It's a long trip alone.

I successfully traversed the country, making the 24 hour drive back to Utah, alone. There were really good parts actually. I flat out refused to drive through west Texas and New Mexico and so I went through the panhandle and Colorado instead. Instead of ugly desert, my drive was filled with TX farm land, oil rigs, cowboys, herds of buffalo, herds of sheep blocking my road, beautiful sunsets, deserted ghost towns, daisy-lined highways, tree covered mountains and many other picturesque and awe-inspiring scenes. One such scene was a large thunderstorm north of Amarillo that I feared would turn into this:
To my great relief, it didn't. Now I am in Utah. I have one class, which meets for an hour and a half twice a week. I live with Sydney in her parent's basement, in Highland. I appreciate their hospitality greatly.
In other news, I must voice a hearty "AMEN" to Sydney's last identity-crisis post. I am also living in limbo. I feel like I keep taking two steps onto 50 different paths before retreating to the fork in the road over and over again. And you know what? I find that fork in the road quite intimidating so I think I'm just gonna hang out here for awhile.

Directions

Specifically life directions. Isn't it great how you never know where life will take you? You can plan all you want but when it comes down to it, unexpected opportunities and challenges always interfere with those plans. At least, this has been the case with me.
I am embarking on a new and exciting time in my life and I would like to share it with those who care to read about it. So, I will attempt to catch the reader up in my life so that he/she may understand why I'm heading in the direction I am heading.
This Summer has been a unique one. The first part was filled with traveling: Phoenix, Arches, Portland, Boston, New Hampshire, Maine, NYC and then home to San Antonio for the rest of the Summer. 2 weeks after returning home, I found my dream job, requested an interview, and was hired. I've spent the Summer in San Antonio working full-time for a non-profit called Good Samaritan Community Services. I've had the opportunity to work with at-risk Hispanic youth and have found purpose and joy in my work.
Just last week I returned from attending graduation ceremonies in Provo. Unfortunately, I have to return to complete a 6 week class. This annoys me greatly. I am very content with where I am at and where I am heading and Provo was not in the plans. But, C'est la vie.
After Provo I intend on throwing myself full force into the non-profit world by moving to the D.C. area. I want to work with Latino immigrants and refugees and assist them in achieving educational goals and economic self-sufficiency.
That's my life in a nutshell. As the Summer draws to a close I have been reflecting on the things that I have learned recently. I'd like to share some of these things with you:

1. People are very important. Living for others brings satisfaction, happiness, and joy. Also, strengthening relationships with people (socially speaking, not romantically) provides abundant opportunities to learn and grow. It also puts you in the right place at the right time to be an instrument in God's hands and provides opportunities for Him to bless the lives of others, through you.
2. I thrive off of diversity. Once, in New York, I looked around the metro car and realized I was the only Caucasian aboard. I was in complete bliss. I love being around people of different race, culture, and language. It makes life colorful and interesting and beautiful.
3. While one may learn a substantial amount from books, and I love reading, experience is the greatest teacher of them all. Experience allows one to stretch one's abilities, knowledge, dedication, patience, and willpower to completely new and higher levels. Experience helps to specify and define goals, interests, and talents.
4. I'm an idealist. I suppose I always have been. I remember writing a paper in an 8th grade English class, I talked about wanting to make a positive difference in the world. At that time I thought the only way to do that was to go on some sort of humanitarian trip to Africa or become a teacher. I've thought about how funny it is that I ended up choosing a major, accepting an internship opportunity, and seeking employment that have all placed me in a position to realize that goal. One day earlier this Summer, I was discouraged by job hunting and scoffed at myself. Who in their right mind wants to work in NON-PROFIT and make a living off of it? What was I thinking? It seemed hopeless to be able to do what I wanted and get paid for it. Since then, I've discovered tons of resources and organizations. And I smashed the self-doubt and narrow vision. Hello World and Opportunity.
5. Optimism and confidence go a long ways. I am reminded of a quote from general conference; "Your future is only as bright as your faith". That made a very large impact on me. Also, when I read "Left to Tell", a book written by a Rwandan Holocaust survivor, I learned about how important it is to envision that future. With faith, confidence, hard-work and vision you are the master of your fate.

That's all for now. Until next time!

