continue my exploration of my own country and would be the most financially sound option AND  would be good best friend bonding time. With this option, I would live at home and waitress throughout the summer and probably take multiple road trips.

Adventure Option #3
I could live on campus, take an online class, work part time somewhere, and attempt to build up my resume and get theater jobs in the city, while also creating connections and learning about the summer life of Sioux Falls. I'd try to take some summer dance lessons and make time to see as much theater as I could. This option would be the most career smart one and would make good experiences while being grounded somewhere new. The problem would be finding the theater/part time work.

Let me know what you think, please. I need your help! Should I go for the more personal growth world traveling option, financially smart savings option, or career smart resume growth option?

Opportunities

I got to eat pickles last night. :)

Leaving Belize was really emotional. I felt stupid, but I couldn't help but crying a little -- this has been a very critical time period in my life. I've discovered things about the world and about myself that are difficult to describe here. I'm sad, relieved, impatient, and guilty to be almost home. So many of those children of San Pedro are living in feces and garbage. In fact, that is literally the foundation of the school we helped to extend. But it doesn't make me feel bad for them. I mean, I do feel bad, but most of them are so happy -- happier then most American children. The hopes and dreams of the children of Belize made me feel bad for people in my own country. I said I would bring back their secret, but I believe that the secret is obvious. Their culture of living simply brings them happiness. Just think... no fast food.

Part of me wants to go back and see inside their little houses. But I don't think that I ever will go back to Belize. I think that's why I'm sad. Maybe this is a touchy subject, but I thought a lot about the reservations in South Dakota and the shit that goes down there. Which, as a home grown South Dakotan, I honestly don't really think about that much. Creativity Begets Creativity. Action Begets Action? Is it even possible to make change there? Going on trips like this always make me impatient for change. I remember making a list that was three or four pages long of changes I wanted to make and things I wanted to do in my journal of the Midwest Ambassadors of Music trip through Europe. I'm already planning on cutting my hair as soon as I get the chance. The changes I want to make are always a little bit silly (like learning how to draw, reading certain books, etc.) and I usually think of too many things then are possible to do. However, it's hopes and dreams like those that keep our world turning. TIP #15: When inspired to make change, limit yourself to three accomplishable goals, and make them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely). Otherwise, your To Do list will probably get in the way.

My Goals: 1. Start Budgeting 2. Read Harry Potter Again 3. FIGURE OUT SUMMER

As for my third goal, I will need help with in my next post.

TIP #16: No matter what kind of mood you're in, when opportunity arises for adventure, take it. The whole time we were at the resort, I was exhausted for some reason. However, opportunity arose. The owner of the resort, Doug, took us crocodile hunting that night and sent us on a bus ride to the monkey reserve in the morning. It was amazing! Pure nature. Belize is like a meting pot of nature. Sometimes I felt like I was in Africa, sometimes like I was in Louisiana, sometimes like I was in South America, sometimes like I was on the TV show, LOST. Except everywhere served burritos. Really good, cheap, burritos. On these (AMAZING) adventures, people kept asking me what was wrong. I think the tension of traveling exhaustion was just building up so that my face looked dead. I forgot to smile a sufficient amount. We are not only responsible for our own energy, but also for the energy of those around us.

I'm ecstatic to be home soon. I'm not ecstatic, however, for the extremely busy schedule I'm about to walk in to. Wish me luck!

And The Adventure Continues...

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/cancellations-persist-after-miami-airport-fueling-station-fire-1348460.html?showComments=true

TIP #13: Whenever traveling, always keep at least $100 American cash tucked away. This is just something Kim had wished she told us earlier. For now, we are all out of money and stuck in paradise.

Frankly, I'm okay with this. :)

Of course, considering all the adventuring we've been doing in Belize on San Pedro, we haven't really been keeping up to date with the news very well. Therefor, when our first group came to the airport today, we were all a little surprised to find that all flights to our next airport in Miami have been cancelled. Of course I'm missing more classes and rehearsal and I miss all my friends and family. Of course I'm out of cash, out of nice smelling clothes, and out of Aloe Vera. But you must remember folks, TIP #14: When traveling, shit is bound to happen. You can try and prepare all that you can, but really, in the end, you just have to use the resources you have, go with the flow, and do what you can to stay safe. Kim talked to bunches of people in the airport today. We were nervous we'd either have to take another (sickening) water taxi back to another island for the night or would have to stay in (REALLY SKETCHY) Belize City. But thanks to Kim's chatter box, we are now all sitting outside a BEAUTIFUL resort for a half priced missionary discount. Thank you, God.

