A Day Well-Lived

I am not quite sure how to compact this day into one blog post but I sure will try.

First of all, I cannot express enough gratitude to all of you who gave me financial support and are still giving me support through your prayers. I know after only one day that this is where I belong for this chapter in my life and that it is going to be a life-altering experience.

As soon as I got off of the plane, I was greeted by two IC staff members with posters and balloons. We waited for three more roadies and headed to the roadie house. I can't wait to post pictures of the house. It is so much fun! There are couches everywhere, a projection screen to watch movies on, bunkbeds galore, and three refrigerators. We went right into a staff metting before I even unloaded my luggage from the van.

As soon as the meeting ended, we headed to downtown La Jolla (La Hoya is how it is pronounced). :) We ate dinner at an amazing restaurant called Jose's. The view of the ocean from there was literally breathtaking as the sun set. Next, we were surprised and taken to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. It was so amazing. They then escorted us into theater inside the museum where the filmmakers who made the original IC film spoke to us. They brought with them the first ever student who went through IC's entire scholarship program. She is now in her freshmen year at college in America. They then showed us an amazing documentary called "Man On Wire" about a man who walked a tightrope across the twin towers. Its connections to IC make sense when you watch it. They then told us that we were about to embark on a nearly impossible journey, as this is going to be the most intense, biggest tour ever. They are creating a new film now that we will see only a week before we tour it!

My return to the roadie house included two trips to the grocery store and back (long story, but I certainly got in my exercise for the day, as we live on a very high, winding hill).

I have, without doubt, never been so exhausted, but I don't think I have ever lived so much life in one day. In between all of these major events were lots more of the little things that make life fun for me. Paris & Nicole quotes, Fugees karaoke in a van with no air conditioning (have I mentioned it was 79 degrees today?), my reunion with John Shults and Jedidiah Jenkins, a "Single Ladies" dance-off, and a discussion of why Britney Spears is great. I will undoubtedly work harder and get less sleep in these next four and a half months than any other time in my life, but I will also live more than ever. I miss all of you terribly already, but I am doing well and making friends that I will have for life.

With Hope,
Brandon