Falling Into Place

Exciting news folks! Everything has seemed to fall into place so quickly, my application for studying abroad is complete and in process of being viewed and hopefully (fingers crossed) accepted. Yes it has come to my attention that there is a chance that I might not get accepted, however with all the work and effort I am putting into this journey and my professors are behind me enough that I have faith that I will be accepted!

Now for the exciting news! Last night there was a informational meeting and I have a feeling that this post might get abnormally long! Ready, prepare!

Dakar is located right on the Atlantic Ocean and will be over 100 degrees when we are there and extremely humid. The area that we are staying in is walking distance to so much! This includes the beach, one of the best ice cream places right next to our hotel, the Presidents house, the embassy, the University, many shops, art, and local music. Our hotel is used for business mainly and is five stories, air conditioned (which is a huge deal), and located in a culturally rich neighborhood where all businesses, etc are own by the families in the neighborhood. The main languages are French and their local language which we will be learning beforehand and while over there. More details later!

The main goal of the trip is to witness the impacts and relationships of education policies, health policies, and literacy aspects are impacted through our areas of interest. There are many areas in which we will look into some of the examples that were given were how food is produced, technology, loans, world bank, world trade, and how all of these systems used connects back to the policies and aspects of interest. Overall the main goal is to check out globalization and the positive and negative aspects what it can have on a culture. We were told yesterday that while in Senegal we will see that some issues are being solved quicker or more effectively in Africa even though it is not as developed as in the U.S. But we will also see where the U.S is aiding and progressing in areas as well.

We will also be observing the structures of daily life there compared to daily life in the U.S. For starters during our three week pre-departure classes we will learn the customs and rules etc. for being respectful over there. For some of the places we visit the females will have to wear head coverings. Females also need to dress is long and baggy clothes, if we'd like we can purchase fabric and there are people who will make you outfits overnight that are custom to their culture, they are beautiful! Very vibrant and colorful, cannot wait! We cannot use our left hand for anything, that is seen as a large insult and that hand is seen as what you use in the restroom to put it nicely. Regardless of anything you have to eat what is served, often times you will not know what you are eating. Did I mention you eat with your hands, and all is served by the male with his hands too. Bring it on!

If you haven't caught on Dakar is a Muslim culture it is said that there are more Mosques in Dakar than anything else, we will tour some of them and from the sounds of it they are beautiful! Dekar itself is a relatively rich culture and very political but in a non-violent way. Our site leaders said more than likely we will see students protesting because education in Dakar is such an important part of the students lives. The University we will be studying in is very competitive to get into and only select students are able to attend. Tuition is around $100/year. The developmental schools that we will be working in are around $20/year however many families are unable to make that or have to make extreme life changes to move near a school that their children can go to. 

We will be working in the following areas and will be creating a project to work in these communities and will be conducting research to bring back to Western. I will focus my research in one of these areas, however I am very interested in all of them so I hope to make it to all of them. Our afternoons will be filled with working at the placements. There are so many great opportunities to chose from and your trip can be made to fit your interests. More details later.

-Autism School

- Tonal/Deaf School

- Pikine

- NGO Museums

- Suburb School (slums)

- Local Hospital Psych Ward

Lectures will be given to expand our knowledge on local organizations and we have the opportunity to work at the university there which is very prestigious and tough to get into!  Below are just some of the people/organizations which we will hear from:

- UN Speakers

- Non-governmental projects

- Network with Homeless (National Association)

Adventures: we will be sight seeing as well, from what we were told the city and surrounding areas are amazing and absolutely beautiful not to mention the ocean as the backdrop to the city we are staying in. Excited for these trips too!

- Gorgui Island: This island has reminiscence of slavery, rich in culture and is a ferry boat ride away.

- Yoff: This is the capital of 1 of 4 of the Islamic brotherhood in Senegal we will looking at the urban farms and getting a look at apartheid firsthand

- Angelous Davis School: Here we will be painting and meeting with parents in the community. We will then go on home visits where we will bring ingredients to make dinner with them. This allows to bond with families of the students we are working with or parents that we are partnering in with for our projects. The painting that we will be doing is to improve the school and that is the favor they have asked us to do! The school is located in Pikine which has 1.2 million people and this school has the highest success rate of the test that gets students into the competitive university.

