6 Semanas

6 weeks left to work…to teach…to divertirme…to say goodbye… I can’t believe how fast the past two years have gone!! It’s strange though, in some ways I feel like I just got here, and in others, it feels like I’ve been here forever. I’m torn between being SUPER excited to see my family and friends in the US again and to travel, of course, and being REALLY sad that I’m leaving behind so many people I love and cherish. I know I’ll be back in November, but that’s just for a flash. And honestly, when you’re used to seeing someone EVERY DAY it’s hard to imagine going 6 months without seeing them! And texting…I’ve become a cell phone texting junkie! I have friends here that I hardly ever see, but you better believe that we text every day without fail. What will I do without my morning dibujito (cute little text to say I love you that usually comes with a pic of a teddy bear o algo)?!?

Some of the things I’ll miss MOST about PY, aside from my gente? Shopping on the bus – you’d be amazed at the deals you can score on the bus here! I mean really – soda, socks, toothbrushes, hammers, manicure sets, coloring books…some of my best shopping has been done while in transit! Terere. Not even because I like it that much, but because it means sitting around doing absolutely nothing but chatting, gossiping and watching people go by. Red dirt handprints on my clothes…left by loving, but DIRTY, hands after big running-jumping type hugs, walking with a million little arms wrapped around me, and giving piggy back rides. Rain. Playing in red mud, it’s an excuse not to do anything and I love watching the streets flood (there’s no such thing as drainage here). Horse drawn carts sharing the road with Mercedes and buses. Riding in the back of milk trucks and cargo taxis and squeezing 8 people into a taxi to go out for the night. Dancing until 5am and taking the early morning bus home with the church crowd. And to be totally honest – feeling a bit like a movie star when I walk around…although I have a love hate relationship with this aspect of my life.

What am I looking forward to?? Weddings - YAY Randi, Jason and Janet! :) Jumping hugs from my momma, my little brothers (aka dogs), family and friends, sharing my experience, driving (I’m a little nervous), international food! And traveling…lots of traveling!

For now, I’m focused on being here…sharing…spending time…loving… And remembering that goodbyes are never final, and in fact I’ll be back in November. Time to dry my weepin’ eyes and enjoy the next 6 weeks :)

By the way…recently went to Florianopolis, Brasil – wow…if you have the chance to visit the beaches of Brasil, GO!!! Gorgeous doesn’t begin to describe the beauty! Check it out...

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=274620995/a=40842554_40842554/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

Love and Happiness!
L