The End in Sight

Somewhere between the mountain hiking, beach bumming, and trips to In-N-Out, life in California became my new normal. With only a week and a half left until my return to the Mitten, I realize time definitely got the best of me this summer.

Seriously. Where did it go, and why did it have to go there so fast?

Although I will be greeted by familiar faces and places, I can't shake the anxiety that always comes when life is on the brink of change. I will settle into a rhythm soon enough, I have this awesome gift of adaptation, but I haven't reached the point of wanting to have to do so. I know I will leave a piece of myself here, but I hope by the time I find my seat on the plane, the rest of me will find its way to Michigan.

Until then, though, I plan to soak up as many rays of the California sun as possible, dig my feet into the dirt of the mountains of Big Bear, and love wholeheartedly the people who have made this summer my favorite.

"We're Up All Night to YOSEMITE!"

First of all, let me explain the title of this post. For about a week or so, Dave has been singing "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams NON-STOP. Naturally, it became the theme song of our three day trip to Yosemite over the 4th. Dave replaced "we're up all night to get lucky" with "we're up all night to Yosemite." It's pretty fitting because we were, in fact, up all night to Yosemite.

In my opinion, it wouldn't be a true adventure, if there weren't some hoops to jump through. I knew very early on our trip to Yosemite would be a true adventure because

1. We didn't reserve a campsite,

and

2. Jason missed his first flight and didn't arrive to LAX until midnight on said departure date.

Thus, the boys drove through the night with hopes of arriving to Bridalveil Creek Campground early enough to claim a site before the rest of the crowd. Surprisingly (I definitely had my doubts), the plan worked! It was only after a bit of digging that we came across a warm Australian couple who invited us to share apple slices and swap stories of our travels before starting to set up camp as they tore down.

Although already exhausted from the long drive and quick setup, we headed to The Valley to embark on our first hike of the trip.

Our exhaustion quickly transformed into adrenalin, after our first view of all Yosemite had to offer. We started with about a 7 mile hike (roundtrip) to the top of Vernal Fall and then to the top of Nevada Fall.

Vernal Fall:

Nevada Fall:

 

Waterfalls are something I haven't been able to experience with our San Gabriel hikes, so it was definitely a nice change of pace. Plus, being as hot as it was, it was nice having a way to cool off.

We decided to take a different route back down which was a good decision. Not only was it less strenuous, but  it also provided equally as beautiful, yet different views.

Believe it or not, our day was not finished. After some delicious camp food, we headed to Glacier Point to watch the sunset.

Over the past year, I've been able to hike a ton, and it has become a very spiritual hobby for me. As Dave and I were watching the colors and shadows change, I couldn't help but think of the parallel of God's beauty on display and the beauty He sees when He looks at our lives. The two falls you see in this picture are the very falls I had just hiked. During those hikes I had moments of pain and joy, shortness of breath and never feeling more alive, feelings of defeat and feelings of triumph. All the while, though sometimes I was unsure and didn't know how exactly it would happen, I knew I would get to where I was going. Life is often like my hikes, but when I am given opportunities to see my hikes from afar, I get a glimpse of what God must see when He looks at our lives. He knows there are the long uphill battles, He sees those gritty details, but He also sees where we are going. More importantly, He sees how all of it creates what is displayed in this picture. Beauty for His glory.

I think it's safe to say, the sunset at Glacier Point was the more contemplative part of my trip.

As much as we didn't want to leave, the thought of much needed sleep sounded pretty good, too. Despite being cold and thinking I heard a mouse in the middle of the night, I felt pretty rested the next morning and was excited and ready to conquer Upper Yosemite Falls!

This was another strenuous 7 mile trek with what seemed to be a hotter sun. However, the views at the top of the fall made it all worth it.

And how could I resist experiencing the falls for myself?

Once we reached the bottom again, it was time to say a dreaded goodbye to The Valley and spend a relaxing evening in hammocks around the campfire.

Our final hike of the trip was in the cool of the next morning to Sentinel Dome. This hike was far easier on the muscles, and a lot less crowded. Only 2 miles round trip and we were still blessed with more amazing scenery.

We sat at the top for a while, enjoying our last moments at higher elevation before heading back down to pack up. We loaded up the car in record time and ventured to our last site of the trip: The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

We found it took 1o of us to wrap around the entire tree. I never thought I could feel THAT small.

Yosemite was a more beautiful trip than I imagined, and I have every intention of going back before I leave California. There is so much more to climb and explore. I wouldn't mind having my first bear siting either. ;)

Adventure on my friends!

