The End...

The last two weeks have been busy. This was due in large part to the prep time involved in making and giving a 50 minute talk (all in Spanish) on all I had done and learned here to a group of colleagues, Fulbright people, and random individuals I’d never met (it was open to the public). I was rather nervous having never presented anything over 20 minutes in the past and never in Spanish but it turned out well and even though presenting was not a requirement I was very glad to have done it on a personal satisfaction level – the experience tied it all together for me.

After the presentation it was time to say goodbye to everyone I have come to care for here. Sleep took a big hit the past week but the price was gladly paid.




(Me being nostalgic and taking pictures inside the Fulbright building.)




(The amazing FB team. Their dedication and compassion helped make my time here truly great.)




(Lab friends before saying goodbye.)




(At Theo’s house with his family after dinner.)




(Quito and surrounding mountains this morning. The tallest peak in the background is the one I have blogged about hiking to the top twice before. I went running around my neighborhood at 6:45am this morning taking pics; it is so beautiful and quiet on Sunday mornings.)


Today I spent mostly with my EC-family and packing. The highlight was teaching them all how to make play-doh and then us playing with it like little kids! What an amazing family I have been able to live with these past 10 months. I will miss them a lot.

And now it’s over.

But in some ways I feel things have only just begun. I leave tomorrow, this is true, but the friendships I have formed remain, the possibilities to return and continue working in a similar vein are abundant, and the new life-avenues that have opened during my time here leave me very excited for the future.