palm prophesy (aimee)

        Friday night my friend read my palm. He told me I had a short life-line. Not only is it short, but it also has a downward slope.
"Your life-line is telling me that your life is going to get progressively shittier," he said, half laughing. Both of us stared closer into my wrinkled future.
"But there are lines stemming from it," he said, "different paths slanting upwards."
This seemed more encouraging to me. Cheating my imprinted fate was possible! Palm reading may be a parlor trick, but something about my unprofessional reading stuck with me. For years I complained that I peaked in 8th grade; I wanted so badly to go back to the "golden years" of age 13 again.
I've made big mistakes, lost friends, seen death and disappointment. For years I cursed my bad luck - "punishment", I used to call it. But soon enough I came to see how wrong that was. I've battled my emotions and myself. I've crawled my way through tragedy and adversity...but what I failed to see was the gift each of us is given: joy. Joy through triumph, joy through love, joy in the simple things. Once I opened my heart to the world and those I share it with, my eyes were clouded with tears of a different kind. I see life as a place of opportunity for all things: love, friendship, family, joy, adventure, knowledge...
When I look out onto the streets here in India, I see many things. Some very sad, that's true, but what I notice most, undeniably, is the light the glows from each face. I see joy all around. I see joy in the men who squat in the dirt to play cards. Joy when a child waves at me. Joy in a job well done. Joy in life. Appreciation for life.

Everyone should take a few moments and think about where they find joy.

Lord knows it did me some good.


--Aimee

7th Wonder Weekend (aimee)

This past weekend our group took the short train ride to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Akbar's Tomb.

The weather wasn't the best, overcast mostly with a little rain, but it could've been worse!

"Minnesota, WI" by Bon Iver has been on repeat on my iPod. It seems a little strange, but slow music seems to fit best with my chaotic, fast-paced surroundings.

Me, Hannah, Megan, Jordan, Shyanne, Carolyn 

-- Aimee 

CLF--It’s the Final Countdown...

...da-na-na na-na-naaaa

These past three weeks have f-l-o-w-n by—a trend guaranteed to repeat itself in the months to come, I am sure.

It has been wonderful seeing those still on the mountain who were here for summer school, internships or mere visits; although, I have to admit, it was bizarre not seeing all your faces around campus—I definitely caught myself searching more often than not.  

The days here have been packed, and in addition to classes and work it has been quite an adventure showing the Rhodes kids around our beloved campus.

(roughly) Our weekly schedule consisted of….

Breakfast (Um, the new ‘Clurg has strawberries, blueberries, cut-up melon, pineapple…let’s hope this is still there when we get back)

