all of my best friends are in different countries right now, and they are all writing in blogs about their adventures. coming to New York and attending Columbia instead of going abroad was a decision a made a long time ago, when I was in a different place in my life and had different goals. Now, all I want is to be in a foreign land. Why? Because all of I've ever dreamed of growing up is living in a million different cities and countries. Because I want to connect with a different community, I want to be surrounded by completely new smells, noises, colors, textures, and scenery. I don't want to speak English. I want to explore and get lost and bike through the forest and eat fruits and vegetables that don't grow in America and experience different perspectives and values and make a million new friends and be challenged. I want to be in a place where money and careers aren't the focus. Where people find other ways to be happy, through their families and communities and culture. But I've decided to change my attitude. I'm going to have a blog about my adventures, too. I'm going to make this experience exactly what I want it to be, and I'm going to be the happiest girl in new york city :)
so here i am, listening to simon & garfunkle, a.k.a. quintessential new york city music.
I'm taking some pretty cool classes, my education class being my favorite so far. The professor is a really critical, firm, straightforward woman. Mallika & I are starting Odissi dance classes downtown this week and we've never been more excited. Indian classical dance is my heart and soul and I want to be 60 years old and still performing. After 14 years of Bharatnatyam, I'm thrilled to be trying a new style, especially alongside Mallika who is equally as passionate about it as I am. I'm also going to be mentoring high school students and hopefully teaching health education every Friday in a local high school. I want to find some sort of program where I can speak Spanish with native speakers outside of the classroom. All I need now is a yoga mat & an inexpensive cycle to pedal around on and I'm all set!
CANEKAAL & the rest of the Scripps family...know that I miss you all and think about you daily.
mom & dad, hope you're having fun in PERU!
new friends & old friends in the photos above.
