You’re on Vacation for 8 MONTHS???!!!?????!!!

You’re on Vacation for 8 MONTHS???!!!?????!!!
Well, technically, one year. Yes, it is true that I will be unemployed for one year. WOW… Yippee!!!!.... no work….. PARTY….. lucky!!..... BLISS…... Vacation. These are the thoughts that I’m sure people have as soon as we tell them we are traveling around South America for 8 months. These are the same thoughts I had when we were deciding to go on this adventure (in addition to many others like being scared, nervous, feeling blessed and anxious). At first we had to figure out all the difficult technicalities such as Where do our dogs go? What do we do with the house? What is our budget? Do we keep our cars? What about our jobs? What will we do when we get back? etc. However, after getting all of that taken care of these feelings of excitement poured in even more. I remember the last day of “work” for me (I worked as a nanny this summer), and I had an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, excitement, and joy. With the exception of leaving the dogs behind, the decision to leave really could not have been easier. It just seemed to be right, and where God was leading us. This opportunity was once-in-a-lifetime, and the thought of pressing pause on life and going on this adventure was one of pure joy.

AA and I got married July 16, 2009. Following the wedding we had a one-week honeymoon on a Caribbean cruise. Then we returned to Colorado, moved out of our houses and finished our jobs, and then August 24, 2009 we loaded up the 4-runner and began our journey cross-country. So we really have not experienced a “normal” life since we got married. We have not lived together in our own house because as soon as we returned from the honeymoon we moved out of our houses and lived with AA’s parents for several weeks.

Today is November 28, almost 3 months to the day since we left Colorado. We still have 75% of the trip ahead of us to look forward to :-). We have spent the last three months seeing new places, learning a new language, meeting new people, experiencing new adventures, discovering different cultures, and doing some pretty unbelievable things. Of course – cause that’s what vacation is all about, right!!??!! Despite the good times we are having, I have to say that I think it’s impossible to be in full-time vacation mode for one year, or even for one month. Because even though you are traveling, not working, and have freedom, life still does exist. The realities of everyday life are still encountered, even though you are transplanted into a different place. I think my expectations were to be in “vacation mode” for the entire year. I didn’t anticipate the realities and challenges that this trip would also provide. I am now realizing that the expectation I had was unrealistic. In addition to the stresses associated with traveling (where will we go, how will we get there, how long will we stay, what will we do everyday, where will we eat, are we on our budget, etc.) we are also adjusting to the stresses of the first year of marriage (learning how to communicate, becoming acquainted with one another’s each and every good and bad habit, learning how to compromise, agreeing on money, forming a Godly relationship, etc.). We spend most hours of the day together which is great, but can also be overwhelming at times. This is all a big adjustment for us both, and change can be difficult. So, my expectations have been slightly revised. Of course I want to make the most out of this awesome time in my life. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to as well. My husband and I are learning how to accommodate each other’s needs, how to understand each other, and how to be loving partners to each other. I look at this time as an “immersion experience” we are being immersed into a new culture, new language, and new relationship with each other. We are and will continue to share countless amazing adventures and make great memories, but also difficult patches are to be expected. The overall result of building this foundation for our relationship and for our outlook on life and goals and dreams will serve us well in the future. To acknowledge that every day may not feel like a "vacation" has helped me to appreciate things even more. I am really looking forward to the next 9 months of "vacation" and everything that comes along with it.

Santiago

We have been in Santiago, Chile now for about a week and a half. We spent the first week with my parents – my mom has been living here, teaching English for the past several months, and my dad flew in to travel with her for a couple of weeks. It was really great to spend some time with family. On the bus ride from Mendoza, Argentina to Santiago we were delayed several hours due to problems at customs and also a flat tire. We were originally scheduled to arrive in Santiago at 4:30. My mom gave me directions to her apartment and the plan was for me to call her when the bus arrived and they would meet us at the metro station by her apartment. AA and I were sitting on the bus as it pulled into Santiago – the time was 7:30, 3 hours later than expected. He looked out the window and said – “Jen, isn’t that your mom?” I look out the window and sure enough there is my mom (and later I see my dad too) patiently waiting for us to arrive on the only CATA bus coming from Mendoza.


It was a rather cold day, so after waiting over two hours for us and freezing they decided to get some coffee at a café and that’s when we saw them. It was a great feeling! Unfortunately on the metro from the bus station to my mom’s apartment her purse got stolen. Not a good way to start the trip.

Since my mom was still working, the rest of us went to Valpariso and Vina del Mar - Chilean beachtowns on the Pacific ocean - for a daytrip. We did lots of walking and exploring while there. We saw what appeared to be an awesome fresh meat, fruit, and vegetable market. It looked amazing! Other than that we spent most of our time walking along the beach and enjoying the nice weather.



We also did some sightseeing in Santiago - we took the fenicular up the "hill" to get a birds eye view of the city. It was very peaceful and beautiful at the top looking down over the city.



My parents have left now to travel Southern Chile - Patagonia - before returning home. AA and I have the fortunate task of holding down the fort here :-)


From what I have seen so far I am in love with Santiago! It is a perfect size city for me and it just has a great welcoming feel. My mom is living in a very nice part of town called Providencia. The streets are all lined with huge trees, beautiful flower gardens can be found at nearly every door, the city is very clean, big sidewalks, and just very comfortable. It’s hard to put my finger exactly on what it is that I like here so much, but regardless it feels like home. The only negatives I’ve found so far are that the people are very difficult to understand – they speak very fast Spanish with a lot of slang and also cut off the endings of their words – and that it is expensive here – about the same prices as in the states.


