Week 9: "Model Exchange Students and Cocodrilos"

I apologize for the extremely late blog, I have been a "floja" lately!  I hope everyone looked at the photos!  They are at the bottom of this page, I hopefully will be adding a couple more in tonight.

Tuesday the 22nd.  The exchange students and all the kids in their first year at Valladolid had to go on a team building trip to "La Planta".  It was about an hour away and all mud!  Of course they didn't tell us to bring a change of clothes-but everyone EXCEPT me did anyway!  We started off watching tons of environmental movies after the 3rd one we weren't paying much attention.  We like to refer to ourselves as Model Exchange students, I wish someone had taken a picture: I had Simon asleep on my right shoulder, Caro and I were talking to my left, Fran was asleep leaning on her hand behind us, and in front were Aurore and Justine speaking french and not watching the movie!  What a group we were!  After we got split into teams and after much debating Fran changed to my team because I was the only exchange student in that group.  The first activity we went to was a ropes course (and if any of you remember 8th grade transition that isn't the easiest thing for me).  But I did it-it was extra hard because everything was wood and it had rained so it was extra slippery!  After we went on a nature walk then INTO and UP a river!  Of course I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and had no change of clothes-smart I know.  We went a good mile up the river and then got a waterfall (10ft or so) and I was relived because this meant that we were done, but then the person with us said Oh no we have to rock climb up the waterfall!  I couldn't believe it!  After we went a little more up the river and got to a "waterslide" (slippery rocks) and hung out there for a while before returning back down the river, BACK DOWN THE WATERFALL (this is without ropes or anything!) and back down the river!  We got back and walked a little bit to lunch, my pants were soaked so they kept falling off and I was walking really weird-not to mention the water was freezing so I was super uncomfortable.  As I got into the dining hall Caro and Simon start hysterically laughing at the way I am walking.  After lunch Simon changed to our group because he didn't want to go to the river.  We were heading to a mud pit!  I told them I didn't have a change of clothes so I didn't want to participate, luckily I didn't have to because it started to rain.  We ran back to the meeting point and everyone got changed, Simon changed then offered his other short to me, and although they were wet they were 20 times better than my jeans.  We left a little while later, then Justine, Simon, Caro, Fran, and I went with Mauricio (future host dad, Simon's host dad) and we got Gaspachos and then Mariana drove everyone home.  Gaspachos are VERY popular here- it is all these different kinds of fruit chopped up with juice, cheese, and chili!  Surprisingly I really liked it-I am becoming more Mexican everyday!  I went home took and shower and went to sleep.  

I woke up the next day and I didn't have a voice and my head was pounding-so I didn't go to school.  Isaura jr stayed home too!  I slept for a long time and took some pills for my cold. 

The next day I went to school, and when we stopped to get Simon his grandma said he wasn't coming.  I sent him a message and asked him what was up-he told me he was REALLY sick he threw up BLOOD!  I was freaking out the whole day, turns out he went to the hospital and it was an infection in his throat from trowing up so much!  Fran didn't got to school either-she had problems with her stomach.  Caro was really late to school-but she just wanted to sleep in!  We are quite the bunch!  After school I had lunch with the family, then went to spin and right after to Aurore's house, then we went to Ego with her dad for 80's night.  It wasn't what I hoped it would be-but it was funny to hear Mexican 80's music.  Then we went to my house and slept.  

We woke up showered and packed for our trip to Ixtapa!  Aurore found out that all of us were going to Ixtapa (my family, Fran with her friend Astrid, and Caro with friends) so she invited herself to Astrid's house too-Astrid's parents changed their plans around so Aurore could go with them, but she didn't have a ride so she asked me if she could ride with us-my parents said it was fine so we went.  We left at 1:00 and got to Ixtapa at about 5pm.  As we were driving to Ixtapa I had one of those landscape emotion connections, and any of you that have traveled know what I mean.  As we got just about 2 hours out of Morelia the lush green mountains (that come one right after the other here) were sprinkled with a new brand of plant-the cylinder cactus.  These plants were everywhere, they added a new texture to the mountains of Morelia that I have come to know and love.  Paired with a softer looking tree the mountains seemed to pop!  And as I literally got on the edge of my seat to get a second look we hit a tunnel and on the other side was a rolling river so beautiful it looked like it was airbrushed in, you know like something you would see in a Mexico promotional magazine (well I happen to be living proof that, that breathtaking view does indeed exist!).  And although I was breathing the whole time I did happen to notice that my jaw had dropped just slightly.  And as I got a closer look at the mountains I found that they were made of cliffs that were covered iwth lime green vines that climed up the sides and secured themselves on the trunks of the trees.  At the base of the mountain was a light grass that looked like seaweed when the wind blew!  Absolutely gorgeous and hot!  Then Aurore saw the house and proceeded to invite herself to STAY THE WHOLE WEEKEND there!  She didn't ask her mom, she didn't ask Astrid (or even talk to Astrid)-it was really strange I couldn't believe it.  That night we all went to Senor Frogs and hung out (Caro, Maria, Paty, Santiago, Fran, Astrid, Astrid's cousin, Aurore, and I).  Then Aurore's host mom called Astrid's mom and found out Aurore didn't come to the house, and got really angry when she found out what Aurore did.  So she called my mom and my mom put Aurore's bags in the car for when they came to pick us up, well Aurore got into the car and went with us anyway!  Really strange.

