From the Servicio Blog

Okay here’s the deal-I haven’t blogged in a long time. But I’ve been very busy, bad excuse I know, but sometimes I just can’t bring myself to do it. Which is good because then it becomes a chore. So this is my post on the Servicio blog because I just don’t feel like writing a separate blog post right now. Hopefully a full life update can be up this week, but I have more important things to worry about right now. But I’ve been journaling everyday so I don’t forget!!! Also, the link to the Servicio blog will be at the end, so if you want to keep up with us, you know where to find us!

If this doesn’t explain Servicio so far, IDK what will

First of all, hello to my parents who are hopefully reading this 🙂 Second of all, shoutout to mis amigos because they ~should be~ dedicated Mackadamia followers. Day 5 of Servicio began with service in the park with the SPARK kids. We all split into smaller groups, and each group had to choose a game to play with the kids. My group chose to play kickball with the older kids and monkey in the middle with the younger ones. Someone got a little too excited during kickball and nailed a kid in the face. Luckily, we used a super soft ball! The younger kids were so cute when we played monkey in the middle, and one little boy enjoyed being the monkey so much that he’d intentionally drop the ball. After service, we walked to a local restaurant that’s similar to Chipotle, Taco Wapo. Let me just say this is probably my favorite restaurant in Greencastle so far. We stan a good burrito, am I right?? 

Our three hour class in East College ensued after lunch. For the first hour, we planned a vacation to Panama with a partner and then presented them to the class. Afterwards, we did a virtual tour of some of the sites we’ll be visiting in Panama. In addition, we researched the history of these locations. During the last hour of class, we watched a documentary about how tourism is essentially causing a housing issue among indigenous peoples and developers. I’m learning a lot of Spanish from everyone, but I’m still struggling with speaking it, the most important part. 

I took a nap after class because ya know, class makes me tired, oops. When I woke up, I had a chat with my team leader, Emma, about my adjustment during the first week of the program. It’s really nice to know that I’m cared for, and that even though I’m more quiet than others, the leaders won’t let me just go unnoticed. Don’t worry ‘rents, I’m in good hands! 

Since July 5 was the first Friday of the month, we all went to a street festival in downtown Greencastle, cleverly named “First Friday”. There’s live music, food vendors, art. Ya know, your typical street festival. My friends and I wandered over to CoderDojo, a computer programming place. The owner was obviously very passionate as he showed us the 3D printers, the laser cutter, and all the other neat contraptions. He was so passionate that we were late getting back for dinner! Dinner consisted of Chinese food and leftovers to some people’s dismay (a joke). Spontaneously, a few of us decided to get ice cream at Scoops. Scoops was closing in 14 minutes and Google said it was a 17 minute walk. So we ran. And we made it just in time! It was deeeelish. My night ended with locking my keys in my room, un grande oof!

I am grateful for the friends I have and the memories I’ve made so far. It’s been a while since I’ve felt so good 🙂 Everyday is something new. I’m becoming more independent. Life is good.

Mackenzie :))))

The leaders think initiation into Servicio was our Pledge, but it was actually making friendship bracelets

Okay my caption thing won’t work but these are my close friends from left to right- Jacob, Edgar, ME, Liz, and Rubina!!!

https://servicio2019.blogspot.com/2019/07/day-2.html

Big Thanks

My graduation party was today!!! It’s really weird to think that the day has already passed. I’ve been thinking that a lot of these events will never come, and then out of nowhere I’m reflecting on it! Makes me kinda sad. On one hand I want the moment to last forever. On the other, I’m ready for the next big moment.

Thanks to my family (and some friends), my party was all that I could’ve wanted! My Grandma Marcia and Leah handled the decorations, and they were awesome. We stuck to a sunflower/map theme. Sunflowers have always been my favorite flower, and I chose the map theme in honor of my first international trip this summer. My mom and Scott made almost all the food, and my Grandma Powlen made some food too. Talk about good cooks, I had all of my favorite foods. The menu included French “Mack”arons, “Mack” n’ Cheese, buffalo chicken dip, fruit, pulled pork, fruit pizza cookies, and A SMORES BAR!!!

Cake and cupcakes by Dreams to Reality in Peru. Highly suggest the Coconut flavor!

Then, my lovely father devoted his time and skills to making a photo booth for me to take pictures with. It’s really nice to have a dad that can craft anything that comes to my mind, whether it involves welding, woodworking, basically any DIY project that us girls throw at him, he can do it. It seems like my family all has their own way of accomplishing DIY projects. Also want to give a shoutout to the fam bam that helped me set up and clean up! I was happy that I was able to gather all my awards and things pertaining to my life and show them to everyone.

The cutest little photo booth

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with me. I had the opportunity to catch up with some old teachers, old friends, new friends, acquaintances, and relatives. Everyone made the day so special, and I truly appreciated the time I was able to spend with everybody who attended! I was able to get a picture with many people, but I know I definitely forgot to snag some people before they left. In addition, thank you in advance to everyone who gave me gifts or cards! I loved everything!

To all my friends that came, I wish you the best! Kinda weird that I won’t be seeing you everyday 😦 most of you have been good to me, and I am grateful. Sad that I only have a few days left with some buddies. Hopefully I can make it to everyone’s party!

SMELL YA LATER (but probs not)

MACK

P.S. I know I SUCKED at getting invitations out but I never got around to delivering all of them, sorry in advance! I realized afterwards that I never invited some people that I would’ve liked to include, and I feel really bad 😦

Issa cheesy sister
I would also like to point out that my grandma helped me sew this dress last summer! Since I am subpar at sewing, definitely could not have done it without her
My grandparents are some of my favorite people 🙂 (not pictured are Mike and Carol, not sure where our pic is)
yeah that’s right I picked that window frame off of a trash pile 6 years ago, I knew it’d come in handy someday

Take Me Down to the Panama City

Take me HOOOOOMMEEEEEEE!!!! (cue guitar rif)

Announcement: I got into Servicio en las Américas! ¡Estoy muy emocionada, especialmente porque el viaje es gratis!

For anyone who is unfamiliar with what I’m talking about, Servicio is a first-year program offered by DePauw. It’s a mix between a study abroad program/community service program/Spanish immersion trip. I’ll spend two weeks down at DePauw doing community service in Greencastle and the surrounding area and hopefully meeting new friends, fingers crossed! And I’ll have a preview of campus life since I’ll be staying in a dorm on campus and everything, so I’m super excited. I just hope I don’t get tired of it already.

After those two weeks are up, I fly down to Panama for another two weeks doing more community service! I’ve only been out of the US once to Canada on my way to Alaska, so I’m really nervous about international travel. BUT I know this will get me more familiar with international travel so I can go all over the world in the future! In addition, I have to speak ONLY SPANISH the whole time! I was two points off from being placed in the top level Spanish class at DePauw, but to say I’m rusty is an understatement.

Being away from home for a month is nerve wracking, especially since I don’t know anyone in my group, but I think it’ll be a great opportunity for me to explore and grow as a person. Will I miss everyone back home? Sure. But I won’t be home all the time once I go off to college. Learning to be alone is something everyone needs to experience.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone

Excited for the future, even more excited today bc I’ll be in Cali tomorrow 🙂 big things are ahead, I’m sure of it. Updates to come, stay tuned!

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