Where in the world am I?

How does one update a blog after 6 months of silence? I will give you a two word answer that hopefully explains everything: grad school. Really I should say it was the end of grad school that has kept me very busy and at times holding onto a sliver of sanity. Since my program is an accelerated program in which we take all of our academic courses in one year this Spring semester has felt like my final year. I have taken 44 graduate level credits in 2 semesters, whereas some of my friends in traditional grad school programs have take 9 credits per semester.

The reason my program operates this way is to allow us to use our second year to participate in a practicum or professional internship. As academically complete graduate students, with international experience under our belts, we get to join organizations and work alongside staff members instead of being interns who fetch coffee and send mail. I haven't secured my practicum opportunity yet (not from a lack of trying) but am hopeful that an opportunity I am interviewing for in Honduras works out. I'll keep you all updated.

The real news in my overdue update is that I am heading off on a summer adventure! I will be leaving for Guatemala in 5 days! I really love my life!! I booked a ticket yesterday to go to Guatemala on Sunday. Who does that? I have been planning on going to study Spanish since last summer but was slightly delayed in making that a reality. But now I am off to study Espanol inQuetzaltenango, which is commonly called Xela (pronounced Shay-la). That's right, I am going to live in a city that has the same name as myself! When I first contacted the school there they asked me how I got a Mayan name. I had to explain that my name was spelled differently but pronounced the same. They really got a kick out of this and I have been told by everyone familiar with the city that the local people are going to love it.

Hopefully, this will be the beginning of regular blogging on my part once again. I'll try to update on my experience and any travel opportunities that show themselves.

Hasta luego!