Orchids

As a college student, who not only decided to double major, but also held a part time job, and liked to go out with friends, I had very few moments when I could just sit and observe the magic of the world and the nature. The colors of the leaves in fall, the flowers on the trees at the beginning of spring, the beauty of the snow, and the ice on the Charles river. All of these I only saw from the study rooms on the top floors of shelton and StuVi, and while walking from my dorm/ appartment to class and work, and back at daylight.

There were days, during busy periods, when i wished I had some time to appreciate the world, and saw all the wonders in my dreams, and it was those dreams what led me to say that after Graduation and before starting a full time job or grad school, I wanted to go on a 2 month trip somewhere new, without a computer, a calculator, or any books. I wanted to simply look out of the window, and enjoy every moment.

I planned my trip before graduation, 2 months between Russia, Mongolia, China, Tibet and Nepal only with my backpack, and no electronics on me (not even a cell phone or ipod).

When I returned to Colombia, and before I left for my trip, my mom gave me flowers, and a picture she drew as graduation present: orchids. She said, she knew my character, and how getting in a full time job I would fall back into the same scheme of only working, and not looking around, and thus she wanted me to have a picture wherever I decided to settle down. A picture that remains me of the beauty of the world, and the magic we are all surrounded by and often forget to admire because we are too busy in our duties.

During my two month trip I learned to admire the world again, I swam in Lake Baikal, walked up a hill to watch the flat lands in Mongolia, sat for hours to watch Mount Everest at sunset, and walked through sunny fields, which were covered with beautiful flowers.

Now, when I come back home from work, I sit in the living room, and let my eyes go to the orchids my mom drew for me, the picture that is hanging over the tv, and remind myself of the world around me and the magic I should not let go by without observing and admiring it.