Why think about that when all the golden land is 

ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you 

and make you glad you're alive to see?”

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I suppose this is the first entry I will have solely for my own.  Lately, I feel as if my life in Chile is a dream I am awaiting to wake from. The language flows in and out of me, and I am frustrated and excited and irritated by it all at the same time. This road is long it seems...many days I am like a child. I swallow my pride, I make up words, I am quieter than I would like because sometimes, well, I run out of words. Some days I speak freely, at ease. And others I feel new again, my slate blank,my ears just open. I know I just need more time, or maybe I know that's all there is to comfort me anyways...I am only now beginning to understand the changes that occur within when one is estranged from so much and so many of the things they know well. As they say, the beat goes on:)

Yesterday was mi tata's (literally, the Chilean word for great grandfather) birthday....he is 95! We went to mi abuelita's house for his party....cake, family, food, & pisco ensued:) I think yesterday was the first time I felt like I had a real second family though. Maybe only for a few minutes, but I felt less aware of my displacement... And sinking into this feeling, I inexplicably missed home very much at the exact same time. However, if being here is the hardest thing I ever do, then I am lucky in this life. I try to carry that thought with me each and everyday.

This week, I am finally getting my Visa! This mostly means, I will finally have a Chilean ID card and will finally be receiving my stipend:) I also can happily report Luke officially has his ticket to visit me, and is arriving in Santiago come July 27th! On to the fun part - planning our adventures in America de Sur! School is busy as ever, Eli continues to be pregnant (i.e. sick as a dog), and I continue to laugh at the strange reality that is life in Chile - it is lovely, it is outrageous and nonsensical, and at times, it is home...
Til next time,
lck