<3 Elise

San Francisco

Over the past 3 1/2 years of college, I've been given many awesome travel opportunities; my most recent being a trip to the lovely San Francisco for the National Communication Association conference. Luckily, the trip wasn't all work and no play. California has always been on my list of places to visit, and I couldn't have had a better first impression. For 3 days I explored the crooked streets, savored the best clam chowder I've ever tasted, visited San Fran's most famous spots, and enjoyed a beautiful view from the 39th floor of the Hilton Hotel in Union Square...

View from my hotel room at sunrise

My new favorite tourist attraction

Pier 39

Don't be fooled, sure they look cute, but they smell awful!

Crowds, crowds, and more crowds

"Who You Callin' A CRAB?"

Recognize this guy? He earned some fame with his appearance on The Princess Diaries!

Best $4.50 I've ever spent

Twin Peaks

First time on the Golden Gate

One of many beautiful Victorian style houses

Trolley

Ferry ride under the Golden Gate

Just in time for the sunset

Alcatraz Island...SPOOKY

The city from the ferry

"I left my heart in San Francisco, high on a hill it calls to me

To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars.

The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care.

My love waits there in San Francisco, above the blue and windy sea,

When I come home to you, San Francisco, your golden sun will shine for me."

Frank Sinatra,

I couldn't agree more.

COSTA RICA (week 5)

Updating on my last week in Costa Rica from my house is so strange.

Most of the last week was spent working on projects and studying for tests. By Wednesday I needed to finish an e-mail, a paper, a resume, and a cover letter. I also had a test on Wednesday that I needed to study for. Thursday I had a final project due, and Friday I had an oral exam and an "album of errors" due. But despite all the work, I managed to have some fun during the week, too.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010:

There wasn't a cultural activity this week, so originally I was going to go white water rafting, which would have been awesome, but I couldn't afford to be gone all day because I had so much work to get done. So instead I went on a "café Britt" coffee tour with a few of my friends. Café Britt is like the Starbucks of Costa Rica except better! The tour was really awesome and our actors/tour guides were hilarious. We learned all about how the coffee was made, and at the end we got to sample all of their coffees and chocolate. Everything was so delicious, and I definitely didn't leave empty handed! I bought a bag of their "Tarrazu" coffee, dark chocolate coffee beans, and little bags of coffee for friends and family!

Tour guides!

Yay for coffee samples!


The group minus Emily, who refused to take a picture with our "creepy friends"


Café Britt!

Thursday, June 10, 2010:

After class on Thursday I could breathe easy because I was finally done with all my work, and I was excited to get together with the group one last time. ISA organized a dinner for all of the summer session 1 students. The buffet was delicious and the view of San Jose was incredible! The way the entire city was lit up was beautiful. It was such a wonderful way to say goodbye to everyone!

Before we stuffed our faces!

Our entertainment for the night!

San Jose at night!

Friday, June 11, 2010:

What a surreal day for me! I couldn't believe it was my last day in a place that had become so familiar. The 5 weeks I spent in Costa Rica were a roller coaster, but I am so happy I decided to take advantage of such a memorable experience!

For the last day of oral and written expression, our professor took us all to the market and then to the University of Costa Rica. I had already been to the market, but it was still fun being able to talk to Ticos and look around. The University of Costa Rica was also really cool to see. It was a lot bigger than ULACIT and felt more like a university.

I didn't end up getting back until around 3:30, which gave Kate and I just enough time to do some last minute shopping at a market close by and a market in central San Jose. By the time we got to the center it was pouring, and my bad luck with rain continued! Crossing the street in San Jose is always dangerous because the cars and buses don't stop for pedestrians, so as I stepped off the curb to make a run for it, one of my sandals fell off into the deep puddle of water by the curb. There I was standing with one foot off the ground in the center of San Jose as a group of Ticos laughed at me as I struggled to find my shoe in the water. Eventually a nice Tico stuck his hand in the water and finally found my missing shoe. All that being said, I was super embarrassed. Haha.

Once Kate and I got home we enjoyed our last few hours with the family and packed. I had to be picked up at 3:15 the next morning, and I was happy when my Tico parents woke up to see me off. They even made me coffee! I was so sad to say goodbye to them, and I genuinely hope I will get to see them again someday. As the other students and I drove to the airport I couldn't believe I was heading home!

Oral and Written Expression/Phonetics

I will miss my ISA directors!

Kate and I with our AMAZING parents!

Some other pictures I've been meaning to post....

Teatro Nacional!

View from my bus stop to school!

ISA office!

Courtyard of ULACIT!

"El reloj" aka how we took/gave directions!

View from the bus stop from school!

After having time to reflect on my trip, I realize how blessed I am to have been able to experience a different culture and get to know amazing people from different states and different parts of the world. I am truly thankful for everything God has shown me through studying abroad. I have learned so much about myself and so much about the world God has created. I will never forget Costa Rica, and Costa Rica will always have a little piece of my heart.

Until next time Costa Rica....

PURA VIDA!