Tomorrow, we'll take a flight to Dallas and stay there for the night. Then, we'll take a flight directly to Sioux Falls on Wednesday. The other half of our group is on their way home.

When it warms up in South Dakota, I may just walk around barefoot as much as I possibly can. It saves your feet from rotting when you're old, after all.

I also decided that I like the mainland of Belize better then San Pedro. The island was just so small and there were more buildings then trees. That's always a bad sign. I feel like I'm in the jungle of Africa. If there are jungles in Africa. There are, right? I hope so. I want to see them some day.

This resort is in the middle of no where. To get here, we drove through the "rural country" of Belize. It was fabulous. All the stores on the side of the road were just simple stands, all the houses were simple houses on stilts, there were trees everywhere, everyone looked happy, and it was actually very clean. I could totally live there. The beach and the ocean, though I know they definitely aren't, just feel so empty sometimes. Looking off into the distant horizon is just a little sad for me. My element must be land. I feel like this is a good thing to know about myself.

All Dressed Up With No Where To Go

Having no money sucks. But it really puts things into perspective. Children here grow up having to ask for things and try to sell things in order to survive. I HATE having to ask people to pay for me, even though I know they'll get payed back. However, I can not make myself ask people for money to buy gifts for people. Kim has now also lost a debit card. Looks like I'll be passing out all the pretty shells I've  collected! I hope they are reminders of what my group has accomplished on this trip, the lessons I've learned, and of course, that I was thinking of my friends and family while learning them. Because I just spent the last dollar I could scrounge together on a coke (AKA my lunch). Most the soda here is glass-bottled. My mom would be so jealous!

We finally finished the swings yesterday – the playground looks BEAUTIFUL compared to what it was. The last day of work was optional, but it was satisfying to watch our whole group of eighteen filter in to finish it. It was awesome in an amazing and slightly depressing way to see it done. However, despite we just have the rest of today and tomorrow morning left, I’m sure our work here can’t be done. I have a feeling that Kim will be back soon. (However, not in August as we were originally hoping - hurricane season).  The rest of the day was kind of boring. It is frustrating when no one wants to do what you want to do. Yesterday was one of our guys’ birthday and it was supposed to be an eventful day. However, most of the guys partied pretty hard the night before so when I was ready to go eat and go dancing, everyone else was tired and just chilling. It was also the only night I got all dressed up – I borrowed a dress and even put hairspray in my hair! However, by the time we did get to the celebration, I was just sick of being around people. You know that feeling? All those hours of waiting around had just made me tired.  So I went to sleep around nine-thirty and had beautiful dreams about the top of Cinderella's castle in Disneyworld. Aside from finishing the playground, I felt like it was a pretty uneventful day. TIP #12: When you really have no ability to do what you want to do (ex. In Belize, I'm not allowed to walk around alone), one option is to grab a book, go outside, and let the party come to you. Someone’s bound to notice you eventually, or you’re at least bound to see someone or something interesting to occupy your time. That is what I wish I had done. 

Today, as our last day, has been the day of ultimate chill. It has been an absolutely wonderful way to end the week. I do feel bad though because in San Mateo, the impoverished part of Belize, work on building new non-trash roads is done on Sundays. However, we really have done a TON and it is the last day of spring break. Plus, I'm not exactly the greatest boulder-lifting candidate. It's so strange thinking that this particular journey of mine is coming to a close soon. Some of us are leaving our tennis shoes behind for the soccer team. I am included here. One more night left! I hope it is the best one yet.

I feel like my little pieces of advice thus far, though good ones, are still difficult and I am still working on following them the best I can. Thank you SO MUCH to those who have been following my journey. I have many more adventures to come though! There's the rest of the semester to complete, summer vacation, and hopefully a month long stay in Bali. Let's keep each other updated and adventure on together. 

Love and Peace from Ambergris Caye, San Pedro, Belize,

Debbi

PS: If I get a chance during a flight layover tomorrow, and if anything has really inspired me to do so, I may give another update about tonight's adventures. 

Creativity Begets Creativity

The two most important things in the world:


1. The relationships you create with others.
2. Creativity.

Everyday, we have to work with this old senile man (who kinda reminds of my parents sometimes) named Dan. He is the volunteer construction man at Holy Cross Primary School. And he really doesn't do much. As in, he watches us and makes random comments like "Did you know that beans and rice are different then rice and beans?" Then, he'll talk our ears off about how he misses McDonalds. I'm also pretty sure he's partly deaf because whenever we try to speak to him or say something like, "Mr. Dan, that food is for our group, we only have enough for our group," he ignores us or talks over us.

