twas also the beginning.
A kaleidoscopic journey through four continents in 10 countries spanning 370 days.
Here, you can see that Cailie is hard at work!
A kaleidoscopic journey through four continents in 10 countries spanning 370 days.
*The Peruvian Rainforest Rescue*
~July-August 2011
~Birdwatching, turtle-saving, trail clearing, JaguarTapirMonkey feeding!
~Birdwatching, turtle-saving, trail clearing, JaguarTapirMonkey feeding!
*The South African Immersion*
~August-January 2011/2012
~Daycares, Animal Shelters, Soup Kitchens, Teaching Drama to underprivileged children
~Various Ethnic Groups and Languages:
Xhosa, Afrikaans, and English
Precious ones who call me "Tanny." (Auntie:)
*The Cambodian Bliss*
~January-March 2012
~ Scuba Diving twice a day to perform fish, reef and seahorse surveys
~Beach, Reef, and Village Litter Removal
~Awesome Friends!
Magical Seahorse Bonding Moment!
*The Thailand Thought-Provoker*
~March 2012
~Cleaning, Feeding, Washing, and Cuddling elephants
~Learned of Thailand's animal abuse, unsustainable tourism(riding elephants), and illegal wildlife trade
~Learned of Thailand's animal abuse, unsustainable tourism(riding elephants), and illegal wildlife trade
My Pa and I giving Bua a little scrub 'n' love!
*The Mongolian Culture Shock*
~March-May 2012
~Orphanage for 1 month (2-month-olds to 1-year olds whoo have been orphaned or abandoned)
~Nomad Awesomeness!!
*Living in the middle of nowhere: herding sheep, riding horses, and loving my non-english speaking family :)
*Living in the middle of nowhere: herding sheep, riding horses, and loving my non-english speaking family :)
Herdin' sheep on a wild horse in Mongolia,
just a casual Tuesday for me!
Cultures, experiences, humans, adventures, hellos, goodbyes....
From all of the above, I have discovered the ANSWER(S) TO LIFE!!!!
Behold:
Behold:
1) To Thyne Ownself Be True.
Be yo'self.
It may not make everyone happy, but you need to be happy with yourself. Self-respect leads to others' respect.
It may not make everyone happy, but you need to be happy with yourself. Self-respect leads to others' respect.
Proof:} In Peru, I was surrounded by volunteers who loved to drink and smoke. Not up my alley, they soon realized I was not a participant. Expecting judgement, I instead received praise! As the handmade bamboo bong was passed around the circle, respect was passed to me for choosing to get high on life instead... Woo!
2) Don't Always Believe What You Think!
*Applicable Everywhere*
For me, it gave me a new perspective on many of my experiences this year.
From circuses and tourism to chemicals in food and first impressions.
Hence:} I met a fellow volunteer on one of my projects who, on the outside, appeared to be quite the fun-loving party lad. Vodka, cigarettes, and a superb sense of humor was simply a facade to the broken soul underneath. Following a deep talk one night, I learned that he has been living with a life-threatening disease that he woke up to at age 14. His legs paralyzed, his mom took him to the hospital where he learned that there was blood between his brain and skull, which somehow caused him to temporarily lose the use of his legs. After having the blood drained, he had to re-learn how to motivate his legs into movement. This life-threatening occurrence came 3 more times, which left him in the hospital for 6 months. His father did not visit him once during this time period, yet his mother came every single day. For four years, he has lived with the possibility that everyday could indeed be his very last.
Monthly check-ups ensure that his health is monitored. His mom's constant bedside presence has made his bond with his mom unbreakable. He told me how he loves his mom so much, and by living so close to death, he has learned the importance of seemingly small events in life. He cherishes the 20 minutes with his mom and tea.
If people judged his book by his "partying" cover, one would never know the struggle and triumph beneath. Thus, thou shalt not believe what thy thinks!
Hence:} I met a fellow volunteer on one of my projects who, on the outside, appeared to be quite the fun-loving party lad. Vodka, cigarettes, and a superb sense of humor was simply a facade to the broken soul underneath. Following a deep talk one night, I learned that he has been living with a life-threatening disease that he woke up to at age 14. His legs paralyzed, his mom took him to the hospital where he learned that there was blood between his brain and skull, which somehow caused him to temporarily lose the use of his legs. After having the blood drained, he had to re-learn how to motivate his legs into movement. This life-threatening occurrence came 3 more times, which left him in the hospital for 6 months. His father did not visit him once during this time period, yet his mother came every single day. For four years, he has lived with the possibility that everyday could indeed be his very last.
Monthly check-ups ensure that his health is monitored. His mom's constant bedside presence has made his bond with his mom unbreakable. He told me how he loves his mom so much, and by living so close to death, he has learned the importance of seemingly small events in life. He cherishes the 20 minutes with his mom and tea.
If people judged his book by his "partying" cover, one would never know the struggle and triumph beneath. Thus, thou shalt not believe what thy thinks!
3) Don't Forget the Little People!
*The Supportive Family Member:
Your mom, dad, sibling, grandparents, aunts, uncles. Whether you like them or not, they (most likely) love you. Truly, they mold you into the person you are today and (hopefully) support you along the long and winding yellow brick road.
*The True-Blue Friend:
In sickness and in health and in mood swings galore, don't forget the person who was always there for you.
*The Less-Fortunate*
Many of us pass by countless homeless people on the street, but how many of us actually view them as an equal? We are all guilty of walking past them and trying to ignore their plea for money, but why not put ourselves in their shoes? Imagine calling the sidewalk your home and the strangers walking through it your income... We are incredibly blessed to live the lives we have; next time you come across one of these poor souls, give them a bite to eat or just strike up conversation to let them feel human and noticed again.
4) THIS IS YOUR LIFE.
Shape it or someone else will!
Others do have the power to shape your life. Their words can change your confidence, their actions your opinions, their apathy your perseverance.
After one year of travelling and volunteering, a mini epiphany has come my way.
One person can indeed change the world.
I aspire to be that one person.
“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Thank you to everyone who reads my blog and supports me...
Thank you to those who also want to make a difference in this world....
Thank you to my amazing parents who will never stop believing in me. I feel blessed.
Thank you!!!
For now, I must say goodbye...
In the words of Forrest Gump,
"I think I'll go home now."
:)
Until we meet again,
May the Force be with you,
Stay Golden,
Be The Change,
Strawberry Fields Forever,
Inspirational Phrase
*And also with you!*
Love you long time,
Caitlin Emilie Jordan Kensington Moir Kafura.
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