March Maddness!

Okay so I swear I never thought time could fly by so fast. The last time I wrote I had like 89 days left and now I have 72. It feels like just yesterday I wrote that blog. I have been keeping very busy and just enjoying my time here.

Last weekend I went to Cuenca with Mamma Lily. It was a blast. We had a great time and it was really nice just being the two girls. We ate delicous food and I got to see Cuenca. Cuenca is beautiful, but I still believe Loja is the most beautiful city in Ecuador. While we were there I also went to part of Lily's pediatric presentations. It was really interesting to learn about some major pediatric problems. I also learned about some major differences between the USA and South America. The major problems we have and the major problems SA has are completely different. Another great thing, I actually understood the presentation!!!! Woohoo.

This past week (and next week) I was working at the poor school in Loja. I have been teaching English class there for 3 hours each day. It's a lot of fun and I really really enjoy spending my time there. The kids are so eager to learn, which makes it really nice as well. Monday- Thursday we play games and then on Friday we cook, this week it was chocolate chip cookies with fudge sauce and the kids enjoyed it. However, it is harder to cook here in Ecuador because the ingrediants aren't the same as home. Sugar isn't as smooth. I think that's why they don't have as many deserts here. I am really excited for next week. We are going to sing Kareoke. If I have learned anything from being here, it's that listening to songs in another language and reading the lyrics really helps your pronunciation. So I hope that next week is just as wonderful as this past week was. Oh and my mom is going to bring tooth brushes to the kids when she comes. The kids at that school really don't have anything. Most of their parents have left them to go to Spain, other only live with their mom, but their mom is a prostitute. It's really sad and these kids can't afford anything. However, despite all of the hardships they are facing.. They are really great kids, with great hearts. I feel so lucky to be able to work with them and get to know each one differently.

The Galapagos trip is only a few weeks away. I am so excited to go swim with the turtles and take pictures with blue footed boobies. My trip is all paid for and in just 3 weeks I will be there. I am looking forward to the Galapagos more than anything because of how diverse it is. The animals on that island, are like no other in the world (or well they are, but so different). I have heard such wonderful things about the Galapagos, and I know it is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity to be able to go there. Oh boy, this is just going to be such a great experience. Thank you Mom and Dad for giving me this chance!

Oh and only 28 days till my wonderful parents are here in Ecuador with me!!! I can't even explain to you my excitement. I love them both so much and I know we are going to have a wonderful time together. I seriously have the best parents in the world.

So I know that in one of my blogs I mentioned how another American girl was at our school. She's awesome and I love her. I really am so glad I got the chance to meet her. However, sadly on Tuesday she will be flying back to the USA. Which is a huge bummer for me because she's such a great person. I will miss her being at Liceo with me, but I know she wants to get home since it's her Senior year. I hope this Summer I will get to see her when Vale and ana come to visit me. I wish her the best of luck though. <3>

Our dance presentation at school went awesome. I had an awesome time dancing with our class. We didn't win, but then again we only prepared for four days. My class is so much fun. Our costumes we so crazy, plus we had a few girls dressed up as guys. I love Ecuador. In the USA we never have dance competitions like that. I will be sad that I can't do that again, but maybe we can do that in the USA who knows.

I have also been on a diet here for the past 2 weeks. I gave up soda for lent, and I have been good about not drinking it. Which is crazy for me. I have been a lot less and eating a lot healthier. I feel a lot better already. I had gained a lot of weight when I got here, but I am losing it all. I will be going back to the USA better than ever. Both my mind set and body. I feel wonderful and I can honestly say I am happier than I have ever been.

I'll write more soon hopefully if my life isn't to dull. It shouldnt be though, because my friend Matthew is coming to visit me! yea yea yea >

March is here...?

March is finally here. Can you believe it? Maybe you can, but wow I sure can't. It amazes me how the older you get the faster time flies by. I wish this year never had to end. However, I got "THE" e-mail today. The e-mail from Rona (RYEP Director) asking for a letter to the upcoming exchange students. Ah I can't believe that it's now time for the new exchange students' dinner. I feel like the year just flew past. I remember sitting at that dinner and listening to those letters and just getting so excited to leave the country. Now here I am a year later and getting ready to end my time abroad. When I have to think about it, it's really sad. This place is seriously, just so beautiful. However, I know since the people will be sharing my letter at International Night, I thought I would also share it here:

I'm sure you have all heard the saying, "Disney, the most magical place on earth." Well no offense to Walt Disney, but he lied. The moment I stepped off the plane and into Loja, Ecuador I knew I had found the place where real magic lies. Sure, Cinderella didn't take a picture with me, nor did I ride Space Mountain, but I did enter a whole other world. An unknown world, that to me had nothing, but adventures lying ahead. What could be more magical than that?

This exchange program has been the most wonderful experience of my life. For the last 8 months I have been living in Ecuador. A country not well-known, nor by anymeans rich. However, this country is rich with everything, but money. The word breath-taking can't even begin to desribe the beauty I see here everyday, the culture is like nothing I expected, but exquisite none the less and the people, well, they are irreplaceable. They have taught me so much and given me a better outlook on life. Rotary truly goes above and beyond. In my time being here I have seen Incan Ruins, swam in the Pacific Ocean, traveled to the Galapagos Islands, and so much more. I am honestly so blessed to have been given this oppurtunity

In just a few short months you will all be getting ready to board your planes, say your farewells, and begin the start of what will truly become a new life. If you aren't excited already, get excited. Embrace the new culture, the new land, and new people. The next year of your life will be life changing. You will see things you never knew existed and go to places that you would never imagine. The time flies by, so enjoy every second. Goodluck, and be safe.

Well, other than only having 89 days left, I am really looking forward to my parents coming to visit. In just a few short weeks they will be here. Ha, it's funny that I only have five days of school in April. As of MArch 15 I have vacation until April 8th, but then on the 8th I go to the Galapagos. When I come home i have 3 days of school and then I go to Guayaquil to pick up my parents (WOOHOO). They are here for a week, and then I have 2 days of school left of the month. I can't lie it is so exciting. Oh and next weekend I am going to visit Cuenca, since the last time we had a change of plans. Can't wait to explore beautiful Ecuador some more.

Today, we had our country presentation. It was really cool to see all the different countries. We had Japan, South Africa, Greece, India, Russia, and another country I am blanking on right now. Everyone was dressed up, presented some type of food, and showed their native dance. Everyone got really into it and it was great. Now our English class is preparing the play Moses (but a modern version) and we are working hard on it. I can't wait to see how that turns out either.

Something I find interesting here is that in Ecuador there is no Pledge of Allegiance. I always kind of figured every country had one. However, that is not the case. In the USA we say the Pledge everyday. Here in Ecuador when you reach Senior year, it is a big presentation in which all of the schools participate and march up to the flag and kiss it. It is their way to pledge their allegiance to their country. It's really cool that it's a big event and that they take it very seriously. In the USA we don't take our pledge to seriously in school. I think the doing it one time really makes it a big deal. I enjoyed watching it, although I would not kiss the Ecuadorian flag out of respect for my own country. Furthermore, in all other countries it's okay to place your flag on the floor. That was something I didn't know since in the USA it is disrespectful.

Well, I will write again soon. 89 days though, I seriously can't believe it. Where did the time go?