The Dominican Republic, Las Galeras and Las Terrenas

Every few weeks I go a little crazy and start to crave water. The vastness of the ocean calms me and provides a wonderful balance to the busy life in the city. 

I love the SUN

Ken's happy place

Our wonderful friend Ezekiel and his machete 

Horses in the woods

The waves at this cafe were reaching heights of more than 18 meters! The owner said that this event was one for the history books. 

Dominican Baseball!

Our First Spring Break! Part 1 Santo Domingo

We just (2 weeks ago- yet feels like a year) returned from our first spring break ever! Through out our undergraduate years we heard stories and saw pictures of that mysterious week off in the spring. We dreamed of warm beaches, no teachers or work and the opportunity to spend a week away from it all. This year Kenneth informed me early on that this will be his only year in medical school with a spring break and so started making plans to take full advantage of it.

We went through the list of countries small enough to enjoy in a week and close enough to not waste too much time on a plane. Our finger landed on the Domincan Republic. Although many suggested the all inclusive resorts, our travel style is a little more local. As a result we stayed with a wonderful family in Santo Domingo before journeying on to the beaches in Samana.

One of my favorite things about traveling with Ken is that he makes friends with EVERYONE! The older ladies seem to be especially drawn to him. I am also grateful for his amazing ability to speak Spanish so fluently. Not only does it help us get around but it blesses the lives of many fellow travelers who also become fun friends. 

We watched many games of dominoes but feared we lacked the competitive domino face that the players wore, to join in. As we watched we met many kind people, many who taught us the game, led us to homemade coconut ice cream- amazing, shared stories of their lives and introduced us to fellow New Yorkers. (It seems that everyone in the DR has a friend or family member living in the city! Felt more like a NYC borough than a different country)

*all of the pics are from our instagram accounts so pardon the grainy enlarged look*

Dominican Republic Film!!

Finally Got My Film Back! 

Spring Break 2014 in the Dominican Republic

Making Your Desires a Priority

Yesterday I received wonderful news that my best friend and travel partner will be moving to Budapest with her husband for a year. I am more than thrilled about this adventure. She expressed how many people were confused about their moving to another country and even surprised that it was even a possible option.

After speaking with her I remembered a time while sitting in classes studying people who had just done amazing things and thinking wow I wish I could do that. I wish I could travel, or move to NYC or learn another language.  I don’t know when I realized that the only person holding me back was me. Yes I could make excuses forever but I could also stand up and take accountability for the live I was living. While talking to a friend of mine who with his wife has served many Church missions around the world I asked how he did it. He simply said that we made our desires our priority. They desired to travel so with their family they went without fancy clothes or a big home. They always had enough for their needs. And then they put their energy and money towards traveling and now in their latter years, serving missions.

Of course it sounds much easier than it is, because there are often very good excuses as to why we are not doing what we really want to be doing. But how good are they really? My father is a remarkable example to me of priorities. His priority was to be with us kids growing up and I cannot think of a day when he was absent. Granted he sacrificed high paying career options for a job that pays enough but allowed him time to be with us. No money or prestige is worth more to me than the memories I have as my family spent time together playing games, attending events or just laughing.

So what does it take? 
While working as an intern I met a man who one day just got it. He walked in with a huge smile. Before I could even ask what he was thinking he said, Hey Camille so today’s my last day- I quit. Now let me explain our job was great. We worked with people in the community developing health programs. But like most jobs we spent only a small portion of our time in the community, the rest was at a small desk in a grey cubicle. A rather quiet man every other day, he was busting at the seams to tell me his plans. He had no job lined up but he wanted to work with his hands. Maybe he would throw hay bales or make Indian jewelry. He didn’t know but he was excited. Although his degree was in line with our job, he needed to find what made him happy. It wasn’t money, or even following societal norms. He was happy when he worked with his hands. I don’t know where he is but I hope he is  doing something that increases his happiness.

My last example is of a girl I met in my Italian class during college. After not seeing her for a few years I assumed she had graduated from college, and that was the end of it; when I saw her at a Zumba Fitness instructor workshop. I immediately asked how she was doing and if she was done with school. She smiled and said "yes I graduated from the business school (one of the best in the nation may I note!) and after working in a huge office with amazing pay and benefits, in other words, everything I believed I wanted, I realized that getting emails at 1 in the morning and sitting in meetings all day made me depressed." So she quit. She is now a Zumba and yoga instructor who loves teaching fitness and working with people every day. She has never been happier.

