woah. not long now.

Beep beep beep beep.

Golly, jeepers, is the morning really this cruel to come so early? Hmm... So tempting to just roll over and fling the phone at the wall.

No, no. I only have 9 more days here. I can sleep in Chicago. Up we go...

Shower. Clothes. SOCKS--floor's freezing.
To the table for breakfast. I'm totally a fan of cream of wheat now. Why'd I have to come to Bogotá, Colombia to get to know such a US breakfast food? Warm things in cold mornings are the best.

Quick walk towards the bridge with D--Marv and Judy behind. Lost in thought. Lots to ponder. Lots to decide. Lots to regret. Lots to expect. Lots to enjoy.
Bought a cookie at the bakery by the teacher bus pickup spot. Oatmeal raisin. Yes, in the napkin's fine, thanks. Gracias. Que estés muy bien.

Missed the first teacher bus, see it pull away, wait for the second to appear in a few seconds. Eat the cookie. Drink in Bogotá.

Get on the bus, talk weekends with teachers until it fills. Then lose myself in the mountains and thoughts again. Such beauty, I am such a fallen, confused, undirected little thing.

On to supervision, filling water bottles, caring for my good friend (student) T, who somehow ended up with dog poo all over him, poor child. Cleaning up for T--I really do love these kids.

Talk to 11th and 12th graders about Gap Year. Promote the idea, when done right. Share contact info. Smile. Take a bow.
Help with 9th grade's research paper process. Wow, I don't have to tell them to sit down, wait to go to the bathroom, share, or talk quietly. Huh. Not in first grade anymore.

Lunch with NG. Good company. Good rice, sopita, salad, carne molida, curuba juice, pasta. Good conversation.
Back to first--math time. Cutting up miniature dollar bills makes me feel rich. Fleetingly. :)

Love farewell hugs from the kids. Heads not usually reaching above my hip--all shades of hair color--all of the kinds of beauties--all of them full of love to give.

Hilarious ride home with LF, a missionary who works at the school and with whom I interact often. Walk home with D. No Mirandela arepa lady today. Getting home feels as good as putting on sweatpants.

Getting-ready-to-leave thoughts and conversations suck. Bring pain. Bring opportunities to grow, learn, be stretched, remember it's a gift even to learn the hard stuff. God has a reason for it all. I'll see it eventually.

Comfort of a sister, "I miss you"s, kisses and hugs; Sara Groves and clean, warm sweats. Shove my latest efforts at cleaning the room onto the floor again. Bedtime.

Que Dios sea tu paz y tu alegría esta noche. May God be your peace and your happiness tonight. xox