Halloween is in a few days?!...

I GOT A PACKAGE TODAY FROM CHRISTY AND BOB! It was full of Halloween candy. The card was the kind that had sound with it… so cute! It really made my day! Oddly, I was telling my American friend the other day how much I wanted a tootsie-pop. Crazily enough, there are tootsie-pops in the package I was sent! THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH GUYS!

Dad… I hope you had an amazing birthday. I wish I could have some of that ice cream cake you have! I am happy you were able to go to the swim practice!

So… as I said before, the former President of Argentina passed away yesterday. I decided to buy a newspaper, on the street this morning, in order to remember this tragic event that occurred during my exchange. There were many men selling the same newspaper. I decided to buy one from this man with a cane… he was blind. I felt bad because he did not look like he was getting a lot of business. But, it was kind of a bad idea haha… Anyways, I asked him how much it cost and he said 2.50 pesos… so I was handing him 5 but he just stood there and told me the price again. I do not know if he did not see it or if he wanted the exact amount. So, I had to search for my 2 peso bill and 50 centavos… I was scrambling around looking for it while juggling the 7 pound box I just received at the post office. Needless to say, I finally found the change, bought the paper and was happy that I bought it from him!

As I went to take the bus home, I gave him a 2 peso bill and the bus driver asked for 25 centavos so that he could give me 50 centavos back. I guess he ran out of the 25 coins, like always! However, I only had 65 centavos and he took it and gave me a peso! That is like me giving you 65 cents and you giving me a dollar even though I am 35 cents short. I guess that is the way the buses work… sometimes they short you and sometimes they give you more.

In my other post, I forgot to mention that Cameron lives a few blocks outside of central. When we would hangout, he walked 24 blocks just to get to the edge of central. Then, I we walked around even more in central. God bless him for walking so far just to keep me company!





MY HALLOWEEN CANDY :)

PUNCH!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! I LOVE YOU

Friday I went to a local club for a foam party. This was the second one that I have gone to. They have this speaker looking thing that shoots bubbles down from the ceiling. I was soaking wet and my eyes were burning. It was probably a bad idea to wear my contacts. However, it was so much fun! Eventually, the bubbles got taller than me in some areas. Alfred, the one exchange boy from Austria, was holding my hand in the bubbles so we would not lose each other! Like I said before when I went to the other foam party, guys try to freely grab the girls in the bubbles. Well… this random guy tried to grab my chest so I grabbed onto Alfred and hugged him so the guy would not touch me. Then, the guy punched Alfred in the nose/lip and ran away! Alfred handled it well and did not get that mad. He was bleeding from his nose and I felt so bad! He also just had his tongue pierced a few days before that which did not help at all! So needless to say, the Austrian boy took a punch for me! The kid punched him for no reason?! I still do not understand why… haha.

After that, I was waiting for my friends to clean the bubbles off of them. Randomly, out of no where, this guy from the bar area of the club walked up to me. He grabbed my arms with a grip that I could not release from. He asked how old I was and he told me that he was 22. He was trying to dance but I told him that I did not want to… then he was trying to kiss me. I just kept saying “NO BESOS” haha no kisses! Finally, after continually trying to release my hands, he got the picture and let me go.

The other day, I got a hair-wrap type thing. I bought it for 10 pesos from a hippie selling them on the street. He had ones set out but he made mine especially for me. I was able to choose the colors and he had me pick it up a few minutes later. It only took him about five minutes to make! I decided to have pink, blue, and purple. He knots/braids the yarn together then he tied it into my hair. It reminds me of how I got a hair-wrap when I went to Florida in second grade. However, this time, only party of the wrap is tied to my hair. The wrap is not done around my hair so it will be easier to take it out whenever I want!

All the exchange students had a sleepover together on Saturday night. We went on a night walk! We stepped over this fence and went on military ground. I guess they use that ground for hunting and they always watch over it. The girls were scared because we were afraid we would get shot or something. Needless to say, we make it back safe and had an enjoyable walk. We were able to see more of the city from the hill we were on!

