Vamos Pepe!

Today was run-off day and the Frente Amplio won! The streets are crazy with honking cars and banderas hanging everywhere. It is really cool to be here during an election year.
We just came back from Rocha. The beaches were beautiful and the weather was perfect. This week begins our final classes and finals starting. Then I have to pack for home! 11 days!!
There won't be many events to report, but I will write a farewell blogpost.
I will say that God has changed me more into His likeness as I've experienced South America. It's hard for me to ignore the new things but I am excited to have all of the old things back too. A reunion party is definitely in order :D
Please pray for me as I finish the home stretch. I love every one of you and can't wait to be in my beloved Abilene again!

Fabulous Finales

We're down to 15 days and everyday is full with events. Yesterday I tried step class for the first time. Normally I wouldn't consider myself coordinated enough to do something like this, but this semester I've discovered otherwise. It makes everything better when you can laugh at yourself when you mess up.
I am excited about Thanksgiving even though it will be my first one away from home. Our wonderful cook Raquel will be making turkey, so it won't be vastly different from home, just with new people. Friday begins our last trip of the semester...Rocha! We will be staying in a hotel on the beach! I may get to go horseback riding on the beach; that's something I've always wanted to do :D
Then finals...ugh. God has blessed me with abnormal focus for being in a foreign country, so I hope that continues. For those of you still reading my blog, be looking for an event on Facebook for a coming home party for Kate, Linley and I.
Besos.

Painted Faces on Parade

As I said yesterday, we went to the last playoff game for Uruguay to be in the World Cup. It was total craziness!! The game was sold out...the 1 1/2 hour early deal wasn't early enough this time, so we sat near the top. We were thankful that God chose to hold off the rain for a night but it was very foggy. There were no goals scored the first half and Costa Rica was playing dirty. Second half, we pulled it together and scored with about 25 minutes left to play. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, which may be partly because I play and love soccer but I also love Uruguay.
Sadly, Costa Rica scored about 3 minutes later. The game ended in a tie but Uruguay still gets the World Cup spot because they were ahead in points.
Our group went all out for this match. The majority of us had bought jerseys and we all painted our faces with the countries colors (see my Facebook for those pictures). I truly felt like a Uruguaya. Futbol is somehting that brings people together here [Uruguay] and I enjoy being a part of it.
Tomorrow, I will be going with four of my friends back to Punta del Este for free weekend. Lots of time on the beach is in order :) 20 days to go.

Please Wake Me Up

I am absolutely lost. In my literature class we've been reading about reality and dreams; I feel like I am becoming a character in a story, just like those I've read. Over this semester a lot of things have changed. Some of those changes I was expecting and even excited about. Others have been dumped upon me not by my choice at all. I can't decide if being in South America while the unexpected changes took place is a good thing or not. In a way it dulls the pain, but it also makes me helpless. Through it all, I still trust that God has a plan for me. Maybe it was time for me to experience a little heartbreak because my entire life has been overly blessed....I don't know. Now the title of my blog has taken on another possible meaning: discovery of reality. I'm not saying I lived in a world that was sheltered but just a world that was very trusting.

I'm sorry that I've taken up your time writing about more personal things when you might rather hear that I'm going to a World Cup qualifier tonight (which I am). Besos.

The Time in Between

I offically have 24 days left in beautiful Montevideo. I will be sad to go, but right now I'm at the crossroad. Part of my heart will be left here in South America and its people but I am ready to be home again. All of the history, politics and culture that I've learned about and become a part of will not be forgotten.
On a lighter note, we still have two trips left :D One to Punta del Este for free weekend and the other to Rocha. Both are beach towns, so I'm excited to have a tan while everyone back home is putting on sweaters. Just hope no one gets too sunburned. Wednesday will be awesome because we're going to another World Cup qualifier!! Uruguay v. Costa Rica. Soy Celeste!!!
I can't seem to decide whether or not to make something for our Thanksgiving celebration; it's hard to find the same ingredients as in the States, but that's ok.

I know I'm about to come home, but I would love to hear from any of you that are still reading my blog :D

The Bus Diaries

The last stop on our trip was in Santiago, Chile! It was a very well kept city; parks everywhere and relatively clean streets compared to BA and MVD. When we first arrived, of course we got settled in our hostel, then went out to explore the barrio. There are lots of places to shop nearby and for dinner we had more Mexican food. This was a lot better than the first time but more expensive at the same time. Once we were back at the hostel, we watched The Motorcycle Diaries. It was the story of young Che Guevara and I really enjoyed it. One of the books we've read for INTS, which I also enjoyed, mentioned him so it was cool to hear a little more history and make connections.
Our last full day in Chile (Friday) was spent shopping in the artisan market, taking pictures in the park and riding the tram to the top of San Lucia. 6 out of 8 bought panchos made of Alpaca :D We found a KFC for lunch and for dinner I went to a cafe with Taylor and Linley. The next morning was an early one because our bus to MVD left at 8:30 am. It was a 27 hour bus ride! Not as bad as I was expecting, but still WAY too long to be on a bus.
I absolutely loved Chile and would go back someday if I had the chance! God most definitely made himself known and I cannot help but to praise Him. Thanks for thinking of me while I'm gone. Only 4 more weeks...much love <3

Ridiculous One Liners

On Monday, our bus left at 10 am and did not arrive in Vina del Mar, Chile until 7 pm. Going through the mountains takes a long time. We were not thinking correctly when all of dressed for warm weather, since our destination was the beach. Passing though the mountains, it was snowing! So began the ridiculous one liners (mostly from Joyce). That became a joke with our group along with "you're" jokes.
After getting settled into our hostel we exchanged money again and went to Pepe's Pizza for dinner. I had a calzone, Canada Dry and tiramisu! It was still warm enough, so we walked down to the beach. After an hour, we walked back. Tuesday morning, we had to find a cambio, go to the beach again and get on a bus to Lo Valdes. At the beach, a few of us climbed out to a rock in the ocean. While we were taking pictures, a wave washed over us and we were soaked!! Very Little Mermaid. After grabbing a light lunch we hopped on the bus, having no idea where our ride would pick us up. It all worked out and the ride out to the reserve was beautiful. It was long but we sang most of the way. God had been with us through everything and now we could truly feel his majesty. We were in the heart of the Andes Mountains :D
Wednesday the plan was to go horseback riding then to the hot springs but that fell through. We attempted to walk the 7 mi up to the hot springs, but it just wasn't worth it. Kate, Linley and I turned back. We sat on a rock for about an hour, just talking about life and how God was working(of course while drinking mate'). That was such a blessing! That evening, once everyone came back, we explored around the house. There was a pond, lavender bushes, trees to climb and trails to explore. When the sun was going down, we all sat on one of the large rocks on the side of the mountain and sang together.
Next stop: Santiago, Chile