17 years of Wanderlust

Another year older- another year wiser. With all this life experience I'm getting, it's no wonder my wisdom teeth are coming in so fast...

First, in honor of my birthday, I'd like to take you back in time for a bit and tell a short story:

It was 1995 and my mom was at her baby shower- pregnant with me. During a conversation with her cousin (who believed in Astrology and horoscopes) it became known that my mother was due at the end of November- around the same time that my older sister had also been born.

"Two November babies, eh? They're gonna be travelers when they grow up," her cousin said.
My mom wasn't much of a believer in reading the stars/ universe or whatever astrology does, so the conversation was quickly put out of mind and forgotten for many years.

I was born on November 28th just 6 days after Danica's Birthday. I grew up. I became aware of the world around me. The wanderlust within my being was like a forest that once caught fire could not be stopped- whether it's in the stars or because God has a plan for my life and in my obedience it will be brought to fruition. But here I am "on the other side of the pond" seventeen years later and the once forgotten words of my mother's cousin are being echoed by my actions.

Not only do I love traveling the world but I'm intrigued by the universes we create that cannot be seen. I'm talking about the relationships that we have with family, friends, Our Creator, and ourselves. To me, having a conversation with someone who lets me to go behind their walls of defense and see behind their masks, is one of the most fascinating things. Not only that, but you feel a sense of honor knowing that you may be one of the few who ever sees this soul almost completely transparent. Do I think we can ever be transparent 100% with anyone? NO. God's the only one who really knows us like that: he sees both the inside and out. But when it comes to sharing your life with other human beings you always have a choice as to who you share with and how much. Some may misinterpret my interest for being nosey and other times I don't always react appropriately when people are honest- but I'm working on it. I'm only human.

I'm not sure of much. I truly believe that I will return from my exchange year with more questions than answers. And at this point, my purpose is no more evident than it was before. Trying to predict my life in the future is like when you're driving on the highway during a downpour and you can barely even see the lines painted on the road or your front bumper: There is too much happening in the moment that you're in and anything beyond that can change in a matter of seconds.

Emma (my exchange friend here in Denia) and I often have talks about our futures. Next year she'll be going to college and I'll be out of high school soon too. Which school? What major? A career or a family? Is either one really ultimately in our control? And the answers are the same. We just don't know. I always conclude that one life isn't long enough to live out all the things I'd like to do. So which things will I choose? Will I go for the international career that will take me to new corners of the world and to learn more languages? Or will God bless me with the opportunity to be a stay at home mother- to do my best to raise children in this crazy life? But maybe I'll a spanish teacher. I could work with high schoolers, try to inspire them in their lives, and expand my knowledge of this language in which I hope to someday be fluent in. Those are my plans though- His plans are the one's that ultimately matter.

Like I said though, I'm driving on the highway in a downpour, so for now I'm just going to focus on the moment and do my best to keep a grip on the wheel...

 I'm 17 years old. I've come a lone way from the lost kid that I once was. Everyday the Lord is changing my heart and filling me with so much love that I'm dying to share with this world. I'm a single human being among 7 billion (and counting) on this earth. But at the same time, I am vastly different from anyone who has ever, or will ever, exist.

So last night we toasted over a drink at dinner- and I'll say it again now (even if toasting to yourself is odd...) I'm gonna celebrate me. Here's to the past 17 years of my life and to all that the future holds. I only hope to walk in the way The Lord has intended for me to- and to give back to this world even a fraction of what I've gained from being a part of it.

Thanksgiving Day

Between today and tomorrow, I will be posting three new blogs. So please be sure to read each of them as I fill you in on everything that happened for Thanksgiving, my birthday, and some new wisdom that I've acquired on this journey. As always, thanks in advance for reading- enjoy!