Monday, Cameron, the other boy from the USA, and I went around the city and explored. Before I got there, he was searching for a new memory card for my camera. He found a place that sold the one that I needed! I had to spend 210 pesos (aprox. $52.50) on a camera card that was only 2GB! Yes, anything dealing with electronics is more expensive here. Cameron and I also went to the grocery store and walked down EVERY aisle! We saw these hippies on the street selling pipes made out of animal bone… we believe they are tobacco pipes and not pipes for weed. Cameron and I were talking in English and passed a guy selling illegal movies on the side of the street. He was speaking in Spanish then heard me and he said “FREE MOVIES” and he winked at me. It made me laugh. Cameron and I have become pretty good friends. We both have the same astrological sign which we believe has an effect on how much alike we are.

The other morning, the maid let the cat inside to eat. Then, she forgot to put him back outside. I guess after it was done eating, it came into my room. I woke up with this black, furry thing beside me. I wondered how it got inside my room? I shut the door but it was able to push it open which is weird. Sleeping with the cat reminded me again of how much I miss my two cats at home that always slept with me. When the maid woke me up, she realized the cat was in my bed and she put it outside. My Papa does not approve of the cat being inside and he especially does not approve of it sleeping in the bed. I cannot imagine what the cat brought into my bed. We have a fence around the yard but the cat slips through out… God only knows where it has gone!

Yesterday, I found out that I have a package to pick up from the post office! I could not pick it up today because it is Census Day. People are going around and counting the number of people in each house for the 2010 Census here. All the schools and basically businesses as well are closed so that someone is home when the Census worker comes to count. They do not do the Census by mail which I thought was odd. They looked at my passport and asked my age.

So… the maid told me that I got fatter. She said my jeans look tighter which they do not feel like they have?! Also, she told me to put lotion on my lips before I go to bed since they are chapped. I love how much she cares. I just laugh and learn to appreciate how she is trying to make me better.

I hung out with some friends in central last night then I took the bus home. I found out that Cameron’s friend lives in the same neighborhood as me! He was on the bus as well and we started talking to each other. We get off at the same place! Then, he walked me to my house and I got my swim stuff… then, he walked me to practice. He is such a gentleman! He asked me how I liked living in my neighborhood. When I first came, I realized that there were nice and bigger houses in my neighborhood. He told me that our neighborhood is one of the nicest to live in. There are more rich than poor… also, it is very safe. I feel very fortunate to live in my neighborhood!

Last night, I went to a party with my brother. There were 24 guys and only one other girl. We had a great time! They brought out guitars and this wooden clarinet instrument. At parties, everyone is really into singing. So… we sang some songs. Then, they played “I’m Yours” and “American Woman” for me. I loved how they sang it to me because their accents were funny!

The President’s husband died today of a heart attack (he was a former President about 2 years ago). Tomorrow, I might not have school since he died. If I do not have, then, the post office will probably be closed too. Then, I cannot get the package until Monday since the office is closed Friday…. Bummer!!!

Finally, I was on the bus and saw a guy who had an eye sown shut. So… whenever you feel like you need to complain about something, be thankful that you can at least see all the beautiful things God has created with TWO eyes.

GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

I GOT MAIL!

MY PACKAGE FROM MY PARENTS FINALLY CAME! YUMMY... cookie/brownie mixes, chocolate covered pretzels, peanut butter... a shirt and earrings... and some other things! The package was mailed the 17th of September. Wednesday, I got a letter in the mail from the post office saying that I had a package to pick up. The maid signed for the letter when the postman came. However, it said that I owed 5 pesos because this was my second notice that I had a package. I could have picked up my package the 30th of September but I was not made aware that it was at the post office!

Anyways, I went to the post office with my brother at 9 in the morning. I waited in line for 10 minutes until the lady waited on me. The post office here is different than what I am used to… they have about five or six attendants behind computers, a lady in another room for packages, a room closed in by glass and a security guard. I saw my package and the lady in the package room asked for my passport. I gave her a copy of it. I was advised not to carry my passport around since it is such an important document. However, she did not accept a copy even though it has the same exact information as my passport!

So… my brother had gym class at 10... He asked if I wanted to go back to the post office by myself or go the next day with him. I am trying to be more independent and
I wanted my package so bad! I decided to walk to the bus stop… get on the bus to go back home… and get my passport from the house. As I was walking to my house, I got whistled at by a guy in a truck but it did not even phase me. The post office closed at 11:30 so I was on a mission!

