A Change in Weather
I’ve reached the point in my trip where the excitement and newness is wearing off and I’m settling into mundane rhythms. This is life now; it’s tea in the mornings, long bus rides, Harry Potter reruns and homemade dinners. It’s…
belmontlumodev
The Spice of Life
Security guard. Chef. Fashion consultant. Janitor. Nanny. Therapist. Translator. Manager. What do all of these jobs have in common? They’re the many hats I have worn in my nearly 2 months as a full-time volunteer with FM4 Paso Libre. Of…
Hello, Goodbye
Yesterday I moved from Nashville, my home of four years, back to Indianapolis for a week. The sun is less harsh, the streets are quieter, and I get to listen to my parents bemoan how the neighborhood fountain hasn’t been…
Belfast Bound
It’s almost time for my adventure to begin! Two weeks from today, I’ll be stepping off the plane in Belfast. I’ll be wearing everything that doesn’t fit in my suitcase (I’m talking multiple winter coats), so I will definitely not…
The Metaphorical Changing of the Seasons
I recently celebrated my first two months here. The summer staff has left, and the needs and priorities are shifting here. My boss and I are beginning to prioritize drafting and revising her manuscript (more on that later!!). I am…
My Why
Welcome back, folks! In the last two weeks, I feel I have lived and learned more than I ever anticipated. Most notably, I just returned from a three-day training with this cohort of full-time volunteers. We are currently eight volunteers…
I Get to Be Here
There have been two major events since I arrived on the island: intern retreat and campamento! I must have perfectly timed my arrival because not even two weeks in, I, my boss’s daughter, and the other two interns were making…
Burning the Midnight Oil
Good morning, afternoon, or evening, wherever you are. I write to you as I wrap up a 12-hour overnight shift. If you had told me three weeks ago that I would be here, as an amateur security guard and volunteer-in-charge,…
Welcome to your life
The Dominican Republic is starting to feel more comfortable to me. I have settled into my room, which adds permanence to my position here. After about a month here, the novelty has worn off, kind of like breaking in a…
A Rocky Start
Dearest friends, family, and strangers, I’m back after a brief hiatus, and we have a lot to unpack. Since my last post, I’ve started my volunteer role at FM4 Paso Libre, a shelter for migrants and transmigrants in Guadalajara. Taking…