This past week has been an extremely, and unexpectedly, emotionally charged one. Without getting deep into the details of the heavy situations, conversations and realizations, I will share some of what I took out of it.
I have realized a lot in this past week about balancing work with friends/family, and I have taken a step back to look at the importance of being happy and the importance of keeping your balance in check for your own emotional safety. We all face decisions that take us away from keeping our word or take us away from being part of something that makes us happy, but how we handle that is the test that we'll continue to take.
I had to make a decision without having any say in the matter (if that makes sense) that took me away from a very important night with the family of friends that I have formed here. It was something that kept me from providing my promised presence to the most important people of the past year of my life, and it was an oddly eye opening experience. This series of events helped lead to me missing a "goodbye" to a great friend, a miscommunication with another great friend, and the swirling idea that I served everyone a great disappointment. The thing about great friends is that they understand everything. I have been so fortunate to find myself surrounded with people who do not get angry, but instead offer me hugs and words of support and encouragement. However, as a human being, I do not go as easy on myself as others do. I was hit really hard by the fact that I was not able to keep my word and that I was helpless in the matter.
Anyways, I explored that. I looked at what it does to me and how it can affect those around me as well. I am 23 years old with very little "real world" work experience under my belt, and I am going step by step hoping not to stumble along the way. Moreso, I am stepping very carefully so as not to hurt anyone else by not being present. But, I realized that there are decisions out there that will let people down. There are choices and moments that we won't be able to avoid and that will make us feel very small. I suppose the approach and handling of these moments is critical though difficult.
Another thing that was reinforced for me this past week was the power of communication. A friend approached me feeling a series of upsetting things that I had unknowingly helped cause, and it was an incredible exchange. He approached me without any accusatory tones and without any attack, but instead eloquent honesty and complete care. It was, to me, proof that we have so much power in our words and that they can be used for such beauty even when the news isn't always good.
This past week was such an emotionally charged one, and I find that at the beginning of a new one I feel oddly rejuvinated and calm after some turbulence. I guess we all need some turbulence to appreciate the calm that we have inbetween difficult moments. I also find that communication can hold so much meaning, whether it is verbal or not. It can be used so well or so poorly, and we continue trying to find that balance with each person.
Aside from my dumping of emotion and vague explanations, I can inform you that there hasn't been much different in Santiago life. I worked a really long week of 12-16 hour days all last week for an event between Italian businessmen and Chilean businessmen, and it left me absolutely exhausted. The weather is getting incredible and I spent the majority of the weekend at outdoor festivals, in the park playing soccer and at cafes, and all of it with great people. I have about a month left of work, but my final event is this week so I can see some freedom coming and some relaxation in the works. From there, my travels will begin as well as my farewell to Santiago.
I hope everyone is well. I will write more soon.
Keep the hugs flowing.
Save some for me.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Rabbit Rabbit
Rabbit rabbit. Happy November. One of my senior year roommates at UNH used to ask us on the first of every month if our first words had been "rabbit rabbit" upon waking. I still strive to make it a point to do so, though I often forget.
November has rolled in and in the southern hemisphere that means more heat. All of a sudden the temperatures have changed in Santiago and that means that people are walking around in better moods and with noticeably wider smiles. The grassy parks are lined with couples who are spilling affection, and even the street dogs seem to be much more playful.
I have been taking advantage of every moment that I am not stuck indoors and in front of a computer planning an event. I've realized that sitting in front of a machine all day is hardly what I want to be doing for a career, and although it has been an incredible opportunity and experience, I am quickly getting ready to move onto the next thing that is coming my way. I have about two more months of work and then I will be backpacking down to the bottom of Chile, or the end of the world, before making my way back north. I'm sure the blogs will be much more interesting and full of life while I am hooked to the back of the birds' wings flying south.
I went outside the city last weekend to a friend's house on the beach and it was so nice to be away for a little while. Although the wind left us with a permanent chill, it was nice to be able to breathe clean air and stare out the back porch to the beach below. We went to a local fish stand and ate clams and mussels on the side of the road before hauling a fish home to cook it. We spent much of the weekend cooking, wandering the rocks that led to the ocean, and sitting by the fireplace in the evening as the sky exploded into color.
Ive noticed that as the spring rolls in and the weather gets warmer, the sunsets have been almost painting the sky in brighter shades of pinks, purples, reds and oranges. The clouds have started dancing into new formations and almost every night I am stunned at how the sky can look so incredible and at how the clouds can bend and break as they do. Ive been told that the pollution actually affects the sunset skies, so I find that one ounce of me is forgiving towards the smog. I think these last few months will be a utterly pleasant farewell to the city.
Three months from today, I will be sitting on the wings of a plane to bring me back around. Although it sounds like awhile, Ive quickly learned that a three month period can pass you by without you even noticing.
Well, there is a man playing his guitar in the park below my apartment, and I find that I being lured to my balcony to listen. Therefore, my words will end there for right now.
I hope everyone is doing well and seeing some beautiful sunsets.
Keep the hugs flowing.
Save some for me.
November has rolled in and in the southern hemisphere that means more heat. All of a sudden the temperatures have changed in Santiago and that means that people are walking around in better moods and with noticeably wider smiles. The grassy parks are lined with couples who are spilling affection, and even the street dogs seem to be much more playful.
I have been taking advantage of every moment that I am not stuck indoors and in front of a computer planning an event. I've realized that sitting in front of a machine all day is hardly what I want to be doing for a career, and although it has been an incredible opportunity and experience, I am quickly getting ready to move onto the next thing that is coming my way. I have about two more months of work and then I will be backpacking down to the bottom of Chile, or the end of the world, before making my way back north. I'm sure the blogs will be much more interesting and full of life while I am hooked to the back of the birds' wings flying south.
I went outside the city last weekend to a friend's house on the beach and it was so nice to be away for a little while. Although the wind left us with a permanent chill, it was nice to be able to breathe clean air and stare out the back porch to the beach below. We went to a local fish stand and ate clams and mussels on the side of the road before hauling a fish home to cook it. We spent much of the weekend cooking, wandering the rocks that led to the ocean, and sitting by the fireplace in the evening as the sky exploded into color.
Ive noticed that as the spring rolls in and the weather gets warmer, the sunsets have been almost painting the sky in brighter shades of pinks, purples, reds and oranges. The clouds have started dancing into new formations and almost every night I am stunned at how the sky can look so incredible and at how the clouds can bend and break as they do. Ive been told that the pollution actually affects the sunset skies, so I find that one ounce of me is forgiving towards the smog. I think these last few months will be a utterly pleasant farewell to the city.
Three months from today, I will be sitting on the wings of a plane to bring me back around. Although it sounds like awhile, Ive quickly learned that a three month period can pass you by without you even noticing.
Well, there is a man playing his guitar in the park below my apartment, and I find that I being lured to my balcony to listen. Therefore, my words will end there for right now.
I hope everyone is doing well and seeing some beautiful sunsets.
Keep the hugs flowing.
Save some for me.
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