A year after graduating-some thoughts

0 Posted by - May 15, 2012 - Ecuador, Land Travels, Some Thoughts, Uncategorized, Zuleta

A year ago this week I graduated, weird. As I scroll through Facebook, I see friends from the class I should have been graduating with wearing caps and gowns and I get a strange feeling inside. Beloit College gave me an incredible liberal arts perspective to the world and it equipped me with a critical mind. My field of study was global public health and I loved every minute of it – not true I HATED Organic Chemistry – but overall my three years there were very positive.

Now, I am siting in Ecuador, after having sailed through the middle of the United States. A graphic design and branding book lays open to my side and multiple Illustrator and Photoshop windows are open on my screen, filled with mockups of websites, logos and advertisements waiting to be given their finishing touches. I am the co-head of one business and the co-creator of three soon to launch ideas.

In my world, public health has only been present in my constant independent-studying of the evolving field and related issues and my Wednesday meetings with a non-profit foundation that works in the area. It is weird how it has all turned out up until now. Even though I am not practicing in my field, I am learning how to use very powerful tools that keep my mind engaged and I am very blessed to have the job I have, with it’s location. However, I do hope that at this time next year, I am working more with in-need women and film.

On another note, today, two local women came to visit us and brought with them local eggs and fresh-picked beans as gifts! It has been great to find so many local people willing to share their home-grown local produce with us! Many people around the area are surprised that we chose this life, having had the option to live and work both in Quito and the USA, so they want to help us as much as possible. Tomorrow we have a long meeting for determining the foundation’s next steps! I’m so exited for the  opportunities that will arise with this.

To follow: a randomness of photos…

27 Comments

  • Alexandra Hoover May 16, 2012 - 3:44 am

    beautiful photographs, as usual. Beloit College makes me feel good, too!

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 1:59 am

      It's definitely a great college!! I owe you a tea post!

    • Alexandra Hoover May 17, 2012 - 2:42 am

      Really?!

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 3:27 am

      So sorry! I was so sick at the time and Jax reminded me a couple days ago!! When would you like it by?

    • Alexandra Hoover May 17, 2012 - 3:47 am

      what about the 26th?

    • Alexandra Hoover May 17, 2012 - 3:58 am

      or any time, really

    • Jackson Klein May 19, 2012 - 2:16 am

      Teabauchery!

    • Alexandra Hoover May 19, 2012 - 3:13 am

      that's right Jackson, you too should write an article :)

  • Karla Morales May 16, 2012 - 3:56 am

    I simply love how you write, you write with passion!
    I picture you just the way you are!

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 1:59 am

      Gracias Karlanguis!! Te adoro! Como esta todo por alla?

  • Morgan Pease May 16, 2012 - 4:27 am

    I'm drinking single malt scotch.

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 1:58 am

      I want that octopus rum!!!

    • Jane Crawford Peterson May 17, 2012 - 2:41 am

      The Kraken! It is excellent with ripe pineapple!

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 3:28 am

      UUUUU que rico!! I'm so glad you and I communicate so well Jane Crawford Peterson

    • Jackson Klein May 19, 2012 - 2:17 am

      Jane Crawford Peterson I really want to try the new "Krakken" version of the Christmas rumballs I heard so much about.. Again this year?

    • Jackson Klein May 19, 2012 - 2:18 am

      *kraken

  • Meg Macy May 16, 2012 - 9:34 am

    You are an inspiration, Caye! As Willow heads to Beloit College, I am assured she will find the same sort of inspiring and supportive people you did, and I am so grateful to you and Jackson for showing her around Beloit last year! Love your photos, too!

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 2:00 am

      Thanks Meg, I bet Willow is going to have a blast in Beloit! When are you dropping her off?

    • Jackson Klein May 19, 2012 - 2:14 am

      She is going to have a great time Meg. It really is an incredible place.

  • Inne Choi May 16, 2012 - 2:15 pm

    Lovely. I didn't know that they grow rambutan in Ecuador!

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 2:01 am

      I can't believe you know about rambutans!!! They do grow in Ecuador and they are absolutely my all time favorite fruit!! How do you know about them?

    • Inne Choi May 17, 2012 - 11:25 pm

      I used to eat those almost EVERYDAY in summer when I lived in Thailand in the 90s. They are native to Southeast Asia, I believe.

    • Cayetana Polanco May 18, 2012 - 12:49 am

      I bet you are right! that's so cool!

    • Jackson Klein May 19, 2012 - 2:15 am

      So funny. Caye was working on a poster of Fruits of Ecuador a while ago and people we showed would always bring up theories about the native home of rambutan and whether or not it should be allowed in the poster.

    • Jackson Klein May 19, 2012 - 2:16 am

      Also… I am totally miserable at eating them. I cannot figure it out for the life of me. A good thing for Caye I think, because she get's to eat them all whenever we find them in a market:)

  • Susan M Kerbel May 16, 2012 - 10:12 pm

    It is always great to look back and see what we did and also to look forward to see where we are going. Love your blog and the photos are always beautiful!

    • Cayetana Polanco May 17, 2012 - 2:02 am

      Thanks Susan, we love your comments. Hope you had a wonderful party and mother's day!

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