Author: Adventures

       After two very short hours of sleep, I woke up at three AM to a snowstorm in my home town of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I grabbed my ONE suitcase and carry on  bag and got into the car. After driving three hours on a snowcovered highway, dodging semis and salt trucks and never exceeding the 60 mph mark on the speedometer, we arrived at the Detroit airport. (An adventure I’m not so sure was worth the hundred dollars I saved flying from Detroit instead of Grand Rapids!)        I shed some tears and said goodbye to my...

        Dread washed over me when I heard that our first team bonding activity would take place on the icy city streets of Atlanta. Earlier that day I flew into the Atlanta airport to meet the eight girls that I will be spending the next four months with. Prior to departing for Nicaragua on January 19, however, we would be staying in Georgia for a few days of training.         Exhausted and unprepared for the freezing cold temperature, I hit the dark streets with my new sisters wearing only a thin hoodie and my favorite...

"The 8 others" My parents and myself made it to the airport after our 6 hour trip from North Carolina. There were many emotions that were running through my mind. From being exciting to being petrified. When we finally arrived to the place where everyone was suppose to meet, I realized; I am going to be living in a foreign country for 4 months with people I have never even meet. Crazy! To tell you the truth I was overwhelmed by all the people sitting down chattering away. My first thought was "wow" our team increased. But to my amazement it was all 4 teams sitting...

          As my plane hovered over the icy landing strip of Atlanta Georgia, I was once again reminded that California was far behind me and Nicaragua was five days ahead. Walking into the chill of the city burned my cheeks and numbness quickly worked its way through my hands and toes. Being the practical and logical woman that I am (not at all), decided that bringing a sleeping bag and pillow was a waste of space and I was sure that a nice comfy bed was awaiting my arrival. First stop in Atlanta was the gates of the local homeless shelter known...