Time flies when you're trying to time travel back a year

1 month: the time it took me to fall in love with Paraguay.

2 months: the time it took for me to call Paraguay home.

3 months: the time it took it me to know that Paraguay would be a part of me forever.

4 months: the time it took me to learn Paraguayan Spanish.

5 months: the time it took me to realize that I couldn't imagine my life any other way that it was.

6 months: the amount of time I spent in my second home.

1 year. That's exactly how long it's been since the day I first arrived in Paraguay.















(Paraguay)

A lot can change in a year.

(Arizona)

I started this blog back when I first dreamed of going to France. I had studied French for 3 years and I envisioned myself sitting on top of the eiffel drinking cafe with friends discussing French imperialist art and ogling over French boys. And now over a year later, I've gone to what you could consider the polar opposite of France.
And I wouldn't change it for anything.

As you've probably noticed as proof by my lack of updates since 2 days before I came back to the U.S., I haven't been very keen to write on here. I'm not sure if anyone out there in cyber space will ever see this blog entry, or if anyone even cares. But this blog entry is for me.

I have but one theory as to why I haven't updated in 6 months. This blog is the only thing left that still ties me to Paraguay. Which may sound a bit strange, what is this but a URL with some fancy gifs on it? But to me, it's my life story, or at least a chapter of it. And officially ending it would be like pulling me off live support. A bit extreme maybe, but without Paraguay, I feel as if a part of me is missing. And this blog, is my only lifeline left to my life in Paraguay, and it may be the thing that is keeping me from moving on.

But sometimes you need to let things go, even when it's painful.

Speak of painful things, like I said earlier, this blog entry is to help me get some closure, which means I am going to pour my heart out all over your bandwidth.

*flashback*
When I left Tucson, yes, I was sad, tearful even, but I knew that in 6 months, that I would be coming back and I would have my life again.

When I said goodbye to Paraguay, to my life there, the only certainty was that it was a place that would always be in my heart. But that came with no promise of returning, and I knew that when I said goodbye to my host family and friends at the airport terminal, that I was saying goodbye to that part of my life as well.

I've never been very good at goodbye's, and people kept on telling me "it's not goodbye, it's see you later". But I don't know when 'later' is, and that's the scary part.

Paraguay became a part of me, and I, a part of it. I had my family, my friends, my house, my school, and my city. It was all mine and even though I'm not there anymore, I still like to think of it that way. And when people ask me about Paraguay, I don't always know what to say. And sometimes I don't want to say anything. But I'll pause and think, a million pictures, memories and stories pop into my head, yet I have nothing to say.

How can you describe to someone a place so foreign to them, so different to what they are accustomed, things that they could never imagine unless they go there themselves? The simple answer is that you can't. And after discovering that people just couldn't grasp the concept of Paraguay and why it meant so much to me, I stopped trying to make them understand. 

Paraguay is a secret gem, it's buried deep in the heart of South America, just waiting to be discovered. But the truth is, I don't want it to be discovered. It's my place, my home, my memories, and I don't want anyone else to have them. They're my secrets, those memories, those places and those people. They're my cure for when I'm sad or having a bad day. All I need is to think about those things, about what I went through, about what I accomplished and that if I can survive going 8,000 miles away from home to a place where I don't know anything or anyone. I can do anything (including completing this blog!)

I was at a summer camp 3 years ago. It was the last night of the session and there was a big campfire and everyone had gathered to hear speeches and to eat s'mores. Right before we sang taps, our camp director stood up. Next to him were a table and a large glass jar.

He looked out at us and but said nothing, reaching under the table and pulling out a bowl of large rocks, he proceed to fill the glass jar to the top.

He looked back to us and asked "Is this jar full?"
We all shouted "Yes!"

He nodded slowly before reaching back under the table and pulling out another bowl, he dumped it's contents  into the jar. Smaller rocks fell through the nooks and crannies that the larger rocks had left behind, he contented pouring until the container appeared to be full. Again he asked us, "Is this jar full?"
This time the 'yes' was hesitant and said in a hushed tone.

He nodded slowly reaching under the table again and pouring a bowl of pebbles into the glass jar until it was full.

He turned back to us and asked one last time, "Is this jar full?" Most people nodded hesitantly while a few shouted "yes!"

He nodded his head slowly and spoke, "These past two weeks at camp have been filled with wonderful memories, day hikes, gold rush, catch the bandit and the session dance...but those aren't the only memories you've made here. Sure those are the big ones, the ones you'll go home and tell your friends about. But this experience was so much more than just those things. This was skill classes, polar bear club, mess hall dance parties. It was that cute boy who smiled at you, the heart shaped rock you found in the stream, the feel of the grass in between your toes. Because without all those small rocks and tiny pebbles, all you have is jar with big rocks in it and lots of empty spaces. Everything you did, all the people you met, that is what makes up this experience, every single one of those 'insignificant details' of summer camp, are what make it so memorable and are why you come back every year.

