Where to Begin???

Where to begin? It's been about 2 weeks since my last blog and I'm trying to remember where those two weeks have disappeared to. SO, I'll try and remember to the best of my ability and update you on my life.

Last weekend after the Santiago trip (see below) we had a baby shower at the house for the girlfriend of my host brother. Our small living room was filled with middle aged women oohing and ahhing over all of the gifts. The baby shower went to 4am!!! I don't know ONE mom in the US that likes to stay out past 4am chatting with friends. Yet another huge difference in culture. Anyways, I left the shower at about 11:30 to meet up with some friends in Valpo. I arrived about 30 min later and reached for my phone to call the group I was meeting to let them know I was there. Well, my phone was out of minutes...and I was alone at night on a sketchy street in Valpo wondering what to do next. So I asked someone where the closest place was to catch a bus back home...it was 3 blocks down a dark side street....not something I wanted to be doing alone at night. At this point I was a bit worried, luckily when I turned around my friends I was meeting were standing outside looking for me. After that we went and danced, and I AM actually getting some rhythm. Shocking I know.

On Monday I had an essay worth 40 % of my grade in my psych class. I got up extra early to correct it one more time and print it out. When I arrived at class the 2 other gringas looked just as frazzled and worried about the essay. After looking around I realized that there were about 8 other people in the class that had never been there before. THEN when we turned in the essays only about 6 people had them to give to the prof...the rest of the students "didn't understand the assignment" or "couldn't find information" or "didn't have time" SO the prof listened sympathetically and told them they could turn it in when they get the chance. A little different than Luther. THEN I went to my nutrition class ready to take an oral exam...they like that type of testing here. SO I walked into the profs office a bit nervous seeing as I still have trouble speaking. I sat down and all he asked was to tell him what I have learned...so I did, we conversed , and that was that. Easy A. Such a different world down here!

On Tuesday I worked for the first time in a public high school . WOW. There were about 50 kids in the class between the ages of 14 and 18. The prof was sweet but had no control. In the 2 hours we were there they got one exercise done. This school is for kids who's families can't afford university...Its sad how their future is decided at 14. ANYWAYS, I introduced myself and of course some of the 14 yr old boys made comments...another thing that wouldn't occur as much in a school in the US. Later I was talking to one of the girls and she asked me how old I am. I told her 20 and she started laughing. I asked her why she was laughing and she said that her boyfriend is 24...she's 14. After the class at the high school the prof and I ran to the next school for the next class...she runs from school to school from 8:00 AM a 8:00 pm. Kids go to school in 2 shifts, 8am-2pm and 2pm-8pm. What a late day for little guys....and teenagers too for that matter. The public schools are in such bad shape...its sad to see.

On Thurs. a guy from Luther who is studying in Buenos Aires came to visit us here in Chile. We went out and it was good to talk to someone from Luther who was somewhere else besides Chile. On Saturday we went on another excursion to Pomaire and Isla Negra. Isla Negra is where Pablo Neruda is buried. It is BEAUTIFUL . On Sunday we celebrated mother's day by eating massive amounts of food. haha.

As it gets colder here, all dogs that are pets are seen wearing bright new sweaters and hats. Not joking. Its hilarious!! I'll try and get some pics sometime. I guess that's all for now! I promise to be better about updates!

Love you all
Cristina