New beginnings!

I can't believe it's finally happening! After moving out of my house at 18, 4 wonderful and trying years in Minneapolis, I am actually moving on to somewhere completely different. For those who don't know (or may just need a reminder) I am doing a year of service with the poverty alleviation focused nonprofit -  Society of St. Vincent DePaul  in Cincinnati, OH as a Vincentian Volunteer. This website can explain what they do a lot better than I can. :)  This is an AmeriCorps position, so I will receive an educational grant upon completion of my AmeriCorps service hours. We are asked to be living on the same level as the people we are serving and as you can probably imagine, that means a significant amount of cutting back from what we usually indulge in.

 The last day for me at my 5 person apartment of 2 years.

Well now that THAT's out of the way.... 

I've been asked countless times why I would seek out an opportunity that will not make me financially stable, that isn't directly in the field that I went to school for, and something that is not housed in one of the best cities in America. Why? My response is simple. WHY NOT? I crave adventure, service, travel, new experiences.. why not do something so in line with what I used to do every Spring Break? (I was a participant 3 years in college on the Pay it Forward cross-country coach bus service tours that Students Today Leaders Forever challenges college students to plan). A year of service is exactly what I needed to do - but was definitely not in my original "plan".
Now that I am days away from moving into the Eastern Time Zone, living in Ohio on a minimalist budget, preparing to navigate life with only the things I TRULY need, and packing up only a few boxes...I can't help but reflect on how I am feeling.

I AM NERVOUS!

I feel the butterflies in my stomach and an anxious excitement that has increased everyday. In a way I feel like I did coming to college for the first time -  I was hours away from my comfort zone of Elgin IL, my parents were not right there and I only knew a total of 2 people. I am in a similar situation now. Luckily I have sorority sisters, and a childhood friend all waiting to welcome me to their great city of Cincinnati.

I know that everything happens for a reason, and I am meant to be in Cincy to make a difference through this organization. There are bound to be challenging moments, but I can't wait to grow and learn and experience something that will undoubtedly change my life. 

Why Vice Versa? I have been inspired from the xhosa phrase "ubuntu" - "I am who I am because of you" since I traveled to Capetown, South Africa in 2010. Vice Versa gives off a reciprocal vibe as well - I help you, and you help me. I see it as a phrase that encapsulates this year of service ahead of me, and my love for connecting with other people. 

Learn with me as I take on this new experience! I promise to keep the rambling to a minimum (other than this post ;D) share many pictures, and post weekly! Expect recipes, thoughts on how I'm staying motivated on my fitness journey with limited resources, quotes I love, lots of yoga, and other random tid bits! 

Namaste, (the light in me honors the light in you) 
-Mary