Allie


Wednesday, May 8

that time my day instantly turned around


As many of you know by now, this blog started because of a trip to India. For years, I read my friend, Sam's blog, wishing I had the courage to write like she did. When I decided to move to India for five months after college graduation, a blog proved to be the perfect excuse to start writing for all to read.

Living in a country so different than the United States was the most challenging thing I've ever done. I was alone, hungry, beyond hot, uncomfortable and nervous a lot of the time. But having the chance to live among a society of people with such faith and hope that everything in life will be all right taught me so much.

I learned to manage my stress because no matter what I'm experiencing here, it's never going to be as stressful as trying to feed a family every night when funds are non-existent.

I learned how to write with ease about a country and cause I'm desperately passionate about, even though in the beginning, I was terrified to write anything at all.

I learned that, as much as I say time and time again, I don't care for kids, that's just not true. Those 100 plus kids took my heart and ran for miles. One in particular.

Santhosh | 2011

But most of all, I learned how to embrace and love life no matter what. And I learned that from children; children growing up in a tiny village in the middle of no where in Southern India; children who laugh and dance and sing despite not even having shoes to do so in; and children who still ask about 'Miss Allie.'

And that's how my day instantly turned around. I woke up with a killer stomach ache. I felt tired and cranky for no real reason but after a brief phone call from the non-profit who took me to India, with a stellar report that my kids are not only growing into amazing young people but still, almost two years later, remember me, my day took a turn for the better.

How could it not?

4 comments:

Niken said...

your story is amazing. and i can learn too from it

Sam | ashore said...

Aw, Allie! what a special thing to have been a little push in the blogging-direction, and I'm so glad you started! You rock!

The Egg said...

love this story!

xo the egg out west.

Amanda Holland said...

Aww little Santosh nugget! So cute. You are so inspiring, miss passion :)