I attended our weekly meeting yesterday to tell the staff that I would be leaving Esperanza and briefly explained why. I mentioned the difficulties with diabetes and they seemed to understand to the extent they could. I just didn’t know it would be this difficult to control it here. Guess my organism (it’s from a Spanish phrase, it means body) is a bit more sensitive...just like the doctor said! Still, it’s frustrating, but a lesson in humility, a reminder that I am not, in fact, invincible. Only the social workers demonstrated any affect change. And then they invited me to go work with them up until I leave.

I left the meeting feeling as though I did the right thing, but the right thing doesn’t always feel “good” immediately. Someday I hope this decision is affirmed. I do want to be involved with Esperanza and I certainly want to support their work, but not in this way unfortunately.

Still I have not heard much from Cuernavaca, but at this point I feel any opportunity there would be a better fit.

I had a wonderful time in Portland supporting my sister through the birth of her first child- my nephew! It was really an honor to be there, and a very special time for our family. I left abruptly to go to Seattle and prepare for the Rotary interview. I enjoyed visiting the University Club and my mentor was wonderful! A very kind man with many stories and wisdom to share. He was generous to also take me to and from the interview site since it was not convenient to reach from Seattle. I felt very good about this interview, unlike the last. It was more relaxed, but I was also much more prepared and new how to “hold my own” against the questions. I think I left a good impression and the selection should be finished within a couple of weeks.

It was also graduation time at Seattle University. I went straight from my interview to the end-of-the-year Sullivan functions. We had our last round of check-in, shared gratitude for the seniors, and then went to the dinner with the president and provost. Then the seniors went out for drinks and to continue our good-byes. Gosh, it is difficult to summarize how much the program means to me. It cannot be expressed in words. And not know how or when I will see my classmates again is extremely difficult for me. They really are my extended family, who know me and have seen me through very challenging experiences and growth. I miss them dearly.

I should be going, but am cast in a shadow of nostalgia. Funny how feeling the changes can put me into a strange reflective lull...

Take good care.

aly