Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

Here are a mix of photos that I am not exactly sure as to when they were taken date wise but it was during the beginning of the week.

Magnolia worked from home a lot throughout my visit, this is her work area and large sewing machine.  

 

These photos were taken when Magnolia went out to work in the evening for a little while before we all had dinner.

The stuffed dogs, one for me, one for Magnolia, and one for Julieth.

When Magnolia came back we celebrated my visit with a card, and cake.  Also we all changed into our Boston Strong tee shirts I got everyone.

Looking at all of these pictures makes me so happy I have these memories, and have had these moments.

Getting Settled

Tuesday was great.  I realized that I react to the difference in altitude by just feeling really tired.   I woke up late and was still exhausted for the majority of the day.  Ham and cheese sandwich for breakfast...it was ok.

Around one o'clock (which was supposed to be twelve) Magnolia and I met up with Gabby. Colombians don't seem to regard time in the same way as we do in America.  Magnolia was cooking at 11:20 when we were supposed to leave at 11:30.

 Gabby and I went to the mall near the building where she has her swim practice. First on the priority  list was a cup of coffee!   The mall was pretty expensive so we didn't shop much. It was really nice to just hang with Gabby. She brought me a cell phone and I bought me an international SIM card. That night I was able to speak to my parents and another important person in my life. I felt so much better being connected to the world and safer knowing I can call Gabby and Guillermo if I'm lost.    At 4pm I headed back to magnolias for the remainder of the day.  Tatiana and Marlon were full of energy and life but I needed a siesta. So I slept for a few hours before Julieth returned from work. When Julieth arrived we went out three separate times to go to different stores for different items. Each time Marlon and Tati came along and Tati eagerly wanted to learn English so we counted to 100 each time there and back. We all had dinner and went to bed.  I slept with Julieth, Miguel, and Marlon...crowded!

Day One

Yesterday ended up being an extremely long day. Luckily for me, Gabby, Magnolia, Julieth, and my niece Tatiana came to pick me up at the airport.  I am so happy I finally got to meet my niece in person!  She is so beautiful and full of life. She knows a little English and is super eager to learn.  I feel closer to my brother than ever.  We all went to Magnolia's apartment and exchanged gifts. They gave me a huge stuffed animal that I know will be a challenge to pack.  I got Magnolia, my niece, and nephew fun electric toothbrushes as part of all their gifts and they loved them.  Magnolia asked me if I got Julieth and her husband toothbrushes and when I said no she said why not. It made me feel really bad. I put a lot of thought into everyone's gifts and spent a significant amount on everyone.  I didn't say anything.

Magnolia asked how much the tickets are to travel to Colombia and if I paid for myself.  She said that I must make a lot of money.  Gabby translated this all for me and it made us both uncomfortable.  I understand that Magnolia has come from a level of poverty that I will never understand, so I try to take that in consideration when she is fixated on money.

Boots Magnolia gave me

My gift to Marlon in hopes it will help him learn English.

Magnolia told me she  is buying an apartment in Soacha and informed me that it is also mine, so that I will always have a part of this country. This was a huge gesture and it means a lot to me.  For those of you who have read my blog, Soacha might ring a bell.  I taught English there last year when I volunteered.

Later we went to dinner at Monica's (the head of the volunteer program) sisters apartment. We were very late because we got lost looking for over an hour walking for street 13 when really the street address was 13A.  We didn't know everyone was waiting for us....awkward.  One of the volunteers as Monica was introducing me said "oh so now we get to eat"....rude.....needless to say I am happy that I was with the people that I had during my volunteer time.  I do not think they would have said that.  We got back to the apartment and went to sleep. At that point it was past midnight and I had been up at 3:30 in the morning. I was exhausted.

Today (Tuesday) I woke up and Tatiana and I watched a little tv and had ham and cheese sandwich for breakfast. I am meeting gabby for shopping at noon.

I feel that despite my lack of practicing Spanish, I have understood a lot more and have been communicating better. Maybe it's all the Skype conversations or just that I am more comfortable with this situation. Either way I am feeling very good about this experience this far.

Now boarding...Round 2!

Nails that will last for my 8 days of travel!

Sitting in Miami passing the time as my flight has been delayed. I should be getting on soon, and I am able to charge my phone so this is all fine. The connection would have been tight and I am not sure my luggage would have made it, thus another example of how everything happens for a reason.  I also purchased the book "A Thousand Splendid Suns" at the recommendation of my mother.  Hopefully it will be a good read.  I will start it as I eat an overpriced airport lunch.

   

This time on the way to Colombia my mind is more at peace knowing my sister and Gabbi will be at the airport when I arrive. I am certain it will feel completely different there when I land as the airport was under renovation the last time I landed in Bogota. It was a much scarier experience.

There are however unknowns with this trip as well. I have no idea what the work schedule for my sister and Magnolia is, therefore no idea what we are doing and when.

Tonight I am going to a dinner with the head of the volunteer program I did last time.  I will bring some donations and see if there will be anytime to volunteer this trip.  I am excited to be tonight around both English speakers in addition to my family. So we can figure out what is going on this week!

Adoption Day

26 years from March, I was born.  3 months and 10 days later, 26 years ago from this past Sunday, I was adopted.  For those of you who know my family, or even have read my blog, you know how amazing my parents are.  I truly couldn't be luckier.  Its funny how much can change in a year, while some things are still the same.  Their love and support has been unwavering throughout my entire life.  Last summer at this time, I was gearing up for a life changing journey.  Without their support, I do not know if I would have been so brave. 

In a few weeks I am returning to Colombia, this time to stay with Magnolia and Julieth.  I cant believe this is my life.  I cant believe that I have maintained this new relationship for almost a year and now I get to return and I have a place to stay and people to care for me there.  It is weird still though, and the realization factor is taking a little while to settle in.  The language barrier makes life relating to them more difficult. On my last trip, I became more reserved and shy without being able to communicate.  This trip I am going to try and be more vocal and expressive and show them who and how I am in life.  I am going to speak in English to my nephew and I will do my best with the Spanish.  I have failed at practicing a lot while being home, and have intentions to do better in the future.  Life has a way of getting in the way of that, I work a lot and when I am not there are a million and one other things to do.  I feel bad that I didn't try harder, but at the same time learning language is not an easy feat.  Even if you can read it and understand or even hear it and understand it, communicating it back is a whole other story.  The last time I skyped with Magnolia and Julieth, they mentioned having gifts for me.  Its amazing to me, that they feel the need to give me anything more than they have thus far.  

I tend to romanticize a lot in life, and have been the one to always give more in relationships than has been reciprocated.  With family there is an unconditional love that some of us are fortunate enough to experience.  I have had unconditional love from my family since the day they knew about my existence, and my biological family has really opened their arms, home, and hearts to welcoming me into their lives.  I would not change a thing.

Life is hard, even for the most fortunate of us.  But we have the choice to live in laughter, with family and friends, and surround ourselves with love.  This is how I choose to live, and strive to provide the same for my families here, and in Colombia, and my future family.