Good Bye To Most

Today I had my farewell party. It went really well. 38 people came, and it was perfect. It was Chile themed, which was convenient because Chile has the same colors as 4th of July Decorations. We had so much food! We had my mom's adaption of chilean empanadas. Which were really delicious, and I will have to see just how authentic they were. She filled them with ground beef, raisons, oregano, garlic, half a hardboiled egg, and an olive. We also had choripans, and cheater US choripans (which were just hot dogs in normal buns with the choripan toppings). We also had: watermelon, lemonade, cupcakes, chocolate cake, chips, salsa, guacamole, veggies, & (of course) roasted corn. 'Cause "there's more than corn in Indiana!" but not really. Even though we didn't ask people to, they kept bringing dishes to share. So by the end we had like 5 extra dishes, and 6 bags of chips that we never opened.

It was so great that I got to say good bye to most of my friends and family for the last time, in a fun way. It's still sad, but I think that was the happiest way that I could have done it.

Thank you to everyone who came and made it so special.

And there is still time to get one of these amazing t-shirts!

VISA APPOINTMENT!!!

How long ago did I just post something about me thinking that I will never leave?? An hour ago? Well,  yeah. That's just how this stuff works. I just wanted to let yall know that I have my VISA appointment!!
Willow, what is that and why are you so exited?- Well, the way it works for Chile is that you email all of your paperwork to the consulate. Then, they look it over and "approve it", which is when they give you your appointment date. Mine is next Tuesday. Finally, you go to the consulate for your appointment, show them all of your original paperwork, and you get your VISA right then and there. So theoretically, I could get on the plane say, 2 days after I get my VISA. And that is exactly what I plan on doing.
So now I just have to throw a party, do all of my packing, get my flights scheduled, go to the Consulate, take a final for government and I'll be on my way to CHILE!!!!!

School?

I got my schedule today. For school in Chile? Of course not! That would be to normal. From my school here. Even though I officially un-enrolled last week (whatever that means) Adams still seems to think that I'm never leaving. However, at the rate my VISA is heading, maybe I won't. Yeah, yeah. I know Mike. It'll happen. It just takes awhile. Whatever. But seriously. I'm getting a bit worried lately.

My friends/neighbors/second family are leaving for their vacation! That means that I most likely will not see them again... for a whole year! It's not just like, "oh ok. I'll see you in a week when you get back" anymore. Most of the people I will see this weekend I am seeing for the last time!!! That's so sad.

When people ask me what I will miss, I tell them my cat, Frosting, or cross country. I tell them this not because I will actually miss those two things the most, but because it hurts to much to say "you".
I just want to cry sometimes. But, I need to keep myself under control, and my smile composed, so my act doesn't fall through. So no one knows just how scared I am, and just how many times I wonder what I got myself into. {sigh}. So I take a deep breath and say "Frosting. Because my host family doesn't have a cat". and live on.

but he is cute. and I will miss him

Beltrán el Caballo Quien Vive para Todo Tiempo- Escribe de Beltrán

Here is a story I wrote for a non-credit Spanish class about Chilean Independence day. It's rather awful Spanish, but a decent story. You can translate it with the Google Translate option. Enjoy!

¡Hola! Me llamo Beltrán y vivo en Santiago, Chile. Tengo doscientos cincuenta años. Me gusta mucho el día de independencia en Chile. Es uno de los días de fiestas más importantes. Recuerdo el día muy especial, el dieciocho de septiembre, 1810 (dieciocho ciento diez), cuando la junta declara independencia de España. El rey de España fue derrotado por Napoleón Bonaparte de Francia. El hermano de Napoleón era el rey nuevo, y las personas de Chile no le gustan. El día de independencia es muy emocional, aquí y entonces, y es muy importante. Mi jinete Cornelio Saavedra era el presidente del junto. Pero, después del día de independencia, hubo una guerra muy grande. Mi otro jinete era un soldado bueno. Él murió en la guerra. Era muy triste. Él era una persona buena.