Yesterday, while watching us put the (HUGE) swing set together for the kids, he started rambling again. "I do love the work you guys are doing for these kids here. When I was a kid, we used to build and play with stilts. Gol, I should make some for these kids here." Next thing you know, kids are lining up to try his new stilts. Creativity begets creativity. We need art like that to have a constant flow of inspiration through the world - even when we're inspired to do something that seems as meaningless as making a makeshift pair of stilts. Without creativity, life is meaningless. Humanity would dissipate and no change or attempt for survival could be made. Creativity is our contribution to the world. Because creativity begets (sparks) creativity, and each creative thing we do begets another, it is a perfect illustration of how we are all truly connected and belong to this world as much as it belongs to us. It is similar to the butterfly effect. TIP #8: Do something creative every day. Whether it's cooking, doodling, writing in a blog (cough cough), painting a picture no matter how simple, or putting on a sweet outfit, DO SOMETHING and appreciate what you have done for humanity. I feel weird on this trip with no make up and very few clothes - it's an important form of expression. Thank you, Kim, for advising me to blog.

Sting rays are my new favorite animal. Though, I never really had a favorite before. They are so smooth and chill and graceful. When I was snorkeling, I would just find them and follow them around. Snorkeling after losing my debit card was probably the best thing I could have done. If you try to look anywhere but directly down while snorkeling, you will get water in your mask and probably choke and die. It forces you to focus on breathing and to stay exactly in the moment. I can't think of any better staying in the moment therapy then that. It's positively beautiful. TIP #9: Live like a snorkeler and focus on the beauty directly around you at that moment. The picture is of my current view as I sit on my balcony. In my life, I have come across many a negative person, but never did I think I'd meet one in Belize of all places! I think I respect drunks more then a negative person. To focus on the past and to bottle up anger about any situation is unhealthy not only to yourself, but to those around you. I tend to avoid negative people when I can. However, they remind me so well to live in the moment and to learn and get over things quickly. I mess up enough things all the time - if I didn't live by learning and getting over things, life would surely be lonely and lame. We're in Belize! Its next to impossible for life to be lonely and lame.

I was talking to this woman who owns (the most amazing) custard shop here on San Pedro. She's from Pennsylvania but has lived here for fourteen years. She made me think of something I hadn't before - the reason why there are always so many small children running around the streets. In this city, there are bad people. However, for every bad person, there are at least ten good people watching your back. That and the ultimate mishmash diversity of this place are my favorite things about it. This island is made up of rich foreigners and chill locals and they all intermix with each other. You don't really see that in many places.

Last night, I helped my friend go all over town through at least twenty shops trying to find plantain chips because she was craving them... bad. We came so close once but was told those chips had gone bad. We had almost given up until we finally found them. They joy that spilled from her eyes was like no other. THere really is nothing like finding exactly what you're craving. TIP #10: The effort to find exactly what you want at the time is ALWAYS worth it. Well, what I want is pickles. And they don't exist on this island.

Yesterday was the last day of school that we'd get to hang with the kids. We cleaned up their playground (our construction zone) and watched some of them soak in the joy of the swings. Then, we played soccer against their soccer team. I have never sweat so much in my whole life. Once again, I'll admit that I'm honestly not used to hard work. I'm so glad that I spent my spring break doing it though. The whole world always needs help. If we all spend every vacation just chilling, it may add greatly to our happiness, but adds nothing to our sense of accomplishment or perspective. TIP #11: Everyday, try to make a positive effect on the world. Either by doing something big, like volunteering, or by doing something small, like smiling at someone.

Here comes my last day of work! Time to truly finish this playground.

Where's My Horny Monkey?

I've been on the go for the last three days. I hope that what I've learned can be properly reflected as briefly as possible.

March 22nd
When we prayed before work, I volunteered to pray for the first time. It felt good. I hate to admit it, but I'm such a total space of a person, I sometimes go off in my own little world during prayer. The focus on each other and myself and our guide in the sky felt like nothing I've ever felt before. When I was little, I used to be very very religious. I still love the tradition and personal relation with God that goes along with Catholicism, but I've had too many unanswered questions and discrepancies to consider myself religious in the traditional sense any more. I've forgotten about lent and no meat since arriving here. I feel like I'm in a whole nother world despite the many American qualities this island does hold (it is a tourist destination after all).

