Essay I wrote for my English final exam

The topic for the essay was an event in our life that has significantly changed who we are. Knowing me, I was beyond excited for this to be the topic. I could write a lot with it. It's not much but I was very proud of myself.

 An event in my life that has significantly changed who I am is when I went to Africa. On November 18th, 2011 I flew to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with a close friend. Up until this point in my life I had never done anything or went anywhere that took me out of my comfort zone. This trip ended up changing me completely. I went from never traveling to flying 7,000 miles from home. Found out I love flying. I had never stayed away from family for two weeks straight. Found out it's nice to take a break. But most of all, I went from being a girl who had a huge heart but had no idea what to do with it to having found where my heart belongs. 

The children in Africa aren't just the sad little faces you see starving and crying on your television set. They are beautiful, bright eyed and big smiled children. Each one of them have their own personality like you and I. They are human like us all. They love to play and have your attention. If you aren't smiling around them then you aren't doing something right. Jaime and I flew to Asosa, Ethiopia for two special kids.

These two kids, Pearl and Bereket, were already a huge part of Jaime's life from past trips. I had heard so much about them. Her big eyes and his captivating smile. I hasn't met them yet so they were just kids in a story to me. That day we flew out to see them was pretty exciting for us both. Her getting to see the kids who never leave her heart and me getting to meet them. We walked to the orphanage and as we knocked on the gate you could peer through a little crack and see nothing but red sand and a few kids frozen with puzzled looks on their faces. But the Gate Opener, Pearl, was running. As soon as she opened it I knew exactly who she was. The big beautiful eyes gave it away. Then along came the handsome Bereket. Yet again, I knew exactly who he was. After spending three days with the five kids (others have to go unnamed due to Ethiopian law) I realized why I jumped off my comfort wagon and boarded Ethiopian Airline. 

Leaving this place was the worst goodbye I had ever faced. Even worse than waving goodbye to my dad as he headed two states away. I had formed a bond with Addis Ababa. A bond you wouldn't understand until you experienced it yourself. From the second you arrive to the second you leave, you are welcomed like it is your home. I often forgot I was in Africa. 

As you can tell, this trip meant a lot to me.  It changed who I was. I no longer complain "I'm hungry" or "My room is too small." When I lay down at night I don't think "Well tomorrow is school." I think "I miss them. I wonder if they are okay. If they are still there." I look forward to the day I get to see my little brother and sister again. They changed me into a more mature and understanding person. I have seen things most people would avoid. I long for this beautiful place.

I may have went a little overboard for just a school essay but my heart and soul is in that. I liked it and decided I would share. And I would love feedback :)

The after math

Aside from the jet lag and sore throat from the burst of coldness I was greeted by, I wanted to write a little bit about my trip.

The trip that changed my perspective on everything in life.

Vroom Vroom

The whole plane ride from the states my eyes were glued to the cute little screen on the seat in front of me which showed me where we were at the time. I wasn't even nervous about going to a foreign country where I won't be able to understand anything. After maybe 20 attempts of sleeping and only 2 hours of sleep we finally got close enough I could stay awake and watch us land.

 I walked off the plane feeling...well, very tired. (Thank you all the delt with me that day. lol.) We did a little running here and there and seeing this person and that person and I'm lucky to remember any of it. I was just soaking everything in.

Welcome to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The next day was when the amazingness finally soaked in. Africa is beautiful. The people are beautiful. I miss it already. I'm sitting in my lab at school and wishing I was there. I miss the smiles on the kids faces when we walked in the orphanges. I miss the feeling it gave me to see them happy.

This picture is just from the web because I can't post pictures of the actual kids.

