Hello again Professor!
I cannot believe that it has been one year since I left to go explore Latin America. What is even more surprising is that I cannot believe it has taken me this long to write this letter to you. Within the first week of my new life down here I came to realize just how much you had prepared me for all that I had no idea to expect! I am incredibly grateful for all that you taught me not only in regards to Spanish, but about life, how we live it, and how to learn to have confidence and faith in myself and my choices.
Firstly, I am able to actually survive and nearly thrive down here because of the year we spent making sure my brain would have at least some Spanish stored for my access. A lot has come back to me as we go, as the stress and surprise of all these new accents and particular words are being thrown my way has lessened. You will not believe how many of the people that I run into down here compliment my ability to understand, and then speak Spanish. I am not always understood, and I seem to still insist upon throwing out French words, but really, I have friends, make and understand jokes, and have an entire life down here in Spanish! All of which, I owe to your patience and dedication two years ago (crazy how quickly time passed!).
Every day I have at least one moment where I can sit and admire the life I have now. I often reflect on our discussions (both the ones in Spanish and those in English) about life, decisions, and enjoying what comes. I hope that I would do those discussions proud, and still admire the fact that we have made so many of the same choices and happiness. I appreciate knowing that we are kindred spirits and I am excited to be able to come back and share some of those with you some day.
But mostly I am incredibly grateful for the confidence in myself that you helped me plant. I would have believed all the friends and family that asked me if I was crazy when I told them of our plans had it not been the blind faith you had in me from our first discussions. I am a better person, more assured in my life and my path, and I for once in a long time I believe that I may actually one day find what I want to do with myself. At least, hopefully. It's still a work in progress I guess, but at least it's moving in the right direction now thanks to your guidance.
Thank you for all that you did for me, thank you for your support and friendship, and most of all, thank you for all your help in giving me the way to enjoy this life I have chosen. I can only hope that you also are as happy.
alison
16 March 2013
Clifford
As all of you may already know, I have been spending the last year with B traveling Latin America. What only the few of you who have joined us on this trip may know, we could not have done any of this alone.
This is why it is long overdue that I introduce my best friend and ex-boyfriend, Clifford. Don't worry, those of you who knew us while we were together, we are still just as close as we once were, there was just a mutual agreement to pursue others.
The problem for me is how could I find anyone who could compare to my Cliff? He is so supportive, we fit together so well, he's always got my back, he manages to deal so well with all of my baggage, he is a great listener and has never betrayed my trust, he's fairly independent and doesn't mind when I go out without him, he is great at making friends, he is interested in trekking but understands if I need to take a break and go without him, he's organized, and he's adorable.
We seem to have been losing weight together over the past year, which we are both very happy about. He's been great at keeping me in shape while on the road, and I make sure to moderate what he takes in so he stays trim. He's been growing a bit of black stubble recently, and I've been thinking about making him clean up a bit and he's been tugging at my hair a bit to let me know it's time for a trim.
The worst rough patch we hit was back in the beginning in Costa Rica. Gissy was coming to visit, and I think with all the stress of making a good impression he may have caught a bit of travel illness. We were staying in the beach in Montezuma and early in the morning he vomited all over the sand and then peed himself right in front of her. He'll never live that one down... Good news is he's a good sport about the jokes!
He gets along with both of my sisters, a feat no boyfriend has ever been able to manage before! He can be a bit clingy at times, which can be really heavy to deal with. But he's a fantastic hugger, and when we are stuck waiting on transport he lets me lean against him to rest.
So this is for you Cliffy, I love you dearly and appreciate all you do for me!
This is why it is long overdue that I introduce my best friend and ex-boyfriend, Clifford. Don't worry, those of you who knew us while we were together, we are still just as close as we once were, there was just a mutual agreement to pursue others.
