Less than 4 Already.

I really just can't believe that in less than 4 months I will be back at home. Time is really flying by and I honestly don't mind that.

It's amazing, Carnival is in two weeks and we are already preparing. Kids in the streets are throwing waterballoons and eggs. Not to wonderful if you ask me, but hey what you can you do. Actually, I had someone drop a waterbomb on me but luckily it didn't pop. I also learned that after Carnival we don't eat meat on Fridays until Easter. Here they don't celebrate Easter either. They're killing me. Their giving up meat is like our giving up soda, or chocolate, or something we really like. The same type of sacrafice. I have to say though, am excited to see what Carnival is like. I also remember, Carnival is the same day as Mardi Gras. Interesting.

Other than Carnival, I have been having the wierdest dreams lately. It's repeated too. I keep dreaming that I have gone home early and that I am really happy to be home, until I ask my mom to go out and she says I can't leave the house for a month and then I want to come back. I don't know what that means, but oh well it's funny. Lately I have also put on like 5 pounds. I can still fit in my pants, but not comfortably like before. I think I know why though. Here they eat a large breakfast, a large lunch, and almost no dinner. However, at home I barely eat breakfast, have a small lunch, and usually just east a snack later. I really don't have all that much hunger after school here, but I feel rude not eating here. So I need to have a talk with my host parents this week about that.

I still don't feel homesick although I do find myself missing more things. For one I miss my little doggy. Okay so she's not so little, but I miss her. She is so cute. I also miss my brothers and how funny they are, but mostly my parents. I am counting down the days till I see them. I miss Ryan too. The guy I was talking to before I left. It's funny how he was like the one guy I really enjoyed just hanging out with and talking. I could tell him everything. I still skype with him and I can't wait to go home and spend more time with him. I also got great news that my greant aunt sharon and great uncle eloy will be in plymouth when I get home, so I will get to spend time with them. Furthermore, Mom is taking the day off when I get home so we can be together. I will hopefully get my permit that day and go job searching!

Although everything has been going well here, there are so many things that annoy me here as well. One of the biggest problems for me is the schooling here. The teachers teach so plainly and boringly. Never any projects, never group discussions, litterally nothing exciting. All they ever do is take notes; day after day. So boring. How can you learn like that. Another thing is they never get homework and when they do they ALWAYS complain. If they don't do their homework their is always the excuse I had math and history to do. I didn't have time. And when a teacher is talking they continue to talk. They have no respect for teachers because they do not have punishments. If you don't do homework or talk back to a teacher they can't do anything. How is that possible? These kids are all rich, have never worked for anything and literally do not care. It's angering. I wish they could see how other people lived.

Another thing is that here in Loja people don't like different. Many are very closed minded people who don't like people or things unlike what they know. I hear all the time; don't do this, you can't say that, or don't wear that. It feels so contricting. Also okay I understand them warning me, but after one time of telling me if I continue to do that, it's my problem. They want me to do what they do, but that's not who I am. I am different and out there. I just wish they could open their eyes and have more tolerance. However, I think everyone in this world needs more tolerance. You can't judge someone or someplace you don't know or have never been too. You just can't. I wish I could show people. Show them how to open up and accept others and not judge. I personally am working on that. Not judging people and making up with people I have hurt. I recently wrote a girl a message I know I'd hurt and told her I was sorry for hurting her, becuase I wasn't happy with myself. I want to be a better person and I think being here is really helping me do that.

Oh and one thing I also have yet to mention is the indigenous people here. They are everywhere. It's incredible to see them. They are so tiny and wear hats they made along with clothing they hand made. Both men and women have long hair in which they put in braids. It's so interesting. They work for barely no money, so the children do not go to school and have no education. The people need a lot of help, but not many people give it. It's sad because these people want to live their lives old fashionedly but it's not really possible. They need medicine to protect them from diseases and food and clean water to live. However, now adays the indigenous people nearly have nothing. It is so awful and sad.

Well that's all for now. I will write more again soon. Oh and almost forgot. I finally met my "cousin" Anita. She brought me Reeses and Twizzlers yum. She is such a sweet girl and so beautiful. I look forward to spending more time with her.

Wow, Was That 5?!

So this past weekend was a blast. Me and my host family went to Quito. I have never really gotten the chance to see Quito (Ecuador's Capital) so it was really a great experience.

Let's start off with last week. I must say it felt like it went by so slowly. It could not have been more boring. I have no idea why. On Wednesday my parents booked their flights to come visit me. My mom is forgetful and gave my Dad the wrong dates, but luckily they could change them. They will be here during April vacation in the USA. I am so excited to show them my new home and life. It will be an experience they will never forget. I am already planning all the things I want to do with them.

On Thursday was the big 5 month marker. It's amazing how fast time has just seemed to fly by. It also amazes me I have been away from home for so long. It seems like it was yesterday I was with them. Also Gizem's mom arrived in Boston to visit my family and her. It seems like they are having a really wonderful time. Sadly, Gizem's dad didn't get the chance to go as well, but it is still a really special treat to even have one family member visit.