As beautiful as the culture is on this island though, I could never live here. We taught and performed theater for some of the kids in the classroom. It was their first time ever learning anything about it. Theater is nonexistent here and unnecessary for this culture. That is probably why I don't feel very connected here. This is also a very small island - I feel very isolated. However, I definitely want to come back in the fall when Kim brings another mission out, if finances allow. I've been teaching several children, between the ages of 7 and 11, how to read and write. They legitimately want to learn, but its hard in a school with no sound proofing and developing organization. They would not survive without volunteers like us. These teachers have the patience of saints, and hate their jobs. What amazes me is the fact that they don't hate it for the classroom work (which is chaotic) but for the anxiety they feel for the children after work.

March 23rd
This boy, Alexis, taught us how to make the jewelry. All the locals are constantly selling it on the streets. They are so talented it's ridiculous. His mother is a thief, his sister has been beaten so bad that she cannot speak clearly anymore, and he is so smart, the adults of the island respect his opinion. I bought so much jewlery from he and his sister (who share the money with their mother, but keep enough to take care of the family) its just silly. I even accidentally bought a boy bracelet for whoever wants it! I have a strong feeling he is going to make some major influence in his life.

March 24th
The kids' swing set went up today. I can't get over what a change it's going to make. The school doesn't have access to any machinery to create and level the land. Everything we've done has been done by hand. The last few days, one of our major jobs has been sifting sand to create cement so that their week old wooden septic system may be protected from the water. It was also my afternoon off today to go snorkeling. When we got back to the hotel, the guys in our group were telling us to hurry as fast as possible. Apparently, they'd been told that if we got there an hour early, we'd get to snorkel for an hour longer. No one told me and I still had to find an ATM to pay for the trip. My friend Aaron and I sprinted through the streets barefoot, praying not to be late. I had grabbed the card last minute with my key, both in my hand. Finally, by the time we made it there, we discovered that my card was gone.

I was bawling by the time I got back the hotel. We're all poor, no way am I going to make someone pay for me. I used the hotel cleaning lady's phone and canceled the card right away. It is gone forever. So I was at the hotel with the wonderfully amazing workers calming me down and Aaron comes on some random bike back up the beach to me saying that the snorkeling people would take pity on me and take me along for free. I am so grateful, but now I have to borrow from Kim for the rest of the trip. She is the most generous woman I have ever known.

I've been working on this blog too long. More to come later.

Aloe Vera is My Best Friend

So I'm generally a graceful person, right? I mean, I dance and stuff. And wear skirts and heels. (Though on this trip, I look pretty make-upless and sportsy. Which is totally awesome.) Here is the list of my injuries thus far:
Sunburn behind knees, on shoulders, and on chest
Sun blisters on ears
Scratch on chin
Scratches on leg
Fiber glass infected foot

(On girl today tried to tell me she wasn't going to wear sunscreen tomorrow. I set her straight pretty quick.)

(Also that is not the girl pictured to the above right. This is Alivia. She's cool stuff. Currently, we are shivering outside--it's a breezy night on San Pedro.)

Therefor I present to you TIP #7: Come prepared to almost die. A simple first aid kit could be your best friend. I know that aloe vera is mine right now. My idea of an ideal kit:
Lots of bandaids
Neosporin
Medical tape/gauze
Alcohol wipes
Tweezers
Tums (I've never used them, but you never know!)
Benedryl
Advil
Sunscreen
ALOE VERA

Today, we truly began carrying out the purpose of our mission trip. We walked to Holy Cross Primary School at eight and received a tour. None of the classrooms have sound proofing or window panes. There are four hundred and fifty students to eighteen teachers. These teachers have nothing more then a high school education. The school is continuously being built over swamp land and foundation like the one we're working on. Which is built on trash. The school has to keep turning children away.

-Then, we toured the community around the school.
-They don't have a trash removal system on this island. Everything must be done individually.
-A majority of this community cannot afford electricity or water.
-Only when my pictures hit facebook will you even be able to begin to comprehend this. (Stupid computer won't let me upload them just yet).

Then, we returned to the school and began work. Half of us continued to work on the playground's foundation and the rest of us helped out in the classrooms. This school is constant choas and noise, everywhere. The teachers were grateful to have us because the extra help is super necessary. In one class that I was helping in, a couple of the kids could not even speak, read, or write English. Yet, they were being expected to copy down words off the board from the back of the classroom through the chaos. It took the whole time period, but I taught them how to spell their names. It was an amazing experience, knowing truly how much of communication is just physical, considering the language barriers. I feel ultimately accomplished. It kind of makes me consider teaching. I've considered it in the past--teaching, directing, and choreographing all kind of go together in the same boat. Who knows what my future holds? I'm only a freshman after all.

