Word of the Week: ENJOY!

This week has definitely not been one of my best, but it is beginning to turn around! It began with a horrible sore throat, a high fever, and very bad neck pain. All of these are symptoms of typhoid fever and/or salmonella, and I was encouraged to get tested for both. Never a good way to start a week, but luckily, after a quick stop at the laboratory, it was confirmed that I had neither typhoid nor salmonella. I decided to also get a throat culture because my throat was far from normal. Tomorrow I will be getting the results, and hope it is nothing too serious. But, being the daughter of my father, I decided to take a trip to the pharmacy for some antibiotics. I opted for the strongest amoxicilan available. Thanks to this medicine, which was under $6 for 30 pills, I am feeling much better! Oh, I will miss the Bolivian pharmacies!

Also, this week has been very trying in other ways:

1. This is my first official week living alone in Cochabamba, Bolivia. From June-August I was living in a room at Corazon del Pastor, the girls' home. Although I was the only volunteer living there, I always had girls coming in and out, and spent a lot of time talking, reading, or playing games with the girls. It was far from lonely. And, from August up until last week I lived in the Maryknoll volunteer house with Tim, another short-term volunteer. So, this week it has been a little strange having no one living with me. However, Juan Francisco and David, the priests who live in front of the volunteer house, come over often to check-in and make sure everything is okay. Having time to myself has given me the opportunity to journal more, listen to music and relax, and devote more time to activities I enjoy and getting to know more people.

2. With Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday, quickly approaching, I seem to be getting more and more home sick. Because, in my opinion, Thanksgiving is really the only holiday that encourages thankfulness and gratitude for family and friends, and especially what we are fortunate to have, I am sad I will not be with my Mom and Dad, and my family and friends. But,distance does not hamper or place a restraint on the love and the gratitude I have for those in my life! As many say, in contrast, distance makes the heart grown fonder! So, even though I will not be present for the carving of the turkey or the serving of the stuffing, I will be thinking of and appreciating all those I love at home!

3. I am getting more and more anxious to head home! In under 6 weeks, I will board a plane to head to San Francisco! Yes, I am so excited to be home and see everyone I have missed dearly. But, I am also nervous to head back to the states. After almost 7 months, I have/will have become accustomed to life in Cochabamba--taking the s or 27 micro to work, shopping in the cancha, speaking Spanish, the kiss on the cheek greeting... However, I think the excitement of seeing everyone and being home for the holidays will overshadow the likely culture shock...I hope!

I have been struggling this week with all these thoughts and emotions. But, I keep reminding myself to enjoy each moment and each day--a goodbye kiss from Guillermo, helping Paty with her homework, reading with Nohemi, laughing and joking with Sofia and Camila, enjoying a meal with the Bolivian tias, who have graciously welcomed me into their lives, daily interactions with neighbors in the barrio. Each minute holds such beauty that I cannot forget to treasure and appreciate these tiny, but amazing moments!