STEPHANIE MORK

For those of you who know me, I am a planner. I like to plan things.  Activities, trips, birthdays, schedules, attempts to plan my future – you name it.

My trip to Nicaragua was planned awhile ago, but I intentionally didn’t plan any internal trips for while I was here. At first, I figured I just wouldn’t see too much but after getting around on my own a few times my confidence built and my thirst to see more was undeniable.

I had another place on my mind for this long weekend, but took a look at the calendar to see that I don’t very much time left and that my vacation for Semana Santa was the longest break I will get.  Two days before I left, I decided to change my original plan and head to Ometepe, an island a few hours away from Managua, which was a place that has been on my list since I knew I was coming to Nicaragua.

I planned just about nothing besides where to sleep and I am honestly so glad I did it like this.  Every step of the journey, I met people who came alongside me to help me get to the next destination or to discover a new adventure with.  For once, I wasn’t worried about where I was going or what I was going to do – I was just kind of there in the right place at the right time.

Ironically, I am reading a book called “The Power of Now.”  In one section, the author talks about how worry is just a projection of our imagined future.  There is no point in worrying about a future situation that only exists in your mind – but rather to be fully in the present moment.  Easier said than done – I worry a lot.  But I think this weekend somehow I was able to do just that – to be present.  To do what feels right and not do things just to check them off a list.  To go with my gut and say yes when the opportunity strikes.

Highlights of Ometepe:
Hiking Maderas Volcan – Each day that passes, I am more enthusiastic about how much I enjoyed this hike.  If you asked me an hour after I would tell you that I was in pain and the way was difficult and muddy.  Now I can say it was worth every mudstain and painful step.  Our crew took about 8 hours, but I couldn’t have gotten luckier to spend 8 hours in the jungle and mud with perfect strangers that I now consider friends.  The best part was a lake inside the crater at the top of the volcano – I have never seen anything like it.  Mysterious and beautiful at the same time.

Seeing the Island by motorbike – This is one instance that I literally couldn’t have planned better.  I needed to get to the other side of the island because I had a reservation to sleep there that night, but no public transportation was running because it was good Friday.  I asked around a bit at my hostel and there was a guy renting a motorbike out for the day and offered to give me a lift.  I was able to watch the island speed by without thinking about driving, I got a free lift, and I met some cool people.  Triple win.  Btw, if you ever go, it’s the best way to truly see the island – you see the villages, the beaches, views of the volcanos, and you may even find yourself in the middle of a traffic jam of cows.

Kayaking – Spur of the moment went kayaking with my motorbike friend and two other girls, may have gotten sunburnt (but what’s new), kayaked down a small river and saw crocodiles, monkeys, birds, and horses. My hostel also had kayaks and I went again the next day with another friend for more volcano views and fresh water breezes.

Eating – Both of the places I stayed had amazing food. Wow. Giant portions for like 3$ and fresh and tasty omg.  My favs were post volcano fajitas and a post kayak veggie burger.  BYE.  Maybe everything also tastes better after being active but I don’t really care – it was yum.

Being – Definitely my favorite part of the weekend was just hanging out near the water – swimming and sitting and drinking in the sunsets. My last day on the island I did a short kayak but then I napped, took a walk, drank some juice, read my Kindle, and enjoyed the company of like minded solo females.

It was a weekend to remember and I will keep some of those moments close by me for the rest of my life. Thankful for my experiences thus far and mostly for the people that have made the journey so memorable. Slowly but surely, Nicaragua is making sure I leave a piece of my heart here.

Well folks, one week until I am hanging out in Nicaragua, covered in sweat and racking my brain for any Spanish that might still be lying around and prepping for a trip to the jungle.   So many thoughts going through my head but first, I’ve been thinking about International Women’s Day and what the significance is for me in my life.

I know I’m a little late, but I have a lot of amazing women in my life.  Both of my grandmothers are women that I would be lucky to be anything like.  They have faced hardships that I will never understand but yet their attitude towards living is something I have marveled at in both of their lives.

My grandma Mork will always be remembered as a kind woman with quiet strength.  My grandma Robertson on the other hand, is a courageous woman with loud strength.  Both of these women have set the precedent for me to see what true strength is in the face of adversity and how to have an attitude towards life that is positive and refreshing for those around them.

My mom has also set an amazing example for me – she has raised three children that she did not bear and created a family with my father that is tight knit and genuine.  She knows what it is to work hard, but also to let herself relax and as they say, treatyoself.  My mama has instilled in me an appreciation for adventure and travel and is one of my favorite people to trot the globe with.

My sisters and girlfriends continually show me what it is to be a woman every day.  I watch them grow in their marriages and relationships, grow as a mother, student or friend, and work hard for what they want in this life.  I am truly lucky to be surrounded by such inspirational and powerful women.

Last week I went to St. Kate’s for a seminar, which was special to me for multiple reasons.  It made me SO excited to be a Katie.  It feels very right to be going to this school for my MPH – the values and goals of the university very accurately align with my own.  It also inspired me very honestly, to keep going.

The speaker was Annie Griffiths, one of the first women photographers to work for National Geographic.  She inspired me in a lot of ways as I assume she inspired most of the people in the room.  One quote that I remember writing down was: “Most of the limitations we put on ourselves are fear based.”

I must have wrote it down for a reason – probably because it resonated with me on a lot of levels.  I think about the things that I want to do, but I don’t – and then I think about why I am not doing them and the real reason behind my hesitation or staying in the background.

Overcoming fear is one of the hardest things but also one of the most satisfying things.  Think about how you feel when you succeed at something you were scared to do! Maybe, probably, one of the best, most empowering feelings in the world.  The flip side isn’t so fun but also how good does it feel to know you at least tried?

Annie Griffiths also talked about the ripple effect of helping each other.  If you help one person, they will go on to help others and countless people will be helped.  I want to keep working to overcome my fears because hopefully by being brave, I can help someone else be brave.  By being vulnerable and exposed, I am inviting someone to come in and help me when I need it the most so I will know how to help the next person.

I really love being comfortable.  Sitting at home on my couch with my cat and some peanut butter cups, but who or what will change if I keep sitting here?  I think of all the women in my life who inspire me because nevertheless, they persisted.