We're about four days away from getting on a plane with four suitcases, two backpacks and a hairy orange cat named Simba. I can't explain the happiness and intrigue I feel about this decision - to break our lease, sell my car, quit my job and pack away our belongings so that we can move to Germany. I'm still not sure why everything has fallen into place so nicely (knocking on wood), but I must say, I feel extremely blessed and appreciative, for not only the opportunity to move to Europe, but for the outpouring support from our family and friends that we've received in the last two months.
Anyways, it's interesting what you don't think about before starting the moving process. For instance, does the country your moving to have separate insurance requirements for animals? Do you need an international drivers permit for a rental car at the airport? Or, (the best one) will the flight we just bought on Priceline let our cat fly? Nope. You just have to roll with the punches.
I've gone into this experience with a very open mind - learn everything I can, soak up the culture, go for long walks and practice my German skills (non-existent right now). Many people ask me what I will be doing abroad while Derek is at work all day. My answer: living life! I may not be tied to a desk or to emails, heck, I won't even have Facebook on my phone! I'll be learning a new language, cooking a different style of food, exploring a new country and planning some fabulous trips for when you come visit! I'll see what God has in store for the rest. Maybe I'll try my waitress skills again, or become an English tutor. Who knows! But we'll soon see.
I'll be writing on this blog regularly - and I promise to write more interestingly that what you've seen so far.
Siehe später!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thanksgiving in Mexico
Hilly countryside, ocean views and margaritas. Sounds like the perfect getaway, doesn't it? I've just returned from a weekend trip to Mexico, and I did enjoy the hills with mountain views and the occasional margarita, but this trip served a different purpose than relaxation and tourism. I had the privilege to help build a house for a family of five so that they could move from their rundown small trailer without electricity or running water to four-sided, 1 bedroom house that will change their life forever.
We started the weekend out at the YWAM campus (Youth With a Mission) where they cooked a delicious Thanksgiving meal. We had orientation and learned that Defender Direct, the company that I was a guest of (thanks Ashley!), was going to build it's 100th house that weekend. That's awesome. They send their employees with family and friends several times a year to build homes for the Homes of Hope program.
Anyways, the second day (Friday) we piled into vans, and after breakfast at the YWAM center, we headed into the hills to meet our family. We went on a 25 minute trip that turned into "off-roading". To say the least, Mexico has not established paved roads in many areas, especially these hillside communities. As we stepped out of the vans, the first thought (of many) that went through my mind was that in the States, this view would be worth millions. But here in Mexico, since this area is not as accessible, the cost of the land was significantly low to American standards.
That first day we painted, painted, and painted some more so that the entire exterior of the house was gray, and all inner panels were white. It really was amazing to see our team of 15 put up the walls and roof in one day. To clarify- the house would roughly cost $5,000 American dollars. I'll show photos of the finished product below.
That first day was also our introduction to the family, Betzi and Alfredo and children Pahola, Josue and 5-day old baby Jose. Pahola was so happy to help Abby and I paint, and loved sharing her Doritos with all. Alfredo (the dad) helped on the roof the entire weekend, as he is a construction assistant.
The second day, we finished painting all dry wall and touched up. We also collected donations from our team for goodies from WalMart. A Mexican Walmart is the same as the US, except prices were even cheaper and everything was in Spanish.
When we got back from WalMart, we laid the rugs we purchased and laid out all of the food and tolietries, including the "luxury" toothpaste and shampoo. That last hour with the family was my favorite. They got to unlock their house for the first time and go in to have a look around. Then all of our team members entered the house and there I had the most priceless memory of the entire trip. Pahola, the 8-year-old girl, looked at us with tears running down her cheeks. She was in awe that this house was all for her family. I'll never forget that look of gratitude in her eyes.
Overall, it was an amazing weekend. To see how the smallest things to us could mean the world to someone else is just amazing. They didn't even have carpet or running water. But to them, they just won the lottery.
The family we built for, including their two Grandmothers.
Panoramic shot
Beautiful sunset.
Little Josue stole our hearts.
Pahola and I after she saw the house.
