Now I'm really thinking...(very long)
First of all, thanks to everyone who has been responding. You people have been very helpful. I have gotten so used to people just telling me that I'm crazy and now all of you are showing such sincere concern. I'm really amazed and appreciative!
For those of you who are still interested my situation, and would like to give more input, here are a few more details about it. My family was with me on my first trip when I met Jenny. They met her and like her, and don't blame me for liking her back. I believe my dad is influenced by my mom's opinion, but I think that deep down, he would probably like to see me with Jenny. My mom's opinion is pretty strongly against me being with Jenny. Not because she doesn't like Jenny, but because of a lot of other reasons that she can't very well justify. I have a very hard time valuing my mom's opinion, because when I look at her life, she doesn't seem to be very happy. She's never taken a risk in her life. She has always been the responsible person. I am all for being responsible, which makes me believe even more that I should be with Jenny. I am happy being with Jenny. Seems to me that it would be irresponsible to let go of someone that makes you happy. I have talked with many people about Jenny, including her close friends and co-workers. Everyone I've talked to absolutely loves this girl, but more importantly, I love her. Now some people believe that you can't really be sure about how sincere a person is, or how they really feel. I agree. You can't really be sure, but you have to follow your instinct. My opinion, from a very biased point of view, is that Jenny sincerely cares about me and loves me. I realize that I am in a pretty vulnerable position. I also realize the risk factor in the case that I am wrong about all of this. I'm willing to take the risk. The benefits of things going the way I hope outweigh the consequences of things going wrong. It's worth the risk to me.
Okay, I've only known this girl for 4 months. What am I crazy? How can I be this serious already? Honestly, I don't have an answer that would satisfy anyone. I just have an extremely good feeling that things are going to work out with her. I'm not making any life changing decisions. I haven't started planning to marry her. I have only considered spending more time in the DR.
Duck, tell me more about this Santiago idea of yours. Anyone else who has ideas of what my next step should be, please let me know. I have some questions about studying in the DR, and about some of the universities. Please help me if you know much about this stuff. Thanks again to everyone! I am very grateful!
-Justin