"Someday, somewhere - anywhere, unfailingly, you'll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life.” - Pablo Neruda

Hello All! So since we last chatted, I have done a lot of self reflection. I have really sat down and thought about all I have been through in my life. While I am not going into specifics it always hasn’t been rainbows and butterflies. After reflecting on how that has all shaped me into the woman I am right now. I am ahead of my pace for graduating early, I am a treasurer of an honor society, I work a full time job and am a manager, and I am in Chile doing what I love.
How can I not be proud of myself? I often struggle with my own perception of myself and have a lower self esteem which I have been working on, but this trip has really helped to improve both of those. I may hit a few bumps in my life but I will always overcome them. I have learned that no matter where my journey takes me I will be able to smile and take adventure by the horns. I am so proud of finding much more of myself while I have been down here.
So I have been up to plenty of meetings and sit ins at Universidad Mayor. They are all so welcoming and really want to know our opinions unlike most others back home. Because back home to many teachers are those who can’t, even though teachers make all other professions possible.  I really have grown through this trip to even more appreciate my field and the people within it.
I also have realized what a support team I have back home and how grateful I am for them. I have enjoyed my calls, video chats and texts from home much more than words can describe. I never really understood how much these people mean to me, until this trip and not being able to pick up a coffee and go and see them. I also realize how much I would not be who I am today without them. I wouldn’t be the strong, independent, and outgoing woman adventuring in Chile without them. So thank you all back home and just know I am missing you all so much.
In these past couple days I have also learned to go out without makeup, find my way alone around a big city, and have a decent conversation with my host mom in Spanish. I have gained a lot of self confidences from this trip already. But my host mom has really helped my Spanish soar. She helps me with my homework. She engages in many different conversations with me throughout the entire day. Yesterday, I came home with a whole sentence about how I am doing with Spanish and how much I love Chile. As I read it to her it was like I was in first grade again learning and being so proud to show off what I had learned.
So the next few days are full of field placements. I am so excited to go and then share the experiences with all of you. I also have my Spanish school and some night activities.  I am defiantly staying busy down here; good thing the coffee is strong.
Hasta Luego Amigos!