I have met a businessman who quit his job to move to Gaza to teach drawing. I have met an actress who has given up a life of fame to focus on her children because she wants to be a wonderful mother.

Maybe it’s time we ask ourselves what matters most. What are our dreams? What are we doing to make them a reality? Where are we putting most of our energy? I don’t think I have the solution. By all means I am still trying to figure out what my desires even are! They seem to change very frequently. But I am asking myself the right questions and taking those scary steps towards realizing my dreams.  

How to identify our desires and where our energy is being spent
My high school science teacher once led our class through this simple exercise that I try to repeat at least once a year

1. On a piece of paper number 1-10 along the side. 

2. Starting with 1 list your priorities from most important to least.

3. Next to each of these items write how many minutes or hours a week you spend engaged in this activity or doing something to realize this priority. For example if health is a priority how many hours do you spend exercising.

4. Flip the paper over and write 1-10 along the side.

5. List your daily and weekly activities. Include eating, sleeping and work. 

6. Next to each of these items write how many minutes or hours you spend engaged in the activity. 

7. Now take a few minutes to compare these lists. Of course somethings are necessary and may not be negotiable such as a science class but they may contribute to another priority such as education. 

8. This is the time to make changes. Where do you want to spend less time and how can you give more time to your real desires. 

By no means does this solve our problems but it does help see more simply if we are on track to fulfilling our dreams. 

Rainy Days

There is nothing better on a rainy day than candles, makeup free faces, and trevor hall playing the background. 

Trevor Hall The Mountain 

I am Camille. This is my attempt to define what that means.

I sometimes go through periods of following. I wear what the people I am around wear. I do the things people around me do. Please don't misunderstand. I am grossly independent and yet I struggle to stand on my own two feet when thrown into a new environment. After a week away from the city I realized I may have started to follow again. 
So before I let this city define who I am, I better do it myself. 

I love dresses and feel more comfortable in them than in pants. (This might be the result of my LDS mission and my fear of skinny jeans)

I have nice full lips and look better when I don't try to hide them- no nude lipstick for me

I LOVE to travel and will never turn down an opportunity to do so, even if that means skimping on groceries and other essentials for a while

I like to wear clothes that are unique/I hate dressing like other people

I have absolutely no idea how to do my hair

I love photography and want to use it to help people see how truly beautiful they are without photoshop

I feel best when I am creating

I get moody when I don't have a physical release (dancing, exercise, running)

In the winter I hate going outside after dark. I would rather cuddle up in a blanket

I really really love my husband

Dance is the greatest outlet for my frustrations, anxiety, joy and all other emotions

I like flowers, especially wild ones found in an open field

Although I love the idea of being vegetarian, I love eating meat

Seeing a sunset makes the world stand still and hold it's breath. I hate to miss a good sunset

When I am home alone I have to be listening to music

I cannot sleep when my house is empty

Regardless of how warm I am, my nose is always cold

I prefer doing things with other people than alone

I am learning to appreciate solitude

I stink at making new friends, especially ones my own age. Children under 8 and adults over 40 seem to like me, but I am just sooo awkward around my peers

I love food, especially ethnic foods

I love trying new foods

I love cooking unusual dishes

I miss school, a lot

I could eat sushi every day

I only like water. No other beverage does it for me

I like smiling at strangers

I feel sad when I see couples or families spending time on their phones rather than with eachother

I love my Lord and know that God loves all of His children

I want to be of service to everyone around me throughout my life

I am five feet tall and hate when people don't notice me

I do not want to be defined by my current job or position but rather by how I make those around me feel

I want to be known as a happy person although my resting face is more of a glare

*I hope this list continues to grow and change, So edits may appear. 

Nanny Love

Today I told the boy I nanny that I would be leaving for the summer. He asked why I had to go to mexico. I explained that ken is going to do research there. He quickly looked up at me with those big sad eyes and said "Don't go to mexikco. Stay where you are and be my sitter. I never want a new sitter."

It always feels good to know you're loved.

Our Captured Winter Moments

With the hope of warm weather taunting me and upsetting me as I long to pack up those winter coats in exchange for summer dresses, I might as well put up the last of our winter photos. 

This winter was full of long snowy walks, waffles and dinges, family visits, thrift shops, watching cute kids, super bowl excitement, chinese new year, new glasses and more games of hide and seek than I though possible.