Today I am leaving Orocovis and heading back to my Uncle Orlandos place in Bayamon. It is bittersweet. I am happy to be back with my uncle but a little sad to leave one behind. I have been in Puerto Rico for 35 days now. It feels so much longer.
I bought my return ticket to school last night for August 28. Another bittersweet moment. I love Puerto Rico but I feel like I need to be busier and productive.
As much as I love sitting around the house here in Orocovis, drinking cafe (coffee), eating pan (bread) and watching hours of TV I need something new and exciting. Im going to miss the mountains and Tio Ramons dog Brownie but mostly I will miss the company. My Uncle Ramon and Aunt Lucy have made me feel incredibly welcome and I will miss Ramons craziness.
Im not sure what I will do in Bayamon but Im guessing it will be alot of going to the beach and maybe San Juan. :) After my last beach trip I am planning to wear LOTS of sunscreen. I dont know how much darker I can get but I have faith my skin will surprise me but turning darker.
Anyway Im not sure how often I will be able to update but I will try my hardest to find internet.
I am looking forward to my last few weeks here. Ive been wanting to try this program called . Basically you stay in random peoples homes and crash on their couches or beds (if your lucky). I think this would be another great way to explore the island and experience different parts of PR. As much as I love living with family I feel like I am starting to become a burden. They have to entertain me, feed me and give me a place to sleep. Im thinking of asking my uncle if I can do this for a week.
I dont think it will go over well. I know they are concerned about my inability to speak fluent Spanish and about my safety overall.
Oh well. Till next time kids.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Day 26: Sunburn, Science Teachers and Losing Money
The past fews days have been spent in Bayamon with Uncle Ramon, Aunt Lucy and Kevin. We stayed in the apartment and spent all day Saturday at the beach.
We went with a group of people from Orocovis. One of the men we were with mentioned that he was my fathers 4-6th Grade Science Teacher! He described my dad as being a very nice boy.
We got to the beach around 8am. We tried to find a nice spot to camp out for the day but all the spots with tables were taken so we settled in next to the showers, which turned out great. I spent most of the time in the water and applied sunscreen 2x. I ended up getting sunburned and I now have a tan line. I dont think Ive ever been this brown before. When I compare the tan parts and the un-tanned parts, its almost unbelievable how light and how dark I am.
I collected some seashells for my brother Toby and took pictures of the sunset. My camera died early on in the day so sadly I dont have very many photos from the beach. :(
On Sunday we went to the Prime Outlet Mall here in Puerto Rico. I ended up buying a $80 plancha (hair straightener)! Ive never spent that much money on anything hair related before. It came with a smaller travel size one, a brush, bag and a few more gadgets. I really enjoyed walking around the mall but because Id already spent $80 I decided not to spend any more money.
After the Outlet mall we dropped Kevin off and headed over the the Casino in San Juan.
I was soooooo excited to play the slots. I didnt want to spend very much money there so I decided to only play $5. I ended up winning $11.97 from the original $5 and cashed out. I played another $5 from my winnings and ended up losing it all. :(
I played $4 more dollars to try and win again but my luck ran out and I lost it all. So in total I ended up losing about $3 total. haha It was a very fun experience. I really enjoyed being able to play in the Casino, the age to play here is only 18 and in the States it is 21. So I felt like I was cheating.
Ive spoken to my dad a few times. Once during his BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday again Daddy!
Ive been thinking about my dad coming to Puerto Rico. The only way I can even begin to come up with a reason why he hasnt returned is to compare it to when I first went to Williams College (my school).
When I left home for Williams I was excited and couldnt wait to leave home. Then when I went back home for Christmas Break I realized how much Id missed it and when it was time to return back to school I was very sad. Leaving home I didnt appreciate all the small things I never thought Id miss and when I realized how much I did miss those things it was harder to leave the second time around.
Maybe if my dad were to come back to Puerto Rico it would be overwhelming trying to explain whats happened in his life the last 20+ years. It hasnt been an easy 20+ years for him and it still isnt. I think he wants to come back when he's in a better place emotionally and financially.
Im just afraid that he will keep putting it off. I know that everyone here wants to see him again regardless of his situation. They are family.
The word FAMILY is so important. Before I came here I always imagined that my dads family was perfect and different from my moms family. AND they are different from my moms family but also very similar. They are wonderfully close, generous, caring and at times a little bit crazy (what family isnt?). Since Ive been here they have accepted me and treated me with the most hospitality Ive experienced anywhere. As soon as I enter a home they tell me to sit down, offer me something to drink/eat, ask me questions about myself, give me hugs, hold my hands and most times ask about how my dad is etc... Its wonderful to experience and its one of the things I will miss most Im sure.
We went with a group of people from Orocovis. One of the men we were with mentioned that he was my fathers 4-6th Grade Science Teacher! He described my dad as being a very nice boy.
We got to the beach around 8am. We tried to find a nice spot to camp out for the day but all the spots with tables were taken so we settled in next to the showers, which turned out great. I spent most of the time in the water and applied sunscreen 2x. I ended up getting sunburned and I now have a tan line. I dont think Ive ever been this brown before. When I compare the tan parts and the un-tanned parts, its almost unbelievable how light and how dark I am.
I collected some seashells for my brother Toby and took pictures of the sunset. My camera died early on in the day so sadly I dont have very many photos from the beach. :(
On Sunday we went to the Prime Outlet Mall here in Puerto Rico. I ended up buying a $80 plancha (hair straightener)! Ive never spent that much money on anything hair related before. It came with a smaller travel size one, a brush, bag and a few more gadgets. I really enjoyed walking around the mall but because Id already spent $80 I decided not to spend any more money.
After the Outlet mall we dropped Kevin off and headed over the the Casino in San Juan.
I was soooooo excited to play the slots. I didnt want to spend very much money there so I decided to only play $5. I ended up winning $11.97 from the original $5 and cashed out. I played another $5 from my winnings and ended up losing it all. :(
I played $4 more dollars to try and win again but my luck ran out and I lost it all. So in total I ended up losing about $3 total. haha It was a very fun experience. I really enjoyed being able to play in the Casino, the age to play here is only 18 and in the States it is 21. So I felt like I was cheating.
Ive spoken to my dad a few times. Once during his BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday again Daddy!
Ive been thinking about my dad coming to Puerto Rico. The only way I can even begin to come up with a reason why he hasnt returned is to compare it to when I first went to Williams College (my school).
When I left home for Williams I was excited and couldnt wait to leave home. Then when I went back home for Christmas Break I realized how much Id missed it and when it was time to return back to school I was very sad. Leaving home I didnt appreciate all the small things I never thought Id miss and when I realized how much I did miss those things it was harder to leave the second time around.
Maybe if my dad were to come back to Puerto Rico it would be overwhelming trying to explain whats happened in his life the last 20+ years. It hasnt been an easy 20+ years for him and it still isnt. I think he wants to come back when he's in a better place emotionally and financially.
Im just afraid that he will keep putting it off. I know that everyone here wants to see him again regardless of his situation. They are family.
The word FAMILY is so important. Before I came here I always imagined that my dads family was perfect and different from my moms family. AND they are different from my moms family but also very similar. They are wonderfully close, generous, caring and at times a little bit crazy (what family isnt?). Since Ive been here they have accepted me and treated me with the most hospitality Ive experienced anywhere. As soon as I enter a home they tell me to sit down, offer me something to drink/eat, ask me questions about myself, give me hugs, hold my hands and most times ask about how my dad is etc... Its wonderful to experience and its one of the things I will miss most Im sure.
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