it is written.

'all these things things things things' - christopher mccandless

last night i went out to see the new movie "Slumdog Millionaire". 

amazing amazing amazing movie. it's just one of those movies that makes you laugh, shocks you, pulls you in but more importantly it opens your eyes. it is about a young man as a contestant on the show 'who wants to be a millionaire'. 

it shows moments in his life that have helped him gain the knowledge to correctly answer the questions. i'm almost positive that only a very small fraction of the people who read this entry of my blog will have ever experienced any or few of the things this young man did in his life. yes...it's a story but it opens your eyes as to how other people in the world live. 

it made me think of how much i take it all for granted. i've had some experiences in my life (mainly through traveling to different places) that has opened my eyes to the abundance in my life (whether that abundance is found in love, possessions, opportunities, etc). i'm not naive to poverty...i've seen it, looked it in the eyes. it's a humbling experience to see someone else full of joy...with only a fraction of the 'things' and even necessities like running water or food that i have. But anyone who has seen poverty, especially joy in poverty knows it also makes you feel guilty. im not ashamed that i have many possessions but more ashamed that they are so important to me. i take responsibility for that...but I can't help but blame it on this north american culture.

sometimes it's good to have a little wake up call...unfortunately that's what it takes for most people to realize how well off they are and how good they have it. it's truly a gift to see someone with very little possessions flashing a big smile (a genuine smile at that).

I'm talking about 'things' today because I am in the process of packing up and moving to Chile. I have limited time left to do this but I am usually good at meeting deadlines. I know that the clothes I bring to Chile are important...I'm applying for jobs and teaching English...I should probably look the part. but it's difficult to think about what I really need and what will be nice to live with for the next (insert number of months up to a year here).

most of the important things I've decided to bring (other than clothing) are books. I am bringing journals, books on positive thinking, personal growth, lessons in gratitude and all that 'crap'. I believe in it and I know from experience that reading the words from these books make me stronger. it may sound silly but they are probably going to be the most important things I bring to Chile...other than my camera and myself. these are the ones I have chosen to take along for the ride for inspiration:

Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture. A collection of stories about a Professors life and lessons he learned along the way. Very inspiring and grounding to read.

Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth. This is the best book of all time. I can't even describe how much I think it's a necessity.

Rhonda Byrne's The Secret - a collaboration of knowledge about the power of positive thinking and the proof of the law of attraction by many authors. 

...and for kicks:

Meg Cabot's Princess Lessons

But really though...there are pieces of wisdom in here too:

"Princesses, like people, come in all different shapes and sizes."

and one of my faves:

"The eyes, they are the windows to the soul. If that is true, then the eyebrow is the curtain to the window of the soul. And who wants ugly curtains that look like you bought them at J.C. of Penny? Do you? No!"

Sometimes the words in these books are just what I need to hear. They give me advice, steer me in the right direction, feed me optimism, inspire me and they also let me know that no matter how many things i own...sometimes a few great words are all you need. 

I'm writing this blog so that I can more easily share my experiences while I'm there. So I hope that whatever happens while I'm gone (even though we will be keeping in touch) these words may be all you need sometimes. I hope they can make you laugh, inspire you or just comfort you. 

the storybook and main characters.

I am a Canadian, I'm proud of that. I love my country and I feel fortunate to have lived here my whole life. I've never been one to have much of an interest in politics - in Canada or around the world. However, I have admired many people that have held positions of power around the world...not because of what they say...but what they do. 

I am an Obama fan. 

I am only indirectly affected by the way he will lead the United States of America and yet some of his words have moved me. I've realized that his words as a President are not so much influential as his words as a man, a father...a person that shares this Earth with me are. I don't think of Barack Obama as anything but what he is...a role model. A role model not only for Americans, but a role model for everyone around the world who believes in fighting for what they want out of life.

There are certain people in the world that inspire you to do good things, be a better person and live your best life. I've come across some of these people already in the 23 years I've been here and most of them I have not even met. I've never been one to dream of becoming the first anything. The first female (fill in black) or the best (fill in blank). I do hope to accomplish many things in life though, and along the way I'll adopt some things I've seen and heard from those that inspire me. 

