Category Stories

A Promising Start

           One week ago, I landed in the George Best Belfast City Airport. I was sweaty, deliriously sleep deprived, and eager to begin my life here. Expecting the nightmarish winds and torrential rain of lore, I…

Such a time as this

I’m at the Miami International Airport on my way to Nashville, coincidentally for work. For the next two weeks, my job is to help share the story behind the bags and sell them at conferences along the eastern coast. I…

Welcome to Bournemouth!

Well folks, I made it! I’ve spent nearly a week in England, and it has both been a whirlwind and has stretched by slowly. Let me update you: The journey there was quite breezy. The last time I traveled internationally…

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…

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…