Mis Aventuras At A Close

Well I have made it back to the States and have been here for 4 days. I feel rather displaced and don't really know what to do about it. It is a different feeling, and I have never felt it before so that stresses me out a little. I guess it is just the change of everything and the culture is completely different. I have been living in a really chill, rich cultured, family oriented environment and loved it. I realized that is the type of culture I really loved with the kisses on the cheek greetings and the relaxed environment. I feel everything here is loud and rushed. People are jerks and families are not as close. I missed my family so much so that is really what keeps me happy. I am looking forward to my new life in Central this fall with some really great people and a house that isn't for parties. I get to have my own room and just live with some adults. Not that stupid teenage stuff I have dealt with in the past.

Granted the adjustment sucks but I am really trying my best and each day gets better. I've also had my first legal beer tonight. I enjoyed a coors light with my Daddy, and can't wait to go to dinner and celebrate with my parents and sister for my 21st.

I learned so much during my months abroad, and will hold all the experiences and lessons with me into the future and next year. I am ready to embrace Natalie and I am finally completely comfortable with who I am and know myself. It took me 21 years, but that's alright. I've always been a little different, but love life being one big school adventure that is useful. I have my family and the people in my life whom genuinely love me for me, and I could not be happier knowing that. I started swimming again, and my heart and body is happy and the negative energy I felt since getting back and with my travels at times is leaving. It really is just me and my soul in this crazy world of life, but I can't wait to continue learning and accomplishing what I started. Thank you everyone once again for your support and love. I have enjoyed it, and might start a new blog for my 21st year. But this is a part of my past that will be with me forever, but I want this to be of my 20th year. Not the future also. I am going to succeed. Who is with me? Vamonos.

Guatemala Blog Numero 2

(Written 6, June 2011)

I absolutely love being on Vacation. I went with Marisol to get our nails done earlier this week, and it felt super nice to get that pampering. We then got coffee at the cafe and just relaxed. I went shopping for the first time in many months and got some new shirts for my birthday from my mother and father.

We went to Rio Dulce where Marisol's family has a bungelo and we stayed there for the weekend with some of her friends. It was extremely humid, but fabulous to be in a tropical area and just swim and hang out for 2 days. Her friends were so nice and we talked in Spanish and played cards. I actually got into a 3 hour long Eqyptian Rat Skew battle with Francisco but eventually won. Then we got back and hung out for a while and played spoons. I leave for the states tomorrow, and I can't believe it. Time went by so fast, but I am excited to see my family. I just hope my Spanish doesn't deteriorate. But I won't let that happen. Good night everyone!

Guatemala Blog Numero 1

(Written 30, May 2011).

Well, here I am finally back in Guatemala with my Guatemalan family after 4 years. I can not believe how much we all have grown up and are picking up from where we left off. However, now we are all talking in Spanish, and I feel a deeper connection with the people I love, and love having that connection and love at the end of my South American adventure. I even had the once in a Lifetime opportunity to celebrate my 21st birthday with this family and my friends. It was pretty low key, but everyone being with me today made it one of the best birthdays. We went out to breakfast and lunch at Taco Bell then went go carting and back to the pool house toe at dinner and cake with coffee. Then we sat in the hammocks and talked then I skyped with my family. Not the drunken 21 run that most people have, but it was really nice. I also cannot believe how nice it is to have a hot shower and just relax. Not having to work or volunteer but just enjoy my last 10 days south of Washington. We are going to Rio Dulce on Thursday until Sunday then I leave Monday to re-join my past life. I have a direct flight from Guatemala to LAX, so that should be nice. Hoping culture shock won’t be too extreme, but I do really miss Argentina. It’s alright, I’ll be back but right now, I’m excited to work and see my family and close friends again, and just be me where I am in life and finish what I started.