h-o-m-e

Call it slacking or call it traveling, it doesn't matter because I haven't updated in awhile. Right now I am sitting on my brother's couch in Paris while he sleeps off the excitement of seeing the final Harry Potter film in theaters. I thought I would try to reflect on some of the summer at "home" as it has definitely been one of the most interesting ones I've ever had.

First, being a teacher is awesome. Mainly because I get to hang out with cool little people all day and watch the thrill of learning take place on their faces in the form of a smile. Also, I get to work with other equally-motivated and inspiring people who teach me things of all sorts everyday. And also because we all get to take a break from it all each summer and winter. This summer vacation thing is something I have had the luxury of enjoying my entire life. I learned this year, however, that summer vacation as an adult is just not the same. For me, the world stops for 5 weeks and I can take some time to see the people and things I've been aching to see all year. But for everyone else, time keeps on ticking. It makes summer a little more lonely when there is no one to join you on your adventures but it also makes the times you do share with people that much more amazing (aka, thanks for making the time, friends!)

Kansas: I headed back to my alma mater first in order to attend the wedding of my dear, dear friends Shelby and Cody Roberts. Shelby is essentially the reason I went to KU in the first place and Cody is essentially the reason I accomplished what I set out to do athletically. They both played a big role in my college athletic career, but have also been equally amazing friends to me since I was 18-years-old. Basically, missing their wedding was not an option :) Seeing old teammates, athletic department mentors, and friends made the trip not only meaningful and relaxing but it also made me realize that though I grew to love Lawrence as my home away from home, that my life there could never be the same even if I did return for longer than a weekend. People have moved on, grown up, and started the next chapter in their lives. It was a sad reality as there are many times that I'm sure we all wish we could "go home again," but it was also comforting in the sense that we can still go back to that place from time-to-time, see the people who impacted our lives, and be thankful for that stepping stone in life we called college. I'm sure I will occasionally miss those days for years to come but at least I know now that returning to a place doesn't make the "home" feeling come back; it was the people in the place that made it a home in the first place.

an amazing couple whose love is one that should be used as a model by all

Jayhawks are the only birds I'll ever love :)

Sarah, reminding us all that you can do
anything you set your mind to.

Washington: For some reason, I thought spending 9 days at home would be a good enough fix. I didn't take into consideration the time it takes to travel, that my friends and family have jobs, and that Seattle never has sunshine until July 5th, a mere 3 days after I left. Though I have been spoiled by the Central American climate this year and was thus freezing in Seattle most of the time, it felt so good to be there. It is such a beautiful city that really has it all, including many wonderful people who have remained in my life even though I haven't lived there in 6 years. I was still sad that I didn't really walk in the door and have that instant "home" feeling, but I'm starting to see a trend in this hope for a home I keep having. Allison came to Seattle for two days and after getting to show her my city, I felt a lot more pride towards it and excitement about the possibility of coming back there (no promises, Mom! just a thought...). I also got to see my sister compete in a full ironman which inspired me in so many ways. She told me that she dreams of me coming home and becoming her training partner which sounds lovely and stupid at the same time (no promises, Sarah! just a thought...). Just meeting up with my family and friends for dinner felt so good and yet so foreign at the same time. I will be back in Seattle again (and Seattle only this time) for December so maybe when it's grey and raining all day I'll feel differently about the place :)

oh heeeeeeeeey!

Paris, you are so darn pretty inside but where's the
elevation change? Yerkillin'me!

Europe: And now, I'm in Paris with my brother. Having toyed with the idea of going abroad again but this time to another region on the world, I've been looking at this trip as a test run. Paris is beautiful, almost enchanting. People are constantly out in the streets walking around, eating outside at cafes, reading books in the park; such a contrast from the capital city I am currently living in. But Paris is also astronomically expensive and there are many things that I love and don't love about everyday life that do and do not exist here. Examples: I love being active and doing outdoorsy things... very few people here exercise and there are no mountains to climb or lakes to swim in. I don't care about fashion or image (or even bathing really)... people here care about those things a lot. I can't stand excessive waste and lack or resourcefulness... Paris cuts a lot of corners in this area (like pumping thousands of gallons of water into the streets each night to "clean them" when places like Guatemala have limited access to water). But I'm not here to complain about this city, I'm just learning that though it may be perfect for my brother (surrounded by French speakers, lots of amazing food to eat and cook, plenty of places to walk, etc.) it may not be perfect for me.

So proud of this guy. His French, I've been told, is just as good as a native speaker.  In learning new languages he's also gained wisdom in words and phrases, ideas and concepts, that don't even exist in English. S-T-U-D.

We went to Berlin for 5 days and both really liked it there. Its definitely different from Paris in a number of ways but it was a really safe, clean, easy-to-get-around city. The history there is also amazing. Seeing the Berlin wall, the Jewish History Museum, the Holocaust Memorial, the contrasts between East and West Berlin; it was definitely an educational visit. It was also really refreshing to walk around aimlessly trying to find new things to do without having to feel on guard. Related to this, I am looking forward to going back to Guatemala in a sense because I'm planning on going back with a strengthened confidence. Fear permeates fear so worrying about bad things happening only makes life more, well... scary. 

Berlin Wall... love this quote.

In all, I've learned so far to continue to keep an open mind. The world is so freaking humongous and I haven't even begun to really understand that. I am looking forward to having summers free to travel for many years to come and am also lucky enough to know people all over the world that I can visit along the way.