cuando pienso que no deba estar tan calientito, me digo que en una semana estaré en el desierto.

It's been one of those ridiculously humid summer days here in my mostly un-airconditioned apartment, and sleeping was a difficult task. Last night was this week's one day off work, so I went to sleep at a normal hour (1:30am). I woke up at 8am this morning and for the life of me could not fall back asleep. It was already sticky out and I didn't feel like running. Dark clouds were hovering in the east. Eventually I walked down to the coffee shop to go over Unit 15, draw, and kill time. I am definitely bringing my sketchbook with me to Chile.

I ended up going running anyway. It was hot, and I was actually able to enjoy a somewhat longer run (about 6 miles). Running bridges has always been my favorite route. Today I looped around and ran through the new park down by the waterfront on the Illinois side. There was a nice breeze slipping by from the river, and I found that amazing place in my mind where I think about nothing and everything at the same time. It's both relaxing and energizing, and when I do get runner's high, it's what keeps me motivated to continue running.

Anyway, I ran across the Centennial Bridge and started thinking about how much I am going to miss running bridges when I'm in Chile. My mind started wandering, thinking about other things I'll miss when I'm in Chile. Obviously, Kyle (my boyfriend), Elli (my turtle), Bella (our cat), and the fish.

Although I'll still have a job to come back to, I thought about how many of the kids will complete their program and go home before I come back to the States, and I probably won't see many of them again. It's kind of sad thinking that Saturday is my "last" day at work, but then again, I'm excited about meeting my future students in Chile. I wonder if I'll miss the restraints, temper tantrums, yelling, bad attitudes, and noncompliance. In a weird sort of way, I bet I will. I was homesick for my job (especially the working with challenging kids part of it) when I was in England last year. However, I'm 100% glad I went, and I'm sure I'll feel that way about Chile too.

Here is my list of the top 10 things I'll miss about the Quad Cities area during my time in Chile:

1.) Kyle (but maybe he'll be able to come to Chile at some point. Even so, I'm used to seeing him every single day).
2.) Thursday nights at Theo's for open mic.
3.) Running bridges, Hauberg Park, Longview Park, along Blackhawk Park, out to 74 and back.
4.) Walking through Hauberg Park to go to the coffee shop (even though I've managed to cut back on my caffeine intake lately).
5.) Work. I'm pretty much a workaholic, and I love my job. I bet I will love my job in Chile too.
6.) Eating at Blue Cat and walks at night in the district.
7.) Music in general--I'm not bringing any instruments to Chile with me, which probably means no songwriting or singing either. I'll also miss singing and playing bass with the band.
8.) 24th Street in Rock Island, the stretch that goes from Blackhawk Road up to the 5-way. This part of the road winds through lots of beautiful trees. I will miss driving on it, riding in the car as Kyle drives on it, and running there.
9.) Coffee. Although I'm cutting back and learning to live without having espresso every single day (the switch to tea is going well!), I'm sure every now and then I will crave coffee. From what I've read, only the largest cities there have coffee shops. ***please please please let me get placed in Iquique or another large city!!!
10.) Staying up late and sleeping in. I'll be working Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm or something along those lines. Then again, it's probably healthier and more productive to get up and go to sleep earlier. It'll be worth it. I just am wondering if I can tame my inner night owl...at least for 5 months anyway:)

That being said, I do need to start doing Unit 16...

written by  Sara Florecita on July 13, 2010 from Rock Island, United States
from the travel blog: año de dos inviernos (Chile 2010)
Send a Compliment

comment on this...