Adventure Is Out There

In less than a month, I will be setting off on a life-changing/life-fulfilling journey to Honduras.  After I graduated, the question everyone asked was “What are you going to do now?”  I guess no one expects the answer, “I’m moving to Honduras!”  Seriously, I wish I could have captured the multiple faces of surprise, confusion, and curiosity.  After the initial shock, they typically would reply with “....Why Honduras?”  When asked that question, I always thought to myself, “Well, why not?”

During my senior year at UW-Madison, I began to dread what every college senior dreads…. graduating, growing up, and taking on more responsibilities.  I know… the “Real World” was beginning to seem too real. The thought of not living in Madison, a world without Badger Gamedays and the terrace, just did not seem appealing.  Anyways, I began to grasp reality and really thought about where it was I wanted to teach once I graduated with my secondary teaching degree.  As I began to ponder and consider my options, I realized that I did not want to settle.  I realized that I was hungry for adventure, ready to explore and go outside my comfort zone. If your dreams don't scare you, then they aren't big enough, right?

So began the search for teaching jobs abroad. After days, weeks, and months of searching I came across the website of Mayatan Bilingual School.  As I researched the school and read their website top to bottom about 20 times, I realized that I had to go for it.  I took a shot in the dark and applied.  I heard from Mayatan 3 days later, had a Skype interview on the 6^th day, and was offered the job.  Whoa! I was overwhelmed.  Thank god for my amazing parents, otherwise I am fairly sure I would have had a panic attack.  While I knew this is what I wanted to do, it all became so real, so fast!

Many people only know Honduras as being labeled the "Murder Capital of the World" (trust me when I say that my Dad about collapsed on the spot when I told him my plan to move there).  But what people do not know, is the rich history and culture within Honduras, more specifically, within Copán Ruinas.  As the map shows below, Copán Ruinas (look for the red star) is a small town located near the boarder of Guatemala.  This town is extremely close to the site of ancient Mayan ruins.  My inner history nerd was freaking out when I first realized this. The ruins are known for amazingly preserved stellae and hieroglyphics (pictured below).

5 Things I am most excited about:

1. Meeting my 5^th graders
2. Immersing myself in the amazing culture of Honduras
3. Volunteering at the orphanage
4. Becoming fluent in Spanish
5. Visiting the Mayan ruins as much as possible

5 Things I am most nervous about: 

1. Not being the “student teacher,” but the Teacher
2. Living with frequent power outages lasting from hours to multiple days...even though I survived Ecuador for 1 month with no power, this is for a whole year ya'll!
3. Being far away from friends and family (FaceTime, FaceTime, FaceTime!  As long as I have power, refer back to nerve #2)
4. Packing a years worth of clothes into one suitcase... the struggle is real!
5. Not having Spotted Cow (I’m serious)

I think it's safe to say that my excitement outweighs my nervousness.