Last One

Alrighty, I think that I have decided I'm not very into this whole blog thing. Because this whole trip during my conversations with Becky, I keep saying "Oh, I should write a blog about that" and then I never do. So, had I been a better blogger I would have wrote about the man on the bus who made the bus driver turn down the music so he could talk to us and proceeded to hold a conversation with us while yelling for the whole bus to hear. He was just on for a few minutes, selling something but felt a need to ask us if we are married and to warn us about falling in love with Ecuadorian men and told me my eyes are the color of the sky. It was a wonderfully embarrassing conversation that the entire bus listened to and the girls behind us were getting a kick out of it and laughing up a storm.
I also would have wrote about the old man on the beach last Monday who was selling his little tray of packaged cookies and chips and gum. He danced a jig for us while singing about something or another. He then talked to us and got really excited that we are from the states and told us how he loves talking with people. He then danced another jig and sang a song about how he's traveled all over Ecuador and we are the most beautiful women he's ever seen.
I would also have written about the man we met at the mall who is from Miami and has lived in Ecuador for the past 8 years because he believes the white race is going to be exterminated in the U.S. He turned out to be the most racist man I've ever met and I'm pretty sure he is an apostate who would love to be a polygamist in the Andes mountains. He kept telling Becky and I how beautiful and white we are and that the only beautiful women left in the world are Mormon, that we have a light in our faces. We defended President Monson and kept taking steps back as he took steps forward.
I also would have written about seeing iguanas in the wild for the first time.
And seeing the moon for the first time in Ecuador a few weeks ago. And how I saw 7 stars today and that was a really big deal.
And how I feel like a good teacher and understand the workshop finally.
And how I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Becky and our only American friend, Ethan. It was a huge success.
And how I rode a bike on the route of the waterfalls and saw the tallest waterfall in Ecuador. And I 4-wheeled up a volcano. And I went to the Amazon.
That's all I can think about right now. We lose internet at midnight tonight since it's the end of the month. So this is the last entry from Ecuador. It's been fun. It's been the hardest experience of my life but also possibly the most rewarding. I'm grateful for all of my experiences and I'm glad that Becky and I have become such great friends. I've learned a ton and am excited to get back to the states and get on with life, applying all of the things that I've learned here. So, we are taking off on December 10th and until then we are spending 6 of the next 9 days at the beach. It's gonna be great. So, see ya'll soon!

Take Me Home

"Country roads, take me home, home...where I belong"... what a great John Denver song. It's not that I don't like Ecuador, nope, it's just that I REALLY REALLY REALLY love home. And with only 20 days left before I'm on a blessed plane bound for home I can't think of much else. In my defense it has been over 7 months since I was home. Over 7 months since I've seen my parents and my little sister, Tara. That's a long time. And I think my cravings for American food are getting the best of me. Mostly, I think I just really miss loved ones. And my own culture. Fall is such a traditional time of year for us, what with all of our holidays and traditions for the changing seasons, and it happens to be my favorite time of year and I'm a bit sad to miss all of it. I was reading the Odyssey recently and came across a quote that I really liked, "I know no sweeter sight on earth than a man's own native country". That may never ring so true to me as it does right now. I never realized how much I love the United States until I left it twice this year. Not that I regret it, it's just that I'm really ready to be done. So, as I cram these last 3 weeks to finish my classes, and as I lose internet access in 11 days, pray for my sanity. I'll be home soon but not soon enough!

Laughing My Way Through Ecuador

Alright, so I haven't had a chance to write about how my feelings have changed over time about Ecuador. I feel like I owe an apology to the country for not making amends. So, here goes. Once upon a time Becky and Natausha came to Guayaquil, Ecuador. The first 2 1/2 weeks were all fun and games and they felt like tourists and everything was new and crazy and exciting. Then they realized they weren't tourists, but they actually lived there. Then came the month of October when they hated life and wanted nothing more than to get on the next plane back to the states. It was hard living in Guayaquil, it was dirty, hot, and dangerous. Then they both had an emotional breakdown and self pity party on the same day. The next day, they left for Cuenca to get away and take a vacation to stay sane.
Something happened in Cuenca. For me, I found purpose in being in Ecuador. I wrote down all the things that I have learned and personal progress that I've made and realized a lot of good had come from my stay in Ecuador. I confronted my problem of being unhappy and made a conscious decision to change it and prayed for help. Well, Becky and I worked together and we started out just deciding to laugh about everything that bothers us. To make fun of it. So, we began making fun of everything rather than letting it get to us. We apparently laughed about life in Ecuador enough that it took root. Because now we aren't laughing to cover up the fact that we're annoyed. We genuinely laugh. At everything. And we actually like Guayaquil. It doesn't look ugly like it used too. We even though the river looked kind of blue today. I don't want to throw stones at men anymore. Well at least most of the time I don't. And I'm understanding the people and culture more than before. And tonight, I noticed that once again everything fascinates me. It's great. Yeah, we still place our hand over our heart when we pass the airport, but we're enjoying ourselves all the same. I might actually miss this place. I'm growing fond of it. It's been unbelievably fun to laugh almost constantly together, life is good. Ecuador is good. It sure has its problems but somehow I see positive things now. I've adjusted. And I'm excited for all of the memories to make over the next 4 weeks.