Lots of new information, but all very exciting! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, continue to think good thought and send prayers! Updates soon I hope!

Happy Weekend!

Half a Decade

November 20, 2006 It is amazing that FIVE years ago I met this young lad... This picture was taken the weekend we were 'official,' what a little looking guy! I will never forget seeing Brad in Ludington in his blue Gordy's shirt and then come to find out that he goes to West Ottawa two months later! Talk about crazy, but I guess it was worth the wait and unknown!! 

Also known as the guy in the red sweatshirt I took 

F-O-R-E-V-E-R to accept his invitation to go out with him. I turned him down four times and then finally I just decided to go for it and see what happened. Our first date technically was going to Pizza Hut, but he had to my parents first so he had to come over, talk about nerve-racking. We ended up renting The Sentinel  but getting there meant driving through a horrible thunder storm which was quite eventful and still something we laugh at today.

Chicago

Every year now we go to Chicago to celebrate. It it nice to take the train for the day and explore the city hand in hand and take time away to do something for ourselves. I have found it is so easy to take for granted the people you love in your life and Brad and I make a point to plan our Chicago trip every year. We always make sure to do something a little different every year so far we have done Shedds Aquarium, Navy Pier, Willis Tower, and Blue Man Group. Yet we always make sure to walk down Michigan Ave and hit up our favorite stores (mind you we NEVER buy anything) you will find us sitting on every couch in Crate & Barrel, walking around playing with every gadget in Apple, smelling chocolate in Hershey's, eating in the Water Tower, checking out snowboarding stuff and our most recent eating a celebratory cupcake at Sprinkles! YUM!!

This year we are going for a whole weekend!! Friday morning we will take the train and explore the city like always and then take a second train to stay with Matt and Betsy for the weekend!! This years adventure consists of hitting up the Science & Industry Museum!! Cannot wait!

Now the semi-cheesy part of this post comes out, we have pictures from every year around November 20. Ready. Go!

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

 Distance

Seeing Bradley for the first time after six weeks of him being in Virginia.

Distance has always been a factor for the two of us, luckily we have college to keep us connected. However even then we face challenges. I will not say that distance is easy by any means but it can make you stronger in the end. Which some days I have questioned why we are always pulled apart, but I guess that's the beauty of us because regardless we have found a way to be resilient and face the distance head on. Between baseball, internships and me being two years younger in school we have had our fair share of time apart. But I guess on a positive note we have both seen some interesting places along the way, without him spending a summer in Virginia I wouldn't have got to go to Washington DC and without him working for the Tigers, well I wouldn't have got to see all the behind the scenes action. Aside from all the perks distance has made us closer in some way shape or form despite the numerous arguments and frustrations felt along the way. All I can say is thank God for e-mail, skype, texting, cell phones, ProFlowers, U.S postal service, and packages!!

The past five years have been a bundle of craziness!! That is probably a fairly large understatement, but it will do for the point that is being made. Although not known at the time Brad came into my life with perfect timing. He has held my hand through so much and as a couple we have gone through a great deal of lose and trials and injuries/surgeries. All of this has brought us so much closer and ultimately lead us to l-o-v-e!!

Brad has done so much for my life. He has the ability to make this belly laugh I don't often hear come out, he knows how to push my buttons to really piss me off, he has a way about putting me back in to reality or perspective, I often times over plan and get caught up in life's annoyance that I lose sight of who I really am. Within the past few months he has done a really good job of sitting and talking with me through frustrations burdens both him and I face as a couple and that both of us as individuals face. He pushes me even when I'm not wanting to be pushed aka working out...just ask him about my work out regimen...all I can say is thank God his roommate is patient enough to deal with me in the weight room, lets just say Brad and I do not see eye to eye when working out/ being competitive. Brad has shown me to love whole hearted despite whatever life throws at you, he has always believed in me and helped me through the most trying of times and some of the best times. He knows when I need a laugh, he knows when I just need to cry and he knows the right time to step in and offer a hug. Overall he is really great guy, I think we make a pretty good match. We challenge each other, we do not always see eye to eye, we argue, we get frustrated, we get annoyed, but we love each other. And despite all the ups and down we continue to love regardless, and we work hard to make our relationship strong and full of love.