We also plan on presenting our donations pretty soon. Tonight we tallied up EVERYTHING. I only remember this because it's what I worked on, but we have five hundred and fifty-eight books collected. Plus a ton of sports equipment. Wow. Thank you, South Dakota spirit!

Later, after work, a couple of girls and i walked around for at least an hour trying to find a good cheap place to eat. It was magical! I had two glass bottled cokes (my mom would be jealous), a papaya-strawberry milkshake, and Papusas, which are kind of like fried, unbroken, filled pitas. When I remember the name of this sacred establishment, I'll let you know. Chill, local, and great service.

All in all, today was an amazing day. I'm glad I packed very few clothes and no makeup. I actually packed the least of anyone on the trip. I'm NOT judging, but I feel like many of the girls aren't getting as much as they could be from this trip from how much time they spend working on their appearance. Don't get me wrong, we teased a couple of those creepy looking drunk old lady make-upless singers at karaoke last night, but all that truly matters is being comfortable with yourself and making the best of your time as you can. But really, just do what you need to to enjoy yourself the most. If that takes a little make-up, go for it. No big deal, sistah. Or brotha. Or whateva.

Does that even make sense?

PS: I finally feel like myself again. :) 

A Sense of Adventure

Saturday, we worked uber hard laying foundation for the playground. I hope we get somewhere with it, because it certainly doesn't look like much now. But, we took a breather today anyway, then, start our regular all day work schedule tomorrow morning. I'm really excited to meet the kids of Holy Cross Primary. We're teaching them theater!!

Since we did have the day off today, we got up at six, took a water taxi back to the mainland, had a breakfast of fry jacks, and toured the Mayan Ruins. It was SO AMAZING. Since dumbass Debbi forgot her camera, I'll probably just steal a couple of pictures from other people's albums later on. TIP #5: Bring a waterproof camera everywhere, always. After the ruins, we went hiking and then tubed through caves. I will never feel the same on the Lazy River again. The water was fresh, clear, and sparkling. On the hike to our tubing spot, I again felt like I was in a movie. Jungle vegetation is HUGE. And everything has its own mystery purpose which holds the jungle together. I also ate termites. Which means I must be in a movie. They were minty. (Kept my sense of adventure! Even when they tried crawling back up my throat...) Which leads to TIP #5: When in a foreign country, it is massively important to enhance your cultural experience by partaking in cultural customs. Like the termites. Also, today, when we went Cave Tubing, we learned that it happens to be cultural custom to cliff dive into the river. I forgot my Sense of Adventure and didn't give it a go. Don't forget about this sense! It is just as important as hearing, taste, touch, and smell... if not more important.

When we arrived back on San Pedro, I discovered that the ATM isn't accepting my debit card. I warned my bank in advance, so I have no idea whats wrong. And none of us can use our phones. Its a little frustrating because I will probably run out of money soon and already had to depend on Kim to pay for our tour today. So, TIP #6: Budget in advance to a trip, but leave a lot of room to stretch. Then, bring that cash with you. This is usually discouraged so you don't have so much cash on you that it might be stolen. I don't care though because I hate technology and it usually fails me.

I had my first ever Pina Colada tonight. Win!

From Wayo's Beachside Beernet

TIP #3: SUNSCREEN. And don't even THINK of skimping just so you get more of a tan. You will simply get a splotchy burn, everywhere.  


Getting here was awesome. We left a little after midnight on Thursday night, drove to the airport in Minneapolis, flew to Miami, flew to Belize, took a taxi to the shore, took a boat to Ambergris Caye, and dragged thirteen football/baseball bags FULL of sports equipment and books plus our personal luggage across the beach and finally made it to our hotel. On the flight over the ocean, looking out the window felt like the sky never ended. We probably could have high fived God. On the taxi drive through Belize, the cultural music made me feel like I was in a movie. And I'm pretty sure traffic laws don't exist but for driving on the right side of the road. My camera also died as soon as we got here, so I didn't start taking pictures until this afternoon. :( Sad.

Anyway, I'm in Belize. Weather is currently sweet and breezy. There are cute dogs running around everywhere. Everyone rides bikes. There are coconut trees. Holy crap.