The maid met me at the door to ask me who signed the first notice… she was worried. I think that she thought she might have signed it and she did not want Papa to get mad that she did not make me aware of it. She is so precious… everything she makes with egg, she leaves a portion without egg for me. Anyways, I got the passport and walked back to the bus stop. I got on the bus but this time, I had to get off at the location we usually get off to walk to the school. But, I had to walk the opposite direction we do for school. So… I got off the bus and started walking. My sweet, loving brother drew me a map that told me where to go after I got off the bus. I kind of followed it but then I got confused. Ha, I kept walking and turning when it felt right. I probably prayed every step. I finally got to a place that looked familiar! Then, I walked to the post office from there. God only knows how many blocks I walked!

I picked up my package… then the security guard took my package to the room closed in my glass which is the international room. The lady in the room weighed my package… converted into pounds it was about 15 pounds! Then, she had me open it up so she could see what was inside. Sometimes they charge you for what you are sent. However, my mom spent about $56 sending it so for some reason they did not make me pay.

I left the post office happy as ever! As I was walking down the main shopping street, I saw a bookstore. I went inside and found they have some books in English,. I decided to buy a small Spanish to English dictionary. Then, I met my brother at the bus stop. We agreed that he would call me and that we would meet at the bus stop. I started walking toward the bus stop and I thought he did not call me yet so I was going to call him when I got close. My phone was on vibrate/silent so I had no clue that I had five missed calls from him! I felt bad… but, he carried my package for me until we got home.

Yeah… that dictionary came in handy later in the day. I took an English test… we translated sentences from English to Spanish. For the other students, it is English class. But, for me, it is basically Spanish class. I probably did not do too well on it but I tried my best.

Since I got my package, we have been eating the peanut butter. I eat it with my Mama’s homemade strawberry jelly. My brothers like it with dulce de leche… that carmel stuff. I do not like dulce de leche but with peanut butter it is actually pretty good!

Today, I got up early and had to go to Sexual Education class. I will not lie… I was not a fan of it. My friend’s mom was the instructor. She is a very sweet lady but I did not want to sit there and listen about sex. This other lady was there and she was making sure that everyone was paying attention. She had a shirt on that was see-through on the stomach and totally see-through on the back to where her bra was visible. I would say she was about fifty years old. It was attractive?… It is just odd for me to see older ladies dress the way they do here.

I do not have classes today… but the odd thing is… I did not find out until this morning. Someone said that it has something to do with independence and someone else said a strike? Sometimes, I do not think anyone knows completely… haha and quite frankly, I do not think they care either as long as they do not have to sit in school.

I plan on sleeping today since I only slept probably five hours last night. I need more sleep than that and I also have swim practice tonight!

I hope my sister, Kaelin, feels better soon. I guess she has been pretty sick. Tomorrow, she has to hand the crown over. I hope she feels up to it….Whenever she is sick, it is very hard for her. I prayed that I would be sick instead of her but I do not think God wants it that way… we will see. STAY STRONG KK! I love you.

I hope everyone has a great weekend…
WE CAN MAKE IT… only Friday left!

ohhh Monday!

So about that puppy… It is not a member of my family anymore. Saturday, this man came to our house and said it was his puppy. I was happy that he found him. The poor guy hung up flyers all over town. I was right… it is a chocolate lab and only two months old!

I woke early today for an almost 3 hour chemistry lab. Today, the teacher asked me my name! Then, he had me complete this reaction but I had a hard time since I do not remember anything for taking chemistry two years ago. So about our chem labs… hahaha. All the chemicals are sitting out in the open and only a few are locked up. Also, we did not have to wear goggles or aprons. Back home, all the chemicals are in a back room which students are not permitted inside. Also, we ALWAYS wore goggles and aprons.

Well, this Friday… I am suppose to be handing the crown over to the new homecoming queen of my high school back in the US. I am pretty sad that I cannot be there. However, my sister is going to do it… she gets to crown the queen two years in a row. Haha… she crowned me and now she will crown the 2010 Homecoming Queen. I hope she crowns my one friend. I made up a speech to be read… it is relatively short but is to the point. So, on Friday, I plan to stay busy to keep my mind off of wanting to be home.