Little by Little

So I am currently reading a book called Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist. I encourage all of you to read it, it is moving and amazing. The subtitle states "celebrating the extraordinary nature of everyday life" yep its one of those you have a highlighter next to you while reading. Anyways I started reading it quite some time ago and just never ended up finishing it, until now. I wanted to try to see if by finally finishing it I could find the inspiration I need to write my statement of purpose essay for my application. And well, as you can imagine I ran across a quote in the book that made me stop and question all my current thoughts. 

As you can read in my last post I talked about hoping to make it to the informational meeting that was held Monday. But then it hit me tonight, sometimes, actually probably most of the time, I am constantly pushing and striving to reach something so much more than is actually ready to be discovered take for instance what Shauna stated in her book:

"I get stuck because I try to map out every dip and turn, try to write an ending, literally and figuratively, before a beginning even exists. So I don't write, but with the energy that I could use on writing, I worry instead."

Although this is referring to her writing career I felt as though I could relate to this on many levels. I wanted so bad to go that informational meeting, so much so I asked to go into work late. Well it didn't work out, I had to go watch my little guys and missed the meeting. It wore on me all day, I kept thinking of all the questions that could have been answered today and how the direction of my research could have been decided. Yet as I lay in bed reading my book and sipping on a glass of wine it all hit me. I plan way to much sometimes and that in the end the other FOUR informational meetings are there for a reason. There is time and I was not meant to attend that meeting for some reason that is unknown to me right now. Perhaps it was for me to read my book and to find a sense of peace in knowing that the time will come when all the answers I have rushing around in my mind will have an answer, until then I will wait.

I want so badly to jump ahead to conclusions and to finish the whole application process and start doing extensive reserach, however something is stopping me from accomplishing all these tasks. I have found I get stuck...I'm not sure why but obviously there is a reason I get writers block or have an obstacle that gets in my way of furthering this journey. Yet I am not defeated. Then I found:

 "Start where you're stuck."

Those four words bring such a peace of mind to me right now, since I've let others know of my adventures I want to take, figuring every single detail out has been pressing on my mind. What I need to keep in mind is pacing and that not everything has to be figured out right this very second. Yet starting where you are stuck is sometimes the best thing you can do. And that brings me back to why I ever wanted to travel to Africa.

"But little by little, when I start where I'm stuck, over and over and over, getting stuck and unstuck, something cracks through, and life reveals itself to me like an scroll unfurling."

Things began to become unstuck for me and came through the cracks ;). I don't want having nothing to say about my progress to my trip to stop me from posting what is inspiring me to be where I am at. I think the following quote really sums up how life and the things that mean the most to you really impact and move you to do something extraordinary. For those of you who know me the last five years have really moved me in a direction I never really expected to go, however I can not complain of where I am at today. I believe that everything happens for a reason, even despite not knowing exactly why, and that each life event, if taken on positively, can mold you into something great. I am believer in that everyone has a story and that everyone has their own stories that shapes them into something else. Part of my story is always wanting to travel to Africa but never fully believing that it could happen. I am now realizing that life is far to short to doubt what you want to do, and regardless of how big your dreams may seem you have to follow through with them and chance them with everything in you. 

This final quote motivates me to continue to write regardless of if anyone reads:

"I feel, in the best moments, in spite of the uncertainty, in spite  of the fear, like Lily Briscoe in To the Lighthouse. Yes, she thought, laying down her brush in extreme fatigue, I have had my vision. I had that line written on my wall for years, years ago, and now it holds a whole new richness. I have had my vision, and I thought it would come in a flash, a bright beam of knowing. But it has come in the same way that all things come to me. it has come to me with a fight. It has come to me the hard way, through tears and fog and fear and chaos, and now has landed in the palm of my hand like a firefly. There now, I have had my vision."

This is powerful to me and reiterates that the dreams I had long ago that I never felt would come true can come true if you believe and put your mind to it. I encourage all of you to find what encourages you and chase after the dreams you are too afraid to chase. Follow through.

Please feel free to e-mail my account to get on the e-mailing list, I would love to share my new posts with all that are following and reading. Join the mailing list at followthroughblog@gmail.com Once you e-mail me your e-mail you will get an e-mail notifying you of the new post. I feel as though Facebook just isn't letting all of you know I wrote something new! 

