Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Dents

I feel that my first blog might have come off a lot selfless than I had attended it to. As much as I would like to say my intentions to go to Peru have nothing to do with me, I know that isn't the case. I don't like admitting it but I probably am one of the most selfish kids I know. I hate that when I type my feelings and thoughts I tend to only type the good and caring thoughts. I am going to try my best to include all of what I am thinking and feeling because I want this blog to be real. I want to be able to show you the true Elena Marie Johnson, whoever that may be.
Well the weather is beautiful in Blacksburg right now and I really wish I could go sit in the fields of Brown Farm and ponder life but for now my back deck will do. Hmmm..I finally got my tickets to and from Peru! I leave June 4th and return the August 2nd. Man oh man, this whole trip is still pretty surreal still but I am sure as the weeks go by, that feeling will slowly change. However, I think there is a good possibility I wont be able to grasp the realness of it until I step foot in the Lima airport.
There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about this trip at least three or four times. I find myself thinking about why I am going a lot of the time. I really want my heart to be in the right place when I leave because I know this trip is not just about me but I find myself forgetting this from time to time. I try to keep telling myself I need to remember that it's also about everyone who I will come to interact with while I am there. This year has been a real struggle for me. I've had to adjust to a lot of changes around me and even within me. I think that one of the major reasons I started looking into leaving the country was more of a selfish thought of a need to get away from everything and everyone. There's a good possibility that it still is. Then there is this other part of me that knows that I am ready to do something like this. That God has provided me the right heart and mindset from the beginning of my existence. Haha, that may sound kind of silly to some of you but that was the thought that kept coming to mind while I read The Alchemist...After I finished the book I knew I needed to follow my heart. And my heart was telling me that I am supposed to go somewhere this summer to serve and of course Peru was the first country I thought of.
I like to think that I have one major theme in my life. This being that I am supposed to love everyone(no exceptions) and try to let them know that they matter to this world. But this year I have felt that I haven't done a very good job doing this. Mainly because I haven't really loved myself this year. And I honestly believe that you can't love, like really love and care for someone when you don't really love and care for yourself. I really haven't gotten to know a lot of the people I hang out with on a personal level this year and I hate that a lot. I used to really love and enjoy getting to know someone on a deeper level. I think that the love and joy for that is still in me but because I have let the anger, hurt, and sadness overtake me this year it's been a real challenge for me to want to do that. And because of that I have felt further away from knowing who I am then ever before. My best friend and I were actually talking about this a couple days ago and we came to the conclusion that life itself is a nonstop process of getting to know who you are, discovering who you are. I am hoping that being away from my peers along with my every day surroundings,and parents, that this trip will help reveal things I never knew about myself. My faith in God used to be some what of a big part of my life, of who I was, and this year I have lost that want or need for faith. I have pushed myself away from God almost entirely because I have been ashamed of the person who I have turned in to. I'm sure there will be a couple of you who are reading this that didn't even know that I believed in God....and that is an example of how I feel like I haven't done a good job to have true and meaningful relationships like I used to. I am really hoping that through this trip I'll be able to really think for myself on what the meaning of having faith is along with what God is really about, like what he cares about. I want to be able to discover what I am all about and what kind of gal I want to strive to be without having people I know be there and influence me in one way or another. This trip is going to be a life changing experience in more ways then I know or expect. I don't know if it's right to have expectations for this trip but I can't help that I do. I guess I'll find out....

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Reasons Why

Hey you guys! Since I have decided to spend most of my summer in Peru I thought it may be a good idea to start a blog for those who are interested in reading what I am doing, feeling and seeing while I am there. I have never been one to blog so I am hoping that if I attempt to blog occasionally until I leave, I may be able to grasp the talent of blogging on a regular basis while I am there. Well for those who do not know what I am doing, I will tell you. But first, a little background information! I am guessing if you are reading this you probably know me fairly well. Incase you do not there are a couple things you should know. I am a very blessed gal. I was born in Lima, Peru and very soon after, was adopted. Since then, I have grown up in a family who has traveled to third-world countries for as long as I can remember and have been exposed to the brutal, but true, lifestyles for most people in the world. Because of this I have always wanted to travel out of the country and helping those less fortunate than myself in some way. It was not until I read "The Alchemist" a couple months back, that I decided that I knew how I should spend my summer. (Oh, and for those who have not read "The Alchemist", I would definitely recommend you do so) Ironically enough, to volunteer you are going to have to pay to do so (I have yet to find one where you have not needed to) and a lot of organizations I looked at seemed to come off more beneficial for them. But after a long search I found an organization called International Volunteer HQ. I would also suggest that if you are interested, or ever interested, in international volunteering that you look into this organization. Here is their website www.volunteerhq.org.

SO I will be volunteering in Cusco, Peru from June 6 to July 31!! The IVHQ has it set up so there are 5 different programs you are able to volunteer doing while in Cusco. I have decided to volunteer in the Childcare Program where I will be LOVING on all the little peruvians as much as possible! Along with this I will be helping them with homework, organizing activities and games, and educating them about HYGIENE! I have yet to find out where I will be working and wont find out until I get there because they place volunteers where they are most needed at the time! But I could be working at a community center, ORPHANAGE, a daycare center, or a school!! I am REALLY wanting to work at an orphanage but I am sure wherever I am placed I will absolutely love it!!

My living situation while I am there will be a traditional family-stay! These are all pre-approved families of course and most likely have been hosting international travelers like myself, for years! I am super stoked about this part of the trip! Being able to experience Peruvian family traditions and routines will be so fascinating! I can not wait! I have to remember to keep an open mind during this trip because I am sure there will be some obstacles that come my way that I wont be particularly thrilled about! With this being said, I have decided become a VEGETARIAN for this trip! AUH! So, for the next couple of months I will be savoring my meat!

I am so excited to be doing this and SOOOOOOO grateful that my parents are funding me! They are great! This is honestly a dream come true! I cannot wait! The next couple of months will be pretty hectic/busy with school and trying to great ready for this trip! I was going to say journey but I think the whole process of getting ready for the trip is apart of the journey! I know I am going to Cusco in hope of helping others but I am sure they will be the ones helping me in the end! I hope that this did not completely bore you!

Until next time,
Elena