They deserve that more often. I really dont know what to post. but I had an amazing time and with the work of God I'll be going back soon :)  I finally got to meet the kids my 2nd family adores so much. And guess what? I don't blame them. They are adorable, smart, funny and even though you can't understand a slight bit of what they are saying they still make you smile. They are meant for soooo much more. Each one with their own little talents and things they love to show you. They do just about anything to have your attention. If even for a second they have someone watching them, smiling at them, saying "Good Job!" That makes their day so much better. Simple little things like teaching them to wink. which by the way is super cute. :)

Sitting at the airport waiting to fly home was the hardest part of it all. Sitting there waiting for the plane to board and all these things running through your head. "I'm leaving these amazing people" "Why cant I do more?" "When will I be back?" "Will they still be here?" "Why does it hurt so bad when I know I'm going home to my family?" I fought back tears knowing if I broke down, Jaime would break down and that would just make a big scene in the middle of the airport.

The place where emotions spin.

Plane ride home was much worse than the one there. People kicking my seat, kids screaming. Just completely uncomfortable. Mind racing, heart aching, and on top of that I had already watched all the movies on the flight in.lol. Once we got to Washington it sank in that I was going to be going home to the amazing Thanksgiving dinner my lovely grandma waited to make til I got home. Never in my life was I so happy to hear Christmas music. It's usually totally annoying but sitting at the airport hearing it made me slightly happy, relaxed.

The song that stuck in my head



Praying for my little PB&J until I see them again.

Senior year

I'm not much of a writer but I'm gonna wing this and see what my little brain can come up with. It's almost a month into my senior year and already feels like a year. College. My least favorite thing to even think about. Where to go? What to take? When to start? Too much for me. Africa. Who? Why? When? How long? Those are questions i get daily and can answer ( after telling a long story) fairly easily. Is it November yet? I've never been one to rush on the cold weather but this year I am. Africa. I can paint the picture in my head. Airport. Plane. Bestfriend/mom beside me goin crazy. lol the smell, or what I assume it smells like. The feeling I get as I right this. Increased heart beat and butterflies. Not nervous butterflies but excited butterflies. This is all new to me. Passport? Never woulda imagined I'd need one. Especially not at 17. My brain is on over drive. School, college junk and moving on after school. Only time I get to stop. Take a deep breath. Think. Africa. That's the only thing I'm even sure of right now. Yeah I go to school but the days a blur by 4. Yeah I need to figure out college but I'd rather not. But Africa, nothing about it shouts out and mathematical equations or long passages about tires and oils. Boring I know. I guess it's just a relaxing subject for me. Africa. Puts a smile on my face and yet an ache in my heart. Haven't even been there and I'm already in love. I guess I have Jaime to thank for that. :)

If this bored you I'm very sorry. I tried. That's all I can do

This amazing love

I am terrible at putting my feelings into words so I tend to look online for things. I was just fiddlefarting around and found this song.


When He put me in this world
When He chose you as my mother
He sure made it right
He made it just right
Cause you love me in a way
That's not like any other
It must be a part of Heaven's design
This amazing love
Has arms that reach to hold me
Has hands that shape and mold me
And wipe away my tears
There's a place inside your heart
That feels like home to me
Where this amazing love is what I need
With a faith in things unseen
On these wings of gentle spirit
I rest in your prayers
At the end of each day
Covered by your love
I can face my future, not fear it
Learning to stand
On my own feet of clay
God is good and Jesus loves me
I know these words are true
Cause He said," just as a mother comforts, so I will comfort you"
There's a cold that comes in winter
With a fire that love sustains
Where a mothers touch and the hand of God
They somehow feel the same
This amazing love
Has arms that reach to hold me
Has hands that shape and mold me
And wipes away my tears
There's a place inside your heart
That feels like home to me
Where your amazing love
Gods amazing love
This amazing love is all I need.


I love you mom.I know this doesn't compare to ur post about me but u really do mean the world to me.

"My friend, if I could give you one thing, I would wish for you the ability to see yourself as others see you. Then you would realize what a truly special person you are." 

B. A. Billingsly

I love it!!!!!!

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof." 

Barbara Kingsolver

My......

My love is like, wow.
My family is like, heaven.
My friends are, the best.
And I'm completely, happy.