The Brady Bunch was just on TV… wow, I miss that show.

Okay… I guess there is not a lot of change here. So, The bus costs 1.75 (in pesos)… and I hand the bus driver 2 pesos and I do not get change. Sometimes, he runs out so you just don’t get change. I feel so ripped off! Haha… I also love going shopping. You hand the cashier money and they ask for a certain amount of change to make the amount even. I think… if I had the change, I would’ve gave it to you in the first place. However, my favorite is when I bought Gatorade the other day… I did not have the change the man wanted so he gave me two pieces of gum instead of giving me the change he was supposed to. I guess that is common for them to just give you the amount of change in candy. I feel bad because the one day I went to the grocery store… well, I kind of ripped the store off a peso because I did not have the correct amount of change the lady wanted. So… the lesson that everyone can learn is… be thankful that you do not have to search for change to satisfy the cashier and you do not get ripped off! Back home, I definitely take for granted receiving change while buying something.

Today… I saw a guy on crutches and he did not have a right foot. I also saw a blind couple… God Bless the man for taking care of his wife. I believe he was partially blind but she was fully blind. I also saw a lady with a neck brace. Little things like that… make me realize how much more I should thank God.

I have these bites all over my body. They tell me that they are mosquito bites… which makes sense because they itchy. But, they are really tiny. Maybe the mosquitoes are not as blood thirsty here? I do not know… hopefully they go away soon!

HAVE A HAPPY MONDAY!

At the pool, running on the pool deck and hanging on the lane lines is permitted!

Life has been good here. I thank God for blessing me with the host family that I was placed with… they are amazing. They remind me of my family back in the US. My papa here micro-manages EVERYTHING just like Daddy John! He also cleaned my shoes when I found out they had dog poop on them... tending to my needs just like my real Dad. My mama here is very affectionate and reads me well… just like my real mom, she hugs me whenever she can see that I might not be having the best day. As for my sister here, she is at school in another city. But, my brothers are so helpful and protective of me. I hang out with my younger brother a lot since we are around the same age. He encourages me to go with him when he goes out with his friends. It is funny though because guys are afraid of him. The other night, this guy was talking to me at a party but then he saw my brother and said goodbye. I guess the kid knew that my brother wouldn’t want him around me. My brother wants to introduce me to his friends that play rugby. He says they are very handsome. My sister in the US is also very protective of me. She makes sure she keeps guys, who are not worth my time, very far away from me.

My mom and sister back home, always told me I had broad shoulders. My sister sometimes refused to lend her shirts to me because I would stretch the shirt out in the shoulder area. I did not believe them since they seem to always notice my imperfections. Haha. But, my younger brother, Ignacio, tells me my shoulders are broad. He told his friend the other day to look at my shoulders. I think it is funny… I guess it is typical for swimmers to have broad shoulders. I have dreamt that I was back in the USA two times already. Each time I was there, I was trying to change my family’s routine. In my real home, we drink a lot of sweet tea but here we drink a lot of “Tang” (the stuff that is sort of like juice). I tried to get everyone to drink Tang instead of sweet tea. It was a weird dream because I really like sweet tea as opposed to Tang.

One day after school, my younger brother forgot his key so we waited outside for my older brother to get home. We were in the backyard and he kept shaking the berry tree. Then, I would try to catch them. He told me not to catch them in my shirt because it would stain my shirt so I didn’t. However, when we finally got inside, in the light, I saw that I had berry stains on my school shirt. Okay… maybe it was not the smartest idea. But, it was a fun time. Our lovely maid got the stains out anyways.

So I forgot to mention that it is common to mop the sidewalks here. I see people outside, all the time, mopping their sidewalks.

I was invited to a Quiencenera which is a 15th Birthday party. These parties are crazy and totally top the Sweet Sixteens back home! But, I could not go because I had to go to the district conference. However, a few days after the party… my swimming friend brought gifts back from her party. She gave me chocolate… a ring… a hair thing… a statue of a fairy… a frame… a bunch of things which I thought was very neat. She also put a condom in the goodie bag? I guess that is common here. What a surprise to me! Last Friday, I went to another Quiencenera with my brother… I will post a picture of the candy stand, sitting area and the cake!

