Survived Chile!!

Any of you following me must surely know I am back in the land of cheese, brats, beer, and hey-der don't-cha-know!

I crossed the U.S. border in the lovely company of my Madre. She had flown to Chile to experience a taste of the reality I've been living the past two years. We fralicked about and lived the relaxed life style of a vina marina...naps in the afternoon, slow moving mornings, food filled afternoons, constant company, and late night carretes!! Though it was my last week there..it could not have been more fun-filled with seafood in concon, steaks oceanside at tierra de fuego, pasta one magical evening in valpo, wild adventures in the rent-a-car, a piola going-away party, and tons of hugs and reminiscing!! So after two years of blogging on this here blog: surviving Chile!!! I can state that I have survived.

not only survived. but improved. matured. grown. loved. lived. and learned that every moment in life possesses an abundance of beauty that is worth capturing in words, pictures, memories, life stories, and wild journeys!!!

So now what? ha, if you know me..you know I wouldnt be pleased if I didnt have some other journey to embark on or some obstacle to conquer or some wild adventure to dare to attempt....

Surviving Chile presents Surviving Kendall.

logical. practical. sensible. rational. a few words one might not typically associate when defining who I am. But, this year 2012...I am dedicating myself to adapting to just that. A new challenge. a practical and sensible challenge...one which 99% of the population has already embarked....working hard doing what you might not necessarily love..but loving doing what is necessary!! whats necessary??? making a dent in my student debt.

so ive already begun the ever morbid event of giving plasma twice a week..been applying for full time work that would involve something I am passionate about: education, the spanish language, immigration, world relief, etc. AND of course plan on serving table in the evenings and weekends to pocket those tips.

I have prohibited myself from even ENTERTAINING the idea of re-locating for the next year (or two) so I can take advantage of these rent/car payment free months and really pay off some debt. Because once that anchor is released....maybe ill find myself overseas again..chile? id love to. san fran..why not? uh oops..dont even entertain the idea. check.

SO let me share with you my goals for 2012 so you can hold me accountable on this new challenge: surviving kendall.

(reminder by the end of 2012 I would have liked to have worked up to these accomplishment..of course we arent expecting anything over night...besides the process is way better than the results, right??)

_run 5k 3 times a week _ care about and maintain my passions (tap, art, guitar, spanish) _ volunteer _ find a church to get involved with _ donate plasma and serve tables with DIGNITY (note the latter part of the sentence) _ seek full time position having to do with something you are passionate about (culture, eudation, world relief, immigration) _ No boys UNTIL you're where you want to be geographically, financially, and emotionally (this'll be a toughy) _ keep in contact with friends from all over the world _ study spanish and become certified bilingual

I read in Oprahs magazine the other day that those who GET what they want, KNOW what they want...so here goes nothing. In order to gain momentum, one must push off of something else. So I'm pushing off of my experience in Chile using all the strength Ive gained these past two years...to soar. To seek. and to find.

Learning that people and experiences are not responsible for my emotions.
I am responsible for my joy!