 Classes from 9-12 Monday-Friday à Religion and History

~~~Fun afternoon activities~~~~

Monday= meetings @ 5

Tuesday= Eastern portion meets for an architecture lecture

Wednesday= 6pm Italian lesson & 7 pm is an Italian dinner

Thursday= Western portion meets for architecture lesson

& Cookouts every Saturday at 1

This past week an exciting highlight was seeing Laura, Mary Lou and Dennie for a quick iced coffee date at Stirlings!! I LOVED catching up with them and seeing all their faces—such a treat.

I head back home Saturday, and am crossing my fingers that four days will be enough time to pack for this huge adventure. Other concerns are jet-lag, people throwing up on the plane and the fact that we are hiking a mountain a few hours after we land…erm, hokay den.  

It is really hitting me now: in less than EIGHT days I will be in Scotland. I am a bundle of nerves but oh so ecstatic.

 I am up to my elbows in work before the final Saturday morning (hence the blogpost tonight, of course…)

Arrivederci (for now!)

Xx Campbell

experience without explanation (aimee)

Each day here is truly a blessing. New blog post to follow in the next couple days.


...to Agra this weekend!

 At Humayan's Tomb (7/17)

Me and Jordan at Navidyam for lunch 

-- Aimee

sinking in (aimee)

Things have been a blur these past few days. Yesterday peer leaders came to the IES Center to show us around the city; my peer leader, Ketaki, took me and my friend to Khan Market, Lajpat Nagar, a Sikh temple, and then to Haldiram's for lunch. We talked about shopping, marriage, college, the Bible Belt...just about everything. When we stopped for lunch, Ketaki asked, "Is it okay that this isn't a sit down place?" I replied "Sure," thinking that she meant it was a take-out restaurant. But, it wasn't. It was eat-in, but not sit-down. There were many table scattered around the restaurant, all chest level - everyone was standing and eating. Although a chair would have been nice, the food made up for my achy legs. The Sikh temple was also an incredible experience. There is constant music at the temple - three men sing the "words of God" in shifts throughout the day.

Friday was by far my favorite day here. 

 Pani Puri (part of our lunch @ Haldiram's)

Sikh temple

Today (Saturday) a bunch of us met up at Lajpat Nagar to do some shopping. I'm getting much better at bargaining and maneuvering my way through the crowded, dusty streets and ally-ways. India is a constant exchange of energy - its tricky to find the balance between over-exertion and complete, passive observation. Everyone is always going somewhere fast, always selling something, always participating; I've found the best way to remain calm is to simply "go with the flow". This applies to most situations I've encountered, most notably: traffic. If one were to experience riding in a rikshaw through the critical eyes of a cautious, American driver, they will be terrified, angry, and confused. There are no traffic rules, no one is patient, and no one abides by the lines of the road. If one sees the traffic as something that flows through the road, like water, the taxi rides are much less painful. What seemed hostile and selfish to me at first, now seems different. Each driver must have a certain amount of trust to drive on the roads here. There is a sense of camaraderie that is lacking in the states; I've seen cyclists and rikshaw drivers hold on to the vehicles around them for balance, and taxi drivers are constantly consulting the other drivers for directions or traffic-jam info. Once you step into a rikshaw, a taxi-car, or onto the dusty street, you've joined the club. 

Each day here is a blessing and an adventure.

(I do miss sweet tea, though)  

-- Aimee 

tuesday: day 2 (aimee)

                 My day began with a traditional Indian breakfast, some tea, and good conversation. Although my eyes were drooping throughout breakfast, once I stepped outside things got a little more interesting. Devotees of Shiva were clustered in the street and hanging off a large, intricately painted truck. Music blasted out of the vehicle, accompanied by shouts and whistles from the crowd. One boy stepped into the middle of the crowd and began to dance - he held one foot in the air, his arms twisted around each other and his white teeth were revealed by a goofy grin. After a few moments, others followed his lead and began to dance together, all smiling, laughing and shouting joyfully. Jeremy, a boy from my program, jumped into the middle of what had become a dance circle. His long brown hair swung around wildly as he jumped and gyrated to the infectious Indian beat. One by one, each of us swallowed our pride and jumped into the middle of the circle - our faces that were once shy and tired became bright and excited. Its amazing how something as simple as dancing can turn strangers into friends. Our group has known each other for less than 24 hours and it already seems like weeks. Diverse and independent, everyone has a reason that they're here - all those reasons are what draw us together. 

