Gracefully Clumsy

Let's talk about Castilleja. When I started in 6th grade, I had just left Sacred Heart where I had been going to school for 5 years. Little did I realize that I was in for an even longer journey at Casti. I graduated last year as a "Seven Year Senior." This morning I returned as an alumna for the Tie Ceremony. Looking around, saying hi to friends and teachers, and giving out pins to induct new freshman made me realize something. Castilleja has not only been my home for 7 years, but really my whole world. Stepping back on campus today felt different. This past summer on my own little adventures and mentally preparing for this Gap Year and college, the world got a lot bigger. And so, returning today -- Castilleja felt small. I'm not sure what it means. I've felt like I'm in limbo for a while now. I am neither a high school student like my senior friends nor a college freshman most of whom are starting classes now. So what am I? My home for se...

I honest to goodness do not understand the significance of 18. Except for the completely separate entities of drinking (because I am 18, not 21) and driving (because my permit expired) I am considered a legal adult. More like a legal dolt. I can now enlist in the military, vote, and you know the important things like buy dry ice and rent a Port-A-Potty. I am being told I could live on my own, simply because I have been around the sun a magical and arbitrary number of times. I'm not ready to face the world on my own. I still need my mom's warm hugs, my dad's wise advice, and my sister's quick-witted humor. I need it in my life constantly. The whole brain injury thing is a factor in my unpreparedness for "adult" life. Also the driving thing, which to be honest is my own fault but real adults take public transportation too, right? So... That's what I think this Gap Year is all about. It gives me another year before I really have to...

Hi, I'm Grace. I'm 17 soon to be 18 years old. I graduated from Castilleja High School a couple months ago and will be heading to Northwestern University. Before that however, I'm going on a gap year! I'm taking a gap year for a number of different reasons. I've been living in a bubble for my whole life. Before returning to academia, I want to gain some real life experience. I want to explore new cultures and learn about the world. I've been taught about being an active global participant and I really want to do something to act on it. I also want to try new and different things and develop lifelong skills. This blog is a way for me to keep track of everything I've learned and to document what I've done. Here's the plan: in the fall of 2017 I will be traveling with Thinking Beyond Borders to Latin America (www.thinkingbeyondborders.org). Throughout Ecuador, Peru, and Guatemala I will be taking part in homestays, working with local communities, ta...