The End for Now

I am going home today!! It's unreal and hard to believe. After living here for 3 1/2 months I am having trouble remembering my life any other way. Despite that feeling, I am ready to come home!! The time with my Casa Family has been such a blessing and I know that we will be seeing each other again.
Last night was spent enjoying the memories from the semester. Kate made a video for the Walkers along with a blooper video. It was hilarious to see how much we've grown together and different from the people we were before. At the end, Autumn and Kate gave us necklaces. On the necklaces were slivers of a coin that had been cut into 19 pieces...which is exactly how many people are here! It was a wonderful way to end the semester, along with our mate Christmas ornaments :)
About 24 hours, mas or menos, until I am back with my true family and Abilene, TX. I can't wait to tell my stories to anyone that wants to hear them!! Pray for safe flights. Besos.

Music Boxes

I said I would probably only write one last blog post but I think there might be 2 or 3. We are nearing the end! I will be back in Texas one week from today. I have taken 1 final so far and have 3 more to go (2 tomorrow and 1 Monday). So far it's been relaxed but I'm not looking forward to the 2 tomorrow :/
Tuesday I was able to go back to the Alianza one more time to talk with my friends. One of them thanked me for helping them learn English several times this semester. I must say I was not expecting a 'thank you' because truly they taught me more than I taught them. I will miss them dearly but maybe we'll see each other again someday.
A few other events of note:
Friday (after finals) is our trip to the cerro and a British high tea at Hotel del Prado. I've always wanted to have a high tea, but never thought it would happen in Montevideo, Uruguay. It should be fun. Then on Saturday night, we're having an asado (a cook-out). Everything else is packing, cleaning, donating and saying our goodbyes :(
Lately I pulled up the songs from Rigoletto on YouTube. Its a movie that my grandmother owns that is one of my favorites. The music is beautiful but the lyrics are important too. One song talks about how music boxes have a song inside them. It relates people as the same; one they open up we can hear their song. Es verdad! We just have to take the time to listen. I have learned so much about myself, the world and people in general. Studying abraod really does broaden your worldview but allowing yourself to be transformed is your own choice. I would love to show people what I've experienced, but unfortunately most people will only hear my stories. Besos.

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