This story has stayed with me over the years and I try to put it into practice as often as I can, "Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." And like most things, it's easier done than said. When I first got to Paraguay I tried to keep a list of the little things that happened to me that made me happy, but it was too hard to keep track because not a single thing I did didn't make me happy or make me realize how lucky I was to be there.

Sometimes when I'm laying in bed at night I'll get a random memory flash of my host sister and I recording our selves lip syncing, Ozzy attacking my feet, or the first time I rode the bus and ended up in the wrong city.



Paraguay is a wonderful memory, but what makes it so amazing is all the little pebbles that made me smile on a day to day basis, not just those memories that make good stories.

This blog entry will be my last. It's the final page of the chapter: My Exchange to Paraguay. And while that part of me will shine through in all the chapters of my life. This one is completed, it's ready to be sent off to the printers and read again and again to reminisce over the good old days, but this is the end. I am ready to start a new chapter of my life. I need to move forward. I am ready to move forward.

This is Erin Leader, 17 year old world traveler, signing off for the last time. xx

Nos Vemos Pronto!

My flight is leaving in T-minus 5 hours!!!! Well, actually probably like 6 or 7 because, you know, hora paraguaya!
So yeah, I am trying to say my final goodbyes and finish up some last minute things around the house, so I don't have time to write out all off my feelings at the moment because it would take to long, because I am an train full of emotions...and explosives that could go off at any moment.

So I'm gonna write out the "last" blog entry while I'm on the plane and hopefully upload it while I am stuck in the airport in Sao Paulo...Miami... or Texas.

Oh yeah and I just found out I get in at like 4 in the afternoon not 8 in the morning...wishful thinking on my part I guess.

Anyways, I'm off!

See you on the flip side!

Chau!


Oh but I do have a nice little treat for you that is very much overdue!

The other night, I made a video with my cousin and sister showing you my house, enjoy! :)

Click here if you want to watch!
http://youtu.be/HSWurVksrFs

One Day...

It's here....my last 24 hours in Parauguay, well it's more like 17 hours













....but it's my last night, and I am an emotional wreck. I'm trying to keep all thoughts away from the fact that I'm leaving tomorrow because every time I think about it I become a waterfall of emotions!

Last night all of my family came over, we sang karaoke, ate great food, made a music video, laughed, danced, and said goodbye.

I don't feel like becoming a waterfall at the moment so I am going to wait to write all feelingish stuff tomorrow.



Today I packed and went out with my friends for one last hoorah! We went and got some delicious ice cream and then we went....well i can't say but it was super fun!
Then we went to the mall for a bit and then I had to say goodbye to some of them because they're aren't going to school tomorrow and they can't come with me to the airport....

Anyways, I'll be updating tomorrow...at least that's the plan. I'm mostly packed but I ran into a small problem where my bags are bursting at the seams and I still have clothes in the wash...

Anyways, I'm basically an emotional wreck right now, and I feel like I am going to snap at any moment, but more on that tomorrow!


Oh and I have a really good plan for tomorrow!!

Mom: Erin it's time to leave for the airport!

Me: ....Who's Erin??











I'm....Katie....

Pretty much what's gonna happen...that or:

or:

THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DRAG ME OUT OF MY HOUSE.

A mañana!

I love school!! and no I'm not on drugs...

I am so for the overall suckiness/gifnessless of this blog entry. The topic of school can only be so exciting....

Are you currently enrolled in high school in the United States?

Then ready to be insanely jealous of my super fantabulous school here!

So continuing with the luck I had here, my school is absolutely amazing. and I'm not just saying that...well I am, but it's true!

So let me tell you a bit about school in general in Paraguay:

1.) There are school everywhere, at least one every few blocks.

2.) If you want a good education you need to go to a private school because you don't learn nada at public schools.

3.) Most kids are enrolled in public schools, but the conditions are really bad. Overcrowded classrooms, not enough desks, dirt floors, no windows...the list goes on.


4.) The teachers don't care if you use your cell phones and IPods during class (that I am definitely going to miss)

5.) You have to pay if you want any handouts. So if the teacher is handing out notes or homework you have to pay for it, or well for the paper. You have to pay for art supplies and books too.

6.) The teachers are more friends with the students. The students respect the teachers but they have a really open and friendly relationship and they hug a lot. It's also just part of the culture.

I remember on one of my first days I was sitting in class and this teacher came up to me and started playing with my hair. and I just froze and then she was like "Do you have a boyfriend?" and the entire class was staring at me and I was so uncomfortable

and on the outside I was all:

 but on the inside I was all:

It took me a while to get used to it, but that's just how Paraguayans are. You play with each others hair, and sit on people laps, you kiss strangers on the cheeks.  They are a very affectionate society and I have come to love it and I am going to miss it so much!

7.) The teachers change classrooms, not the students.

8.) When you go to break or lunch and even on the rare occasions when you switch classes, you leave your stuff in the room.

9.) There's no homework! Yeah probably one of the best parts about school. And it's not just me choosing not to do the homework, like they don't assign any!

