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!