I am finally back and ready to write. It has been a few months since I arrived home from Argentina and I have no excuse for the lack of posts. I like to say my blog was on pause, kind of like my life...
Things have been anything but dull around here. I love America, and arriving home at the end of summer, when the trees were all in bloom, when I could drive my car with the top down, all my friends were around, I had lots of vacations to look forward to, and I had all my loved ones around me- it was almost impossible to miss or even think about Argentina(I still did). I never could have imagined that an unemployed life could be this ridiculously busy. I have traveled to Maine, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and soon Alabama. I have celebrated "welcome home" parties, local festivals, taken a few guitar lessons, celebrated my dads 50th, been to a few embassy events, became a board member of CEGA (Argentine Cultural group) I have been to the hospital a handful of times for various family members, seen friends go through dark times in relation to health and family, had a few friends lose loved ones, boyfriends and the like and I have begun interviewing my Siti (grandma)about her life. I plan to eventually write her love story in a biography form...I can dream right?
So, as I said, things have been very busy around here, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I like to say my life is "on pause" because I literally have no idea where the next road will take me. I am working very hard to take the road less traveled...but sometimes I can be unrealistic about this. In other words, I am trying very hard to go abroad again, which is difficult because I have no income, and a car, insurance and student loans to pay off. On top of all that, I have no clue where I want to go next, I am thinking AFRICA!
My independent trip to Argentina and back was one for the books. I can't believe how much I changed in just half a year. It is funny because I recall talking to my roommate Leigh, one night in Buenos Aires and we were discussing whether or not we felt changed at all. We both said we didn't notice much change in ourselves from when we left America to that time we were having the discussion. Well, I can honestly say, 3 months after returning back home, I changed tremendously. I see life differently now. I see opportunity in everything around me. I don't think I saw that before...I see taking chances as the best thing a person can do for themselves. I am much, much more selfish in a good way. I realize the importance of living life for yourself and not waiting for others, or trying to please others. I also realize how important it is to go after what you want and fully know you can have what you want. I also understand the meaning of patience and accepting that things work out the way they are supposed to and to not rush life. PATIENCE is the biggest lesson I learned in Argentina.
I once read the book "The Secret" at a time when I thought I was so lost in life(back in college- what a joke), and it stated that we as humans create the world in which we live in. I read on and became aware that we bring to ourselves what we send into the universe. After reading that book, then putting it into practice(sending the universe my desire to go to Argentina),I became a believer that we really do create the life in which we live. Now, I know that is a tough concept to accept when you are living on the streets of Rio de Janero because you were born to a prostitute mother and your father is a drug dealer, but things can change if you want them to. Yes, it is easier said than done, especially coming from a person who was not born in such dangerous and horrible circumstances, but there are many people in this world who have changed the direction of their lives. It's pretty fascinating.
I miss Argentina every single day. I really do. There is no place like it and no experience that will ever compare to my time there. Those 6 months were a tease, I feel like I chose 6 months because it was safe-I had a return date. Traveling alone left me hungry, it was just an appetizer for the main course. Where I am now: figuring out the next move, figuring out what country to go explore, wondering if I can handle a longer period of time away...and honestly planning to take that road of uncertainty.
There are two roads: Road 1: is to stay here. Down this road I will see people get engaged, married, promoted, I will find myself a good paying job, my own apartment, and my own grown-up DC life. Road 2: is to travel into an unknown world all alone, again. To go somewhere that promises me NOTHING except the indescribable change that will come from "within" after experiencing a new journey. I think the answer is obvious...
Not sure how to make it happen though.
Kat
