Jet Lag and Missing It Already

I really didn't think I would miss Chile this much this soon after getting home, but I feel really out of place here in Provo for some reason...and that just isn't fun. My dad and I flew in this morning. The first thing I did when I got off the plane was go right to Best Buy to take my computer in and then I went and got my hair cut. I love my priorities. Now I am doing laundry and trying to organize my life. The next few weeks are going to suck.

I loved visiting my mission with my dad. It was a challange helping him feel included in conversations and I didn't get to see EVERYONE that I wanted, but I know this won't be the last time I visit Chile, so I am not worried about it. Yesterday I had planned on taking dad all around Santiago before we left, but there was a huge student strike so we decided to just walk around...a lot. :) Dad and I did that a lot this trip, we tried to walk as much as possible since we were eating so much bread in houses, and it was really fun. We didn't even get tired of each other.

I think I might start a countdown to Chile...7 months

Bitter sweet goodbyes

The last day of the workshop actually turned out pretty wonderful. For it being the last time we would ever teach it, I felt really good about it. We had several people get interviews, and everyone was able to achieve something from their phone calls which made me feel pretty good about life. We had our out interview with Hermano Nuñez and it was great to hear that he had really appriciated our service.

Thursday night we had a going away party. It was so wonderful to see all of our friends and say good bye. I am truly going to miss this place.

Friday bright and early my dad got in and we went on a hike first thing. Then the office had a going away party for us and it was great and sad. As I stood and looked into our teaching room for the last time, I started crying. I cannot believe how much I have changed and grown and how much closer I am to the person I have always wanted to be. I have achieved so many of the goals I set for myself here and I am working on so many others so that I can continue in my progress. I love that room and everything that it has symbolized in my progress. As I went to say goodbye to Hermano Nuñez, I cried again and th anked him for all that he did for us.

I am so grateful I came.

The never ending workshop...

I really feel badly about how hard this group is for me to relate to...

Today´s mock interviews were pretty random. Well, the interviews themselves were normal, but we have a man in our workshop this week that felt the need to tell each woman what they needed to change about their appearance in order to better their interview...and the funny thing is, he is not that sharp of a dresser at all. He told them what colors to wear and not to wear and even after we specifically told him several times that we were focusing on the nervous tendencies and responses to the questions, he still kept making comments about their hair, makeup and other such things.

After work Sarah and I went with Antonio to this aquarium...It was supposed to be fun, but it was pretty lame. We did get to hold some parakeets which was awesome. Then we watched most of the Chile Uruguay game. Uruguay is known to be a really agressive team, so it was intense. They tied, even with Chile getting a red card and playing one man short for the last quarter of the game. Yeah, they are awesome.

I was trying to take a picture of this one fish that had just been sitting there looking at me, but of course when I pulled out my camera it swam away.

The whole no flash thing makes taking pictures quite complicated...

Sarah was the first to brave holding the birds. She is gonna be a great mom! :)

I think I was trying to kiss it...I don´t really remember.

Antonio was actually quite scared of the birds and quickly returned them after the picture was taken.