I blinked and it was over. The best year of my life, thus far, has come to an end. After a final banquet, one last asado, jamming in the airport in Buenos aires, and landing in LA 14 hours later, we are back in the USA for good. I am still in denial that it's actually really over; that I won't be at the casa and seeing the same 65 faces every day or eating dinner with my familia again. Surprisingly, I didn't cry as much as I thought I would. The only time I really broke down was when we landed and were going through immigration, and the immigration officer said "Welcome home, 'mam." I started sobbing partly because I was so happy to be back in the states, but mostly because that's when it hit me that we all were leaving behind our incredible Argentine adventure to become just another memory in our past. I wasn't ready for it to become a memory. I'm still not ready for that. I know that all things in life come to an end and that life actually does get better than this (though at this point, I don't really see how because I can't think of anything that can top this past year). But I'm not ready to be separated from my two new families. Even though the majority of the students in our group will be together again in the fall, it won't be the same. We will all go back to hanging out with our friends that we left behind in September (or December for those who came for a semester) and the 65 of us may not be all together again. And who knows when I'll be going back to BA to see my familia. It could be two years from now or it could be twenty. What a weird thought. You're probably reading this and thinking, "Wow, what a pessimist. She's already going through post-abroad depression and she hasn't even been back for 24 hours." Well, you're wrong about this first part but the second thing may actually be true. That may seem pathetic or silly but to me, that sadness about it being over just shows that I had the time of my life. I traveled South America! I gained two new parents and four sisters! I developed dozens of God-centered friendships and came to love 65 strangers! What an adventure I had! Although it's over and I know that I will be sad about it for awhile, no one can take away the amazing memories of my year in Argentina. The things I did and the people I met will stay in my heart forever.
To my BAer's: Thank you for loving me and loving each other the way that you did. I learned so much about myself, God, and life from y'all and have been changed because of that. I am so grateful for your friendships and for all of the memories we share. Each one of you has a very special place in my heart. Muchisimos besos :)
Fall 2010
Spring 2011
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