Only one week remains before I end my time in Bolivia and start my time in Colombia. It's a big time of transition. The truth is, I do transition a lot in my life. It's almost a hobby of mine, really, and I am getting pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. Still, this one is unique.

I am very excited about my job in Colombia. I have wanted to go there for a long time now, so I am thrilled about the opportunity to work there. On top of that, I'm also thrilled about my job there. It sounds like something that I will really enjoy. Still, it's a big commitment, with much more responsibility; it's four times as long as my current time in Bolivia. Needless to say, I'm anxiously watching the days go by.

However, up until now, my time in Bolivia has been the biggest, longest international adventure of my life. I have been here longer than all my previous international trips before combined. I have had an amazing experience with my host family and with my friends at the local church. I have shared birthday parties, weddings, funerals, graduations, sports games, family vacations, and much more. They have become such a big part of my life. On top of that, there are the kids at Talita Cumi. Each and every one of them is special to me. Of course, it's an understatement to say it won't be easy for me to leave Bolivia.

Basically, the biggest adventure I have ever finished and the biggest adventure I have ever started will happen on the same day. Obviously, there are mixed emotions. Sometimes I can't wait for the 28th to come. Other days life feels like a fine bottle of wine being poured down my throat, way too fast to enjoy all the rich flavors. Así es la vida.

Here in Latin America, you often hear about machismo, or chauvinism. It's one of those rare discussions where I tend to listen a lot, and contribute little, since my position both as a foreigner and a male put me in the "learner" category. So, I'm not about to write a big analysis of machismo in Santa Cruz. I do, however, notice that there is a strong, explicit use of female sexuality in advertising here. The other day on the bus, though, I also thought about how it's funny that they still give preference to women (often pregnant or elderly) for the best seats on the bus. Perhaps there are some mixed messages there, but again, I'm not the best analyst.

While it may not be a perfect analogy, it really got me thinking about the good and bad in every system. Sometimes, we try to point at a good characteristic to justify a corrupt or oppressive system. It's like justifying slavery, because the slave owners took good care of their slaves, so they were better off. Or saying at least the wage-slaves in the factory have enough to buy rice at the end of the day. Or that at least corporate power results in big donations to charities. Or at least the man buys nice things for the woman he treats like an object.

These are all nice benefits. But in the end, no amount of perks can justify something that strips people of their dignity. This is another reason why I disagree with (among other things) the idea that the generosity of those who have should be the solution for those who are denied.

One of the things you learn pretty quickly when coming to a place like Santa Cruz is who the rival soccer teams are. In Santa Cruz, the big match up is Oriente vs. Blooming. (If you think it's odd that a Spanish soccer team is called Blooming, then you're not alone. But that's not the point). So, yesterday Santa Cruz hosted the clasico, and I had a friend here who wanted me to go. Aubrey, one of the other Bolivian SALTers who works about 10 hours away from here, was here for her last visit before I leave for Colombia. On top of that, it was Sunday afternoon, and I wanted to go home and rest for a while, instead of going to wait in line for a couple of hours. Maybe I missed out on a big opportunity, but I was glad to relax and spend time with Aubrey. Besides, Oriente lost, and my friend must have been devastated.

Today was actually kind of a rough day. It was Monday, and I was "angsty" as the Abernathy family would say. But, I got through the day knowing that Bob and Denise Friesen (a missionary couple that help at TC) were going to take Dovanna and me out for a nice dinner. Denise is really a life-saver for me at TC. She's always so encouraging and positive and energetic when she comes (Tues, Thurs, Fri), and those days invariable are so much better. Bob, among other things, coaches basketball at the Christian Learner Center here. So, of course, they are pretty into March Madness, and the championship game tonight.

Early on in the dinner, then, they said, "So you know, there's the big game tonight. Do you guys know about the big game?" I game them a genuinely confused look and said to them, "Well, I know last night Oriente and Blooming played."

I wasn't sure if I should think I've been here too long or if I should take it as a sign that I'm integrating well. I decided to go for the latter.

Also, they bought me a new belt. They are amazing.