5 Ws & H

Who: Talley Tobin McSwain

What: A community service devoted year
-I will spend 8 hours a day doing community service.

Where: Malaysia

When: January 25, 2011 to January 8, 2012

Why: I was planning on attending the Aveda Institute for cosmetology but I kept hesitating on enrolling. Then this trip fell into my lap. I knew in my heart that this is where I needed to go first. I am almost certain but still not positive what career path to travel down just yet. This is what I'm leaning towards:
I would love to do cosmetology: It isn't a nine to five job. It takes creativity. I would get to create my own schedule, working as much or little as I desired. For example, I could take off every Thursday afternoon for bible study or a pottery class. I am my own boss. I can live anywhere. Everyone will always have hair. I am a people person and love chatting with others. I can make a difference in what my customer feels about them self, every time they look in the mirror or get ready- I can make sure their hair fits their lifestyle and looks good on their face shape and skin tone. Also, I take pride in my own hair and feel that I am good at working with hair. I want others to feel the way I do about my own. So becoming a hair-stylist would make me happy, it fits with me and my life. But, I still have a little hesitation..
College was my plan for years but when it came time to apply I felt that none of the careers I was interested in required a degree. I thought about being a personal stylist, a make-up artist, a hair stylist, a personal shopper, fashion, fitness trainer, pilates instructor, personal assistant (food/clothes/hair)- but these all required a trade school or knowing the right people. I was going to go to college for graphic design, but as I looked into it more I realized it wasn't the career for me. Now I have thought about going back to major in a language or anthropology. It is these thoughts that make me uncertain. These doubts and second thoughts are what kept me from getting in to cosmetology.
For as long as I can remember I have had a fixation on Asia, especially southern Asia. Since the third grade I have told my parents that I would move to Asia some day, and I have attempted a handful of mission trips to that part of the world. When I was nearing graduation I went to my dad about moving to Tokyo, but before I could even finish my proposal he shut me down. So when I brought forth this trip he wasn't shocked, but a look of fear was in his eyes. Instantly he was regretting all the jokes he made when I was a little girl, about not hearing word from me for a year because I moved off to Africa. I think he knew at that moment that his baby girl was going to end up on the other side of the world after all. The thing he is wrong about is that I will communicate! He trusts me but it is the world that surrounds me that terrifies him. However, he knows it is in my heart to travel the world and he cannot prevent me from my hearts desires. So he stands behind me in support.
I love kiddos and I have always wanted to experience working in an orphanage. Also, when I was in fifth grade I started volunteering with the special needs class ; the children I worked with will always be dear to my heart and I will never forget the impact they left on my life. Ever since then I have contemplated becoming a full time special needs instructor. So I requested for my job to be that I work in an orphanage, specifically with special needs children if possible.
Missions have always interested me as well. I thought back in ninth and tenth grade that I wanted to be a missionary, but then I grew distant in my walk with God. I have returned back to having a close relationship with God, but I do not feel that I am at a place to become a full time missionary. I believe this trip will let me see what it feels like to be a Christian outside of the Bible Belt, as well as what it will feel like to live outside of America. Are either of these something I will enjoy or will I have a difficult time with this?
It has been a dream of mine for a while now to get to fully immerse myself into a different culture. To be let into a home in a foreign country, where you are made to feel as though it is your own home. I want to travel the world but I would love to have a new perspective first. To be in someone else's shoes. This also makes learning a new language much easier. Which is a goal of mine: to learn Malay (Bahasa Malayu). It is rare to travel in this manner, I know after this year when I travel it will be a suitcase and a hotel on a tourist block. I am blessed to receive such an opportunity. I am glad these trips are so widely available now.
I am young and able to give a year of my life to help others. I will grow more in this next year than any other year of my life. It will be emotionally, spiritually, physically, culturally, and ethically challenging. I will come back stronger in every way. I should have deeper insight to myself and what exactly I want to do with my life.
I hope this trip opens my eyes, to the world and to myself. I am asking the to Lord speak to me throughout this adventure and lead me where he wants me.

Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts (: