Today marks my two months here and Chile and I could not be happier with who I am and where I am today. I have made amazing Chilean friends and an exchange family that I will carry with me for my entire life. I have shivered in the freezing mornings and boiled in the hot afternoons in Los Andes, danced Pascuense, the traditional dance of Easter Island, in front of my entire school when an 8.3 earthquake hit, and am mastering a form of Spanish that has more slang than actual words. I have accidently screamed touchdown when my school's "futbol" team scored a goal and gotten hit in the head with a volleyball more times than I can count. I went skiing at one of the most beautiful ski resorts in the world, and while at Portillo had the amazing opportunity to meet USA Olympic gold medalist in ski racing Mikaela Shiffrin, one of my idols. I have rode horses and practiced cattle crowding while being yelled at in rapid fire spanish. I found a new favorite type of music, Reggaeton, and wondering where it has been all my life. I have already had so many amazing experiences, and have so many more on the horizon. At two months, Chile has treated me just fine.

Homesickness

It happens, it's unavoidable. Whether it’s missing your mom’s hugs or a true Oregon downpour of rain, it hurts. It sits like a snake in your chest. Sometimes coiled up so tightly that you can barely feel it, but when it expands, it seems to crush you. It also hits at really the most unfortunate times. Like sitting in a restaurant with your host family, and the song “New York”  by Alicia Keys comes on over the speakers and you start crying. I’ve never had any previous connection to that song, but apparently at that time and that moment that was the final domino. What I have been blessed with is a host family that loves me. As soon as the first tears fell, both my parents grabbed each of my hands and just sat there with me. We didn’t talk because we didn’t need to. I heard the words and I had my moment and with the help of Alia and Gonzalo, I was able to move on (and eat really good Chilean food). It has hit in school, and with one look at me, I am quickly smashed in a Chilean friend super sandwich by at least 15 people. Chileans love and care so deeply and so strongly, that showing sadness isn’t a source of shame, but a show of strength to have the courage to say, “ I’m having a hard day”.  I have found that this pain of separation, from my family, my friends, my city, my home, has not limited me, but has enlightened me to my inner strength. It has told me that it is okay to be sad, but also be happy. Feel every emotion fully and enjoy the rollercoaster of life