The next day we got right into our bathing suits to go out onto the yacht!  (We were staying at a house with friends of the family)  Aurore then proceeded to invite herself on the yacht too!  So we all piled onto the yacht and headed out into the ocean a little bit then we went to a more private beach.  We anchored the boat then jumped in and swam to shore-Regina, Isaura jr, Isaura, Lore (her family owns the house and yacht), and I all jumped right in-but of course Aurore made a big deal about getting in and needed a life jacket too, but after much fuss she finally got in.  We spent the day there and returned to the house at 6:00 and had dinner.  Then all of the girls headed out to check out the market, it wasn't anything special so we went for homemade icecream!  I met up with Caro, Santiago, Maria, and Paty I decided to go with them and I asked Isaura if it was ok and she said of course!  Then she asked Aurore if she wanted to go and Aurore said she was tired and just wanted to stay WITH MY FAMILY!  I found this really strange then I talked to Isaura later on and she said the same thing.  (It's not that I don't like Aurore-she is very nice-but this weekend she was extremely pushy and strange).  So then my family left and we headed to Senor Frogs to meet up with Fran and Astrid, Astrid told me she and her mom were mad/upset with Aurore because she didn't talk to them at all!  After meeting a girl from Miami, a guy from Newport Beach Rhode Island, and a guy from San Diego we went to a cool restaurant next store-it was like a tree house!  After we went to the beach to see all of the town on the water-beautiful but it was impossible to take pictures!  

Sunday we went to the "Club House" and lounged around the pool and had lunch before heading back home.  We got back and Isaura jr had been making fun of my spanish so Isaura said we should speak English so I could make fun of her.  Well it didn't last long and Isaura jr doesn't like to speak English.  After that we went to sleep.

Monday at school passed surprisingly quickly!  Simon, Caro, and I were laughing the whole day-we still can't figure out why we all were so goofy but it was funny!  I had a famous salsa/chili type thing for lunch-it originated in Puebla (the town were Krista Henry went on exchange) it was really tasty!  Then I had salsa class and then went to sleep.

I forgot to mention in the marina where their yacht was- had tons of signs up warning everyone about the crocodiles!  They have tons in this marina and everyone had to be careful.  Regina and I were joking around and I was whistling like a dogs saying "ven, ven, cocodrilos" (come, come crocodiles)!  

Mariah

Week 7: "Thank you for Saving My Life!"

I forgot to tell everyone last week, I added photos!  Scroll down past my first blog and you will find them!  Of course there are only a couple but at least it is something for those of you who don't have a facebook!

Tuesday September 15; I was really tired all day long-but I made it through school.  There was a conference at another school that I the exchange students got invited to, but it turns out we weren't allowed to leave without written permission so we didn't go.  After school I went home for lunch, and at 5:30 Isaura and I went for a meeting at Valladolid (The school-the official name is Valladolid Instituto Preparatoria).  After the meeting we went back home to get ready for the party.  Favio said we would leave about 9pm, so I was ready a little before and I went downstairs.  Everyone was not quite ready so I hung out for a while 9:30 rolled around and Favio told me I should change because it was outside and I didn't have a sweater.  Finally after receiving sombreros, watching Favio do a Mexican Hat Dance (that was hilarious) we started out the door.  Isaura said she forgot something and headed to the closet right next to the door outside, then Favio opened the door and I was second.  He waited for Isaura and then I screamed "Que asco! Que asco!" (Yuck! Yuck!) Favio said "what?" and I answered "Mira a la izquierda!" Look to the left! and he looked up to the left of the door then I said "NO ABAJO!" (No down) and right by the door was a huge snake!  It was white with black spots, it curled up as Favio shut the door.  Favio told Isaura not to move and slowly shut the door.  Then he asked how did you see that? and I said I really didn't know-he told me he was glad.  There was a big scene- we had to call the security and everything!  They told us it was a cascabel-which is a poisonous snake!  Favio came up to me after they left and said "Thank you for saving my life!"  I said "um no problem" and he said "no seriously!" he gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  Then Regina gave me a hug as well, the rest of the night Favio told everyone how I saved his life!  We got to the party late thanks to the snake, so we didn't get to participate in the yelling- it is tradition to yell at 11:00pm on the 15th of September it is something like Viva the president, viva the people, viva Mexico (x3) but it varies from city to city.  We didn't leave the party until 2:30am-so I was exhausted!  