Sometimes my brothers take me out to eat… we go to this little stand that is on the side of the street and get lomito. It is a sandwich that has a thin meat on it which is very tender and chewy. It also comes with a slice of ham and cheese. It also has egg and tomato on it but I do not get that on mine. Then you choose what type of mayonnaise you want. They have a cheese kind, onion kind, garlic kind… so many different types! I always get the cheese kind since I am not fond of the others.

So about school… the one teacher always has a powerpoint which I love because I can actually read the writing. I copy the notes and he will switch to the next slide. However, kids will complain that they did not get all the notes copied! Haha… it is funny but I think they write slow on purpose.

The other day we had a Chemistry test. The teacher has everyone get out paper then he reads off the questions. At the end of the test, you sign your name… haha, your signature like it is a piece of artwork or something. It is hard for me to understand the questions the teacher is asking so I do not like how he reads them orally. I find it funny that I watched 5/6 of the class cheat. They read the answers from their packets, make cheat sheets, or pass notes. It drives me crazy! I wish they would do their own work.

I love how some kids sit in class and chew on paper… then, they throw it up to the ceiling and t sticks! Talk about gross?! There is even paper on the ceiling from last year.

I talked to my other exchange friend here and she understands what I am going through. Sometimes I feel like I do not matter… most teachers do not care to help me or offer assistance. But, I cannot hold it against them. They do not get paid to teach me. I also thank God for my Monday teacher. I only have him on Mondays but he is one of the only teachers that shows an interest in me. I saw him the other day and he asked if my classmates were treating me right.

However, my English teacher helped me the other day. The whole class was translating this story from English to Spanish. She said hello to me and I said hi without any eye contact. I was having a BAD day. This kid called me fat (in English) and I was offended even though he was kidding. Anyways, after a few minutes of me staring at the paper, she called me to her desk. She told me I could write a story about the miners just rescued in Chile and she wanted me to write in English! She said that she was going to have my classmates translate it sometime. I thought it was very nice for her to be generous like that and help me.

Whenever I have bad days or I am feeling down, I get put in check VERY fast. For here, I see that there are people worse off than myself. There was this one guy who had a horrible limp. Every time he took a step, he had to throw himself forward to move. I admired how he kept walking and had confidence whenever people would stare. I also saw a blind lady. Then, I refuse to complain about little things. God shows me that my life is not that bad after all.

I guess in a week, there is a strike at my school. So, I get four days off of school?! That means, I have 12 more days of school until going to the Patagonia with the other exchange students… only 24 days until the trip and it is a 17 day trip where I miss 13 school days! Then, 20 days until my swim meet. My Daddy’s birthday is in 11 days! Then, 18 school days until summer vacation… I think we get out December 3.

I still cannot sleep too well. I wake up every few hours? It might be because I exercise before I go to bed. However, I did not exercise before bed and I slept the same way… so I do not know what the cause of it is? Hopefully, I will be able to sleep through the night soon.

Before school yesterday, there was an elderly man walking with a puppy trailing behind him. The puppy was adorable so we started petting it. The man kept walking?! We yelled down the street and asked if it was his puppy… he said no. So, we are keeping it! I think it is a chocolate lab? I am not sure… you’ll have to let me know after you see the pictures. I am not an expert in judging the types of dogs. We named him Coco… he is very playful. He is so tiny that he slips right through our fence. So, Papa put up a plastic cover so the puppy would stay in our yard.

Finally, I went to swim practice today. We warmed up on deck before practice. WE RAN ON THE DECK!... like jogging even though there was water all over the deck. I was scared haha. I found out that there are two different categories to swim in. The one has faster swimmers and you swim more yards. In that category, you swim 100’s instead of 50’s. I think they also are swimming 200 back at the upcoming meet. I believe the coach is having me swim in that category. Back home, you choose the events you want to swim. Here, everyone swims all the events available in their category. I guess it is better that I will be in the faster category because back home we swim 100’s. It makes me smile when we get to swim relays that are 100’s… everyone only swims a 25... I love it! I feel like a young kid again.






