Clare Elsewhere

When do we start to take things for granted? Do we wake up and fail to realize all the blessings around us, simply because they were already there the day before? At what point do we stop thanking God, destiny, or whatever we believe in, and just consider all the amazing aspects of our life routine? I never want to reach that time. Never want to look out my window without a renewed sense of humility and awe for all that I see. And for that matter, all that I can't.  This past week was full. Activities, travel, practice, events... experiences and adventures, days of my life well lived. Our program spent the weekend in Praia do Forte, which is one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil (and therefore, the world).  One of the main highlights there was watching turtles hatch and waddle/crawl/roll their way into the waters for the first time. The sunset in Praia do Forte took a close second place.  We also climbed through some waterfalls, or cachoeiras, explored an old

It lies not in our power to love or hate, For will in us is overruled by fate. When two are stripped, long ere the course begin, We wish that one should love, the other win; And one especially do we affect Of two gold ingots, like in each respect: The reason no man knows; let it suffice What we behold is censured by our eyes. Where both deliberate, the love is slight: Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight? -Christopher Marlowe 8 days into my six month venture, I am overwhelmed, sun-burnt, misunderstood, and unequivocally elated. As Marlowe proclaims, will in us is overruled by fate. I am so consumed by the language barrier here in Salvador that it almost seems necessary for me to be frustrated and consumed by life likewise, but fate has other plans. Everything I do or say requires Portuguese, and thus struggle, but at the same time everything I do and say is making me fall more and more in love with this place. It's out of my hands. Not