Pero, los años son los años. Ahora, mi jinete nuevo es un hueso. ¡Mi vida es muy interesante! En el día de independencia este año, ¡estamos en una fiesta muy fantástica! Las fiestas del día de independencia se llaman “Fiestas Patrias”. Vemos mucha gente, soldados, chicos, personas, y muchas caballas bonitas. La fiesta es en una ramada. Es un edificio abierto con un techo de ramas. En las Fiestas Patrias hay más actividades tradicionales y divertidas. Hay bailes, música, asados, comida deliciosa, y bebemos mucho. Mi parte favorita de las fiestas son las fondas, o la mesas de comida.

¡La comida es muy buena! Primero, tienen empanadas. Se fríen masa llena de carne molida, pinos, cebollas y aceitunas. ¡Son mi comida de personas favoritas! También, hay alfajores, son las galletas hecho con almidón de maíz, y dulce de leche. Algunos otras comidas son los huevos duros, los choripanes, y los anticuchos. La bebida tradicional es Chicha. Una sidra alcohólica hecha de las uvas. Las Personas también beben el vino barato.

Durante el día, los chicos, las chicas y sus familias levantar volantines. Que les compran a vendedores de carretera, y que están hechos de papel de seda.

Los chilenos bailan la cuenca para las competiciones. Mi hueso le gusta baila mucho.

Es una semana con mucha historia, y muy divertido. Quiero saber cómo el día de independencia será en el futuro. 

Preparations... on the other side

My host sister sent me a picture of my room!!!! It might sound weird or ridiculous, but I am sooo happy right now! She asked me if I like it, and I love, love, LOVE it!! I have 2 stuffed animals waiting for me! And they're so cute!! {sequels with excitement} I know that my post yesterday was rather depressing, but you will be happy to know that everything is OK now. Who knew that one picture could make me so happy?!

BAM!

It just hit me that I'm actually leaving. Except it really wasn't a BAM sort-a moment. I just started thinking realistically what life would be like in 10 days when I'm in Chile. I also started talking to my host sister again, and it makes everything feel even more real. Everyone tells me "you must be so exited!" and I nod. They say "you are going to have so much fun!" and I nod. But in actuality, I have so many mixed emotions that I can't even tell them apart anymore. I feel almost numb. I'm sure once I get there I will have "so much fun", but I cannot predict how anything will be in Chile, or how I will feel. At all.
   
It will probably be cool for todos de ustedes to see my magical transformation, but to tell you the truth it'll be hell. My whole life I have known what to expect and how to plan for it. I'm just that kind of person. But now I haven't a clue what on earth I have gotten myself into. Don't get me wrong, it's that good kind of hell that will make me stronger, and make me have the best time of my life. I have to deal with the rough seas and you, reading this from your metaphorical-couch-in-life do not. But I also get to experience all the great stuff they have at the end of hell. All the things that you (sorry) will never get because you are not me. Even if you go on exchange, your experience will be sooo much different than mine.

Enjoy every moment.

A Clothing Consultation

This is a follow up to the shopping post. After seeing it, my aunt sent me the following list of clothing essentials that you need when traveling. She has been all over the world, primarily Indonesia and Africa. So, although it is very helpful to me, may be more useful to someone going to Indonesia. Please share! This is for you, outbounds of the future!

1) leggings (wear under dresses when you're feeling the need to do cartwheels... under pants on cold days... sleep in them as pjs with any t-shirt... even swim in them if need be... easily handwashed.)
2) the perfect jeans: I can wear one pair all year round! Sounds like you already have this!!
3) Tank tops of different colors and  one nice-ish shrug or blazer or jacket to go over them... suddenly it's many outfits without a lot of packing space taken up!
4) Sports bras (underwires do not hold up against river washing).
5) One super big super comfy pullover sweatshirt (with hood) that reminds you of home... and that you could part with at the end of your trip if you needed an extra gift for someone (Notre Dame gear or other Univ from the states stuff is big!)
6) a packable, breathable raincoat... I'm not big on umbrellas when traveling... but a raincoat never hurts.
7) one long flowy skirt.... helpful to dress up or down... and good when going on cultural tours of mosques and such.

Finally and most importantly... remember that people live where you are going.... and if you forget something... no worries... you can probably get it there! And if you can't get it there... you probably don't NEED it there!

Thanks Aunt Pipi for providing material to my blog!