365 Days

Ok, well it hasnt been exactly 365 days, but you get the idea. One year ago today, around 5am in the morning I stepped off a plane, and into a new life. I remember my first thought as I stepped onto the stairs leading down to the runway of the airport, was the air was thick with the smell of salt-water. Its that heavy-air and the dark, early morning that made me think of the days living in Seal Beach with Caitlin. I would come home late from work, and just stand in the street, breathing as much of that air into my lungs as I could. It is my favorite thing about living near the ocean and its the one things that comforted me as I entered the unknown on March 9, 2011.  I remember thinking, "Alright... this might be okay..." I was leaving everything I knew, everything that was "home". I had spent most of the flight crying, and was truly only going on the gut feelings that this is what I was supposed to do.

Fast forward to now, I love Senegal. So much in my life has changed over the last 12 months. I have created life-long bonds with volunteers here. They have seen me at my best and my worst and have continued to support me through all trials and tribulations I have faced. I also have been able to keep up with friends and family at home in The States and watched their lives change over the last year. I have continued to learn things about myself as I push myself to new emotional and physical limits.I think that's how it should always be; continuously peeling back the layers that define us as people.  It has truly been an incredible roller-coaster and its not over yet.

Peering into the future, I can only see good things. I consider myself to be a really positive person. I mean overall I usually can find the good in the situation, however, this time in my life, I have never felt more like this is what I want and this is what I am meant to be doing. My life is filled with inspiring, beautiful and motivated people who push me to be the best. I am a lucky girl, a lucky, lucky girl.

So, all in all... life is good. Senegal is great. I am happy, and thats what matters most.

Now... Feb 2012

Then... April 2011