Hello Family and Friends!
So, like always, time has sped and the calendar pages have mysteriously flown, leaving us go February already! I guess it's like they say: time flies when you're having fun. And yes, fun has been had by all!
Happy belated New Year! At the top of this year's resolutions are to do more blog posts. I expect to have more time this semester so hopefully that will work, but more on that later.
Last year started off terribly difficult with Antonio's dad, Prudencio in the hospital with an infected hernia removal wound for nearly 3 weeks and a month's house rest after. Antonio worked 7 days a week for nearly 2 months straight. I was working at the travel agency so stressed that I would jump when anyone talked to me at work. Then things began to look up: we spent a week down south go Temuco and Puerto Saavedra, where Antonio's family is from. I found the job of my dreams, survived the semester fantastically, and ended the year with almost a month in the US.
My trip home was amazing! I wish I could have seen everyone, and for more time, but was so happy to be able to see the many I did run into. My time go the states was not particularly relaxing, as I ran the usual social marathon, but I truly enjoyed every minute. In Portland I saw relatives, and friends from elementary and high school. Even my college friends, Jenny who was visiting her parents in Bellingham, Washington, and Rachel and James from Virginia came to see me! It was so great to see them! The day after Christmas 9 members of my family and I flew to Los Angeles for the beautiful wedding of my cousin Steven to his now wife Christy. My brother and I stayed with my Auntie Carolyn and cousins Jonathan and Carsyn. I was so happy to be able to reconnect with them. Nigel and I even convinced Jonathan to drive up to San Francisco with us to see the San Francisco clan (who I hadn't seen in 5 years)! All in all it was a great trip.
And now the exciting news of the year 2014... (drum roll please).... WE FOUND AN APARTMENT! It is 15 minutes walking from my university and 10 minutes walking from Antonio's. It has a beautiful kitchen, a tiny balcony, and two bedrooms -- one master bedroom and one little room that fits a twin bed and a bedside table (but we have neither yet so there will be tons of room in there!). We move this upcoming Thursday, the 20th! We have begun packing but still have a lot to do.
Antonio's Dad seems to have taken the news very well. I think he was surprised that we are leaving now, before Antonio finishes classes, but not that we were leaving in general. The only bummer is that before telling him we were leaving, we found out that he already has plans to leave for a one week vacation the night of the 20th (of course he would unconsciously choose the same date!). The good news about this is that it will allow Antonio to slowly adjust to not living in his childhood home and will allow me to work with Lukas on getting used to people coming and going from the apartment.
This year Antonio is considering working as a legal assistant for his ex professor's friend while he studies for the Chilean Bar exam and finishes his last year of classes. In March I launch into my second semester of 100 or so new International Students. The hardest part is remembering what I did last semester given that I was so overwhelmed with everything that I now am finding it a little hard to remember. Thankfully my bosses are kind and very understanding. :)
Happy Belated Valentine's Day to you all! May love, understanding, and delightful surprises fill your days this year. We promise photos of the new place soon and can't wait to welcome those who venture our way to our new home!
Love and hugs to you all!
Love, Kaia
P.S. It will take a few days for us to get internet in the new apartment so unless I return with Antonio to his dad's house during Antonio's week of filling in for his Dad, I won't have internet.
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