10.) Almost all schools have uniforms (even public ones) Here is what mine looks like:

11.) There are only chalkboards, no whiteboards and DEFINITELY not smart boards. When I tried to explain what they were they just looked at me like:

Oh and don't even get me started on scantron tests!

12.) They all use #2 pencils. When I took out my mechinal one I swear they were about to call the bomb squad or call NASA and report a UFO siting.

13.) Notebook paper and binders have two holes in the center instead of three spread out.

14.) When you go to the bathroom, you have to stop by the office first to pick up toilet paper.

15.) There is no soap or paper towels in the bathroom...very cleanly society can't you tell?

16.) You aren't forced to wear ID cards like an inmate at a high security prison... *cough* CDO *cough*

17.) There is no such thing as detention just a stern glare and a "don't do that again." There is suspension and Expulsion though...

18.) Each school has every grade level from kindergarten to 12th grade. My school has about 700 kids in it (or so they say but I think it's more like 400...maybe) My class has about 25 kids in it.

19.) If you miss a day of school it really isn't that big of a deal because well...your not really missing out on anything. On average I stay home once maybe twice a week...but shhhh that's a secret!

20.) The school has wifi that that anyone can use!

20.) The computers don't block Facebook or Youtube!

21.) Since we don't really do anything in class, a lot of times people will bring their computers and we watch videos and surf the internet, and play games like charades and guess who? and a bunch of other stuff.

22.) Watching R rated movies isn't a big deal...they actually don't even know what that is. One of my first days in class, we watched The Hangover 2!

It was actually really funny because they made all these jokes referring to American things and I'm sitting there like:

and no one else got them and they just stared at me like this:

So my grade which is "third year" which is the equivalent of being a senior.
Each grade is split up in to sciences scientific and basics (which have almost all classes together) and batan....batan is like business I guess...not sure. I actually spend a lot of time in the class hanging out with my friends who aren't in that class.

That's our schedule, we have about 12 classes but you only have each class once or twice a week!

The school is three stories and my classroom is on the top floor!

Tin roof, exciting, no windows there...so whatever temperature it is outside it is inside. The classrooms do have heat and air conditioning which is amazing because every single other exchange student's school is either freezing or blistering hot.

Office

Batan, they are much neater than us :)

Dance studio

Bookstore

The smaller of the two chapel areas.

This was after the talent show but normally the whole school fits in here for our prayer time which happened about once a month.

The preacher/priest guy talks in a monotone voice and I try and focus but since my spanish is 100% and he talks all monotone I just sort of tune in and out....I

and my friends think it's hilarious. I swear he could put an insomniac to sleep.

Also I'm not really religious so that makes the prayer time awkward on so many levels I'm not even gonna get into it...

Outside eating!

Preschool

This is the basketball area

Lovely sitting area

Football "soccer" field

It was the schools 15th anniversary this year!

DISCLAIMER: All of the photos you are about to see were taken when I showed my parents the school while I was on vacation, so no one was there and some rooms were locked up....



Okay so let's run through my school day:

7:20 Chauffeur drops us off at school (oh yes I am living the high life)












7:30 school "starts" teachers don't always get into the room or start teaching until after 8, if they even talk to us.


Each grade is split up in to sciences scientific and basics (which have almost all classes together) and batan....batan is like business I guess...not sure. I've actually spent quite a bit of time in that class, it's a lot smaller than mine.






8:50 switch classes!









<<That's my classroom! :)










9:30 snack break! In the lunch room you go to buy your ticket for lunch and any food you might want. They have empanandas, sodas, juices, grilled cheese sandwiches, candy, cookies, and some Paraguayan food that you don't know....that's probably my fault, sorry!

<<That where you go to buy the delicious food! :)














<---Random picture of the outside of the school.
Oh and just like the houses here, the school is completely denied in, with only one way in and out and there is a "security" check point there just to make sure no creepers come on campus.









<--That's the front of the school!








10:00 back to the same class.

.......
Switch classes once or twice before we have lunch!
.......


12:20 Lunch time! You go through a buffet type thing. The food is really good at my school, because they actually cook it instead of unthawing it like they do at CDO, blah.

<<That's the cafeteria! Normally the tables and chairs are all spread out, but like I said, vacation!











<--Also outside eating.











After we eat we go sit somewhere around campus like:

<<My friends and I shot a One Direction music video here! :)






















1:00 back to class!

1:50 switch class!











2:15 on Fridays school is over!
2:50 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday school is over!
3:20 on Wednesdays school is over!

Yup that's my school day in a nutshell!

Sorry if it was a bit rushed, I'm too lazy to really write tonight but I felt like I needed to post it.

Oh and tomorrow is my last day and the principal and other office ladies want to do some kind of going away type "ceremony." Not even sure what that means, but and we are going on this type of field trip thing so it was more like today was my last day at school....

So yeah!


Here's are a bunch of random pictures from school:

Hope I covered everything...well of course I didn't but I hope it was enough!

Be on the lookout for more blog updates...THREE DAYS LEFT!! :'O

Oh yeah I didn't proof read so sorry if it's REALLY bad :/

BYE!!