Once again I thank you all that find the time to read and share my journey. It truly means so much and is so nice to share my thoughts with those who are encouraging me throughout my journey. It means more than words can really say. Thanks a bunch!

God Bless,

Kate

Updates

No huge news as of now but I did want to have an e-mail for anyone that wants to receive an e-mail when I update. The e-mail is below just send me an e-mail with the e-mail address you would like to me send a message to and I will send a mass e-mail out when updates are made! 

followthroughblog@gmail.com

Quick update: There is an informational meeting I will hopefully be able to make it on Monday, but since I work that day I may have to wait until the next one. Once I go to this meeting I will know lots more. I met with the professor that is going and she is excited to hear about what I want to get out of this experience and is willing to help me with the research. I have started doing some initial research about the country in general hopefully tomorrow I will be able to post some fun information about the country! Until then Happy Friday & have a superb weekend!!


Join the mailing list :)


Best,
Kate

Dream Big, Be Inspired!

First and foremost I would like to thank all that have read and began to follow my blog adventure for the abundance of love and support, I will admit it was quite surprising, but pleasantly at that. People sure do come out of the wood works, but its so nice to feel so encouraged! Love you all!


Well the application process continues and boy oh boy is it time consuming, but exciting at the same time. I will admit to having a minor freak out today while at my field placement. If you don't already know I am placed a Juvenile Home and let me tell you its an intimidating place, yet I see many rewards along the way. But I will need a lot of time to adjust to such a high security place, but it's a great learning experience! Anyways on the wall in my class there is a map of the world and while observing I noticed how far Africa is away from home and I think I completely doubted the whole thing all together, but then I snapped out of it, I want to go.


But that's not the only freak out, this whole process thus far has been very time consuming and not to mention a little intimidating. On some of the documents I am reading through and signing it talks about "in the case of death Western is not responsible"---uh that is just not okay!! But I know its just taking precautions, but it still makes you stop and think. Not to mention the whole research topic--goodness I just cannot decide, however hopefully tomorrow I will meet with my professor and figure some possible ideas out, stay tuned!


So I figure I have quite a while before I leave and after the application is filled out I really am going to have quite a bit of space to fill in my blog for all of you followers (if there are any following). Anyways so I guess I'm going to fill it up with wing what inspires me or is on my mind! Maybe I'll figure out how to add pictures and stuff...who knows bare with me.


But for the first 'inspiring' post I want to first start with the extreme home make over episode from last Friday----so inspiring and so great! I definitely advise everyone to watch it, what an amazing family and amazing little guys! They started a foundation called the 'Sparrow Club' which I encourage you all to check it out, what a great organization! One day I would LOVE to start one wherever I end up in my career--DREAM BIG right?! Tina take note, you are my side kick! ;)


Here are the two links:
1) http://www.sparrowclubs.org/What_Is_A_Sparrow/default.aspx


2) http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/episode-detail/mcphail-family/871847


These are my two motivations right now, I'm under the belief that I am here to do something extraordinary. I think it is easy to get caught up in school, but if you take the time to find motivation and something that inspires you, really great things can happen. I don't know where life is going to take me but I keep looking and searching for the things that light a fire in my heart and soul and keep me reaching and inspiring me to become more. I hope all of you take the time to find what truly makes you happy. It is easy to get caught up in all the stresses in life and trying to please everyone you come into contact with, but I encourage you all to take a second and find something that inspires you and makes you reach for more. We are all meant to do something amazing its just a matter of finding the niche. I hope this prayer helps you as you venture through the week.


I hope to post again tomorrow with great and exciting news from meeting with my professor with  more information on the trip!! Prayers for positive results! I apologize for a lame post, but I was really hoping to post tomorrow! Stay tuned more to come oh so soon!! Thanks for continuing to follow :)

Dear God,

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.

Remove that have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I in my mind.

Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all, Dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the 'am nots' that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.

Amen. 

May this prayer encourage you to not hold back from any of your dreams. Dream big and carry on!

Good night! :)

PS I hope you all found a way to celebrate Halloween--Snooki & a police officer made up my celebrations and passing out candy to a bunch of little kiddos trick-o-treating!! Happy Halloween!!

