Back in Colombia

It´s a weird feeling to be back here, at times it feels like home and at times it feels like I´m in a foreign country.  Many happenings force me to remember that I´m no longer in good old Iowa.  To mention a few: a man selling candy on the street stopped to relieve himself, holding his box of candy in one hand, his other hand occupied, and his eyes staring at me.  Awkward.  Did he have the good graces to at least face the bushes?  Of course not, thank goodness it was dark and he was at least partly in the shadows.  The brazenness of public urination here is just plain shocking.  Men pee everywhere, and I mean everywhere.  I'm sure you're all pleased with my maturity in reporting such wonderful sightings in Colombia, you're welcome.

Another reminder that Colombia is so different from Iowa that I experienced this week, as my friends on Snapchat already know, was the mandatory transit police stops that we went through each morning on our way to school.  Transito was stopping each bus to check for the appropriate paperwork, is my understanding.  We were stopped three days in a row before they started to just let us through.  The police like to make their presence known, which I suppose is a good thing.

I went for my latest check up on the status of my eyes.  I am happy to report that I have 20/20 vision and zero negative side effects from the LASIK.  I am ecstatic to not have to worry about contacts, contact solution, cases, glasses, etc.  So happy with my decision, and fingers crossed everything continues to go smoothly.

Lastly, I was able to take my bike out for a quick spin around the block (up the mountain 7km) with Kelsey yesterday.  We turned back after the threat of thunder and dark clouds, which turned out to be nothing, just a couple sprinkles.  However, after our last scary experience coming down the mountain in a rain storm, it's always better to be safe than sorry!  We look forward to many rides this semester and I have set the goal to get up the mountain in under an hour before the end of the school year!  (Not sure if it's possible, but I'm going to give it a whirl.)

Picture post is soon to follow!
much love to all in my shorts and tank top, enjoy the snow!
aimee

Happy 2015!

Hello friends!
I just returned from the beautiful United States of America to my home here in Medellin.  After hearing much sadness and despair about my lack of posting on this blog, I have decided to rectify the situation.  I AM ALIVE.  I am happy, somewhat healthy (damn cold) and ready to be back in this beautiful, tropical city.  Since I last posted, I have moved apartments, met and bonded with my second class of fifth grade students, traveled to some awesome places, and been to Iowa and back!

This past fall semester I went on a motorcycle trip with two friends (I was a passenger, thank God) to the coffee region of Colombia.  We stayed in Salento, Armenia and at a coffee farm outside of Manizales.  This country truly is amazing.  I also went to Parque Nacional Tayrona with my good friend and coworker Kelsey over American Thanksgiving.  I have had some awesome experiences, and am so excited to see what the future holds for me.

After being at home in Iowa at Christmas time, I have come to realize just how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and family that will always be there for me.  I am going to miss seeing these wonderful people SO much for the next semester, but I shall return in just a mere six months.  However, Al and Cathy already started the countdown to when I'm moving back to the states for good, so for those of you interested I have included that status as of this morning.

I promise to be a better blogger in 2015!
Happy reading!
much love in the new year!
aimee

PS. photos will be posted from some of my adventures in 2014!