2017
Well it’s been a while since I’ve checked in, but I guess this is as good a time as any. Today is the first day of 2017, and it feels like the still, pre-dawn moments just before the sun rises. Almost two years have passed since I arrived in Wageningen, and this period in my life is closely approaching its end. In order to graduate in February I will conclude my minor thesis with a presentation and examination in the last week of January. I plant on submitting my final report on my birthday, January 19th. On that day, two years earlier D, Coco and I boarded the plane to come here. What comes next is still a bit of a mystery. While I’ve been stressing out about the uncertainty of it until recently, I think I’ve found some peace with it. As for the near future, I’ll be returning to Texas to take a short break and spend some time with my family when I finish up here. I can’t wait to go walking in the park with my parents, to visit my tias and gorge myself on tamales, to go shopping with my sister. I’m also looking forward to heading back to Kingsville to visit the old stomping ground and to thank the Rotary chapter, and district which made this all possible. I’ll also be looking into PhD positions. There are a few interesting options out there, and I’m sure I’ll know the right one when I see it. For now, though, it’s a race to the finish line, doing everything I can to end this experience on a high note, to exceed the expectations of others, and maybe live up to my own. This moment is one of contrasts, I’m sad to go, but proud of what I’ve achieved, I’m stressed out, but excited about the future, I feel like such a strong, independent woman, but am looking forward to, more than anything, hugs from my parents after the long trip home. And maybe a burger, from In ‘n Out.