COCO... MY PUPPY!













The picture of the toilet is what bathrooms at the clubs look like!
The other pictures are from the hostel I stayed at the other weekend.
There were two cats at the hostel.
We do not know why they had boxes in the doorway?








Strawberries are in season! The one photo is strawberries with cream.
It is very common here and I happen to enjoy it as well!
The other thing with strawberries is sort of like strawberry pie.
The crust tastes like a sugar cookie and it is very easy to prepare.
Here, they cut all their cakes like that with a circle in the middle.
The other pictures are from the 15th birthday party...
I think the cake looked amazing!



Have a GREAT weekend!

ohhh dishwasher...

Oh how I miss my dishwasher. At the hostel I stayed in the other weekend, we were allowed to borrow plates, utensils, and cups. But, you washed them after you were done. All I could think about was how some people probably did not wash them appropriately! Haha.. I do dishes at my house sometimes when I feel like it.

Today at lunch, my brother took his plate to the sink when he was done eating then left to go somewhere. Since I was done eating, I took my plate to the sink too. But, my papa told me to come sit back down. I think he thought I was going to leave too. He was trying to explain that everyone sits there together even if they are done. That is one thing we never did at my real home and I do not like to do it. I mean, here, the television is on during meals? At my real home, we never had the television on.

The other day at school, there was a drunk girl. She looked about fifteen. Her friends were holding her up and she was mumbling. She was escorted to the office. I do not know what the alcohol policy is here but it does not seem strict at all. The smoking policy isn’t… ha, I mean, kids some right outside the school. On school breaks, they walk to this little store and can buy one cigarette.

I tried to take a test the other day… yeah, it did not work. The teacher did not even take my test. But, the sad thing is… I saw everyone cheating. They would hide this other sheet and copy answers from it. I had never seen so many people cheat before ever in my life. Then, other countries say the education system back home is easy. Please! Here, we go for less hours, have less classes, have more breaks, and it is not mandatory for everyone to go.

My one teacher said “how did you land here?” He meant how did I get here. We were talking about my Spanish and he was wondering how I was able to come since my Spanish is not perfect. Of course I need to work on it… all the exchange students aren’t perfect at Spanish. It is kind of hard when all I have spoken is English for 18 years of my life. His comment offended me. But, then I looked at him and realized he was just an old man who was teaching only because he it is his job. So, I smiled and laughed… I explained how it was common to go somewhere and not be fluent in their language yet.

The students always mess with our one teacher. Everyone he comes into the classroom, they turn the light off and pretend to sleep. I feel bad for him. But then I think it is funny how students are alike here. Back home, you knew what teachers you could push a little more and not pay attention in class. I have noticed here that in different classes, the students have different mannerisms. The odd thing is that the teachers do not dress up! Also, it is common for students to have white out pens! Ha

I find it funny how everyone carries a backpack. We do not have books here. Occasionally we have handouts that are a few pieces of paper. (handouts which you pay to copy- haha no thanks) But I do not understand why everyone needs a backpack for a few pieces of paper. I do not carry one. My lovely brother puts my stuff in his backpack. I started to take my Spanish book to school. Instead of taking notes, I work on exercises out of Spanish book. I could take notes but not understand them anyways so I figured I better do something productive.

Taking the bus has become easier. For the first time, a bus inspector came on the bus the other day. I always wondered why we were given tickets… I thought they were a waste of paper. Anyways, he looked at the ticket and ripped it. All he does is make sure we have a ticket. If we do not have a ticket, he makes us pay the price that we already should have paid for a ticket. I guess they might have an issue with people sneaking on the bus? If they sneak on, I do not think it is a fair punishment that they just have to pay the original price. But, ohwell, I am not in control of that.

