Surrounded by love and lots clothes

Please note that I was too tired to finish writing my blog last night, but I thought my first few lines were funny and too true to not include. Enjoy!

It’s late. Not an “Oh, I should probably go to bed” late. It’s more of a “I’m tired but since I’m a social butterfly the only time I can get things done is when everyone else is asleep,” kind of late. I can’t believe how fast the past two weeks have gone! Since finishing finals, I’ve felt like I’m in a perpetual state of movement. I’ve easily driven over 1,000 miles visiting friends and family. The amount of money I’ve spent on breakfast/lunch/dinner and midnight food runs is about as difficult to swallow as a cold BigMac. And I don’t remember when I was in bed and asleep by midnight. But with everything said and done, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The holiday celebrations and amazing conversations have been worth every penny and second. I’m so thankful for all the support I have going into this adventure.

By some miracle (and it is nothing short of a miracle) I am fully packed! This never happens. I’m the girl who will need to leave in an hour for a 5 day trip and then run out the door fifteen minutes late with two bags cause she “Just couldn’t decide.” I have all my clothes, toiletries, and other things packed away in my two suitcases and carryon. It was a good thing that no one was at the apartment Friday because I took over the living room. Seriously, I just kept standing in the middle feeling overwhelmed with all my things and my future. Don’t worry, no crying was done. I keep fearing that I won’t have something to wear to the clubs or to a special occasion, but I’m trying to let it go. I’ll make friends, right? They’ll take me under their wing, right? This is really where the social butterfly thing comes into play. My dad has always said I could be best friends with a rock. I can only imagine trying to charm a rock in Quito with my Spanish abilities. Surely, it will be done, and hopefully, someone will look at my humility and decide enough is enough and give me help. If not, I’ve never minded looking like a fool. I’m not trying to impress anyone either.

For those of you who don’t know my schedule, here are some details. My flight leaves at noon from Indianapolis on January 1^st. I’ll spend a few hours in Atlanta before catching my flight to Quito. I’ll land around 11:20p.m., meet up with my director, then take a bus to a hostel. After some sleep, lots of water, and probably a few aspirin (the altitude is really high and can cause a lot of trouble if you don’t take care of yourself) I’ll begin my 3 day orientation. On the third day, I will meet my host family and go home with them! I haven’t spent more than a week with any parental figure for years so this will definitely be a change. In each family there is at least one person who speaks English. I hear it’s more like Spanglish, but who am I to judge? Classes start January 9^th so I’ll have some time to acclimate myself to the area and culture before jumping into the academic portion of the journey.

Speaking of acclimating, I’m going to do my best to stay away from social media for the first few weeks. Yes, I love you. And yes, I’m still alive. This is not an attempt to give anyone heart attacks or cut someone out of my life. I know I can all too easily get caught up in the twitter/facebook/snapchat sphere if I allow myself. I really need the first few weeks to settle in and build a life in Quito. If I don’t, the next few months will be really hard. Don’t worry, I’ll still post on my blog so check in every week or so and try to keep up ;)

And yes, I will post as soon as I can that I have arrived safe and sound in Quito but I’ll get to the hostel at 1:30 so please don’t hold your breath!

I don’t know what more to say but thank you to all my friends and family. It will be said many times, but it is sincere. I’m leaving some truly wonderful people but I’m excited to share my adventures and conquests! I love you all! And I’m excited that my next post will be from Ecuador!!

With peace and love,
Trinity Ann

It's finals week, but I'd rather start a blog.

Hello! Welcome to my blog! I hope that over the next five months this blog can help you see (and experience!) my adventures as I prepare, experience, and adjust to life in Ecuador! Thanks for being a part of this journey! I’m going to miss all my friends, family members, and supportive folk from Manchester University while I’m away, BUT I cannot pass up this opportunity. So thanks for being by my side. Your thoughts, prayers, and love are always much needed and appreciated!

The last few months have gone by so fast. I’ve wrapped up at 260 hours internship with Career and Counseling Services, had an amazing soccer season, learned loads in the realms of Spanish, Religion, and Nonprofit Management, and discovered a bit more about who I am as a person. I’ve gone through a fair amount of bumps along the way, but as the semester comes to a close, I can’t help but be thankful for it all.

Just two months ago, I was submitting my BCA application for Ecuador. Then I began applying for my visa. Now, I’m trying to tie up loose ends so my exit from Manchester and entry into Quito can be smooth sailing. But if you know me, you know I’m a procrastinator. So I’m sure I’ll be busy until the final day J I really have taken care of a majority of the official paperwork. Just yesterday I signed the last documents that are being sent to BCA. I’ve applied for classes, and I’m beginning to organize packing. It’s a slight chore to move out of my dorm, return to Indy (but not to a physical “home”), and pack for Ecuador. But since when did I see a challenge that I didn’t want to take on?

I think that line really summarizes this experience. I’ve never let someone else define my boundaries. More times than most, I don’t even let my past failures define my boundaries.  I’m a pusher (but not like Tina Fey in Mean Girls!). I like to test limits and see where life can take me.  I’ll be the first to say my Spanish is not great, but as my friend Kellie the Nurse keeps telling me, “You’re not going to Ecuador because you know Spanish! You’re going to learn Spanish!” What could be better than to take a jump while I have a great support group to encourage me? There are five wonderful seniors who have answered constant questions about the program and their experiences. There’s Kellie who is living and working in Macas, Ecuador who has calmed my fears countless times and reminded me to look towards God through this entire process. Then I have the entire BCA crew from admission counselors to my program director to several of my classmates (who I cannot wait to meet) that have made it overwhelmingly known that this has been done before and that I will have the time of my life. There are countless other people I can’t even begin to describe their impact but I’ll list a few names like artists do on CD booklets. Hannah S., Ashleigh M., Rusty C., Marcie C., Professor Planer, Professor Yanez, Professor Margolies, Ange H., Thelma R., Megan H., James B.,  Mandy T., Emily W., Courtney Y., Laura S. T., and so many more, thank you a thousand times!

People are literally my passion, and having the support of so many boggles my mind! This adventure would be nothing without the people sending me and without the people who will be taking me under their wings in Ecuador. I can’t wait to be in the country surrounded by a new culture. I’d lie if I said I wasn’t a bit afraid, but I believe some fear is healthy and keeps us aware. Excitement is the dominant emotion. I just want to be there and breathing it all in. I can’t wait to study Spanish with my entire being! I can’t wait to go to Baños, the Amazon, and the Galapagos! I wish you could see my grin right now because it is so wide.

As much as I would like to ramble of my many emotions, I need to focus on my time in the States first. I have two more finals and a dorm room to pack before I can dedicate myself to preparing for my departure (January 1^st). Thanks for reading! Hopefully I will improve my blog writing skills ;)

With Peace and Love,
Trinity Ann