May here we come...

It's been a while since I have written. Though I haven't had very much time to write. I have been so so so busy with everything here. Time continues to fly by. It's almost scary. As of now I have just 35 days left. Can you believe it? A month and 4 days.

Right now I am sitting here in my room. Tired from the long month of April. The last time I wrote I was headed off to the Galapagos. Well I knew it would be wonderful, however, I never knew it would be so breathtaking. I literally don't have words to explain it. I saw things I never knew existed and did things I never thought possible. I swam with seals, sharks, and fishes. They go so close to you it's amazing. We walked 3 miles in pure heat to Tortuga Bay, which is deffenitaly one fo the most beautiful beaches ever. The 3 mile walk was well worth the sweat and pain. We ate delicous sea food, walked up volcanoes, and and into the tunnels of love. I spent the most amazing 5 days with a wonderful group of people. I took so many pictures and just really enjoyed myself. For anyone who has the time and money, deffenitally go there. It's well worth it.

When I got home from Galapagos I went back to school for a day and then went back to Guayaquil to pick up my parents! I was so excited to see them. Friday night I stayed at my friend Matthew's house. He is homosexual so we decided to go to a Gay Club. It was absolutely incredible. Like the best night of my life. It was nice to see a group of people so comfortable with each other and having a great time. My friend Matthew got to hang out with boys and really enjoy himself since none of the Ecuadorians he lives with or goes to school with know he's gay. Plus I had fun because all the guys that work there are straight so they wanted to dance with me. What could be better? It was awesome.

Saturday I hung out with Matthew and a few other Exchange friends until it was time for my parents to arrive. Their flight arrived on time and it was so awesome to get to hang out with them. We waited at the bus station for a few hours until it was time to leave to Loja. We arrived in Loja at around 8AM on Sunday. My parents were shocked by the beauty of the mountains. It was so incredible. My host parents picked us up at the terminal and gave them a quick tour. We arrived at the house, showered, and headed off to Vilcabamba. Diego was a great tour guide stopping at points so My dad could take plenty of pictures. We spent the entire day swimming, eating wonderful food, horseback-riding, and getting aquainted. When the day finally came to an end we went back to Loja. At night Noshy and Rigo invited us to their house to eat. They had a huge salad and pasta with a whole bunch of salads. Boy was I full after that. We chatted for a while and then headed off to bed.

Monday we went to visit my school. I got dressed in my uniform and we went off to Liceo de Loja. My parents met my class, my math teacher, my physics teacher, and my social studies teacher. Luckily for us, they had a civics play going on and they got to see our school sing the national anthem and also the school anthem. After school, my counselor Steve invited us to breakfast at his place. We had some sweet Ecuadorian bread and eggs. Steve and Patricia (his wife) told us all about Ecuador and a few other things. It went so well and it was such a wonderful time. After breakfast we went to the house so I could get ready to take some senior pictures. We drove up to Vilcabamba again and took some shots around our farm. It started to rain so we headed back to Loja. Later at night we went to Diego's brother's house and had a wonderful taco dinner there. My parent's said the food was the best ever. For desert it was Pineapple Cream. Oh so scrumptious. I was in heaven.

Tuesday we went to Cisol, the school I helped at a few weeks ago. As soon as I got there the kids ran up to us and swarmed my dad and mom giving them big hugs. My therapist and Dr. Riskalla donated toothbrushes to the school. It was so generous of them. Plus it helps the kids a lot. After spending time at the school we went to Borris' house. He is my art teacher at school. He used to be a street kid at Cisol, but used his art to better himself. His house is incredible and so beautiful. He will definitaly be famous someday. For lunch we went back to the house. Lily and Diego had Gunieapig prepared for my parents. They both ate it and surprisingly enjoyed it. I must say I am proud of them. Afterwards we went around the city of Loja to see some churches. At 5:30 we went to the theater to see Daniel play the piano in a concert. It was nice. After his concert my mom and I went and got our nails done. That was fun to do together. After my family, my host family, the host president (diego's brother nelson), diego's brother Viche (and his wife), and Noshy (and Rigo). It was so good. I love pizza night.

Wednesday we traveled again in bus to Cuenca. However, not only did we leave Loja, but so didn't Lily and Diego (along with Viche and Cesy). They left to Switzerland. They were so excited. So now they are gone for 3 weeks. The bus ride to Cuenca was short and very pretty. My dad had a great time taking pictures. We stayed at the Hotel Oro Verde. We ate Ceviche and then went out to the city. We saw some incredible churches made of marble. Later we had a nice snack at a French bakery. I love banana and carmel crapes. My vanilla Cappacino wasn't bad either. Afterwards we went back to the hotel and just decided to hang out.

