Amanda Paysse

Some of you may be wondering if I'm alive considering I haven't been on line much and haven't written a blog in quite some time. Well, es obvio que estoy viviendo!! Things are flying by as I have said previously in some other blogs, but faster now than ever considering that my time in Chile is coming to an end in a couple of weeks. My experience here in this country has been absolutly incredible. The pictures I have and the stories I'll have to tell will never really do much justice for all that I have experienced with my own eyes. I have meet some amazing people who will have a place in my heart forever. Living with Marlene has been great, because she is such a genuine person. In my eyes and in my ... read more

"I try to take on one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once." It becomes overwhelming when you try to do a million things at once. I never thought I really had a problem with succeeding in that area, but here lately I haven't been able to do it. Maybe that's because I'm older and not such the spring chicken I use to be. The time is coming to an end, but the "to do list" seems to be getting longer. What's a girl to do?? Well today was my "despedida" with my family here in Chile. I have to start packing up my stuff tomorrow to move in with Marlene for my last month in Chile. Ema made home-made pizza and wine with grapefruit juice, and Jennie and I made ... read more

It's hard to believe that if I hadn't changed my flight ticket to stay longer, I would only have six more days in Chile. In saying that, I have six days left in the house I am currently living in with Ema, Roberto, and Jennie before I move in with Marlene. I stayed the night over at her place this week to translate a paper for her Master's study in Psychology that is in English. She got teary eyed when we started talking about me only having one more month left here in Chile. Then she sucked it up and said she wasn't going to cry yet because I will be living with her and we'll get to spend more time together and have a "Spanglish" style house. She's become a really good friend out of ... read more

I would have to say that even though I suck at it, skiing is the funnest sport....EVER! I had a blast going on the one day ski trip to the Andes Mountains. One reason, it was with a group of fun people from all over (approximatly 25 people). Reason two is because I can say that I have placed my feet on the Andes Mountains; and three, because... well it was just a great experience. I think that I literally chapped my ass because I hit the ground quite a few times. Maybe I was on the ground more times than I was on my skies. Sometimes I found myself even helping some of my fellow bigginers (Bernardo and Joanna). And still, the funny thing is that I hit the ground at the end of the ... read more

"Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." I came to Santiago on Monday night to spend time with Emi for her last couple of days in Chile. She was more emotional before the trip to the airport, which was quite the opposite of what I was expecting. Monday we kept it quite tranquil and just hung out at the casa since I got in a little later than planned. Emi and I just did the girl catch up talk once I got there and then went to bed early. I woke up at about 9am Tuesday with the sounds of sirens and the thought of me being in a fire. Apparently I thought that I ... read more

Thursday After getting home from work eating quickly and packing my bag, Jennie accompanied me to the bus station near the house to get on a TurBus to Santiago to meet up with Emi. It was a shorter day at work due to the protest that was taking place, therefore I was able to get ready and head out for the weekend adventure with Emi a little earlier than planned. I arrived at Pajaritos and took the metro to Baquedano (sp) and thought I was on the right track getting to Dave and Brian's apartment until I couldn't remember what exit to take out of the subway station. Emi had first offered to meet me at either the bus stop at Pajaritos or at the stop by Dave's apartment, but I was convinced I could ... read more

After hearing stories from Emi, and Jennie about protests at UPLA I finally experienced a real one for myself. It wasn't just students in the middle of the street sitting in desks blocking the roads from busses passing; OH NO....I have to agree with Emi that this was "Más Violenta". I never in my life thought that I would have to run away from work in order to get onto a bus back to Viña del Mar. So, the story goes like this: I was minding my business upstairs in the loft doing work and thinking about what I was going to be packing for my trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was alone today in the office so I really was in my own world. Then out of no where I hear "Niña hola, niña, ... read more

Last night was a really sad moment when we had to say goodbye to Emi and Ocho Norte. It was easy for me to say goodbye to Emi this time because fortunately I get to see her again for our trip to Buenos Aires this weekend. However, when I see her off at the airport I will say it will not come so easily. I’m going to try and be strong ¨Strong Bull¨ but I have developed a wonderful friendship with a genuine woman and hate that things won’t be the same without her. We knew from the beginning that things were going to have to come to an end. It’s one of the first getting to know you questions here in Chile, ¨so how long are you here?¨ It wasn’t a surprise that she was ... read more

Wednesday: Protests at UPLA I started the day off with a magincal moment with breakfast, Cap'n Crunch. It was magical. At my internship I had my first experience to see the beginnings of a protest at UPLA. Emi and I decided that we were going to leave UPLA about 30 minutes early because we didn't have much work to be doing. On our way out to walk to the bus stop there were all the students carrying out their desks. I was thinking what in the world is going on? Are they going to have class outside? But no, they were carrying their desks out to the road to block the street from the bus passing. We starting walking to the bus stop students were sitting in desks in the middle of the street. Then the ... read more