The trip has taken a turn.  I am now back in the States. 

There were many motivating factors for the return.  My girlfriend left, I was without a place to live, my bank statements were scary, and my job was coming to an end.  Curious about the stability of my work situation, I had asked Thomas about the length of time that he foresaw me continuing with the project.  “Oh, probably about 2 weeks”.  This was the sort of answer that I had been prepared to hear.  The work was interesting, but did not seem like any sort of a long-term situation.  I asked in the morning and had been given a point blank answer.  My plans were left splattered on the wall directly behind me .  Later that day I was checking flight prices and by nightfall I had a ticket back home (thanks Otto).   rrrapid fffire dddecisiones… well, not quite, the gears had been turning for a week or so, but when the time came to act, I had to do it fast. 

Because of the timing of the situation, I felt that I needed to make things happen quickly.  I either had to fly out within the coming days or had to wait out Christmas in GT and fly back in January.  Though the second option seemed tempting, I was forced to conclude that it was not quite realistic.  To get to January would cost bastante dinero if I were to remain in Guatemala.  I would need to find a new apartment and, more importantly, some sort of an income to pay for it.  Funds were (and remain) dangerously low and would most likely not have withstood a final month… especially with those assholes at Citibank taking money out every month for my student loan. 

So I am back now.  So what’s next?  Ha, that’s what they all ask.  Hmm… we will see.   The adventure is not over, it has merely (and hopefully temporarily) changed location.  I keep saying it, but it is about remaining positive throughout the ride.  It’s a rollercoaster.  Keep your eyes wide open and try not to panic on the falls.  I do have my temporary panic attacks now and again, but for the most part find that I am not overly worried [yet] about what may be on the horizon. 

The past few weeks have reinforced yet again how lucky I am to have such great friends.  Upon returning, I walked into Otto’s house to find a small surprise party.  Thanks guys.  During the party, I also found that there were many vacant couches available to me throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

I decided to take up the first offer and ride out a week and a half on Otto’s couch.  During this week and half, I made the transformation into a homebody and became suprisingly domestic.  I became the wife that Otto never had.  “Are you coming home for dinner tonight?”, “Hey, don’t you need to be at work right now?”.  It was good though.  Hours of avatar and lots of polished Otto cooking.  I was productive though… When I wasn’t around the house, my time was mostly spent going to Pratt reviews as a way of fishing for jobs.  I received a few potential bites but am not getting overly excited about anything just yet. 

Plan B?  I have also debated furthering my bartending education by applying to barkeep jobs in NYC.  What else?  Teaching English in Asia?  Bookstore in NYC?  Bagel shop in Puerto Rico?  We will see.  The plans are changing by the hour.  I can see to a few days past Christmas and then everything becomes opaquely foggy.  Anything is possible.  This is the mentality right now.

Vamos a ver…

*Fingers are crossed*