Today has been eternal and surreal. But good.

My body still hasn't acclimated to the time here, so all I'm wishing for tonight is a good night's sleep.

Where we went: Humayan's Tomb, Dilli Haat Arts and Crafts bazaar
Where we ate: Centrum Hotel, Andhra Bhavan Canteen, Dilli Haat bazaar

 Me and Jordan at Humayan's Tomb 

New friends  

A few more of us...

-- Aimee 

spices, stares, and Bollywood (aimee)

Hey y'all! Namaste! I made it to New Delhi safely. I am currently watching MTV in my hotel room...its much better than American MTV. I had forgotten how this country smells...spicy. So many things are familiar from the last time I was here, like the smells and the noise, but its still overwhelming. Its been my dream to live here for so long, and now that I'm here its scary. Extreme feelings have replaced my once calm demeanor - fear, excitement, curiosity, sadness, joy...I heard somewhere recently that India is an "assault on the senses" and that is a good way to put it. My pathetic American body isn't quite ready for all of this, but I guess it takes time to adjust. I'm also getting used to how people stare at me here. I guess they don't see many green-eyed, blonde haired girls around these parts.

For now, I'm spending my time exploring the streets surrounding my hotel, reading Them Bones (a book my mom suggested to me, one that True's mom suggested to her...TRUE: you should read it, I'm loving it so far), watching MTV, and enjoying the simple pleasure of a soft bed and air conditioning.

-- Aimee 

What is "Real Life?" (cole)

Hello!

It seems lately, my life keeps flip flopping from one extreme to another. And nothing ever seems like "real life" anymore. Especially the fact that I will be living in the Peru for the fall. That definitely doesn't feel real. I know this sounds silly, but let me try to explain..

In May, I left Sewanee stressed, tired, and a little sad. Exam week took a lot out of me, and Grad week took whatever was left. After multiple trash bags of cleaning out my room, a few shed tears, and a handful of all night-ers, it was time for summer to begin. But before I could go anywhere, I had a week home to pack, finish up paperwork, and most importantly, relax. It was a strange transition to go from my "Sewanee life" to "home life." I went from being surrounded by peers to only having my parents in our new home in Chattanooga. I love both, it was just a bit of an adjustment. But before I could even fully settle-in, it was time for my first summer expedition, the Appalachian Trail, with my sister, Macon, who is currently through-hiking (walking 2,181 miles from Georgia to Maine.) Well, let me tell you, that was the adjustment. Stripping away all the luxuries I take for granted and living with basic necessities on my back. The first few days I struggled, but eventually I caught on to the ways of the trail. My sister and her friends she has made along the way provided insightful tips to help me with my "new life" on the trail. During my 400 mile, month long trek, I was able to see two of my fellow wanderers, and closest friends, Aimee and Campbell. June 11, Aimee and I attempted the infamous "Four State Challenge" - hiking roughly 45 miles in one day to touch foot in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. After 35 miles, sore feet, and dim headlands, we decided it was more important that we stay safe and healthy, rather than try to push farther into the night. The challenge aside, it was fun to hike with a friend ALL day long. Straight from the journey with Aimee, I got to see Campbell (who already wrote about our visit in her post) at her farm in Maryland. Campbell and her family provided beds, food, and beer - a hiker's dream! Macon still says its the best trail magic she has had yet. Soon after my visit with friends, my time on the trail was coming to an end. I continued in Pennsylvania for a few more days, and hiked side by side my sister sharing our favorite memories during my stretch on the trail, knowing my next adventure was around the corner.
  
My last day I woke up, drank coffee from Macon's hiker friendly french press, ate the end of my oatmeal, and hiked six miles out of the woods to the train for New York City. In less than 12 hours, I went from the peacefulness and simplicity of the woods to the bright lights, endless noise, and crowded streets of the Big Apple. Luckily, I didn't have to adapt to city life for long. I was headed to my favorite place ever: summer camp! I am currently working for the Fresh Air Fund in Fishkill, NY at Camp ABC. Its no secret that I love, love, loveee camp! Ever since I was a kid, camp has been my favorite part of summer, and probably my year. I grew up going to a variety of camps that I feel helped shape me into the person I am today. The Fresh Air Fund is unique in that they provide camp for low income, inner-city NYC kids completely for free. Their mission is to get kids out of the business of the city and provide with a camping experience in the fresh air (get the name?). So far, camp has been incredible! I am loving every minute of it. But again, "camp life" is so far away from "real life." Running around playing Ninja, singing "Boom-Chicka-Boom" with face paint feels like a dream world, but right now there is no where I'd rather be. Well, except Peru - but that will come soon enough.
  
