Blogging During the Daytime

The sun has passed high noon on our time here in the Algarve, the moon and stars of memory are fast setting themselves in our sky. Yet, we must stay present in today as we still have plenty of sunlight left. It can be hard, being here, present, knowing the next faze in life is fast approaching. It can be hard on days that we miss family and friends back home. The comfort of a warm group of affectionate friends helps us though, it is a blanket to the cold night approaching.

Summer here is gone, and a fall much like its summer counterpart is here. Yet days can be hot with cool nights. The buzz of holy light from foteball (the real national religion)games on TV warm the night for many as they congregate in cafes and bars. I have acquired a favorite team, Sporting, as is mandatory here. Most of the tourists have gone, life, at least for the locals, has returned to a somewhat normal. It is much more quiet now, except for that garbage truck that still makes late night visits.

We have continued to hangout with our friends here, growing deeper relationships that will become increasingly harder to leave from. Their worldviews are becoming more apparent, and yet, our group has grown a synthesis with our influence. We have contributed to it, created together "fantasy themes" as they say in communication studies (not dirty!). We share common inside jokes and meanings, opinions and dialogue. We have conversed on issues of religion, theology, politics, ethics...

We continue to be active in sports. It has been the catalyst for building relationships here since the beginning. We are truly blessed by the people we have met through Cross-fit, football, surfing, etc. The culture here seems to be centered around sport life. Since the waves of tourists have left, local ideology becomes more clear. Sports carry with them more than just physical activity, more than just entertainment. They carry belonging, they carry pride. They provide history, hope, identity.

We had the chance to take part in Rota Do Petisco, a tapas style food sampling from traditional restaurants with traditional foods. As usual, we had a great time sampling the colorful flavors of the Algarvian cuisine. Never in my life did I think I would covet the taste of sardines until I moved to Portugal. The Algarve is especially known for them.  We have had the best of the best, in company and food.

As time fast approaches, the reality of going back to the states does too. We struggle with the stress of what our next steps are in life. We are struggle with the insecurities that plague risks and effort. I am insecure about what jobs will be out there, what grad schools may or may not accept me, when is the right time to start having kids, and what the situation in the states is as we are returning too, what...Yosemite is closed??? But through the stress and (over?) thinking, we have hope. We have hope the we are not alone, we are being taken care of, and that this life is an opportunity to love, before it is an opportunity to succeed or be recognized. Before it is a chance to be loved, we have a chance to serve in love, to see life as beautiful, not because of what only happens to us, but because of what we can do to life, to the situation we are borne into.

Some might read this (if anyone actually does) and think "that it must be nice to type these words, in such a beautiful place as he is, enjoying life with first world problems". To an extent, they are right, my life has been incredibly blessed, I have such a wonderful experience here. There are so many people who are dying around the world and I have the audacity to have any sort of stress. But it is hoe that has brought me through darker days, through darker times, times hidden, experiences not expressed. Hope from the past that has brought me a hope into the present, and for the future. I believe that The one who has created me, also works to help me be a blessing to the 'others' in my life. That includes the Divine self, my friends, family, etc. I believe he will work with me through all situations, not abandoning me, even in difficult times.

So, we continue, blessed as we are, we experience, study, and enjoy the Algarve and her people. Portugal and all of its quirks and glories has shaped our experience and continues to teach us about life, love, and the pursuit of service.

"Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect." -Margaret Mitchell

“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places.
But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now
mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater.” 
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings