An ocean and a rock away

I have recently found myself much more content in my journeys than I was a few months ago. Before, I found that I felt rather unsettled, confused, out-of-sorts and alone, and now I find myself settled and quite happy here. Aside from work, I have been throwing myself into many diverse social situations that have kept me busy and quite exhausted, but extremely entertained.

Not many updates other than normal life things, but there are a few to speak of. About two weeks ago while I was giving a class, I noticed the room started shaking a little. At first I couldn't think of what it could be, but then my student looked at me and simply said "ay, un temblor..(oh, a tremor)" like it was nothing. Of course, for a Chilean a tremor is nothing exciting, but for a Gringa like myself who has never experienced anything similar, I found that I was quite thrilled to be living my first one. The room was shaking and it was almost as if I could also see the earth outside shaking through the window since we were so high up in the building. It lasted quite awhile as I sat in complete shock and excitement at this unexpected movement of the ground beneath us, and my student found it very entertaining to watch me beam in awe. She was laughing quite a bit at my reaction as I let the excitement show with no shame. I've asked many people about the tremors here, and apparently they happen all the time though I have never felt one before. Although my first one was exciting, I have learned that many people fear that a tremor will quickly turn from a slight movement of the earth to a large displacement of land and grow into a "terremoto" (earthquake). I also learned that the biggest earthquake in the world occurred in the South of Chile in the 60's, and it was followed by a tsunami shortly after due to the large displacement of land. The last large earthquake was in the 80's, and they are expecting one rather soon. I'll be sure to keep the door frames in view in case I need to seek cover.

Other than minor earth dances, I have been quite intrigued by more and more each day. I have mainly been fascinated at how comfortable I now feel here and how time can really help you learn to adapt to what you are served. I have meeting many many people and I feel so lucky to know the Chileans that I know. I have recently moved to yet ANOTHER apartment for reasons that are too long to write about, but I have felt incredible since my move. Things at my other apartment had begun to wear me out emotionally and physically, and I find myself feeling refreshed with my new house and my new space. It's a cute little place on the tenth floor in an apartment located in a small park, but only a stones throw away from my old place. It's a great area in the city and I get to see the sun peek out past the mountains every morning and get tucked in behind them every night. All in all, I just feel really good.

I went to a car rally today outside the city (about 30 minutes) to watch my friend Pancho's friend ride in the race. We hauled a grill, a ton of meat, a lot of friends and our tired bum's out to the middle of some dry land at 8am to watch cars drive by all day and to share some great BBQ with some new people. I am loving being able to communicate myself to people around me and I'm learning so many new words and phrases. I find that the Spanish language still hits a positive chord for me, and I find my desire to learn it stronger everyday.

Last night, I went to a French movie with Spanish subtitles, and although I had a bit of a language overload, I found it was no problem to understand the entirety of the movie just by reading the Spanish. I am also reading books in Spanish and watching news and much more with no problem, and this often puts a smile on my face. Sometimes I cant believe that I can live in two languages, but I never cease to love it.

What else, what else, what else? Not too much, in fact. I wish I could write about many everyday things that serve me smiles and treat me well, but in addition to not being able to remember many specifics, I'd probably just end up boring the heck out of you anyways. For now I'll leave it there and hope that more stories come my way and that I'll find more of an ability to remember and express it correctly.

I still think about you all everyday and miss you quite a bit.
The autumn here still doesn't hold a flame to my home, but I have learned to sit well with the smog for the time being.

Keep the hugs flowing everydayyy
Send some to me..don't forget :)

MUCH MUCH LOVE
Les extraño mucho cada dia