The glass is 2/3 full

Tomorrow completes the sixth week of our vacation. It is the end of our Spanish lessons.
This trip has been full of changes. We have changed host families, cities, languages, eating habits, seasons, cultures, attitudes and outlooks.
We have changed everyday from being "students" to being tourists.
We have changed from being "guests" to being family.
We have changed to a mostly beef and dulce de leche diet.
We have changed from winter to summer. It still shocks me to see a sign that says something about summer on it. It sure does not feel like Christmas either.
We have changed our attitudes. We are much more "laid back" and relaxed now. This is a country who lives by the motto "Es lo que hay" which translated means "It is what it is." this motto really mean that Uruguayan people accept things the way that they are. We have a slower pace of life. It is different than being on vacation though. We are gone from home so long that it takes away the fervor of trying to fit everything in. Bad weather? Who cares...we are here long enough that there will be more sun coming.
Today the weather has changed a jillion times. From 2 minute rain showers, to sun, to clouds. Sweater on, sweater off. Allen even put some pants on. Then he added a new item to his bucket list. One year without wearing pants, long pants. I hope he at least wears underpants!
I think today is a reflective day because tomorrow is the last day of lessons. More goodbyes. All of our goodbyes have been relatively easy because we are going to see everyone again when our family comes. We will see Buby, Augustine, Blanquita, Charro and all of our teachers again. But, tomorrow still is a big benchmark.
One thing that has not changed...we still don't speak Spanish! Would we change that if we could? No! If we had been true students who actually studied then we would not have had the experiences that we have had. The idea of going to school for three hours and then going home to study for another six hours is not what this trip is about. That would certainly not be an adventure.
A lot of the time I sit in class and think, boy these teachers must think I am stupid...they might be right. You might think that this has been a waste of money to take Spanish lessons and not learn how to speak Spanish. Today is the day of realization that my chances of going home speaking Spanish is not going to happen. Allen knew it before we even left Fairbanks!
But you know what? I do know a lot about how the Spanish language is constructed. I know what I will have to study when I do buckle down to learn how to speak fluently. (there still is a chance that it could happen in my lifetime) Coming to this school has made all of the above changes possible.
So goodbye to classroom instruction. I guess we are ready to spread our wings and be pushed out of the nest. It sure was comfy in our nest. Thank you to all our teachers who taught us so much. You have introduced us to your language, your country and your homes and your families. You have been our mentors and our friends. We have ended with the perfect combination of the Uruguayan language and culture experience.