Day 3

Day 3 is coming to a close. I had the day off, and It was cold and rainy today in classic coastal fashion. I woke up for breakfast and had eggs and sausage again, then went back to my room and laid in bed for a few minutes, trying to warm up. But I set an alarm just in case I fell asleep. (I knew I was going to fall asleep). My nap ended up being 4 hours!

FUN FACT:

• One of my most favorite hobbies is napping. There is no sleep ever as satisfying, as quenching, as reinvigorating than a nap.

The rain on the roof really helped too. I prepared myself some lunch (dinner leftovers) and then ventured out into the wildlands once the rain stopped. I took burnthead trail out to Burnthead and saw a gorgeous view of Gull Cove and White Head to the north. I took the cliff trail north to White Head and only slipped on one rock (my merrell hiking shoes have been essential here (no, I'm not sponsored)). On the way to White Head, I stepped out to watch the rolling seas at Gull Cove, a rugged stony beach on the east side of the island. There were, indeed, many seagulls! I'll attach a picture of the waves here.

I found myself walking quite fast on the trails today, at one point stripping my rain coat because I was sweating. I took a minute and reminded myself of my goal to slow down. For the rest of the walk I did my best to slow down: slow my pace, and take more time to look at the views.

I walked back from White Head on the trail that I will surely become familiar with this summer, as it will be the main path that my tour will go down. I saw a pheasant looking a little lost out there. I stopped at the museum on the way back and took a few minutes at a bench on the hill to reflect. It might get a little more personal here, so feel free to skip ahead of you like. 

REFLECTION:

• Change has always been hard for me. I suppose that's not a super unique statement, as change is one of the few constants in the human condition, and one of the things people fear the most. This transition has been made very easy -- with help from my professor, staff at the inn, and the folks I'm working for at the museum. However, through all of that, It is still difficult. I found some tears welling in my eyes as I looked down the hill onto the village, and beyond, Manana. It was too foggy to see the mainland today, or maybe it was the raindrops on my glasses. I felt conflicted -- why was I crying? I looked over this beautiful island, yet I was crying. I have meals cooked for me, a room to myself, and hot water. The tears seemed to have no explanation. But, as I thought more, I realized what a transition this is, even with the support I have. There are things that I cannot do that I am used to
• I can no longer hop in my car and drive to T.J. Maxx to smell, and then gag at the candles. 
• I no longer can ask my friends if they want to hang out, because I still don't know many people here yet, and most of them work when I'm off. 
• I don't know who to ask if I need a hug. 
• But, I reminded myself that I have felt this way before -- when I first went off to college during preseason for sailing. And now college is my favorite place in the world. I'm not worried that I won't like it here. I'm not worried that I won't adjust to the change. I know I will. I suppose I'm writing this to stay honest -- I'm not here just to blog about how beautiful this island is, I'm here to share my REAL experiences with you. So thanks for listening.

After my reflection, I walked down the hill and read a little before taking a shower. It was leftovers for dinner tonight, so I asked a few of the folks I'm living with if they would let me know when they ate, because there's not that many people to talk to here. I've definitely written more words here than I've said out loud today. Jess said she was going to order a pizza at the Novelty, a little restaurant only two minutes down the road. We sat there waiting for a sausage/banana pepper/red onion/mushroom pizza (I think that's right) and talked about theater. If our ideas come to fruition, you'll hear about it here. I made leftovers again and we sat in the dining room in the main house. I did my dishes ad came back to my room to fill you all in on my day! For a day that included a four hour nap, I sure did have a lot to write.

Thanks for reading this far :)

Love, Me