April 5 - Initial Impressions (by Cassia W)

 

I love it here. It's been a while since I've felt at peace with where I am and with what I'm doing. Life here seems simple and perfect and I appreciate that more than I can say. Last night my host brother and his cousin played me and my host-mate some songs, both in Polynesian and in English and they not only sounded like professional musicians but you could tell that they played for the joy of playing. Listening to their music made my heart feel full and I felt so at peace in that moment. I have trouble living in the moment at home because there's always so much to do but here I have the time to slow down and enjoy the things around me. The scenery, the people, the food. I also appreciate the fact that this experience will end because that's what makes it all the more meaningful. We're 3 days in and I already have so many stories to share. I miss a lot of things from back home, my family, my partner, technology, bagels, but I feel like I'm really learning to embrace the life around me in the current moment and that is bringing me an immeasurable amount of joy. I love this place, I love the people, and even though homesickness hurts, I love it too because it means I have people and things in my life back home that are really important to me and it makes me feel so much gratitude. I'm sure when we depart for Seattle I will feel homesickness for this place because of the impacts it has already left on me.