We started the weekend out at the YWAM campus (Youth With a Mission) where they cooked a delicious Thanksgiving meal. We had orientation and learned that Defender Direct, the company that I was a guest of (thanks Ashley!), was going to build it's 100th house that weekend. That's awesome. They send their employees with family and friends several times a year to build homes for the Homes of Hope program.
Anyways, the second day (Friday) we piled into vans, and after breakfast at the YWAM center, we headed into the hills to meet our family. We went on a 25 minute trip that turned into "off-roading". To say the least, Mexico has not established paved roads in many areas, especially these hillside communities. As we stepped out of the vans, the first thought (of many) that went through my mind was that in the States, this view would be worth millions. But here in Mexico, since this area is not as accessible, the cost of the land was significantly low to American standards.
That first day we painted, painted, and painted some more so that the entire exterior of the house was gray, and all inner panels were white. It really was amazing to see our team of 15 put up the walls and roof in one day. To clarify- the house would roughly cost $5,000 American dollars. I'll show photos of the finished product below.
That first day was also our introduction to the family, Betzi and Alfredo and children Pahola, Josue and 5-day old baby Jose. Pahola was so happy to help Abby and I paint, and loved sharing her Doritos with all. Alfredo (the dad) helped on the roof the entire weekend, as he is a construction assistant.
The second day, we finished painting all dry wall and touched up. We also collected donations from our team for goodies from WalMart. A Mexican Walmart is the same as the US, except prices were even cheaper and everything was in Spanish.
When we got back from WalMart, we laid the rugs we purchased and laid out all of the food and tolietries, including the "luxury" toothpaste and shampoo. That last hour with the family was my favorite. They got to unlock their house for the first time and go in to have a look around. Then all of our team members entered the house and there I had the most priceless memory of the entire trip. Pahola, the 8-year-old girl, looked at us with tears running down her cheeks. She was in awe that this house was all for her family. I'll never forget that look of gratitude in her eyes.
Overall, it was an amazing weekend. To see how the smallest things to us could mean the world to someone else is just amazing. They didn't even have carpet or running water. But to them, they just won the lottery.
The family we built for, including their two Grandmothers.
Saul, our team leader.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Making a House a Home
Well, it's been quite awhile once again since I've shared my thoughts on here. It's 9:00 on a Monday night, the Colts are actually winning and my bottle of Pinot Noir is certainly not disappointing. I suppose I could recap on the last 3 months-weekends of travel, exploration and pure enjoyment of the simple things in life.
I'll start with the latest addition in my life. It's funny to think that my townhouse finally feels like home - this past weekend we added a quite stylish lamp AND a kitten! The idea of something so small that depends on you for happiness makes me happy in return. Simba is his name. It's sort of ironic how he came to be part of our family.
Derek had bought a cat carrier, food and litter box last week, and we had plans to go to the Humane Society the following Wednesday. Well fate had other plans! One of the co-founders at my work announced that he had found a stray kitten who needed a home the day before we had planned to go to the shelter. It was fate! The next day, he brought Simba to work and Derek and I had our first pet! 2 baths and 100 fleas later, Simba is a happy camper. And so are we.
I'll start with the latest addition in my life. It's funny to think that my townhouse finally feels like home - this past weekend we added a quite stylish lamp AND a kitten! The idea of something so small that depends on you for happiness makes me happy in return. Simba is his name. It's sort of ironic how he came to be part of our family.
Derek had bought a cat carrier, food and litter box last week, and we had plans to go to the Humane Society the following Wednesday. Well fate had other plans! One of the co-founders at my work announced that he had found a stray kitten who needed a home the day before we had planned to go to the shelter. It was fate! The next day, he brought Simba to work and Derek and I had our first pet! 2 baths and 100 fleas later, Simba is a happy camper. And so are we.
One thing I've certainly learned in the past few months is that it's alright to slow down. For some reason I'd forgotten what I'd learned while living in Spain- to just enjoy that small moments in life. In the past months I stressed incessantly about work, worked long hours into the evening, and constantly felt a need be on the move. I've finally began to realize that it's good to slow down; I'm not saving lives at work and my thoughts deserve to be stress free and relaxed. I am now trying to focus my efforts towards finding great volunteer opportunities that I can dedicate a few hours to each week (I'm open to suggestions), planning a wedding that is quickly approaching, and spending quality time with the people I truly care about.
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