A Month of Updates

I hope I have more to say once I am actually in the Dominican Republic; I am not a fan of once a month blog posts. However, the past month has been quite eventful and extremely hectic.

I spent most of it adjusting to living out of a book bag and developing my youth facilitating skills—which will def come in handy while I’m in the Dominican Republic.

I spent 3 weeks at Amherst College in Massachusetts serving as a Rap Director for the College Summit program. (check it out: www.collegesummit.org)  This summer marked my 4^th summer serving as a Rap Director trainee-which meant it was time to become a certified Rap director (youth facilitator). I’ve spent the past 3 years overcoming obstacles, taking possibility walks, making positive choices for myself, thinking outside of the box, accepting acknowledgements for my accomplishments, getting rid of my ice princess mask, studying and living the curriculum: in preparation for this moment. My College Summit Rap Director process and journey has positively impacted my life: it is huge reason why I finally had the courage to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer. It is oftentimes hard for me to finish things that benefit me solely, I have no problem completing and spending countless hours working on things that impact and benefit others. I was nervous about this milestone because it has been the most selfish yet selfless one I’ve ever endured.

In the middle of preparing for this momentous occasion, I began to receive tons of staging information from the Peace Corps At first it was hard to focus on College Summit when the next 27 months was calling…or rather emailing with new info everyday. Complete sidenote: I am slightly relieved that staging is in Virginia because I only have to travel from staging to the Dominican Republic. BUT I am a little nervous about waking up at 2am in preparation for our flight to the D.R. I’m sure I’ll be too nervous to sleep so I probably don’t have to worry about oversleeping. Sidenote over. Anyways I regained my composure and focused on being in the moment—and I’m so thankful I did because (not being in the moment) would have cost me countless memories, laughs, tears, and vulnerability that my peer leaders deserved.

Now back Rap Directing….I was excited, scared, and nervous. I spent 2 weeks with an amazing I spent the first 2 weeks co-facilitating with someone else…who challenged me to be in the moment, get out of my head, and share myself with the students authentically. It was just the advice I needed to step into my next level of facilitation.

My trainer “Mama T” came to Amherst to certify me. As soon as she arrived, she took my Rap Director manual from me.  I usually referred to it before sessions in the previous 2 workshops. But I simply focused on my intentions….got out of my head…and checked the tone of the room to gauge how to implement my intentions. It was a 4day workshop chalk full of many challenges and an unreal heat wave, but despite all, my peer leaders earned their 5 goals by Sunday at 12:30. And I have reached my milestone as well….Mama T certified me!! I was ecstatic…this has been the most fulfilling inward journey/outward service in my life so far.

I’ve been back in Maryland since late Sunday night trying to readjust for a few weeks and get a little rest (no luck so far with the latter). Now I have less than 20 days to research and buy the rest of my gear, pack, and say goodbye to all of my friends and family. AHHHHHHHH! That probably didn’t sum up all of my emotions but it gives you a sense. It is indeed a stressful time but I am thankful that everything is coming together (as it always does when I let go and let God). I am also hoping that I have a day or 2 to just reflect on the chapters that are coming to a close and the new one that is about to begin. I tend to complete one thing and leap headfirst into another, but this time I want to enjoy every component of each journey and be in every moment. And I plan to be intentional about it =)