Thoughts on the Election

Alright, I know many people may be kind of tired of all the political talk and speculation but I have a few thoughts to share. Some thoughts that many people probably have not considered. So, Obama won. Typically I believe I tend to favor the Republican side of things, but I am definitely willing to lend a listening ear to the Democrats. I don't think it's necessarily good that Obama won, but I also am not very informed and therefore hesitate to form an opinion because I don't believe in forming them in ignorance. But, regardless of your political orientation here's the fact of the matter: Obama is Democrat, and now the majority lies with the Democrats in both the House and the Senate. I don't know much about politics (something I would like to change in the coming years) but I know enough to realize that this means maybe things will actually change a bit. Maybe bills will get passed. And maybe the government is going to be a bit liberal for my liking over the next 4 years. But you know what? That's okay. I'd like to remind everyone of something: The United States of America is great. It's awesome. It's relatively stable. Our little jumps in the DOW and our gay marriage debates are absolutely nothing compared to the rest of the world. You know what, no matter who won the race it was going to be a controversial outcome and a very unsure future as far as policies go. And maybe Obama isn't going to be everyone's favorite President. But he's not going to re-write the Constitution of our country. And the U.S. military isn't going to come in and overthrow him, only to take power themselves. And this my friends, is more than Ecuador can say. This is more than the majority of countries of this world can say. I love our country more and more each day that I am away from it. We are a blessed people and millions of the world's population envy us. Can you imagine if the U.S. military came in one day and took over the white house?? That just doesn't happen in our country. But it does in others. We are in troubled times, the war in the middle east stinks, the economy could be better, and I wish gay marriage was illegal in every state, but let's not blame the world's problems on one man. Let's give our President a break, whoever he may be. Sure Bush could have done things differently but I also think he got thrown a lot of crap that he just had to work with and try to make it less crappy. Obama is going to be dealing with the same stuff. And one man can not solve the world's problems. But you know what? We still have a dependable Democratic Government and a Constitution inspired of God. What a blessing! So, let's be grateful and happy, shall we?

Oh Ecuador

This is a collection of random thoughts and experiences in Ecuador that I don't want to forget, it will be updated periodicially...

1. Remember the unmarked hole in the road that I wrote about in the blog about riding the bus? And I wondered how cars miss it? Well they don't. I saw some poor guy with his family in quite the pickle because he had run the corner of his car into that hole.

2. Forget sleeping on picnic tables at rest stops, this truck driver hung a hammock from the bottom of his truck and went to sleep on the side of the road.

3. There's a really popular restaurant that our boss took us to, he used to go there when he was our age. Here's the catch, all workers must be gay/transvestites. Our waiter was first a man but now a woman. Apparently it's been like that from the beginning. But the food was really good!

4. The family vehicle is a motorcycle. You see 1 and 2 years olds on motorcycles all the time with their parents. I think the most I've seen is a mother, father, and 2 kids on the same motorcycle. Although I may have seen 5 people on one once.

5. On our way to Quito we passed a man plowing his field... with Oxen.

6. Our kitchen faucet sounds like a sinking ship.

7. Every couple of days we get attacked by a large army of ants. For this reason our apartment usually has the fresh smell of insect poison. I am 100% sure I will be bringing ants home in my suitcase.

8. 6 liters of water is really heavy to carry for 20 minutes.

9. Orange juice + soy = who does that?? Oh yeah, Columbia apparently.

10. Institute dances are held with the lights on. And everyone dances with only one person the whole night. And you just shuffle your feet in a about a 4 inch radius to the salsa. In a line. It's a very confining feeling. If you start waving your arms or moving your head a lot to the beat, like an American, people stare. Or the guy you're dancing with laughs at you.

11. 8 pieces of bacon costs about $3.

12. The bakeries have cakes and pastries that look like works of art. They look delicious. They are better off as art. Sugar isn't very sweet here, and unfailingly their beautiful desserts are disgusting. Look but don't touch.

13. The tank truck is what I affectionately call the money trucks. They show up at supermarkets, gas stations, malls, businesses... any time money is transferred they have an armed band of about 5 men in uniform with large guns. So when you are buying water at the gas station while this is taking place there is a man with a large gun standing behind the counter, 2 feet from you.

14. Ecuador can never make change for your cash. You pay with a $5 for a $3 purchase and you still have to wait 5 minutes for someone to bring change. Or at markets, they run around to all the neighboring tiendas to change out your $10 or $20 bill. It's so strange.

15. Customer Service isn't a very top priority in these parts.

16. Every ice cream flavor tastes a bit like coconut.

17. Wanna do something really wild and rebellious? ... Brush your teeth with tap water.

18. Iguana roadkill. Enough Said.

19. You know how Americans always try to sneak into meetings and classes if they are late? Ecuadorians come in loudly, and while the teacher is teaching will say "Buenos Dias" to everyone or individually greet people, including the teacher. There is absolutely no shame in interrupting.

20. Another cultural difference: Americans don't like to correct each other. We will just sit silently and think, "I know what they meant", if they say a word wrong while reading, we let them go on. Not Ecuadorians. They will correct you and keep correcting you until you acknowledge your mistake and correct it. And they will argue until a matter is resolved, no matter how small, and how much it does not relate to the main point of the lesson or conversation.

21. You never know when you are going to get hit by a car.

22. I bought a pineapple for 90 cents.

23. There are random men directing parallel parking along the road. They expect to get paid for their services but they usually don't. But the point is, if there's not enough room for your car, the man will just shove the other cars forward or backward to make room for yours! So, if you come back and your car is a few feet from where you left it, that's why.

24. Forget chainsaws, I saw a man cut down a tree down the street from my apartment with a machete! Yeah, the whole tree.

25. When Becky and I see an airplane taking off(we live a mile from the airport so we see a LOT), we almost feel like we should stop and place our hand over our heart as a sign of respect and liberty.