Rounding Third and Headed Home
4.24.2016 Sunday
In 17 days, I will be going to sleep in my own bed.
Nothing has ever been as appealing to me as that one simple and happy thought.
With only one week of teaching left and a week long vacation in Cusco to follow, I have finally made it to the home stretch! What seemed like a lifetime away is finally so close that I can't even comprehend it. Could it really be that my nearly year long adventure in South America is coming to an end?
At this point, I'm much too excited about going home to be sad about leaving Peru, but I'm sure those feelings will pop up in the days to come. Undoubtedly, it will be hard to say goodbye to my Peruvian family.
This past Friday, we celebrated Berli, our Peruvian sister, and Wesley's, Berli's boyfriend, graduation. After five years (Peruvian students typically spend five years in college unlike our traditional four), they received their diplomas and are officially prepared to be professional accountants. The graduation ceremony itself was unlike any graduation I've ever attended.
After a few final speeches, the ceremony concluded outside with champagne, tapas, and a toast to the graduates. The whole graduation was over three hours long. By the time we finally headed to dinner, it was past ten o'clock. What a night!
This week should be fairly routine. I'm sure the days will seem to drag on and on, but before I know it I will be climbing around Machu Picchu for the second time! Crazy to think that just a few weeks stand between me and a whole summer in Colorado...
What a wonderful adventure life can be.
"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
- Marcus Aurelius
La vida es una aventura hermosa.
In 17 days, I will be going to sleep in my own bed.
Nothing has ever been as appealing to me as that one simple and happy thought.
With only one week of teaching left and a week long vacation in Cusco to follow, I have finally made it to the home stretch! What seemed like a lifetime away is finally so close that I can't even comprehend it. Could it really be that my nearly year long adventure in South America is coming to an end?
At this point, I'm much too excited about going home to be sad about leaving Peru, but I'm sure those feelings will pop up in the days to come. Undoubtedly, it will be hard to say goodbye to my Peruvian family.
This past Friday, we celebrated Berli, our Peruvian sister, and Wesley's, Berli's boyfriend, graduation. After five years (Peruvian students typically spend five years in college unlike our traditional four), they received their diplomas and are officially prepared to be professional accountants. The graduation ceremony itself was unlike any graduation I've ever attended.
I should note that this past week has been a bit stressful and trying for our Peruvian family. Since it is a personal matter, I won't say too much, however, Danielito, our sixteen year old Peruvian brother, is currently in the hospital with a surgery scheduled for tomorrow morning. I ask that you keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. God-willing, the surgery will be successful and he'll be fully recovered quickly!
Due to all that's been going on with Danielito, a lunch on Saturday in honor of Berli and Wesley's graduation was postponed until the whole family can gather together to celebrate. They understand that their family is their greatest blessing. It's been a privilege to be a part of that family as well.
However, we were still able to attend the graduation ceremony on Friday night. After nearly two hours in terrible traffic, we arrived at the small theater right at 6:00. Though scheduled to begin at 6:00, in typical Peruvian fashion, the ceremony began about twenty minutes late. There were several unique moments during the commencement.
Due to all that's been going on with Danielito, a lunch on Saturday in honor of Berli and Wesley's graduation was postponed until the whole family can gather together to celebrate. They understand that their family is their greatest blessing. It's been a privilege to be a part of that family as well.
However, we were still able to attend the graduation ceremony on Friday night. After nearly two hours in terrible traffic, we arrived at the small theater right at 6:00. Though scheduled to begin at 6:00, in typical Peruvian fashion, the ceremony began about twenty minutes late. There were several unique moments during the commencement.
First, when graduates received their diplomas, more than their names were read. As pictures of the graduates flashed up on the projector screen, the announcer read their names, their birthdays, their parents' names, listed some of their accomplishments, and concluded with short messages that the graduates had written for their loved ones. The graduates then posed for solo pictures on stage with their diplomas, descended the stairs, and took another photo with their parents. Thankfully, there were only 82 graduates, otherwise we would have been there all night.
Secondly, there was basically the equivalent of club music along with a light show. Not to mention the confetti cannons that ruptured numerous times during the event. At one point, the whole auditorium stood and clapped while the graduates danced on stage.
This week should be fairly routine. I'm sure the days will seem to drag on and on, but before I know it I will be climbing around Machu Picchu for the second time! Crazy to think that just a few weeks stand between me and a whole summer in Colorado...
What a wonderful adventure life can be.
Ciao!
"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking."
- Marcus Aurelius
La vida es una aventura hermosa.
That does sound like quite the elaborate graduation event. You'd think the messages and biographies could be put in the booklet to help more things along. God bless your remaining time in Peru, and your 'brother' on his surgery. Have a great time back in CO!
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