When I began to plan my journey (mi viaje) as part of my Fulbright experience, I had a number of deadlines to meet and miles to accomplish. Primarily, I had to apply for the award and this required a lot of planning and cooperation, both on my end, but also for a number of others (muchas personas) who contributed to my application packet. I had to get letters of recommendation, letters of support from Chile, letters (unas cartas) validating my teaching abilities, and forms validating my abilities to read, write and speak in Spanish. I had to fill out a formal proposal and supply samples of my work, both as a teacher and as a researcher (como maestro y investigador ambos).
In reality (en realidad), I began to formulate my plan in January of 2007 in order to submit my materials by the August 1, 2007 deadline. I had hoped to receive a 5 month appointment in Chile, which if you have been reading along, you know that I did receive (yo recibí). Yet, when I submitted my application back in August of 2007, it was some 4 months in December of 2007 before I received the first indication (la primera indicación) that my efforts might pay off in this unique opportunity, and that this might actually become a reality.
In January (enero) of 2008, I had to begin the year with a series of negotiations and facilitated agreements between my host institution (la UMCE), Fulbright Chile and the Fulbright Commission in Washington, DC. Over the next few months, I had to justify and defend my plan, as well as construct (para construir) a path of implementation that covered both my academic and professional goals (las metas). By March of 2008, all the institutional requirements were in place and at that time, I had to subsequently pass the medical clearance and obtain the correct visa so that I could work in Chile. After many visits (muchas visitas) to the clinic for physical exams and immunizations, along with a self-funded trip to the Chilean consulate in Houston, I was given the clearance to head to Chile for my Fulbright experience beginning in July of 2008.
Once I was sure I was going, it got really serious (muy serio) about the regular things in life, like finding a place to live near the university (cerca de la universidad). The commission suggests that you work with your local hosts, and this is some of the best advice to take to heart. With the help (la ayuda) of friends who went out of their way many times, I was able to secure a furnished apartment that put me a comfortable 15 minute walk to campus. The location was safe and secure, and also allowed for me and my wife, Sarah, to live, work and enjoy Ñuñoa.
Now, I am reaching another milestone (un hito) in that it has now been 100 days here in Chile, and I have about one third of my time, or 50 days, left here in Santiago. There is so much left to do, and the time (el tiempo) is quickly advancing. What at first seemed like an eternity (una eternidad) has become a rapidly moving reality. The time will only continue to progress, ad the value (el valor) of the time remaining will only increase. As I enter my final third of my journey, there are a thousand thoughts that enter my head, none greater that am I redeeming the time that I have been given? This is something that not only do I need to enact here, but also something that on which I need to reflect. In fact (de hecho), this needs to be part of my life from here on out.
By the time I get home (en casa) from this experience, it will be December of 2008, right before the Christmas holiday in the US. This will be a full 2 years (dos años completos) from the time when I had the entail inclination to reach for this Fulbright award. Although 2 years sounds like a lot of time, and in reality, it is, but when you get down to the final 50 days, there seems to be more to experience in the future, than there was ever in the past (el pasado).
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