I think that Aaron and I have decided to stay here for at least two months, maybe three. We will spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, and new years here and the major summer months. Aaron has found an internship that he is hoping will work out – he will be working in sales/marketing for a language school. This works out well because we will get free classes in exchange for his work. So starting Thursday we will be back in Spanish classes again – yay!!! The classes will be in the mornings, and he will work in the afternoons. I hope to do some volunteer work at an orphanage in addition to some odds and ends at a church here. We feel like many things are falling into place for us here and it’s really working out well.

Missing you all lots (including Booker, Kahlua, Hunie, and Rook)!!!!
xoxoxoxoxo

My Grandma

Today is the memorial for my Grandma Boyd that passed away a couple weeks ago. It has been difficult to be in S. America and away from my family at this time of sadness. She was an awesome woman and I will always miss her. I wanted to share a poem I wrote for her and that will be shared at her memorial. My Grandma always loved to play with my 4 little nephews and try to get them to clap their hands (as they are very young). She would always clap her hands in unison with the 3 words "clap your hands" - it was the cutest thing. I love you Grandma:


Grandma
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Always there
Full of heart
Cheerful and bright
Ready to love

Warm and gentle
Kind and humorous
Sometimes pitching in surprisingly
Filling hearts with fun laughter and joy
Adorable - so very adorable
Thank you for your constant love and interest

Candy
Candy by the door
Candy before you leave
Be sure to grab a piece on your way out
Mmm... I'll take a toffee or cinnamon one
Maybe two
Thanks Grandma

Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Tender and precious
Mindful of our well being
Always sure to ask
and lately, ask again, and maybe even again
Such great moments and memories now to cherish
Reflecting on the smiles you created

I am warm now Grandma
Warmer than before
No need to worry
I feel your love and embrace
I love you Grandma

Thank you
For always being there
I will always clap my hands for you
Clap your hands
Clap your hands

In memory of my wonderful Grandma
who has always been around
and who I will always love
Clap your hands
Clap your hands

Your grandson,
Aaron

Fun Times!

Salinas Grandes, Northern Argentina
(Great salt flats)

Memories

Turns out that a lot of blogging gets done on our bus journeys – watch the video for a tour.



We ended up getting plenty of company on the bus shortly after the video – but it was fun being the only ones on the bus while it lasted. Now the sun is setting, AA is napping (for the second time today), and a movie is playing. The movies are all in English with Spanish subtitles. This particular bus ride is 22 hours, after just finishing a 7 hour bus ride leaving Brazil and returning to Argentina. I have spent the last hour gazing out the window and reminiscing on life. Out of the blue I realized that I am 28 years old, no longer a little girl, and life is passing by – way too quickly! Too often we go through the motions of life and forget to pay attention to the fact that we are living life. The last hour I have been reliving the past 28 years and I’m dumbfounded that I’m not that tall, gangly 5th grader anymore that is standing in the cafeteria and nervous about starting middle school. Here are some of the other fond memories/emotions that I can distinctly remember as if it was yesterday that they occured. Maybe some of you who have been by my side through these times will get a giggle out of them. It is funny what our brain chooses to remember.

Mike, Chris, and Tom Ackerman have stolen my Barbie and ripped off her head. They have climbed up the tree in front of the house and are taunting me. I am standing below, crying, thinking they are so mean.

Christine Amerman and I are determined that Spotty, the cat, will fit into my doll clothes.

I wanted to wear my white, MC Hammer pants EVERYDAY in 5th grade. My mom told me I wore them too much but I was hoping Rusty Moore would notice how good I looked and ask me to be his girlfriend. (He never did)

Mrs. Jones made me stay after school to practice writing my r’s in cursive.

We ate a grilled chicken sandwich, French fries, a nutter-butter, and Hawaiian punch every day for lunch at Lakeview middle school. And we all weighed nothing…???....

My mom picked me up from track practice after school, and we were rushing to get me to ballet on time. I am changing from my sweaty uniform into ballet tights in the back seat of the car and begging my mom to let me skip ballet.

Meagan, Katharyne, Jolie and I are in the back seat of the caravan, driving to Virginia and seeing who can fit the most pixie sticks in their mouth. So much laughter!

The feelings of being in love for the first time in high school, followed by the tremendous low of breaking up.

Being so nervous before the water polo game at Lake Brantley.

Feeling so much gratitude and love at my surprise 16th birthday party in Miami.

The feeling in my stomach on graduation day when the commencement song started playing. And realizing the impact of change seeing tears in my mom’s eyes.

Waving good-bye to my family when they dropped me off in Colorado for college. Felt so many different emotions that I didn’t know what I was feeling.

The overwhelming pride I felt when I read the letter saying I would graduate from CSU magna-cum-laude. (If you know the secret….shhhh)

The very nervous anticipation of interviewing and landing my first job.

The heartache of divorce and its consequences.

Feeling an intense sense of accomplishment when I crossed the finish line in 3 hrs, 40 min, and 47 seconds.

The pure humility and overwhelming emotion of letting God back in.

The joy of a happy heart jumping up and down in my chest wanting more, more, more.

It has been fun to think back and feel the joys and pains of living my life. It would be great to appreciate these emotions as we are in the moment. Instead I know that I rush through them and hurry on to the next task. Hopefully you’ll stop today and press pause on your life. Live, feel, embrace.