My goal? To have a memorable story that can inspire others. Even if that story is told to just one person...even if just the best parts of the story are told...that's good enough for me. 

I realized during Barack Obama's inauguration speech on February 20th, that not only does this dream have a proper title, but this is the first time many people have the chance to write their life story any way they wanted. The dream is called "pursuing one's full measure of happiness". I figure why do anything in life that doesn't bring me joy? I'm not naive. Dental visits, paying bills, working till I'm 60 or so, the pain of giving birth, losing loved ones and stubbing my toe are not going to bring me joy. They are just part of life. And I'm prepared to have a check mark beside each of those in my lifetime...but under no circumstances am I ready to let those parts of life end my storybook. 

To think of all the people in the world not living up to their full potential. Stopping short because something prevents them from moving further. No this is not...and will never be me. It just doesn't fit into this story.

Just over a week remains before I move to Chile. I have ideas of what this place will hold for me...but I have no idea how this chapter will end. I have found out in the past week that I will be taking my training course with 5 other people...all from the US. I also know that one of them is going to be living in the same neighbourhood as me for the first month. I have also been offered an interview at a sweet little nursery school on the coast of central Chile. Things are coming together. I am still unsure about how long I will be there for. But I know I'll have to make the most of it. 

Barack Obama is not my president, but he is certainly one of those people that has inspired me to be better and to expect the most out of this life. Not only do I plan on encountering many more people like this...but I hope to meet some of them while in Chile.

find my direction.

So here I am. Blogging. Or in other words...publicly journaling. Not something I really thought I'd be too fond of but I'm beginning to think of it as a useful tool. Being inspired by one of my friends who started her blog, I began to realize this would be a great way to write about my thoughts, troubles, travels and other worthwhile things starting with the letter t perhaps.

It's happening, I am starting to feel like a grown up. That person that makes decisions, pays hefty bills, looks mature and speaks with moderate wisdom. The reason - I'm headed to Chile...on my own...to do something I've never done before but at the same time it's something I've done all my life - speak English. I decided about a year ago that I would take up teaching English as a foreign language around the world. The idea was to teach until I wanted to actually put my four years of Psychology class and experience to use in the 'real world'. The plan originated with a fondness for Thailand and Buddhism. How perfect I thought - teaching English in the country I thought was meant for me...until I learned of all the instability within their country at the same time I became serious about teaching there. So plans changed, as they usually do. And if there is one thing I've been trying to practice during this experience (something I hope to live the remainder of my life by) is to keep an open mind and know that no matter what happens, everything will be O.K. It is quite cliche to say that everything happens for a reason. And instead I'd like to say that things happen at the right time...right when they are supposed to. 

So it was time to change my mind about where to teach. Where to go...I needed some inspiration. I really liked the picture I saw on the LanguageCorps website for Chile. It had a very adventurous feel to it. I just felt like I should be there. So I typed "Chile" into Google Earth, talked to some friends and family about the idea...and made the decision...quickly, not carelessly but quickly. 

 

I waited a little while...until I felt that Chile was where I should be in 09. I can't explain what made me sure...but I could just see myself there. Plans were made, flights booked, accommodations set in stone and so forth. I have arranged to take a teacher training course for the first month I am there and from that point...TEACH.

I am confident in so many areas of this endeavor. I am confident that I will learn Spanish in a short period of time, I'm confident that I will find my way around Chile, meet many new friends, and come back with a mind FULL of incredible memories. I am also confident that I will miss my family, friends and my love, Kyle. I expect to be scared, nervous, excited, happy, sad and frustrated. I am assuming those emotions and many others are experienced not only in Canada but all over the world. 

I can't help but think of this trip/job/experience as something that will change me. Maybe I'll come back with patience, maybe I won't be as judgmental, maybe I'll care less about time...and more about what fills it. I do know that no matter how much of a grown up I will be after this experience, I'll still be a kid.