Thanksgiving 2012 will never be forgotten. That's a promise...
On thursday morning I slept in until 8:30 and met my friend Lucia on the path along the beach where we waited for the rest of our class. Half an hour later my gym teacher, religion teacher, and fifteen other classmates came into sight. Joining the large group, we headed for La Cueva de Tallada.
A ten minute walk to the east brings you to the end of Las Rotas (the residence along the rocky beaches) and then the Montgó Nature Reserve begins.

As we climbed higher the majestic view was only enhanced.

Previous days of rain left the path muddy and smooth rocks were one's worst enemy: it's not the safest hike and one slip could be fatal. Thankfully, it didn't take long to reach our destination.

From the top of a cliff we began our decent down to the cave.

The boys went first so they could help the rest of us girl... as if weren't just as capable of rock climbing. Psh. Please.

Once we reached the bottom of the cliff we turned to the right and BOOM. Out of nowhere this huge cave is ready to swallow you up.

Inside there were shallow pools, tons of rock, and extension areas to explore.

Before going deeper into the cave our gym teacher went ahead and lit candles throughout the tunnel.

I couldn't stop feeling like I was in a National Treasure or Indian Jones movie.

I thought of everybody at home cooking the turkey and setting Thanksgiving tables with the special china and pretty napkins. And then here I was... I never would have imagined that I'd be deep within a cave along the Mediterranean Sea (finally understanding claustrophobia) and at the mercy of the tons of rock above my head.

"This is the coolest thing I've ever done in my life," I kept telling myself. Not even standing before the Eiffel Tower gave me such a sense of excitement or aw for my surrounds.. I hope that doesn't make me sounds spoiled or ungrateful. It's true though, and I think it says something about my liking for adventures in nature over viewing manmade architecture.

Back in the opening of the cave (and sunlight) we ate lunch while a few crazy boys went swimming in the ice cold water. Our time was cut short when it started to rain outside, though. It was necessary that we got back up onto the trail before the rocks on the cliff were too slick and dangerous to climb. With no injuries and lots of fun the excursion was a success. We headed back towards the city and I said goodbye to everyone as I turned down another street to go home. 

At 1:00 I got home, showered, threw on pajamas, and went to bed. Until then my homesickness was at a 2 (on a level of 1-10) and I was more than happy with the way this Thanksgiving was turning out. I took some time to reflect, pray, and count my blessings. "I'm not going to cry today. NO homesickness." I told myself.

Just as I was settling in to take a nap, the housekeeper arrived and started making noise in the kitchen which kept me awake. Around 3:00 my host dad came home and announced that I'd received several letters in the mail. Two of the envelopes were birthday cards that I knew were not to be opened until the 28th. Another was from Jack Kammer, a Rotarian from back home. And the last one was from one of my best friends, Julia Viola. 

Both letters were very long, and I read them each twice to let the words sink in. Lord only knows how much I love both writing and receiving letters- so thank you to those who have written me! I treasure each one...

Soon I found myself on Facebook and scrolling through the endless statuses and pictures from Thanksgiving. YoungLife friends were all playing football together. Family was gathering. Thoughts of pumpkin pie with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream tantalized my taste buds. It was my sister's birthday. And Señorita M. was getting married the next day. So many things were calling me back home... I couldn't suppress the feelings that were building up. I sat down to wish Danica a happy birthday on Facebook and within minutes I lost all composure. So much for not getting homesick!!!! But what was I supposed to do? Crying it out is always better than bottling it up- so I just went with it..

Danica and I Skyped, and I bawled my eyes out for a good two minutes before I could choke out a word. I wished her a happy birthday and then said Hi to everyone at the house for the holiday.

For the rest of the afternoon I staying curled up in bed crying and eating chocolate. Yes, it was pathetic, But when I'm miserable I just want to be left alone so I can continue being miserable. 

Finally at 7pm I emerged from my cave like a grumpy animal and made myself look presentable. At 8:45 my host mom picked me up from home and we headed to the Thanksgiving dinner that Rotary was having for us.