Last night, practically as soon as we got here, Kelly, Kim (director) and I jumped into the ocean. As we were swimming around, minding our own business, Kim suddenly ordered us out of the water. Shark. After talking to a local, Jiggy (beautiful Belizian boy), we discovered it's not actually smart to swim at that time of day. Bullsharks like to chill out there and be fed. Then, our half of the group that is here all hung out together, exploring Belize night life. We're such a random combination of people and it was still really fun. They are all athletic and beautiful and fun loving. I'm interested, however, to see how the dynamic changes when the last seven of us arrive tonight. It was hard enough keeping track of eleven people last night that we will probably split up tonight. I will let you know how it goes. It is (obviously) beautiful here. Though I'm still not quite comfortable being myself, I'm having a lot of fun and starting to get to know people. However, these are not the purpose or meaning of this trip!

This morning, we all went down to Holy Cross Primary School (where we will be working all week) and began laying down the foundation for a playground. This consisted of pushing TONS of trash and and branches into a pseudo-swamp land and then burying it in the $3,000 sand we donated. It was hard work and, frankly, I'm not used to hard work. It was very good for me. :)

While walking to and from the school today, I found it interesting that we would walk past a beautiful building, a lot or beach full of trash, a cement building, more beautiful houses and hotels, then more trash lots in-between. Cleaning that will be my personal physical missionary goal while here.

So far, the rumors of Belize are also true. EVERYONE is always smiling. Everyone. I will find their secret and take it back home to you!

11:45 PM Take Off

We've only got a few more hours left until take off for Belize. Since this mission trip was thrown together only a few weeks in advance, our group of nineteen (including Kim) had to be split into two flights. My group leaves tonight with Kim, the next group leaves tomorrow night. I am praying that nothing goes wrong while they are Kimless but am grateful anyway that I am in Kim's group.

I have a paper to finish writing and to finalize by ten o'clock tonight.

I also still need to pack. Yay procrastination.

Last night, we gathered all the sports equipment and book donations we have collected, labeled everything with the University of Sioux Falls, and packed them. It is starting to feel real. I am SO EXCITED!

But I don't really know anyone going on this trip. I mean, I know them, but we don't like, hang out. Which is fine. I went on a ten day trip to Nashville a couple summers ago on a bus with absolutely no one that I knew. And though Tennessee was AWESOME and the experience was a good one, I wished I had been more comfortable making friends. That leads to TIP #2: When traveling with other people, remember to keep your head out of your butt, smile a sufficient amount, and try to experience as many people as you can.

This is something I suck at. I can be shy. I've still got a little bit of the stupid mentality of "Some people thought I was weird in high school so, everyone probably does and would rather talk to someone else."

DUMB. I know. This is something I hope to work on while I am in Belize. Though I have a childlike approach to the world, I do not laugh a lot. Kim told us that the last time she was in Belize, she woke up to children's laughter every day. In America, we have to have entertainment in front of us for us to laugh. Laughter is meant only for things that are funny. I am a generally happy person as I'm sure you all know. But  otherwise, I'm pretty stoic about life. I want to learn how to laugh, open up, and relate easier with others. I want to learn from the attitude of Belize.

Ready? Set? Prep!

So I'm headed for Ambergris Caye in approximately... oh, I do hate math... whatever. At 11:45 pm tomorrow night. My director, Kim Bartling, is leading eighteen adventurers to Belize for mission work over spring break. Sounds stupid right? Another tropical tourist destination for college kids to create a selfless excuse to travel to. While there, we'll enjoy the beaches, go snorkling, and beat all the natives of the country with our bibles. It's the missionary life...

WRONG!

Our mission, from my understanding, is to learn from the culture of simplicity, to learn how to laugh a little more every day, and to share a little South Dakotan love with the children of the island. We plan to play sports and theater games with them and have collected TONS of books, balls, and bats for them to keep.

I'm a little nervous, because sometimes... I just feel a little awkward with kids, you know? Because I still want to be a kid... Who knows though--maybe that will be our connection. :) *fingers crossed*

I'm not saying this experience alone will change my life by any means--every experience changes my life every day. But I when Kim organized (at least, as organized as she gets) this trip, I felt.... I dunno. A calling. And I've never felt that before. So I've fought hard for my spot on this trip and am excited to share my experiences with you.

TIP #1: Pack lightly. Especially in tropical environments, there really isn't much need for too much. I'm learning from their life of simplicity, remember? I probably won't even pack makeup. Which, I hate to admit, is a little weird...