Saying Goodbye Takes at Least 2 Weeks

Saturday, July 2, 2011
One of my favorite things to do in the whole world is go horseback riding, but not just walk on a trail behind a guide, to really ride. We woke up early Saturday morning to a beautiful sun shining on the frozen grass and puddles. After putting on several layers, Jenny (my little sister) and I hopped on the horses and did some laps around the cow corral. At first, I couldn´t get the feel for running on the horse, but after a few laps, it felt so right as the wind whipped through my hair. Then we headed for a paseo (trip) up in the hills to see the cows and the beautiful volcanoes covered in snow. It was a total dream come true.

Then I headed off for my co-teacher´s house to enjoy the rest of my day. We made tacos and ate more than we probably should have. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon talking and relaxing on the couches and listening to music.

Around 9pm, Carolina took a shower and began to get all dolled up. She excused this by just saying that she was bored. I, of course, bought it, hook-line-and-sinker. At 10pm, Alexis abruptly said, “alright, let’s go.” I didn’t think too much of it but looking back, it was odd. As soon as we got into the car, Alexis said, “take your scarf and put it around your eyes.” Confused and extremely intrigued, I obeyed and promptly had a blindfold. During the drive, I tried to figure out where we were going. My guess was that we were going to a restaurant for dessert or something as a goodbye. As I stepped out of the car and into a building of some sort, I began to hear whispered voices. The moment the blindfold was taken off, the tears began to well up. There stood almost all of my friends and colleagues from school yelling surprise! It was a surprise despedita (going away party)!!! I could barely take it all in. What a blessing to have so many wonderful people that I truly love come together and plan such a beautiful evening full of surprises. There was a ton of food and drinks (along with 3 cakes, 2 strudels, 1 lemon pie, and 1 kuchen). The night was truly priceless. I was taken on a tour of the place as secretly, the projector, computer, and screen were set up. As we walked back in, I was told to sit down in front but at an angle so they could all see my face. Then began one of the sweetest most tearjerking video slideshows I’ve ever seen. I watched my time in Chile displayed in front of me with so many incredible memories.

After the video, when I was already in tears, several people stood up to say a few words. I felt so completely loved and cherished and realized how little time it makes have your life completely changed by incredible people. My mom could only get through a few words before choking up. My dad couldn’t even begin. Ana struggled through as her eyes were as red and teary as my own. My plan had been to speak in English and use Alexis as my translator, but in the last moment, I decided to just speak from the heart and pray they understood the message I was trying to get across in my emotional & broken Spanish. It was probably a good idea because as I thought in Spanish (which takes more work), I didn’t concentrate too much on the emotions.

Next, I was told that it was only appropriate that I end my time here by singing since it’s what I’ve spent the majority of my time here doing and it was one of the first things I did here at school. So, I used the emotions I was already feeling and sang “Gravity” by Sara Bareilles. Karaoke isn’t as big back in the US as it is here, but I’m pretty sure that every party/get-together I have from here on out with definitely include it!!

With all the tears being choked back, it was time to start dancing. The tables were all pushed to the sides and dancing commenced. We danced the night away and by the time everyone headed home and I finally climbed into my bed, it was about 5am. Spent all of the next day in bed try to catch up on sleep.

Monday, July 4, 2011
This was by far one of the most unpatriotic Fourth of July´s ever. On the other hand, I definitely had a wonderful day. I had three parties scheduled for the day: 6th, 8th, 7th, and every single one was a blast. I am really going to miss spending time with these kids.
After school, I went with Alexis to his class at the institute. We talked about different things I could teach, but pretty quickly they began just asking questions. It was fun talking to them and hearing what they wanted to know. As always, someone asked if I´d ever met anyone famous. At 8:30, we headed to a little restaurant to eat some German food. I had something called crudos which is raw beef on white bread with onions, garlic, and mustard. Surprisingly, its absolutely delicious. Alexis was very happy that we could also watch the soccer game between Chile and  Mexico. I´ve never been big on watching soccer, but I cheered right along side with all the guys yelling and screaming in the place. It was even better when we won!! As we left and headed home, there were several people doing laps around the plaza with flags and honking. CHI-CHI-CHI-LE-LE-LE-VIVA CHILE!!!!

