9 days until Chile...AND baby Bentley :)

Hola!

I can hardly believe that we are in the single digits for the countdown! Only 9 days until the group and I take off. Lately, I have been busy packing. Many of you have asked me "How in the world do you pack for 7 months?" Truth is, I had no idea when you asked me, and I still have no idea...It's extremely difficult, but I'm as ready as I ever will be :)

I have also been busy spending time with my friends and family, going to graduations, soaking up the sun, and cooking and eating as much American food as possible before leaving.

Sam, my roommate from college, and I took a little shopping trip to the Mall of America earlier in May.

Like usual, I got pretty excited when I saw Spanish :) The translation: Blue's Adventure

Perhaps the favorite person I have seen so far, would probably have to be my cousin Cale and Kate's new little baby boy, Bentley. I feel so blessed that he was born, and I was able to meet him before I leave. Photos of Bentley are below.

ALSO, check out my vlog. For all of those of you who aren't too tech savvy, a vlog is the mix between a video and a blog :) I will be writing this blog (what you are reading right now), and I will also have a vlog which you can click on below. With a blog and vlog, you should be able to get the full experience of going and being in Chile :)

My first vlog post includes footage of the new little addition to our family. Enjoy!

You can also click here to check out my vlog on youtube: My vlog: Katie's South American Adventure...the 2nd Time Around :)

Bentley Gerald Vaith and me.

Laurie (my mom) and Bentley.

The new happy little family :)

Isn't he just the cutest little thing you have ever seen?

Hasta pronto,

Katie :)

The Countdown has Begun!

Hola!

Summer is finally here, and the countdown for Chile has begun! 25 days until I will leave as the program assistant with 16 other UNI students. It's crazy how fast the time flies. A year ago, I had no idea how amazing Chile was or how close I would become with the people from there. During this year that I have been back in the U.S., I've been extremely lucky working at the UNI Study Abroad Office and helping recruit and prepare the Culture Intensive Spanish Program in Chile. Not only have I enjoyed preparing for this trip, but I have met and gotten to know the amazing people in the Study Abroad Office (you know who you are!). I've also enjoyed getting to know the many students that I will be taking to Chile this summer. They are all anxious to experience Chile for the first time, to meet all of the wonderful Chileans I've talked about so much, and to improve their Spanish skills. They are a great bunch, and I look forward to sharing our adventures while we are abroad.

For all of you who need a little geography reminder, here's a map of where we will be:

Here's a little outline of the coming year:

May 30th: The group and I will leave for Chile
July 31st: The group will return to the U.S.
August 13th: Colton, Erin, and I will begin semester classes
January 4th, 2012: I will return to the U.S.

For now though, it's time to enjoy time with my family and friends and soaking up my last bit of American culture for awhile.

Hasta luego!

Katie :)