I Skipped Phase Two by Daniel Walker

From the first pre-trip meeting, we've been told by Ken and Kenny (seasoned veterans of international travel) that this trip is accompanied by three phases.  The first phase is the initial part of the program where everything is new and exciting and you're thrilled to be experiencing something new.  The third phase happens as the sun sets on our program and we prepare to go our own ways.  Phase three is when everyone is attached to their new family and surroundings and no one wants to leave.  In between those two phases lies phase two.  Phase two carries with it the only negative emotions that could possibly be stirred up by an experience such as this one.  In phase two, home sickness sets in.  One might start to find negatives around them because they are weary and ready to go home.

I can say with great confidence that I have missed my flight for phase two entirely.  At no point in this trip have I been negative or frustrated with my host family or host teachers.  I think I have been set up for success by my professors and colleagues that have done things like this before; all say that I must strive to be flexible and try to take in as much as possible.  Each day is an opportunity for me to learn about a new way of life and a new culture.  Each day is a chance to see how the human experience ensures that people thousands of miles away from home are just like me in one way or another.  Each day is a chance for me to make new friends and family members that I'll share my life with for as long as it continues.  For me, this trip has been about 4-5 days of phase one followed by an immediate catapulting into phase three.  I love getting up for school every day and working hard to show my new friends things about music they didn't know before.  I love the way kids down here light up when you say their English is good.

This week was full of a lot of fun and rewarding moments.  From presenting workshops to going under the ocean to learn about miners' hardships to having a beer in the Andes Mountains, each experience leaves me thinking, "I can't believe I just did that... When can I do this again?"

Snow rests for now and plans its attack for the coming months of winter.  Soon the snow will have a population large enough to unionize and bargain collectively.

Also, I love coming home to my host family after a long day at school.  Goofing off with my sisters (and Tommy, whenever he's awake...) is so much fun and I'm always able to get some quality cuddle time with my girl, Fiona (white ball of fluff with a bit of an attitude).  Now I'm using my power as the creator of this blog post to fire my FBI director without warning and end this blog post a little earlier than usual.  I'll be back in a few days for a BONUS blog post, one that will probably be mostly about art.