Just a reminder: We can do incredible things

How to describe the last couple weeks? It all feels like strings of moments and dreams that may or may not have happened. In the past couple of weeks, my sisters have come and went-- reminding me that this island and the Pacific Northwest that I came from are both part of the same world. Cass, Krys, and I experienced the island at hyperspeed, which is exactly what it felt like-- a whirlwind. We trusted each other to walk on ledges and gave our bodies permission to carry us across cliffs and oceans and cultures. We grew closer together as sisters, as friends, and as people who share history with each other-- reminding me what a beautiful thing it is to know others and to truly let yourself be known.

Le Bain turc, the subject of my exposé

After Cass and Krys left, I remembered that I am also a student here. I wrote my first art history paper and presentation-- eight pages of French, which as it turns out, wasn't easy. My housemates', my classmates', and my professor's enthusiasm and encouragement were yet another reminder of the support system that I am a part of here. Not just for the record, these people rule.



 
This weekend, Joscelin, Matilda and I climbed Montagne Pelée. Beginning at five in the morning, we caught a taxi-co to Prêcheur where we began our hike from the ocean to the summit. The whole seven or eight hours that we were climbing, all I kept thinking was "our bodies can do incredible things" -- and it's true, they can.

As I told my mama yesterday, my soul was dancing up that mountain. When we made it to the top,  the clouds covered everything that was much more than twenty feet in front of you-- but it didn't matter. We didn't climb it for the views... I think we climbed it because we wanted to prove to ourselves that we could.

And I must say, that I have never feel more free than I did on top of that mountain as we yelled to the wind words that didn't even matter, because we all knew that we were there and that together we can do incredible things.

In many ways, the pictures say more than I ever could-- but of course, there are always some experiences that I can never really find the words to describe just how they felt, what we saw, what it meant, or why I feel in my soul that it matters. Luckily, we have our whole lives to try and share stories with one another, taking turns listening and explaining and trying to understand. Sometimes, I get wrapped up in all that I'm doing/seeing/learning here and I forget that you all are growing and changing as well. I cannot wait to share stories when we come together again and to hear about the moments that make you feel most alive.

Lessons on becoming a woman

"I've completely removed the word 'should' from my vocabulary. I've just taken it out. I have to trust that if I can do something, I will-- and I just let the rest go."

This is just one of the lessons that my housemate, Jessica, has taught me. 

Jessica, Youma, and so many of the other women I've met here possess an undeniable strength and grace that is unlike any of the strengths that I have known before . This example, along with that of the many other un-perfect, ever-growing, brave women that have raised me, fills me with the pride and courage to claim the name woman for myself. I feel so fortunate to be stretching my wings alongside these warriors, these women, as I continue my journey in learning what it mean to be un-perfect, to be worthy, to be learning, and to settle for nothing less.