Oh, this is the start of something good!

So the title of my blog "Follow Through" comes from a song by Gavin DeGraw and the first line of the song  "oh, this is the start of something good" pretty much sums up the purpose of this blog. "Follow Through" is also relevant in my latest adventure. I think it is safe to say that often times we like to make lists or devote countless promises to adventures that are never followed through on. For instance the bucket list I've created of countless things that have yet to be checked off. Until now. Hence the blog and my willingness to share with anyone who will read of my latest adventure. It's summed up in a couple words, in a country not of this one:

Dakar, Senegal. Africa.

Yes, that's right I am in the beginning stages of heading to this lovely spot! Don't let me fool you though, my first location was Rome, Italy where I was going to study life and leisure in Italy. Gelato, homemade pasta, WINE, beautiful architecture, etc. need I say more?!  Probably not. Then I sat down and thought. There are many opportunities in front of us every day and some of us choose to embrace them while other times we sit and watch them come and go. This is one opportunity I am going to embrace. Not to say that it doesn't terrify me to leave the country for six weeks to study abroad in conditions I'm not used to, but the overall outcomes of this trip will make me a better person, a better future educator, and a human that is humbled by what else is outside of our little bubble. 

Over the past month I have began weighing out the pros and cons to traveling abroad and I think that timing is everything. Let me explain. Going abroad has always been something I've been interested in, in high school I had the opportunity to go to Costa Rica, but expenses and other trips came up. My family was able to host Carolin and experience a little piece of the world outside our U.S walls. I have also been blessed to travel to places to get a little taste of different cultures as well. Yet I always come back to thinking and having a strong need to travel and do something for myself. I always wanted to go to Spain, but my lack of Spanish fluency is holding me back from that one. Then Rome came up, ahh I could handle that, but then there was just something that didn't engage me in wanting to dive fully into that trip either. Until Africa came around. I will be studying the globalization, language and education of Senegal's culture, but more importantly and why I am even more excited to go is because I will be working in a school with students who have Autism. That is the kicker, that is why I need to go, this is what I am supposed to do.  Allowing myself time and reflection to sort it all out has led me to this trip. 

I have always felt that I am meant to do something in Africa, I don't know why but I have always been drawn to the idea of traveling there and working in some way. Yes I am going with a small group from Western, but my main goal is to conduct research while there for a thesis project with the Honors College. Research can be a scary word, yes I know, but as of now I want to look at the difference between the United States and their special education system and the one found in Dekar. The topic is still up for debate, much revision and research has to be done beforehand. Regardless I am excited for the adventures ahead of me and the experiences that I am going to get to be a part of and hopefully (fingers crossed) make a difference somewhere along the way.

Many emotions are running through me as I begin the initial stages of applying and preparing. I will say I did alot of work before letting anyone know I had this desire to go. First I looked into all the details (they are still sorting themselves out) I prayed, wrote journals and dreamed about it. Then I made sure that financially this was something that if i put enough time and energy into was something I could earn, finances are still up in the air, but I have time yet. But at the same time I look at the experience and not the monetary amount attached to it. I then had to check with things academically and with Western. Being part of the Honors College, I have a whole staff (including the Dean) supporting me and encouraging me to attend this trip and to come back with a fantastic journey. And finally and I will admit was the scariest and the one thing I thought would hold me back and that would be my loved ones, until this past Sunday when I sat down and talked with parents about what I wanted to do. To my surprise they were very supportive and encouraging to continue on the path of making it official, what a relief! With all the pieces in place now I feel a overwhelming amount of support from Western and from my family and Brad too to keep pursuing and going after this adventure.

Somewhere deep down I know this trip and the time of it is something I am suppose to embrace. This trip could have been offered any other time, but conveniently it is offered Summer of 2012 when I actually have time to take the trip. I will be completely honest I am nervous, anxious, yet know that this opportunity is something that will change my life and impact me in ways that will help me in the future. 

I wanted to start my blog today, because the application was posted today and I am now starting to fill it out. It's becoming real and want anyone interested to keep following me through my journey to Africa. I am following through (ahh) and "oh, this is the start of something good!"

"Don't you agree?!"

***More links and information will be posted soon, stay tuned!***

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftTfViVNwiM    -----> It's the song!