Transition to normal

It seems that I've let down the community of people who read what I'm up to on this site. And by community, I mean three people. :-) So, here I am to inform the masses (those of you interested) as to the meanderings of me.

July 25th was my last day working at Hillview. Talk about bittersweet. It seemed that towards the end, all I could think about was the sweet taste of freedom growing ever stronger on my pallate. However the aftertaste left a few tears in my eyes. How do you say good bye to kids that you have grown so close to? How do you convey the intensity of emotion felt for someone when words will never suffice?

The coast disappeared as the sea drowned the sun.
I have no words to share with anyone.
The boundaries of language I quietly cursed
All the different names for the same thing

When our language gives us a plethora of words to express ourselves, there are those few and precious moments when they will never do. Needless to say, the goodbyes were hard. Some kids didn't really show much emotion, while others quietly turned their faces away to hide tears. I just pray that my time there helped some of them to learn that it is quite possible to trust and be loved by others.

On the flip side, saying good bye to some of my dear friends and coworkers at Hillview was also hard. I never expected to become as close to a few of them as I did, and I hope that they know how important they are to me.

I ended my time by packing my car up and driving with a few friends to Muglar Meadow (just outside Yosemite) to camp. I can't think of a better transition into a new life. We had tribal dance parties around the campfire late at night. The flames throwing expanded images of the midnight dancers upon the megalythic trees. Definatly a highlight. We hiked in Yosemite and swam in Bass Lake.





So where am I now? I am blessed to call my great Grandma Salazar's house in Firebaugh my new home. My cousin Denise and I share the old and beautiful casa. It's pretty cool to live in a house so rich in memory. Hide and seek in the lavish and dream like backyard. Anyone who has been there years past probably remembers how when my great grandmother was living, she decorated the back garden with doll heads hanging from trees, and random art sculptures that she had created. Living in the town that raised me through the sixth grade is interesting to say the least. A town with two stop lights. Where we really do have the town butcher and the town barber. The tentacles of our fast food nation have not yet gripped this some how hidden town. (The memory of a Taco Bell opening when I was young enters my mind, though it's life was short lived as it was closed quite soon afterward). Fresh produce abounds and walks by the river usher in tranquil thoughts. I'm loving still being close to Chowchilla and hanging out with the younger sibs as much as possible.

So, that's my new life. Jobless and eagerly awaiting word from the Peace Corps as to when I get to leave. No complaints on my end. I'm loving passing the days with incredible books and amazing family.