jump!

hello summer!

Seedy CD

I think there was a shooting a few minutes ago on my street.

Three gunshots and then sirens.

I can't wait to move,
R-

They Don't Love You Like I Love You

head EXPLOSION.

Sasquatch was awesome.

Devotchka, Mos Def, Doves, Kings of Leon, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were absolutely great.

Actually, everything was absolutely great. I've never been to a music festival where I've not had to "endure" a band to hear another band, if that makes sense. I was in the moment for every single song really appreciating the beauty that was around me, the friendship and love surrounding me, and the sunshine soaking my skin. It was great to be away from school, living the dream. We arrived at 10 on Friday night in Jimmy's rumbling Suburban, set up camp among thousands of tents and next to an orange VW van. Friday night was a huge party, meeting people from everywhere, singing songs, dancing in circles. I thought of Woodstock and how this is the closest I'll ever get to that kind of experience. It was beautiful. We slept quickly and started the day by waking up to intense heat that would permeate throughout the entire day. We got in there and it was great music after great music. There was not one band that I didn't enjoy and I was overwhelmed at the beauty of the gorge. It was such a beautiful backdrop for all these artists, especially Devotchka. At one point, the singer of Doves turned around and played to us with his back to us, so he could take in the beauty of his surroundings. Mos Def even commented on the view, telling us to turn around at the moment the sun was setting. The night ended with Kings of Leon. We danced for awhile and then tangled up in a blanket watching the stars. I felt so in love with life at that moment. I didn't want to move...ever.

And now we're back. I'm still on a cloud but I'm remembering that I'm sick and experiencing setbacks from being on the go all weekend. It was well worth it. Thank you, friends.

You already know how this will end,

R-

Gone Phishing

"Things are falling down on me
Heavy things I could not see
When I finally came around
Something small would pin me down
When I try to step aside
I move to where they hoped I'd be."

That about sums up my quarter.

But, there are checkpoints to get me through. There are many things to look forward to and this summer is measuring up to be the best one EVER!

-Saturday Kipp and I play at Quadstock, the same night as Talib Kweli. So, it's a stretch, but you could say I'm opening for one of the most successful rappers in alternative hip hop. Plus he's friends with Mos Def. (!!!)
-Next weekend is SASQUATCH and FOLKLIFE. Camping, music, hippies. Can't wait.
-My grandparents are visiting for Alex's graduation. Double whammy.
-Camping over July 4 weekend, learning to wakeboard, being in love.
-Phish at the Gorge. 'Nuff said.
-Block Island. Large family. Fun to be had.
-AUGUST 14 RACHEL TURNS 21.
-Summer in Seattle: a chance to enjoy my city in the sunshine :)

See? Life is good. Sometimes I need to make lists to remind myself.

Breathe In and Out

Note to self: Deep breaths and one day at a time.

Next week I'll be laughing at myself, but this week is hard.

And I want to crawl in a cave and wait for it to be over.

Thank God for the love in my life.

Ultimately, it's not my agenda. This too shall pass.

Clarity, please?

R-

Ecuaphotos

Sharing a laugh and a smile with the men at Damien House, an inpatient center for patients overcoming Hansen's Disease.

Snuggling with Yemilex at the Semillas after-school program.

Diego (el amorito de mi vida), Jonathan, y Fran

Veronica, Abrahm, Wellington, y Kipp: The Universality of paz y communidad

This picture just makes me smile.

Communidad

Con Lupe, la mama del viaje. (Kipp, Charlene, Maggie, Lupe, Ashley)

Amigas nuevas y viejas y para todos los dias. (Micaela, Diana, Maggie, Lindsey)

"Team Awesome" (My cooking/reflection team: Kari and Andres)

El grupo.

Iguana Park

I'm on a bridge, I'm on a BRIDGE, take a good hard look cuz I'm standing on a bridge.

At the top of Guayaquil

Ciao Ecuador, mi amor.
Un foto vale un mil palabras.

p.s. photos courtesy of Natalie Chan

New Beginnings

I promise a post about my incredible adventure in Ecuador is coming soon. I need about a week of solitude to process my thoughts and figure out how to articulate them in a way that does it justice. It's hard to capture such deep and rich emotions into something as tangible as words, but I'll do my best. Stay tuned...

In other news, today was my first day of peds oncology at Children's Hospital. I loved it! Oncology is something I've always been interested in, but I never thought I'd want to work with kids in a nursing setting. I absolutely love kids but there is something terrifying about being responsible for their health. Anyways, I'm on the hem/onc floor in one of the most beautiful hospitals I've ever seen. Having spent some time there with a friend this summer, it was cool to return as a quasi employee and see it from a different light. I had a variety of patients today, got to hold an adorable bubbly baby, and had the opportunity to witness many manifestations of resilience from some incredible kids. Most notably was an 18 year old girl, her head shiny and bare from numerous chemo treatments and her mood less than thrilled to be back in the hospital after a relapse. She was in a double room, sharing with a baby also undergoing treatment. The parents of the baby stepped out for lunch and the baby was sobbing, so the girl wheeled her IV pole over to the baby and picked him up. I walked in to see her cradling the child, telling him how beautiful he was and how strong he was, encouraging him to stay fierce and that he'd survive. The image of these two beautiful children and the encouragement and comfort each provided to each other was something absolutely powerful to witness. It hit me pretty hard and I slowly retreated out of the room, recognizing the power of that moment and not wanting to interrupt. I left the day encouraged and excited for the possibilities that will come from this quarter! It will be a challenge, for sure, but an experience I'm looking forward to.

Again, stay tuned for an Ecua-update,
R-