I leave for Peru on August 15... Yikes! It feels so close, yet so far away. At camp you have days that seem to last forever, but before you know it has been a week- this makes for a strange perception of time. So in one sense, I feel like camp will never be over and life in Peru is far away. Likewise, its crazy that session one has already come to a close and before I know it I will be in Peru. When the time finally does come, I know I will be ready. And "Peru life"- that will be the biggest transition yet. And who knows, maybe that will finally feel like "real life."


- Cole

5 inches less (aimee)

6 days until I leave for India!! I got my hair cut yesterday...

-Aimee

Summer Update: Back in Sewanee! (campbell)

Hello Fellow Wanderers!

In case you need a refresher, I am attending European Studies, a Sewanee-Rhodes program, which consists of three weeks of classes at Sewanee, a week exploring historical sites in England, six weeks of study at Lincoln College and the remaining five weeks travelling around either Western or Eastern Europe—in my case, Option Two: Western Europe in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. I will visit major cities in France, Italy, Germany and Belgium—whew! I am tired just writing it all out. I am thrilled that we have this blog to connect, share and envy each other’s adventures until we all reconvene on our beloved mountain. Until then, this is a short recap of what I have been up to:

After the craziness of grad-week (Cole will probably never forget my lack-of-sleep-induced meltdown in the middle of the Blue Chair) I headed home to DC, where I met our newest family member: Lainee, a cavachion—King Charles Cavalier-Bichon Frise "mutt"—I had never heard of it either.... Lil’ Nugget, as we like to call her, is simply adorable, loves to snuggle and a true “dumb blonde.” More so, it is difficult to overlook her eerie likeness to the Snuggles bear, as they both share “blank, soulless eyes,” to quote my fahjah.

 In addition to bonding with Lainee, I happily reconnected with Sewanee girls (notably Avery, a fellow wanderer) who we had over for a few dinners. In between impressing my parents with their notable internships on the hill, stylish work apparel and impeccable manners, I had to compete with them for my own parents' affection and attention during, and after, said dinners.

I had the pleasure of meeting "through hikers" Gribley and Pants on Fire, and seeing the York Girls  at our Maryland weekend cabin. I may have scarred them with my driving, but, nevertheless, we all had a lovely time (at least I did) wine drinking, eating and horn-playing (wish I had a picture of that) until they had to head back to the Appalachian (App-a-latch-in, as Gribley explained) Trail the next morning.

My parents dropped me off for a quick detour in Nueva York to stay with a fellow Sewanee junior in  da Bronx . I was able to visit a MSSA friend and had dinner with another Sewanee pal. From here, I Megabused it to Portland, Maine, to spend ten days with family in a small summer community, Mere Point, on Casco Bay, near Brunswick (and Bowdoin, Mom’s alma mater).  

no lobster for me, please (with an NCS High school friend & Shep)

During our stay, I once again upset my Maine-native mother: she continues to be appalled that her only daughter does not eat her favorite seafood (“lobstah”) or any, for that matter.

Double rainbow in Maine

Currently, I am swinging on our Monteagle house porch, where we have been as a family for the week-long celebration of the Fourth of  Ju-ly in the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, Tennessee, another small but tightly-knit community. Hilltop, the name our cottage, was built around the same time as the house in Maine (1880s +/-) but is much more shabby-chic house than the carefully—coordinated Maine house. We must wash our hands to avoid lead paint poisoning from peeling porch furniture, but it’s another place with so many cherished traditions (Dad went to Vanderbilt, as seemingly everybody down here did.)

MSSA Fourth 2012

I must sound like a real a$$#0le, tossing off “weekend” as an adjective and “summer” as a verb, but these are the places we go, and the services are pretty basic…we don’t even have cable. Heck, my parents don’t even have cable. (I suppose now is not the time to mention my mom and her cousins own an island in far down east Maine…)

Not to sound too cheesy, but, similar to what most feel before encountering the unknown, I am nervous; however, any uncertainties I have are dominated by greater emotions of excitement and curiosity for what the future holds.

And now, paradoxically, I will wander on the mountain rather than off as I am about to begin summer school tomorrow for roughly a month…more updates to come!

Miss you all!!
Campbell

Also: Shout-out to Aimee who leaves in a WEEK!!!