1:30 A.M. Nyquil is swallowed.
1:45 A.M. Eyes begin to feel heavy.
2:00 A.M. Blissful (albeit admittedly unhealthy) sleep takes over.
2:15 A.M.
Door to bedroom opens, and shadowy figure appears over the bed. I
scream. Figure screams. There is a shuffling of feet so uncoordinated
and startled it could only be my roommate, Katie. Apologies are made.
Katie hurries out.
I’m fully awake and trying to get my heart rate back to normal when I
shoot Katie a text asking what that was all about. Apparently she has
left something for me. I know immediately what that something is, and
I’m flooded with mixed emotions.
The previous evening, I had written my roommates letters. With a
month left before I move to Costa Rica for four months followed by
Barcelona for two, and only two days left with these girls, I had to say
something.
I feel my life very deeply-the triumphs, the pains, the friendships,
everything. These girls needed to know what they had made me feel-had
done to my life, my heart, and my sense of self. The best friendships
are made between individuals committed to building each other up, and I
can confidently say that these girls built me in ways that I will carry
through the rest of my life. I will forever treasure the memory that was
made two nights ago post-letter reading: us laying in my bed until 6 in
the morning with finals around the corner talking, crying, and
laughing-always laughing.
I originally had mixed emotions about reading Katie’s letter
because of how content I am in this life of mine. It’s cheesy, but you
truly don’t realize how much of a good thing you have until you’re about
to walk away from it. Wouldn’t this letter make it harder for me to
leave? Per usual, I was proved wrong.
Katie’s letter yesterday was exactly the closure on this chapter of
my life I needed in order to fully immerse myself in the chapter
nearing closer everyday. I cannot grow if I remain stagnant. I cannot
learn if I play it safe. I cannot go through life without regrets if I
don’t let my heart beat out my head every once in awhile (or in my case,
most of the time).
She gave me a gift that I am wearing around my neck as I type this
account: an antique key with the word, “Courage,” engraved on its face.
Because of the friends I have awaiting me upon my return, I can and will
be brave. Katie’s advice to, “embrace loneliness, embrace novelty,
embrace confusion, and embrace new friends,” will ring in my ears as unfamiliar beds are where I rest my head at night and unfamiliar language fills my mind in the day.
Tomorrow marks one month before I board my flight, and y’all,
I’m so ready to embrace this opportunity with every ounce of courage,
character, and joy that’s waiting to be pulled out of me by this
experience.
--
Read more from Caroline at: http://carolinegeorge95.wix.com/puntarenas
For more information on the USAC Costa Rica: Spanish Language, Ecological, and Latin American Studies in Puntarenas program, visit: http://usac.unr.edu/study-abroad-programs/costa-rica/puntarenas
For more information on the USAC Costa Rica: Spanish Language, Ecological, and Latin American Studies in Puntarenas program, visit: http://usac.unr.edu/study-abroad-programs/costa-rica/puntarenas
