I don't even know where to begin. I don't think I understand my emotions. On one hand, I am really looking forward to going home. On the other, I am not quite ready to leave summer in Chile. My perspective on this changes by the hour. Luckily, I have my adventure in Argentina and Uruguay as a sort of transition point.
I gave my research presentation yesterday. It went well, even though I talked fast in order to fit in all the information. We only had 15 min to speak, and considering how much I have worked on and learned about my topic, I have a lot more than that to say. It's just crazy that I am done now. I felt a little purposeless after the presentations ended. But, I guess it is just a lesson in enjoying myself when I am given the opportunity. And I would definitely say that I have been given the opportunity. I went to the beach all day today and it was wonderful. I rode the waves for a while and took advantage of the possibility of tanning in December. It was all lovely.
I think part of the reason that I feel ready to leave sometimes is because I have been realizing the last few weeks how irresponsibly and sporadic my host mom is. Sometimes it just gets hard to live in the middle of her chaos. Still, she is a great person and I feel so lucky to have lived here.Also, my host brother is currently trying to pass 8th grade for the 3rd time, which is adding some extra stress to the family. I think I am ready for my own family's drama and done with other people's.
Tomorrow, I go to the beach and go on my favorite Valparaiso run one more time while beginning to pack. I leave for Buenos Aires Monday evening, but I need to go to Santiago and such, so I will only have a bit of time to finish packing Monday morning.
It's crazy that this is all coming to an end. I have been dreaming about study abroad since I was like 6 and it has always been something in my future. No longer. I haven't really gotten my head around that. I am really going to miss speaking Spanish and learning so much in every day life. I am also going to miss all of the amazing fruits and veggies that are now in season here. I will also miss the wonderful people I have met here. For example, I have really come to appreciate my program's coordinator, Danko. We have had some really interesting discussions about his life and his incredibly knowledge of Chile. I like to think I will see him again one day.
Love to all.
