I'm not sure I understand the concept of a blog. An online diary of sorts? One that you don't mind others reading. One where people actually care what I'm writing about....Well, stick with me while I get it down. And here we go....
I sit computerless at my mom's house in Fall City just 2 days before I board a plane that will take me to Toronto, Canada and then to Santiago,Chile. 2 funny things about this situation; first, I don't have a laptop because the HP Pavilion that I bought 3 months ago is beyond screwed up. The only thing that I could think of that could have been more inconvenient at this time is if my Fall program was cancelled. Thank God it wont be. I've been defending HP computers for the past 2 years, for the sole reason that they are about half the price of Macs and they do everything necessary for my student needs. If I had unlimited resources, I'm sure I would have bought a mac like the 2000 other students a UPS. Now after this episode, never again will I invest in an HP. HP customer service is worthless. They will send my ALL new parts to my computer, but not a new freaking computer. I can't go abroad without a computer, it is my lifeline in the sense that it will be my only connection to North America and the people I love so much. The second funny thing about my situation is that I am using my mom's computer. If you know me well enough, you know that going home from college means dropping of the face of internet as we know it. My mom has never had consistent, let alone any, internet for the past 5 years or so. Good thing she does, because I still have to write a 4 page paper on Chilean history before August 31st. For some reason this still blows my mind.
Now lets get serious. I leave the country in 4 days. Whoa. I've been outside the country, once. I was 13, it was an end of middle school trip, and I have no idea why that was a good idea. There was absolutely no way I could appreciate culture at that age. And even more disasterous, the 13 rolls of film I took on my mom's ghetto camera didn't develop. :( So basically my recollection of France and Spain is vague. I remember the Goudi park, the snails I ate in France, the Eiffle tower, and Versailles. And of course the people I went with: Emily Drain, Josh Lowman, John Larson, Madison Veirling-Coulter, Marissa Bauer, Caitlin Forslin, Natalie Vitolo (I think?), Madison Meyers, and most memorable, Eric Ward. RIP Lance Corporal, you are missed by so many. I thought he was the cutest boy I had ever seen, and still, pictures of Eric as a youngin are probably the cutest thing you could look at. Cuter than kittens. Seriously.
Its interesting how much devastation seems to sweep over Mount Si High School. Many people I've talked to from UPS say they've never known someone who's died, that their high schools tragedy was nothing more than kids getting kicked out for drugs. Well, welcome to devastation valley. For me, it started when my father died of Pancreatic cancer in 1997. The toll death can take on a family is outrageous. Next, was when Erica Cain died in a car accident. The Cain family lived next door/across the bridge from us, Nick is my age, and Erica was my brother Mack's age. We all went to school together. Mack is 23 and still has not got his drivers license, and I don't doubt that has something to do with Erica's accident. The night she died, my mom and I could hear her dad screaming from our porch. And once again, its unbelievable how death is a tornado ripping up lives of those who love the lost. The next episode, and probably the hardest for me because of my age and connection to him, was when Caleb fell from the rope swing at Blue Hole. The snoqualmie river is merciless. Caleb was probably the best basketball player at our school. And he is definitely one of the most humble people I have ever met. Although Caleb lived, he was in a coma for 3 month....3 LONG months for those of us who waited by his bedside for him to wake up. When he finally did, he had to relearn how to talk and walk. That was my hardest moment in high school by far. I didn't know how to handle that. I didn't understand why God had let this happen? Especially to someone who loves Jesus as much as Caleb. Maybe to show God's glory? Caleb is alive, and he does love God. The next tragedy was Tess. Again, the snoqualmie river is the villan. Blue Hole, again. That ruined the class below me. She was a very loved beautiful young woman. She still draws many grievers to Blue Hole yearly on the day of her passing to celebrate her life. And most recently, Eric Ward was killed in Afghanistan. As Tana posted on her facebook, "Old men still dream up wars for young men to die in." It really makes you question what this freedom is we are fighting for? How can we claim liberalism and democracy yet undermine those values internationally? How does the Patriot Act promote, let alone further democratic values? I can't understand how the U.S.'s actions don't do more damage to their credibility? Sure, Latin America understands this after there were approximately 8 coup d'etats in Latin America, all of which were supported by the CIA. Many which resulted in years of authoritarianism and suffering. But not until recently have these files been uncovered. But the U.S. hasn't conquered the rest of the world. Maybe we'll find out in a couple of years that our war in Iraq was more than a war. Same with Afghanistan. It wont surprise me. Conveniently, Afghanistan has valuable minerals such as gold under their mountainous terrain. Hmmmmmm, but we're fighting terrorism.....
While all of these tragedies have made those of us involved prepared for the worst, pieces of our hearts are shattered daily. We will never forget those we have lost, and I know there are hundreds of us, even millions in similar situations, that will do our very best not to take our lives for granted. We must learn that there is more to life than ourselves, but at the same time cherish ourselves and our experiences. From all of this, I will never let one opportunity pass me by. And now here I am. Headed to Latin America to find myself. To find reality. To find my passions, my future, and to look back and say, "I don't regret one thing, I am greatful for my blessings, and I have made those in Heaven proud that I have lived my life in a way they would have."
