I called this project “Painting Outside the Lines” to portray the idea of not following the “rules” when it comes to business, travel and art. To paint outside the lines in our daily lives means to go where we feel drawn to go, regardless of what society, or anyone else, tells us about what we should do or where we should go.

 

On this trip I painted outside the lines financially, artistically and socially, and as a result bore witness to stories, miracles and love. I decided on Costa Rica after having visited with the country during my teenage years.

 

After finishing a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) in Northern California, and already having a Bachelor's of Arts under my belt, I found myself back in my hometown, not knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life. The GREs came, Graduate School applications were sent, and I realized that I had five months of free time until my studies would (hypothetically) begin. Costa Rica had always been at the back of my mind, but now with almost a half year in free time, and with the apparent urge to “find my calling”, a vagabonding adventure seemed like the logical next step.

 

Originally I was to begin my internship within the first week of January... however, in true Costa Rican style, that got pushed back to the last week of January, and then to the first week of February... It was then that I decided to pursue my own type of internship, an internship where I set my schedule and I made the rules.