Thank you for, well, YOU!

It's bizarre to live Thanksgiving in a country where Thanksgiving doesn't exist. Today in the English class I am teaching to women in the neighboring city of Valparaiso, we told them about the Thankgiving tradition, the story of the pilgrims and indians, the turkey, and went over the words for every member of the family. One of the things I am most thankful for on this Thanksgiving day are YOU, all of my family. Whether friends, relatives, mentors, neighbors, or strangers (creepin' on my blog), you are all a part of my family, and we are all a part of the Human Family. The last four months I have been blessed with the opportunity to get to know a different part of this Human Family and a little less than a month remains in that continuing adventure. Tomorrow night we will celebrate the turkey feast with all the St. Ben's-St. John's group, our host families, and professors. Lots of love to the Schumacher and Fourre crews, I'm missing the food today!! My tummy's ready for a Christmas feast with all of you :D

I want to wish a great big thanks to all of you near and far who are supporting me so much in this adventure and in my life's journey in general. I am deeply blessed to have such a loving family and group of friends who remain my grounding and foundation (even from thousands of miles away). I am also especially thankful for all of the wonderful teachers and professors who have supported my passion for learning throughout the years. I realize how blessed I am to recieve such an amazing education.

Love to all and wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours around the world.

Stinky Bird Sh**, Good Luck, and Laughing

According to the old woman in "Under the Tuscan Sun", getting crapped on by a bird is good luck. Well, I must be a lucky girl because, while walking home from a study session today, a rather large sea bird decided to empty its bowels directly above me. This little incident was the perfect addition to a week of homesickness and high stress. As I face the last month of my study abroad experience there is so much that is out of my control, so much I'm not ready to give up, and so much to get done, in so little time. I, like most humans, am not good at dealing with things which are out of my control. But I've realized that in moments in life like these (or when you get crapped on by a bird), all you can do is laugh. Surround yourself with people who care about you and LAUGH.