So to summarize the night: The turkey was awful. In broken spanish I explained to Rotary what Thanksgiving was like for my family. Us "Exchangies" sat together, spoke in english, and had a good time despite the various stages of homesickness that we were experiencing. The host parents sat together and either bragged about or bashed the exchange student that they were hosting- but that was their business. For desert we had chocolate cake because ONE MAN in Rotary didn't like pumpkin pie.  It's a good thing I don't know spanish or which man it was- because nobody robs me of my pumpkin pie!

On the way home the sky was clear and stars twinkled above the universe. I said another short prayer to myself and basked in the beautiful moment. At 1am we got home and I went straight to bed. It had been a long and very emotional day- but certainly a memorable Thanksgiving.

Hallelujah It's Rainin' Man!

Ok. You can stop singing now :)

Last week started out rainy and remained cloudy almost everyday. My host dad always tells me though that when it rains in Denia, it's only for one or two days before the sun comes out and the ideal weather returns. This week though, has been anything but ideal.

On Sunday afternoon it started raining and by nightfall the sound of each huge droplet echoed against the walls of my bedroom. All throughout the night Mother Nature was relentless, and school was cancelled on monday morning due to flooding.

I couldn't believe the news at first when my host dad ran out to the car and said, "Camila, no tienes clase hoy!" I was already bundled up in many layers, with my boots, and umbrella, but I wasn't going to question the day off that I had just been offered.. My pajamas welcomed me back with open arms. There was time to kill so Elena put on The Notebook which I slept through until we ate sandwiches at 11am. After that we painted each other's faces and I did her nails. Im embracing the "big sister" role that I've never had before.

At 4:30 Emma and I met up in town and spent the evening together. The rain had ceased but violent winds whipped our hair around like it they were creatures of their own. I had the idea to go watch the windsurfers near the port, and then Emma suggested we walk further out towards the lighthouse. We didn't quite make it to the lighthouse because we would've died in the enormous waves crashing over the rocks... but it was an adventure.

Back in town Emma and I both did a little shopping for christmas & birthday presents for friends and loved ones back home. It was a fun afternoon- and I was thankful that the rain let up for a little while...

This morning I went to school :( but the rain picked up again and remained constant all morning. By noon the streets outside were flooded and by the time my host dad picked me up at 2:00 the road was under nearly two feet of water. It's now 4pm and conditions haven't changed. The house is being pounded with sheets of rain.

I'm going to make some hot chocolate.

Where ever you are right now, I hope that you're staying dry. 

"Evolution," they lied.

After school today I sat in bed, ate chocolate covered peanuts, and watched Pride and Prejudice, again. You can imagine what the scale is reading theses days as a result of many lazy afternoons and delicious Spanish meals. “Time for a run!” I said, pulling myself away from the computer screen.

I made it about a mile before I decided to sit down on a large rock that extends out into the sea. Only a slight glow of the setting sun was left on the horizon. Lamps lining the path along the sea reflected off the water- their light danced over each wave that came crashing against my rock sending a salty spray into the air.

6:30 my iPod read, but no one could be seen out walking.

There was no reason to rush home so I sat where I was until my sweat dried, a chill came over me, and I realized that I needed to be home before it was completely dark and no streetlights would light my way home.

For over half an hour, it was just God and me. I took in the sight of the beautiful coast, the warm November breeze, and drank in His peace. “Never forget this.” I promised myself…

At 7:30 it was time for a Skype date with Robin.

For those of you who don't know who Robin Shelburne is, she is my amazing YoungLife leader. Her place in my life can't be defined by a single title... or even few. She means a great deal to me though, and I rely on her guidance and wisdom on a daily basis for things that I can't yet comprehend- most of them relating to my walk with Christ.

Tonight we cried together during another heart to heart, but I was left feeling loved and encouraged.

Here I am, so far away from my life in Pitman. It’s just God and me. Eight months still await me here.  This is about opening my heart and relying on Him 100% in all that I do and becoming the young woman that God wants me to be.