Peacin' Out

I knew this was coming. Two weeks ago, one of the students mentioned that everyone was going to have to give a 'despedidia,' or farewell speech, in front of everyone at the Institute, and that we would have a week to work on it with one of our professors. On Monday, when the schedule for despedidas was posted, I found out mine was on TUESDAY MORNING. I had a minor freak-out, and then started thinking about ways that I could get out of it. As always, I found my answer in dancing.
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I decided, since I don't like public speaking, that I was going to tap dance my despidada, and Jonathan was going to translate for me. It went something like this:
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Me: Flap step ball change heel brush step, etc.
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Translation (spoken by Jonathan): Yo prefiero bailar frente a grandes grupos de personas mas que hablar, por eso, Jonathan va a traducir para mi.
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Me: Scuff heel step, waltz clog, etc.
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Translation: Quiero comenzar agradeciendo a todos en el Instituto por darnos la bienvenida con tanto carino, y hacer de este un lugar comodo, no solo para estudiar, sino tambien para crear companerismo.
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Me: Cramp roll, heel dig, stomp, etc.
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Translation: Quiero ampliar un especial sincero agradecimiento a mis profesores. Por su capacidad, y su pacienca sin limites. Por ayudarme como una estudiante y como una person. Por compartir su idioma, su cultura, y sus vidas conmigo, y permitirme compartir mi vida con ustedes.
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Me: Traveling time step.
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Translation: Cuando yo regreso a los estados, voy a continuar estudiano y seguir trabajando con estudiantes Latinos. En este modo, ustedes seguiran siendo una parte de mi vida, y para siempre en mi corazon.
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Me: Step brush hop step brush hop step step (x2), step brush heel step brush heel step step, heel brush step heel dig (x2), periddiddle (x4), over-the-top.
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Translation: Muchisimas gracias.
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And in English...
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I prefer to dance in front of large groups of people rather than talk, so Jonathan is going to translate for me.
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I would like to begin by thanking everyone at the institutue for welcoming us so warmly and making this a comfortable place not only to study but also to gather in fellowship.
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I want to extend an especially heartfelt "thank you" to my professors. For your expertise and your endless patience; for caring about me as a student and as a person. For sharing your language, your culture, and your lives with me, and allowing me to share my life with you.
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When I return to the states, I will continue to study Spanish and continue to work with Latino students. In this way, you will all continue to be a part of my life, and will forever be in my heart.
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A million thanks.
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And so went my despedidia. It went over very well. I'm trying to be humble about it, but I think it was pretty baller.
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Love and shuffles,
K