Thursday morning we were on a bus once again. This time headed to Quito. The trip was a bit longer but my parents really loved the mountain scenary. We arrived around 6 but it wasn't to bad. We took a taxi to the Marriott. It was so beautiful. Everything was just perfect. We took our luggage up to the room and then luckily our TV had CVS so we could watch Survivor. Then after my boyfriend JT got voted off we went to dinner (thanks to my lovely grandmother and aunts). We had such wonderful steak. It was so good. I don't think I've ever had better. From there we went up to the Executive Lounge and had some nice deserts. Then off to bed again.

Friday was another eventful day. We woke up and over looked the volcano from breakfast. It was beautiful. After breakfast we went to the Artisan Market where we bought gifts and did some shopping. My parents got me a great hat and leather wallet. With the money my Aunt gave me I got a beautiful Ecuadorian purse. I was so happy. After that we brought our gifts back to the hotel and went out again. This time we went to the town center. We took a horse ride around the place and then decided to grab some pizza for lunch. After lunch we went to the Gondalla. It takes you to the highest point of the city. At exactly 15,000 feet. It was so beautiful. Yet, a bit cold, but still just so shocking. When we finished we went back to the hotel and had a nice dinner.

Saturday was our last day. We got up early to take more senior pictures over looking the city. It was a little cloudy which made perfect pictures. After breakfast we went to buy bus tickets to Guayaquil and then we took a taxi to the Middle of the World. We saw a huge Volcano crator which is still active but hasn't eruppted in many years. People acutally live in the Volcano. Crazy. Later we went to the real middle of the world. We stood across the line of the two hemispheres and had a really awesome time. We also learned that it is true about the whole water spinning in opposite directions thing. For lunch we went to TGIFridays. I missed Fridays. I had an awesome sandwhich and enjoyed eating with Mom and Dad. We were so stuffed from lunch so we went back to the hotel and swam for awile. Boy was that relaxing. At 930 we left to Guayaquil. We arrived at 530 am and from there went to the airport. I waited with them and finally it was time to say goodbye. I was so bummed out. I waited at the terminal for 3 hours and finally got on a bus to Loja. I got home at 10pm. Then I recieved an email from my mom saying the flight got cancelled. I was so bummed. HAd she called me I could have stayed there with them. I already miss them. But I am so excited they got to come here and spend such a nice week with me. I am so lucky to have such wonderful parents. I am a bit sad, but I know I will see them again in a month.

Well that's all for now. I am tired and have so much work to do. Atleast now I am looking forward to the beach, my family, and my friends. Ah I can't wait.

April Fools!

Okay, so I have to think this is some April Fools Joke, since as of today I have less than 2 months left. Seems just incredible to me. I am both sad and happy though. I miss my family and my home, but I also know I will miss my friends here and everything this wonderful country has. Either way I know my time is passing quickly.

In just 7 days I will be playing with the turtles in the galapagos. In 16 days I will be at the Airport in Guayaquil picking up my parents. And in 60 days I will be arriving back at Logan Airport. It's crazy. I think I have only like 22 days left of school. I have three weeks left with my host parents since they will be in Switzerland half of May. Just so much to do. The other day I cleaned my room and packed most of my stuff. Not my clothes.. but gifts I've bought and stuff I've recieved here. I don't want to worry about all that stuff at the last minute. I'd rather spend my last few weeks hanging out with friends.

Yesterday was my last day helping out at Cisol (the poor school). It was a really great time spending time with them and getting to know each one. They all have a hard life but are so thankful and really sweet. I will miss not getting to hangout with them everyday. It's amazing how helping kids who dont have much makes you feel really happy. For some reason the past three weeks, I have been nothing but happy. I feel so fortunate and blessed. It also makes me realize how great the USA is. Yes we have our problems, and not every president makes all the right choices, but we need to always remember the positives. We have great education, great doctors, and great oppurtunities. You always have to look at the glass ahlf full.

So I've been dieting/changing my life style. I have lost 13 of the 16 I put on. I feel so much healtier and am learning about new delicous and healthy foods I had never tried before. It amazes me the will power I have once I really apply myself. I am starting to see that it really is mind over matter. If you think something will be awful, well it probably will be, but if you tell yourself it will be okay and it's going to be fun... well it most likely will be. Oh the secrets of life you learn as you grow up.

This coming Sunday is Easter. Here in Ecuador, of course it's not celebrated the same way. I must admit I am a little sad I won't be getting a visit from the Easter bunny, but hey there's always next year. In Ecuador it's less about only Sunday and more the whole week. It's called Semana Santa, which would mean Holy Week. All schools have vacation this week and take the time to spend with family. For examply tonight all my cousins and family here are going to our finca(country house) tonight to spend the evening and celebrate together. Friday we will be back home because my host brothers have a big concert Saturday night. As we speak they are practicing. I don't know what more they do, but we shall find out.

Oh and a note to mom and dad, like my friend here told me... since here they don't celebrate American holidays, in June I am expecting Thanksgiving Dinner, Trick or Treating, Stocking of Goodies, Candy hearts, Pot of gold coins, Easter basket & brunch. Just a heads up.