The next day we had school off for Independence Day-we didn't go anywhere because last year a bomb was set off in the center and it killed 40 some people, so instead Favio cooked Chili Relleno for lunch-it was really good!  At 5:00pm I went to the movies with Fran, Aurore, Caro, and Astrid (from Fran's class)-we went to Chili's after for a little snack and then we went back home.  I skyped with Derek after that then went to sleep.

Back to school-I wasn't tired at all.  My classes passed quickly and I had a lot of fun in Jazz.  I was the only one who remembered the new choreography and I did the dance steps right (Stacy I hope you are reading this!).  After school I went home had lunch then headed to spin class.  After that I went to my salsa class and had a lot of fun.  The teacher is really funny-he asked me my name and when I said it he said AH Mariah Carey.  The rest of the class he said "What's up? What's happening?" etc.  But I think the funniest part of class is when the teacher starts to count-he switched languages!  One, dos, twa, cuatro!  After I went home and went to sleep.

The next day in school Aurore said she had gotten into a fight with her host mom.  She said that she wanted to go back to France, and she said that she had cried for over an hour.  (You'll be glad to know she is better now).  After school I went with Elsa and we all went to Ruben's house for Area 4's comida (and area is 2 classes and comida is like lunch).  We had REALLY good tacos and taquito type things.  After Fran, Caro, and I went with Guillermo and Luis from my class, they took us to Las Americas (the shopping plaza).  Fran bought a dress, and Caro bought some clothes for the antro.  Enrique (who has all the parties) came up to me in the store and we had a nice talk- I met his mom and ended up helping her pick out a dress for a 12 year old's birthday (of course I chose a beautiful purple one).  We were leading to Starbucks after they finished shopping and a car drove by and splashed us!  We were completely SOAKED!  We got a good laugh out of it though!  I went home talked to dad on skype and then went to Caro's house.  We were supposed to go to Enrique's house but there wasn't a lot of people going and we didn't have a ride so we decided against it.  Caro, two girls from her class, and I went out for sushi and then Caro and I went back to her house.  Roxy (Caro's host sister) had a couple of friends over so we hung out with them until Favio came to pick me up.  When we got home we were stuck outside, the door was locked and not shut properly so the key wouldn't work.  Luckily another door was open so we got in and I went to sleep.  

The next day I had to be a local hotel at 8:30 am for my rotary district conference.  We had a lot of fun.  I met a girl from Sauquoit NY and she knew of Milford!  We talked for a while and I thought to myself "She has the same accent as me!"-it was strange that I thought this because I never considered myself having an accent before!  We had some team building activities and even did an activity where we took off our shoes and put 2 other shoes on!  The guy who was giving instructions used my shoe as an example-it was hilarious how he described it (it was my green converse, you know the ones).  After we had lunch and headed to our rooms before going on a bus to the zoo.  (by the way there are 65 rotary students in out district-we had 66 but the one girl from Denmark went home 15 days into her exchange, I believe someone said her parents were getting a divorce).  The zoo was fun!  After we went back to watch the lighting of the Cathedral then we had dinner.  After we had 45 minutes to change for ego.  We left for ego at 11pm and got there at about 1130.  Rotary bought each student two cervezas and a soda if we wanted it.  We had a lot of fun dancing, but Justine got mad because Guillermo told her to stop dancing so dirty (which was the truth-surprise surprise).  Then she said she was mad because he didn't tell Fran she was dancing dirty too!  Fran is a crazy dancer, but she is far from dirty!  We left at 2:30 and got to the hotel at 3am!  

Sunday everyone was tired, but we enjoyed a really good breakfast.  Then we were sitting with Caro and another girl from Germany, they were speaking German and it was strange because I kind of understood what they were saying.  I asked what a word was and another boy looked at me and said "Ah she understands!"  then Simon explained what they had said.  There are a TON of german exchange students in the district so I was listening to German all weekend, I really enjoyed it and I think I might try a class in college!  There are a bunch of french exchange students as well, but listening to french for two days just reminded me why I don't like it so much.  After we went on a tour of Morelia and then had free time.  Favio and Isaura picked me up at 2:45 and we went out to lunch with some family at Applebee's.  I got a buffalo chicken salad (I thought of you Arika!) and I realized how much I missed buffalo chicken wings!  We left at 6:30pm-and I was really tired and my throat was starting to hurt.  I went home and went to sleep.

