I lived.

Today I lived.

As I woke up at 6:30 and stepped outside to smell the Grenadian morning.

As I walked down the dirt road we call our driveway, under the cashew tree and past two cows that appear to be unleashed but never leave.

As we sped along mountain roads and felt the wind hit us in the face.

As we had to be dropped off halfway up a hill–and by “hill” I mean practically a mountain–because of traffic; and we walked another almost mile to the bus stop; and then walked another mile at least to get from the next bus stop to the church (preschool).

As I let my hair down and let the four little girls touch it and giggle at it’s fluffiness.

As I went over charts of the alphabet, shapes, days of the week, and numbers with those same little girls, and they recited it all with fervor.

As I heard them call me “Teachah Betany.”

As I stood on the porch at the church and gazed at the lush green-covered mountains surrounding us, listened to the reggae music play somewhere in the distance, and felt the much-appreciated breeze kiss my face.

As we waited for the bus in the blazing sun next to a guy selling some sort of food there on the side of the road.

As we stood at the next stop standing in the blazing sun, watching a hundred or so people mill by or “liming” (hanging out) or sitting in the shade on the doorstep of a little shop; smelling the fish and various perfumes and delicious food; listening to someone blare a radio just outside of their store; just soaking it in.

As I squeezed into a crowded bus, smashed between strangers at times (what with the getting on and getting off of passengers), but just in awe of the island as we rode.

As we worshiped the Lord and listened to preaching on the ruins of an old building, with speakers set up so the whole town could hear the Gospel.

As we stopped on the side of the road to get BBQ chicken, which happened to be the BEST chicken I’ve ever tasted.

As I tasted the nutmeg ice cream I had missed since 2012, and my roommate gave me a rundown of the many uses of nutmeg.

All day, all I could think was this:

“This is living.”

Right now I’m just testing the waters. But I’m ready to make waves.