Misa

The family went to Misa just now...Misa is mass. I had to jump back onto the computer to see if a person could fly directly to Santiago from Minneapolis, as my host father just asked me before they left....for the record, I didn´t find anything direct. But, holy cow, have prices ever soared! Uff Da!

Just want to be sure to say thank you to all of you for your comments and messages! I am still new to blogging, so I am learning how to check comments on the blog. So, I am starting to get it! Thank you!

I was just sitting here thinking about what a nice cozy house this is. I really like it. It reminds me, to some degree, of the cabins up north at Ox Bow. The wood stove, the little fridge in the kitchen, the little table we eat at, and the hot water heater that kicks on in the morning when everyone is showering in the morning. It is just a very warm house. Hardwood floors, stained wood finished ceilings...the wood is a light natural color and the beams have a reddish color to them...really pretty. All the rooms are small, but big enough. The fence outside is tall and made of iron and wood, with two doors...one for people (you have to buzz in and out) and the other for the car, which is pulled into a carport right by the front door. There is a tile walkway (be careful when it is wet) and a litle yard with a little hedge. Out back is a larger yard with lemon tree. They put lemon juice on many things we eat...lemon juice and vineger. They have a little outdoor grill and oven in a little patio area. There are clothes lines for drying....

Which reminds me...here, like in many foreign countries, they don´t use clothes dryers. SO, I might have to buy some clothes, we will see how it goes...BUT, on a warm day, you could expect your clothes to be dry by the end of the day, if you hang them out to dry in the morning, right? Well, uff da, I think it took my jeans about three or four days to dry in the cold...and when I get them all back, nicely folded and everything (yes, I am being spoiled) they still feel cold and damp. Brrr... Naturally, I am wearing things for several days at a time...but I am going to be joining the animation class (which is a physical education class where the students play all kinds of games I have never seen before), so I may need something more suited for physical activity. I had one of the classes, I think it was 3rd secretary class, that want me to teach them a sport. I dont´know when or where this will take place, but I think I am going to teach them ultimate frisbee, since I brought my frisbee and I really don´t know what else I would teach them. I would teach some swimming lessons, BUT, there isn´t a pool in town. Well, there is, but it is open in the summer time and it doesn´t sound very big. I guess there is one in the Santa Cruz Hotel, but I think I would do three arm strokes per lap if I tried to swim there. So, I am just going to stick to ultimate frisbee. ;)

Alright, my fingers are starting to get cold and I need to start planning for school next week. Also, Ana is giving me a Spanish lesson today. I am kind of nervous because for the past three days I feel like I have gotten worse with my Spanish...but, as I have been told before, that happens. Practice, practice. There is an American girl at our school who I met the other day. She is from California and has been here for six months. She is a student, but she told me it took her about two months to feel like she could really talk and understand. We will see.

Also, as I think about meeting people. I stopped at a store to look at postcards and the woman working starting talking to me. She has a Danish foreign exhange student staying with her, another high schooler. But as I was talking with her, the Danish boy showed up, then her husband came over, and next thing I know, they are asking me if I would like to come with them sometime to Talca, which is a city about 1-2 hours south of here. Evidently, they have a daughter who attends the university there and they know it is nice to break away from Santa Cruz every once in a while. I thought that was nice. I think I am going to take them up on it too.

I found out I have to go to Santiago on Friday for training, it will be mandatory. I was looking forward to being here at school on the 4th because students are interested in our customs and what better day to share a holiday than the 4th? Ana told me Ceasar was planning something for the 4th, since there are two of us Americans at school now...so, I kind of feel bad that I won´t be here. BUT, it will be nice to see the other volunteers again, as well as meet some new ones. We have our winter camp coming up at the end of July. I have one week off before that and I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do...we (the family and I) might go skiing. yeah! But we will see. I would also like to travel around with some of the other volunteers....so much to do! You start out thinking 6 months is a long time, but then, as you start planning and living, it goes so fast!

I am hoping we get out stipends before winter break. They are setting up bank accounts for electronic deposits. We have to go to the bank with our passports and collect our cash. There is a casino being built here in Santa Cruz, so maybe I could double my stipend after I pick it up! ha! (note: I completely would not gamble my whole stipend...it would be nice to double it though).

Alright...this was a big day for blogging, but I feel like I have been a slacker with blogging... sorry.

Cold Fingers!

HUGS!

jami