Tuesday, July 5th
The morning began with the end of the semester party with my 5th graders. They came early to set up the classroom with balloons, streamers, and tons of food. This was the most well organized party. It was so wonderful to just sit and chat with these amazing kids. After lots of food and hot cocoa, the kids took turns saying their little goodbye speeches. Some of them had me tearing up. I also took my turn telling them how much I love them and will never forget them. With me choking back tears, they took the moment to give me a present. I opened the beautiful wrap job to find a framed picture of all of them with Ana. I totally lost it. Then some of them gave me cards they had made and little trinket gifts. They are all so precious and thoughtful.

Then I had a party with the 8th graders and we had lots of fun talking and playing games. Again, way too much food!

The students have been using this semester to work on films for our English Short Film Festival. We watched the 5 movies in the casino and a few of us had to choose which three could be improved upon to be presented at the festival in November. The ideas behind the movies were very good and some of the English was wonderful, but they all needed work in the cinematography area.

After school, we had a teacher´s meeting to discuss the students who are passing and not passing different classes. It was a very long meeting but I was happy with the amount of information I understood. When it finished, I headed over to Jumbo to meet up with my friend Cesar to go to coffee for the last time. I´m so thankful for the amazing friends I´ve made here in Osorno and he is definitely one of them.

Wednesday, July 6th
Another party to start of the morning, this time with my freshmen. We listened to music, and one of my students, Mirko played his guitar while some of the girls sang. It was really a great time. Then I watched Little Rascals with my 8th graders. They didn´t like having only English subtitles. After that, I watched ¨Italian Job¨ with my juniors. Again, not happy about the English subtitles. I think I should start watching Spanish movies with Spanish subtitles; that would probably help with my vocabulary learning.

Thursday, July 7th
Party Schedule: Juniors and Seniors! We listened to music, talked about the school system in Chile and US, ate lots of good food, and just enjoyed our last day hanging out. It was so much fun rehashing memories from when I first arrived and their thoughts of my first days in their classes. I gave one of my seniors, Isabella, the one who I had gone to church with a few times, my English Bible. I was so thankful to have the opportunity to leave something so special behind with such an amazing girl.

Friday, July 8th
Last day...Hate goodbyes. I started out walking around and talking to some of my classes. Then I was told we were having an assembly before the class parties (yes, more food). Little did I know that the entire assembly was going to be dedicated to saying goodbye to me. My heart broke as I watched several of my students sing songs, perform dances, and do several other things to say goodbye to me. They kept saying that the next volunteer would have large shoes to fill. You know, I came here hoping that I had something, anything to offer these people that had applied to have me at their school. During my last week there, I found out just how much of an impact I was able to have there. I thank God daily for this wonderful experience and all of the incredible relationships I was blessed to make. For the rest of my life, my heart will be split in two different places.

After the assembly, my director/principal gave me a going away gift: a book filled with poems, writings, and pictures from the students, matching makeup bags, and 50,000 pesos (about $100) for my trip. I was an absolute mess as I gave my speech I had written in Spanish. I will never forget the love they shared with me or how they took me in as part of their family.

Then all of the kids headed to their classrooms to have their parties. I walked around to each of them to hug my kids and take part in the food (although I didnt eat much). Lots of tears and lots of goodbyes.

Lastly, we had a teachers meeting to discuss the important things (I played on my friends Iphone lol), and we ate empanadas and gave last hugs goodbye. I blubbered my way down the street after that on my way to the bus to go home and do the rest of my packing.

Back at home, I got everything together and ready to head to Santiago. I spent some time hanging out with Jenny (my little sister), watched the Chile vs. Uruguay game (1-1), and played a bit on my computer. Sadly, something happened and my hard drive crashed. That should make for an interesting last few weeks here.

We headed for the bus station with time to spare, and the first person to meet us there was Miguel. He confirmed that my computer needed repair when I get back to the US. Then Ana came and Isabella and Andres and Carolina. They each gave me special last minute gifts including candy for the ride, a beautiful inscribed pen (to write my poetry), and a Chilean flag! I let the tears flow freely as I said my last goodbyes to Osorno and left a part of my heart behind.