.:.*When it is dark enough, you can see the stars*.:.

As soon as we boarded off the plane, it was as if the sun had rolled up its sleeves and was ready to beam its rays on us all day. The humidity wrapped itself across my chest and all of a sudden I found it difficult to get in a solid deep breath of fresh air. Right then, I knew we had just arrived to distinctive territory and that Western Australia had more in store for us then we expected. For 10 days the interns and I were fortunate enough to have the experience of traveling to the west coast of Australia, where the sun was out and blazing and the sand was a deep red. With temperatures rising well over comfortable levels and high humidity making it hard to breathe, the interns and I viewed awe-inspiring beauty and experienced an extraordinary adventure.

Traveling to Western Australia (WA)(Broome, Perth, Fitzroy Crossing [Derby]) affected me in so many ways. Not only was it a great bonding experience with the other interns, but I was able to gain insight about a culture that even most Australians living in Sydney do not have the chance to experience.

Aside from riding camels on the beach, learning how to throw boomerangs and spears, swimming in 90 degree water at Cable Beach (and suffering some pretty bad battle wounds due to high tide, strong waves, and sharp rocks, and yes it was as painful as it sounded), eating fish and chips by the sunset, having my first experiences at "backpackers" resorts, roadtrips along the west coast in a 4X4 truck, and CAMPING in the Outback, I realized something about L.I.F.E.

Before this epiphany, however, let me give you a little bit of background as to why I was in the scorching heat and traveling to WA. Through a series of city-based seminars in the remote northwest region of Australia, the interns and I were exposed to some of the issues and the realities of the working world as they arise in a diverse range of business frameworks in the Indigenous contexts. We covered issues such as business, ethics, gender roles, global position, socio-political influences, business objectives, and social responsibilities to learn about the importance of intercultural understanding of the aboriginal community that mostly reside in the western territory of Australia.

Each workplace revealed an underlying struggle to make ends meet. It was eye opening to learn about this culture in ‘remote communities’ and their road to economic survival. Visiting sites like the pearling industry and learning about 'blackbirding' (similar to slavery), or the "Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre" and learning about a workplace whose mission it is to preserve and maintain the aboriginal community showed me just how hard life has been and continues to be for the people and children in this region.

It was not until we camped on the riverside of Geikie Gorge National Park that I gained new outlooks to my concepts of *LOVE* and *LIFE*

The mighty Fiztroy River has carved a 30 meter deep gorge into the remains of the ancient limestone barrier reef that existed there in the Devonian period. Truly a sight for eyes, Darngku, as I learned, is the Aboriginal name of Geikie Gorge, given to it by the traditional owners, the Bunaba. We were fortunate enough to have Carrie and her family take us to places that you wouldn't usually have access to- this is because the land we were on belonged to her ancestors- the Bunaba- 30,000 years ago and her family has been on the land ever since. Alongside a campfire and meal, we listened as they shared with us their knowledge of the flora and fauna, tell stories from their 30,000 year old culture, point out how to find bush foods as we hiked up the rocks and walked into caves, and of course keep eyes out for the fresh water crocodiles that peered at us on the river.

That night I had never seen stars shine as brightly as they did over my head. Listening to the struggles of the family, seeing their dedication to saving their land and noticing how important it was for them to create awareness for others to learn who they are and where they came from touched me. It was like it had all added up; all of the sites we had visited, all of the stories we had listened to finally connected as I lay there looking up at the stars with the young aboriginal girls pointing out the constellations in the midnight sky... the Milky Way and O'Ryans belt.

**"When it's dark enough you can see the stars"** I thought to myself. No matter how dark it got- no matter how much struggle they suffered that day- in the midst of when everything seems as if their is no hope- stars will shine.... when it is dark enough. And through it all, every work site was unflinching-- they know it isn’t going to be easy and yet they take steps forward where they can, talk when they should, and never give up. Their fortitude shows the strength of the people in the community.

It was as if through this experience I realized what it meant to have passion and hope... and hold on to what you have in the name of LOVE. As the aboriginal man sang to us in his song, "it's time to shut the window and find a different point of view."

Life is not fair. Life is not easy. The aboriginal community showed me this. My life experiences have shown me this. Yet, challenges are what make life interesting- Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Not everything in Australia has been sunny weather and paved pathways. I have hurt more than I have ever hurt before. I have felt sad and distanced, and all of this has been part of the challenge, part of the experience. Of course, I cannot compare my challenges to the ones I witnessed in WA, but I can relate to the feeling of despair and helplessness.

Missing my family and not being there to give my mother a hug on Mother's Day. Not being able to see my brother off for Junior Prom. Not being able to call home as frequently because of the time difference; it all adds up. Not being able to get reception for one of the most significant games in my boyfriend's basketball career to date. Not being able to be there for Delroy and talk to him. Getting robbed. Having my computer crash (hence why there are no pictures to this blog post)-- it has all made me realize that you cannot always be in control of what happens in your life... and THAT.IS.OKAY.

Many times you cannot see what's coming next, but when the world pushes you to your knees, you are in a perfect position to pray. Pray for love. Pray for strength.

My trip to WA opened my eyes and my heart to something new about LIFE and something new about LOVE...and it all happened underneath the stars; that night when I just wanted to go home because 'it' was too hard-- everything seemed to dark....for the people... for me

<3 "I know nothing with any certainty, except the sight of stars makes me dream" <3
- Van Gogh

..... friends and family, this is not to worry you, for it is through the distance, through the not-so-happy times that I can also learn and grow.

What I want to leave you thinking about is why I felt so sad on that trip and often angry-- I just keep thinking of the cycle of life for most of the aboriginals in the community, working hard to survive on limited resources and constant obstacles.

I gave them all I had, and that was an open hand and an open mind. They gave me hope and humility.

With Love,
Shavely