I am still uncertain of what creative nonfiction really is. Yes, I have a written definition and I know the different components that eat exist within this genre, but the challenge is for me to be able to write it with my own voice and presence. Throughout the course of this blog my hope is to make two simultaneous explorations; I am going to attempt to use the exploration of a new country to explore a new genre of writing. So here is goes.
This exploration began once I returned from Christmas break. I sat down at my computer and decided that since my professors had not yet had the chance to give me enough homework to ruin any opportunities to have a social life or even just a little spare time that I would actually read the emails sent to all students from random people. Admitting this now seems a bit contradicting. I complain that I would like spare time and when I actually have it I waste it on reading emails. This is beside the point though because it actually turned out not to be a waste of time.
One of the first emails I opened was on all the mission trips that Waynesburg offered to its students. I read through them, first just out of curiosity to see where some people might be spending their Spring breaks, suddenly though I found a couple that actually interested me. I figured nice weather, doing good deeds, other college students, how bad could it be? So I sent messages to a couple friends to see if any of them would also want to go somewhere. I was feeling adventurous, but not to the point of new area and ALL new people. One familiar face would be sufficient enough for me. To my surprise Elizabeth responded saying that she also looking at Belize but didn’t want to go by herself. It was perfect!
So we went down to see the trip leader, Skip, and he told us that it we were just in time if we were serious about going, but he was going to need us to commit within the next couple days. Everything was going to happen very quickly. I wasn’t sure if I knew completely what I was getting myself into. It started out as just a great idea and now suddenly it was going to be reality. I needed to turn in a deposit to show that I was in for sure, fill out a scholarship application over the weekend, and start attending weekly meetings to get more familiar with the country. So, it was decision time, in or not. I went back to my room and pulled out my checkbook. I signed my name hoping that I wasn’t paying for a mistake before I even made it, but instead for an exciting and rewarding, disregarding costly, trip.
Soon to come will be the actual details of what they say will happen.
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