Greg's Ecuadorian Adventure

This year I returned to the USA, or North America more appropriately, for almost three weeks. Part of me felt that I should have made my visit longer but I was set on having time to travel by myself during part of the summer so I could refresh, rejuvenate, relax before the next school year. As was mentioned in my end-of-the-year reflection, I had just finished two years of strenuous and dedicated work toward advancing myself in my profession. There was plenty of time alone, but most of it was devoted toward renewing my teaching licensing, plugging away my masters degree, and studying chemistry to add teaching licenses. Not quite how I would describe a calm period, nor meaningful alone time. After the past three summers, I started growing restless. I wanted to start seeing where I came, or come, from in a different light. When I share my travels in Ecuador with “locals,” aka Ecuadorians, I often hear that I may sometimes know more of the country than them. Sometimes I feel taken aback...

... is that you will find out "things" about yourself that are not always going to be pleasant. Once thrust into an environment where you will always be out of your comfort zone, you will never be the same again. It is, however, where the spectacular happens. At la casa del árbol in Baños, Ecuador, October 2016 It's been four years since I moved overseas, to Ecuador. I didn't really realize or understand that I've been here, there that long until the 2018 FIFA World Cup started because it was after the 2014 WC when I officially moved. Crazy. It feels like so much time has passed and not at all, at the same time. One thing that is for certain is the amount of personal growth, change and learning/self-realization I've experienced. At the end of each school year, I've taken the time to reflect on my growth and this one is no different. But in my fourth year I experienced more than the previous three combined. I've learned to really stand on my ow...

I will be writing a more in-depth reflection in the next day or two, but before then I have this to get off my chest. In the last year, last twelve months, I discovered and starting following some YouTube creators and they have really inspired me to take more action in my life. Two of these people in particular are going through rough times. One of them, Rachel O'Leary ( lives in Pennsylvania ), had knee surgery and she has not been able to work this entire year so far. The other one, Blake ( lives in South Florida ), lost hundreds of exotic animals, reptiles, fishes from a freak lightning fire. Long story short, it was the help of strangers like these that helped me through some really rough times. I've already contributed money to them and will do so again in the near future. Please consider helping them through their rough times. Here are pages where you can donate: Rachel O'Leary: Her professional site and link to PayPal Blake: GoFundMe Additional Sourc...