Friday was a long day. Deffinitally the longest of the week. During school I helped Rita (our English teacher) set up everything for our Carlos Arrobo Carrion (creator of Liceo de Loja) play. His wife and children all came to watch. It was truly incredible and I really enjoyed it. Funny too how it was cold and rainy all week, but come time for the play it was hot and beautiful out. Not a cloud in the sky. I even got a little sunburnt. Oops. After school I went home. Surprisingly my older sister now likes my ex boyfriend. It's funny how she didn't know he's my ex boyfriend. And furthermore, once she found out, well she didn't really care. I am no longer talking to my sister or my ex boyfriend. I don't need the drama that Kaylah brings in to my life. I just need to have fun. SO although that upset me that my sister could do that to me, I am over it. After all that drama we took a plane ride to Quito. I must say Quito is a beautiful city, but mighty cold. I am very happy to live in the beautiful climate of Loja. As soon as we got off the plane we went to a Restraunt called Rusty's. It's a cheesburger restraunt made by an American. The food is absolutely incredible. I have to say I deffinitally left full. After dinner we went to Diego's Aunt's house. This cute little home would be our house for the weekend. I got aquianted with his family and then we all sat down for coffee. After coffee my "great aunts" showed me this beautiful old piano they had. It alo played music without pusing any buttons only peddaling. It was a lot of fun to see my host brothers and host dad getting to into it. By then it was around 930pm so my family and I went to downtown Quito. They showed me all of the antique buildings and the president's house. The structure is truely breath taking. I cant wait to take my parents there. After that we took a horse ride around Quito and finally strolled down a street with tons of tourists. I must say after a very long day I passed right out.

Saturday I went to the market to buy a sweater I had been looking for. It's ecuadorian made and absolutely breathtaking. I love all the stuff made in Ecuador. After the market I met up with two of my exchange friends Zoe and Coulter. My host brothers went to a Panda Concert and my host parents went to a graduation dinner. I ate so much food and for the first time since I have been here ate McDonalds. I have to say, I miss it SOOO much. We played games at the arcade and worked so hard we were all sweating afterwards. At night we went to see Muerte en la funeral. We weren't excited to see it, but it ended up being an absolutely hilarious movie. We couldn't stop talking about it after. After the movie ended, it was time for the night to end, but now I am planning to go back to Quito and visit my exchange friends. They are so great.

Sunday was my last day in Quito. We went out to lunch at this big castle looking place with Esteban, Felipe, Manolo (cousins), and some of Diegos friends. The food was good, but I couldn't believe what Ecuadorians eat; squid, and octopus. So gross. Afterwards, we said our goodbyes to Diego's aunts and headed to the airport. I started to feel sick and it was awful. We arrived home around 630. I still felt sick so I passed out.

Today I was still sick so I didn't go to school. I think it had something to do with the food I ate. I don't really know. Now I am feeling much better though so I am happy.

I cannot explain how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family. Everyone of them is so amazing and I love them. I can't imagine my year being any other way. I am so blessed and love how everything in my life is. I am just done with fake people, done with liars, and done with unloyal people. All I need in life are good hearted people. Oh and I almost forgot. Next week my "cousin" Ana comes back from Wisconson. I am exicted to finally have someone my own age that will be in Vilcabamba. 3 weeks till carnival too!!!! I'll write more later.

145 Days and Counting

So everything here has been going very well. I just thought I'd write about some funny things that have happened in the last few days.

So first off the mail here is as slow as a snail. It takes nearly a lifetime to get even a card. My therapist sent me a Christmas card on the 14th of December and I just got it today (13th of December). I think I could have walked it here faster. Okay not really, but close I am sure. I am still waiting for the package my Aunt sent me right around the same time; however, I must have patience. It will get here eventually and I will be so excited when it does.

Secondly, school is just so much fun. Getting up at 6am is never an easy feat, but once I get to school it is well worth it. Today during English class our teacher did not come for the first hour. My class made a giant paper ball the size of my head. We tossed it around and made it a huge game. Only in Ecuador would we be standing on tables and just throwing a huge wad of paper at one another. Sometimes it would hit someone in the face, but they just laugh it off. At home it would be such a big deal. Another reason I love Ecuador.

Thirdly, I cant begin to explain how much I love people here. Sure some of them annoy me, but that's normal everywhere. However, there are people here who I know will always be a part of my life. My two best friends Ana Maria and Valeria are two of the most amazing and beautiful people I have ever met. Not to mention their families are equally as amazing. They continue to care for me like I am one of their own and feel so blessed to know such wonderful and spiritual people.

Fourthly (if I can say that), I am so excited for the next few months. Everything will be happening. This month we have a play about Juan Arrobo (the man who founded Liceo de Loja). It is in spanish, but only the narrators talk. Next month is Carnival and also Valentines day. Two very exciting days. It will be interesting to see how both are celebrated here. March is really only St. Patrick's Day, but I do not believe that is celebrated here. It isn't a huge holiday in the USA either, but I do long Roast beef and cabbage. I also believe that I will be going to the Amazon with my host family since i decided not to go with the Rotary Club. In April it will be chaotic. I will go to the galapagos, my parents will come visit me, we have vacation, and lastly Lily and Diego will be going to Switzerland for 3 weeks. It is going to be difficult to plan it all. In May we have our play in English about Moses. We are currently planning it out because it will be a modern version. May I will also be spending a lot of time with friends going to my last parties and saying goodbye to everyone. Then June 1st I will be back in the United States. So much to do and it seems like theres no time to do it, but I am throughly excited.

Lastly, As of today I have been here 145 days. I cant honestly say I can't believe it. In just 8 days it will be my 5 month mark. Time is flying by so fast. When I first got here I was like this s going to be a long year, but I was so wrong. I remember saying to my host parents, wow in two days it will be one month. That was shocking. Now here I am 4 months later and it feels like time is going faster than ever. With 145 days down, that also means I am past my half way point. I will be home in 139 days. I thought the last 5 months flew by; I think I am in for a surprise. Especially since theses are the months everything happens.

Feel free to write me :) my email is in the about me section!