My family bought ice cream the other day. The kind that has three different varieties. It was strawberry, vanilla, and dulce de leche. Here, if you want ice cream, you can buy it at the ice cream shop. It is not like I go to Dairy Queen to buy a cartoon of ice cream for my family. So, I find that odd. Haha

The first weekend in November, I have a swim meet. Everyone swims the same events and it is three days long. Friday night, Saturday morning and night, and Sunday morning. I have gone to two day meets back home but they last ALL of the two days. I have to swim breaststroke which I am not excited about… haha but I will live. Two days after the meet, I am going on a trip with other exchange students. It is about 17 days long… we are going to the Patagonia! I get to miss school… then after the trip, it is basically summer vacation.

I actually miss paying tax on items. I am always ready to have out extra money to cover the tax but there isn’t any. Haha

I have been thinking about colleges…and I really want to swim on a team again. So, I think I might switch the college that I was planning on attending. I do not care if I am the slowest on the team. I love practicing and spending time with the team at meets. Who knows where I will go… but, for now, I have time to think about it.

Today I did not have school. It is some religious holiday for my province. I did not quite understand… but, it is something about a virgin.. Santa m(something) was her name… She is the patron saint of Jujuy. So, today they are celebrating her. Maybe it is her feast day? Who knows… but even the banks and some other places are closed. It was nice to not go to school… but I had to get up even earlier than I do for school anyways. I had swim practice this morning. Then, I basically slept the whole day.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!

goodbye weekend... HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAELIN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAELIN! No matter how far apart, you’re always in my heart. I love you big sissy! I texted her to say Happy Birthday. I sent a 5 page text and it only cost about $.75. I figured it would cost more. It was totally worth it!

I am still waiting on the mail that my mom sent about a month ago or longer! It took about 10 days for me to get a postcard with First Class! If mail takes this long, I better buy something for my family for Christmas and mail it now. Haha.

Well, district orientation went well… Saturday morning the bus ride to the other city was 5 hours. The bus had two levels! Those buses are very common here. The seats reclined and they had this leg rest you could pull out from the seat in front of you.

We were told to bring our own sheets and towels. On the bus, we were wondering why we needed to bring sheets? When we got there, we realized we were staying in a Hostel. I have never stayed in one before. We had a room that had 4 bunk beds. Since there were 8 exchange girls, it was perfect. I am glad we did not have to share a room with a stranger. The beds felt somewhat like a rock but after some time, you got used to it.

In my city, there are two German girls, a Canadian girl, and an American boy. When we went to the conference, we met two other American girls… I believe they are from Oregon and Washington. There is a girl from Belgium and another one from Germany. There were four guys which were all from Germany.

We do not have a diversified group. But, in a way, it is nice that you have people from your own country. It makes me feel somewhat closer to home.

We watched “America’s Got Talent!” Everyone thinks I am crazy because I have so much American pride. We handout pins for our blazers… my pin is a heart and has ribbon that says “God Bless America” on it… I am constantly singing country songs about America… I hang the American flag in my room… it is pretty bad haaaa. But, the one American girl said she was embarrassed of the US sometimes. However, there would be no one in hell I would ever be embarrassed. I love my country. I refuse to ever lose my pride or down talk the land I love!

We talked about the trip in November to the Patagonia… every student in the district is invited to go. It is about seventeen days long. We get to miss school for it and we do not even need the school’s approval! I am looking forward to it… However, I still need to do the paperwork for it.

When we got home from the conference, my friends left with their parents. I waited in the bus terminal alone for 20 minutes. On the bus, I watched “My Sister’s Keeper” so I ended up eating candy and cookies during in. Anyways, at the terminal, I threw away my bag with my candy and cookie wrappers. There was this man that was mentally ill. I felt bad for him… he was talking to the air and raising his hand. But, he kept giving me eye contact and mumbling. I sat as far away as possible but I continued to watch him out of the corner of my eye. With his bare hands, he took my bag out of the garbage can and went through it?! I could not believe it.

When I came home, my dad was sewing a bag. I guess it had ripped? I think it is nice he knows how to sew.

My friend told me that there is a Chemistry test tomorrow morning. I do not go to class in the morning… but he says that if I do not take it, I will get a 1. The grading scale is 1 to 10. Even if I did take it, I think I would get a 1 anyways. School stresses me out… I do not understand so I get frustrated. I need to relax and not take it so seriously. I can only do so much… I am learning. Rome wasn’t built in a day… so, I will be patient.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!