The problem for me is how could I find anyone who could compare to my Cliff? He is so supportive, we fit together so well, he's always got my back, he manages to deal so well with all of my baggage, he is a great listener and has never betrayed my trust, he's fairly independent and doesn't mind when I go out without him, he is great at making friends, he is interested in trekking but understands if I need to take a break and go without him, he's organized, and he's adorable.
We seem to have been losing weight together over the past year, which we are both very happy about. He's been great at keeping me in shape while on the road, and I make sure to moderate what he takes in so he stays trim. He's been growing a bit of black stubble recently, and I've been thinking about making him clean up a bit and he's been tugging at my hair a bit to let me know it's time for a trim.
The worst rough patch we hit was back in the beginning in Costa Rica. Gissy was coming to visit, and I think with all the stress of making a good impression he may have caught a bit of travel illness. We were staying in the beach in Montezuma and early in the morning he vomited all over the sand and then peed himself right in front of her. He'll never live that one down... Good news is he's a good sport about the jokes!
He gets along with both of my sisters, a feat no boyfriend has ever been able to manage before! He can be a bit clingy at times, which can be really heavy to deal with. But he's a fantastic hugger, and when we are stuck waiting on transport he lets me lean against him to rest.
So this is for you Cliffy, I love you dearly and appreciate all you do for me!
 |
| Cliff flirting with another mariposa |
 |
| Cliff and I waiting for a bus |
 |
| Blue, B, me and Cliff after a tough hike |
 |
| Cliff posing for the camera |
 |
| Me and Cliff resting after a long travel day |
 |
| Close quarters on one of our first bus rides together |
 |
| A little cuddle time |
 |
| Cliff, blue, and B hanging out together on transportation |
 |
| Not always getting along, but we make a cute awkward couple! |
 |
| Happy hiking family |
03 March 2013
To the amazing librarians out there
Dear Librarians in general (and in particular those found in the Monterey Public Library):
Thank you so much for understanding me. Really, I do not know what would have become of me on this ridiculous trip had I no longer access to the Northern California Digital Library. Also, the recent updates to the site took a little getting used to, but they are quite an improvement. Nicely done!
Here is a (slightly edited for privacy) copy of our interaction, so I can prove how wonderful you all are to myself (and the 3 people who read this blog (love you family)) later if I happen to ever forget.
On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 7:41 AM, A
Hello!
I recently have misplaced my library card. Actually, the truth is I am traveling through Latin America and use the card frequently to borrow ebooks on my iPad, which is amazing! What is not amazing is that I loaned this iPad to my sister on a bus so she could read, and then she promptly left it behind when we arrived.
The problem is not the now-lost iPad (even though it breaks my heart a little to lose my ereader), it is that I kept my library card with the iPad, and now I cannot access the digital library at all, even if I purchase a new reader. Is there any way to find that number in your systems? I would keep it safe this time!!
Thank you for any help you can provide!
Alison
On 24 Jan 2013, at 16:11, LibCheck Libcheck
Hi Alison,
We can look up your account number for you, but you need to be at the library in person with identification for that.
--
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
Circulation Desk
Monterey Public Library
Oh dear. Well, I am still in South America and do not foresee a return trip north for at least 3 to 6 months. Is there no other option? Can I maybe send a photo of my ID and/or call?
Alison,
Unfortunately we need you to be at the library in person with photo identification to look up your library card number, for security reasons.
--
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
Circulation Desk
Monterey Public Library
Ok. What if I send you my friend's (who currently is in Monterey) photo identification information and a copy of mine and have her come in and ask for my card number? Or, if I have someone who looks like me, or knows a lot of my personal information, or any combination thereof? I'm sure I could find a passable body double if I put my mind to it.
I don't know if I can survive without access to inexpensive reading (but no pressure, I honestly understand your job is more important than my library card number)!
Alison
| On 4 Feb 2013, at 15:19, LibCheck Libcheck | ||||
Sorry for the late response. I will go ahead and make an exception for you since you are out of the country and likely never going to give up. Your account number is ___.
--
Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.
Circulation Desk
Monterey Public Library
Yours,
alison
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)