"Chile?" They ask me. I decided to go to Chile for many reasons; one, Espana is too expensive, two, Mexico is North America, three, Argentina turned me off because of a girlfriend who studied abroad and didn't enjoy her time there, four, history history history. Politics in Chile are fascinating. Five, Spanish is one of my loves, one of my talents. And five...I actually never considered many of Latin America's other beautiful countries because Chile is so much more advanced. And why a whole year? Well, go big or go home. Thats the way I do things. And of course most people who study abroad wish they could have stayed longer. Since all of my government aid is transferring, and my credits are too, why not? Like really?
(Side note: Thanks to God and his wonderful minions, I am finishing up this blog on a new macbook pro! Thank youuuuuuuuuuu)
What is the hardest part about leaving for so long? For a while, I found none. I hated freshman year so much at Puget Sound that I considered transferring to Western Washington University, my second choice school. However, towards the end of my first year there, I was lucky enough to meet 4 people I knew living with would be worth the stay. Moreover, a family that was amazing enough to purchase a beautiful home for all of us to live in. So that was the hook. As the year went, it went WAYYYY too fast. I now love that house and everything associated with it. It really is such a home to me that I can't wait to live there senior year when I get back from Chile! But its so sad that all 5 of us are in such different places now. We came a long way from the second floor of Todd/Phibbs; now I'm headed to Chile, Gideon is in China, John holding the fort down until he goes to the UK in spring, Miriam moved back to Portland, and Ryan did summer school....booo. I will not only miss those lovely faces every single day, but many of our homies. Its no secret that UPS's party scene is lame. So what do you do on a Friday or Saturday night when the city is lame and dead, and you can't imagine doing more homework, you always have your safe zones to find a good time: Joe, Dylan, and Alex's house, Brahm and Seans, Kara's, a night with Sarah Gulian, or Joanna, scrabble with Ben, a horror movie with David Reif and the roomies, a drive with Ashley Teets, even balloon making with John and Gideon sounds good to me right now....as much as I hated it all year. ;)
So thank you all and everyone else who knows of their importance to me. You have given me something to miss while I'm gone all year. :) And just wait until our senior year, we're going to tare that school up.
And of course the valley, North Bend, Snoqualmie, and Fall City, is my original home. As much as we valley residents complain about this place being a dead end, a boring place, it doesn't have to be. Coming back this summer has really helped me appreciate the beauty and memories I have here. The Snoqualmie River still draws me there to float, swim, whatever. Rattlesnake lake is classic. But this summer it became an original when Dana, Collin, and Lauren decided to go skinny dipping in the dark. Or when Lauren came chasing me naked and soaking wet...she just wanted a hug.... :) I spent most of my summer with my girls, Breanna and Mckenzie. I was a little lost after Mckenz left for Lousianna, but Thank God I had Breanna to keep my stranded butt busy and lively. I hate to leave her here, because I don't know what I would do without her in this valley. Thank you, you lovely valley kids, you get me. I think I saw Danielle Fulfs quote Kelsey Walker once on facebook...."We're classy in the valley and trashing in the rest of the world"...please correct me. But that is hilarious. SO true.
OH and my T-locs. Never have I had a job where I've met so many honest, down to earth, people in one spot. First, the employees....Israel: one of my newest bffs. Him and I are actually the same person only different genders and ages. Never have I clicked with someone like I do Izzy, we finish each other's sentences, always want to do the same thing, have the same birthday, and therefore are Leos...the thing that makes us most alike, I'm sure. Saturday is a five star day Israel. Jessie, my conscious. Also just like me. But different than Izzy. Jessie and I have sort of lived parallel lives. We have lost our first loves, which still seem like our only. (I guess you too Izz). We still have this false expectation of them. We have dealt, maybe even still, with animosity towards family members. We have both seen Cancer ruin a family worse than the Snoqualmie River could. We both get sick to our stomachs when we smell hospital. We both beg God to help us understanding our lives. But we love. :) And we do it with enthusiasm. Thanks Jess, love you. Deborah, Nick, and Josh are wacky kids that I honestly consider a vital part of this larger family we are all in. We have discussed feminism Jesus and sorrow, we have taken beautiful pictures, eaten delicious crepes, and bought a plane ticket to Chile.. Thanks Josh! The Viramontes feel more like parents than bosses. Then there are some regulars...Becca, always full of energy and excitement, and usually great advice! Mike Krasno, always at the coffee shop to not buy anything, hit on Jessie, and harass us while we work. Uros, the Serbian cleaner....at least thats what we all thought. He said he was an architect...idk. But he was so interested in my topic for my final paper that he asked me for a copy of my 13 page paper on altering international power relations through the effective use of international organizations, often thought to be unimportant. Can you believe that? lol. Who actually cares that much? It made me feel proud of my work though. Thanks T Town T-locs.
Alright lovlies, please give me feedback, and you should be getting another one of these (hopefully wayyyyy shorter), in the next couple weeks. I'll be in CHILE!!! Adios amigo. Buena suerte!
