The two months at home flew by faster than I could have ever imagined; between being consumed with studying for the MCAT (the entrance exam needed to apply for medical schools) and grasping every possible moment with my loved ones- I was shocked when I saw 7/21/2013 on my phone. At about 11:00 pm on Sunday night, I laid down with my mom, sister, and Taylor and anticipated my departure that would happen in the following hours. I felt partly serene at the thought of finally initiating this step in my life that so fervently ignites my passion and I felt partly nauseous at the thought of leaving my loved ones for two years. How do you say goodbye to anyone for two years? After struggling with this question for the past week, I decided to take the advice of someone I hold dear, Karen MacKinnon, and say ‘See you later’ instead!
An emotional 3 hour flight from Chicago to San Antonio and additional 2 hour flight has brought me here to Mexico City for my 2.5 week orientation. Upon passing through Customs, I walked out through double doors into a crowd of Mexican people, many of whom were holding signs with names written on them. I walked along the crowd multiple times….no sign with my name on it and only a few odd glances that made it apparent that people knew I was obviously not from here and was in search of someone. Finally after about 10 minutes I stood looking at whom I thought may be Tere, the director of my program, but separated by an Asian tourist group taking a photo. It was then that I met Tere for the first time in person along with Ada, one of the missionaries whom I will be living with in Peru, and Sergio who will be missioning in the state of Hidalgo in Mexico.
The rest of yesterday was spent thinking about my loved ones and getting to know Ada. I am more than enthralled to have been finally able to meet her! She is 22 years old and from Del Rio, Texas. Ada was born in Texas but soon after moved back to Mexico in which she remained until the age of 14. She then returned to Texas and graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word one year ago. She will also be writing a blog while we are in Peru; I will provide the link to it soon. Ada and I have a lot in common and have similar interests in the lifestyle that we hope to live while in Peru; we have discussed many ideas including planting our own garden, composting, making our own jams, limiting our use of technology, making strong connections with our neighbors in Peru, and spending a lot of time in nature. I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful person to share this journey with.
Today was the first day of orientation. Ada, Sergio, and I learned about the history and spirituality of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word Congregation. Sister Maria Luisa gave us a phenomenal presentation on these topics and included tidbits of her own experience as well. I will have to admit though that after 7 hours of needing to intently focus on understanding the information in Spanish, I was more than ready for a nap! I am relieved that my Spanish is naturally and rapidly coming back and that I am understood when I speak Spanish; however, let’s just say that my mind has a personality of its own and often decides to take a break from comprehending Spanish and instead wander to another land!!! The day has been exhausting but even more powerfully it has been invigorating. I am ecstatic to be meeting the sisters of Incarnate Word (they are are SOOO adorable and sweet), talking about living and missioning in Chimbote, and living in the present moment. This is the start of a new step in my life- it is challenging, exhausting, and tugs at my passions- what more could I possibly ask for!
I have decided that a theme that I want to incorporate while blogging is to write a Haiku somewhere in each one of my blogs. A Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry; it is a short poem that consists of three lines of 5, 7, 5 syllables respectively without rhyming. Sometimes I will explain my Haiku and sometimes I will leave it open for your interpretation and hopefully your own connection to it. So here goes- this one is inspired by my flight to Mexico City:
Watch the clouds roll by
Transported with the tears of love
The journey excites
Embrace Your Disquiet Heart 