10 days down...

...and 10 more to go. It's weird that it's getting so close. I'm at that point where I know it's real but I don't quite feel it hitting home just yet. You know, like you've been planning something for so long and doesn't seem like it's going to happen until that day arrives. But all the plans to come back are in full swing.

I've finally eaten the best ice cream in the city...so yummy! I made it Fuente Alemana, a restaurant that everyone has told me was a must since the beginning. They're know for their completos (hot dogs topped with sauer kraut, mayo, avocado, pickles, tomatoes, ketchup and hot sauce), and wow was I in heaven. I know what I'm ordering on my next dog at Happy Dog in C-town!! On Monday the people from my University here had a farewell dinner for me at a restaurant called Don Quijote. I knew that they had invited my classmates but I had no idea that my professors would be there as well! It was a little awkward but a nice gesture and the food was good...and free ;) I'm spending as much time as possible with my closest of friends, Susana (god I'm gonna miss that girl), Salvador, Ryan, Jorge & Ximena. I was planning on going to Rangcagua this weekend but work offered me a few shifts to cover for another teacher and I could really use the money on my final check, so I'm putting that trip on hold until I return in December! Not much else on my to-do list before I leave the city. I just want to enjoy my students, friends and the final days of the life I built here.

Final grades have started rolling in for my classes. I got an 85% in Operations Management, it's a B but a high B so I guess it'll do. There is a final group presentation being done Saturday morning in Management Models that I will not be participating in, but my participation is not necessary because I contributed to the research in the project. I'm pretty sure that I'm getting an A in that class because I got A's on both of my solo presentations (the most recent grade I received yesterday, 6.8 out of 7) and I got an A on my exam. Spanish class, well who knows. Still haven't heard anything from that professor! But I think CSU will be proud of their first representative of the university to go to Concepcion and hopefully I can help encourage other students to study here as well.

So the next week will involve my last couple of classes at work (my last day is Wednesday), spending time with my Chilean families (both of them), doing some souvenir shopping for my loves back home (which I started doing today) and then begin packing and cleaning my room. Saturday is my big going away party with all my co-workers and friends. Susana and her family have offered to host my party at their home which is beyond awesome! We're going to have karaoke, drinks and chat...and I'm sure someone is going to make me cry! Then Sunday my flight leaves at 4pm. This may be my last blog before I leave, so those that are reading, I will be in touch when I get to Columbus. My phone will be active again at midnight on the 22nd but I won't be in Columbus until 9am. Until then...