Today school went by really quickly, I think it was because I was still tired and therefore was a little bit goofy.  Edith my spanish teacher found this really amusing and milked it for all it was worth.  After spanish class my throat really started to hurt along with my stomach and head.  I had lunch at the house and then Favio told me to take some medicene.  I talked to Luke and Jaclyn on skype for a while then slept for an hour or so.  Isaura asked if I wanted to go to Salsa class or not, I didn't want to miss it so I went.  I got there a little late because there was lots of traffic, but the class passed quickly as well.  I chose not to dance with a partner at the end of class because I didn't want to pass whatever sickness I have to them too!  When I didn't get a partner the teacher said 'Mariah- What's up?  You don't like the Mexican men?"  I told him I was sick, but he just chuckled and went the rest of the class making fun of me.  We learned some more combinations and there was a reggaeton move that he put in and said it was for me!  After class I was beat, I went home, wrote my blog and headed to bed.

By the way I am not extremely sick or anything-it's really just my throat.  And no it isn't SWINE FLU-that is a joke here too.  

Buenos Noches,

Mariah   

Week 6: "Que te parece? Fine Fine Fine Very Good Very Good Very Good"

Of Course I finished my blog and then Favio asked if I wanted to go to my cousin's birthday party, which turned out to be really fun!  I enjoy all of the family and I really like going to see them.  But anyways on with the show.  By the Way: Uchepos are like ground up corn, they basically taste like corn bread, but much better!

September 9: School went by slowly, and nothing really happened besides the fact that Simon got sick.  Then I went with Mariana as always, but we stopped with her friends to get Sushi to go- which let me tell you is not something you should eat in the car, Mariana spilt soy sauce all over her pants!  Then I finally got to skype with my Dad and Luke!  It was nice to see them again, then I went to pilates and spinning.  

The next day was a lot better-we did nothing in the only two regular classes I had.  Then I had Mexican Culture and my first two classes of Jazz!  Although it was only working on the arms I really enjoyed it-and it provided a break from the normal routine.  After we had the oh so famous "Rojos, Azules, y Blancos" (Reds, Blues, and Whites), which is a school competition, it welcomes the new high schoolers and the exchange students.  We had to wear our color- I was in white because I am in the senior class.  We painted our faces, had noise makers, and cheered the whole time for our team.  There were tons of different competitions, including bobbing for apples, various water balloon activities, and even an obstacle course containing chugging a beer!  I took lots of pictures-I'll try to put some one here when I can!  After the competition (it was a couple of hours...in which everyone got burnt thanks to the afternoon sun) Fran came over and I skyped with my whole family.  Then we stopped at Starbucks, and then went looking for a salsa school.  We found one and after dropping off Fran we went to check it out.  We met the teacher who I found really nice and quite amusing, he said to come back and watch the salsa class on Monday at 7:30pm.  Then I returned home and skyped with my dad who met Favio-neither one of them speaks the other's language so it was hilarious seeing them communicate!  Despite the language difference they got along really well and they both said that they like each other-which I could well imagine because they remind me of each other.  I can't wait until they meet in person.

Friday we had no school-rest from the competition!  So at 9:30 Isaura and I went to the club an I went for a run-so much for rest!  After I went to my friend Elsa's house and met her and Judith.  We picked up another friend and we went shopping.  I ended up getting a discotec dress that I really love, and a couple new shirts.  After Isaura picked me up and I went home to change.  Then she took me to Judith's house.  A couple of her friends were there-including Judas from my class.  We headed to Bienvenido's house for the party.  Of course it was a surprise so we waited right round the corner and my friend Enrique laid in front of a car and waited for Bienvenido to leave the house.  His mother had told him to go get something at the store, once he got around the other corner we sprinted into his house.  We waited at the door with noise makers, shaving cream and confetti.  Then Enrique climed on top of the garage and made sure he was coming, then when he walked in the door we yelled surprise and we all got COVERED in shaving cream and confetti.  I had so much confetti on me I woke up the next day and there was confetti in my bed- and I had changed! (Now that's disturbing)  The rest of the party went really well, Bienvenido was really happy and of course like all parties here we danced until about 1:00.  

Saturday I woke up early and went to Simon's house- we then packed up a huge van and headed to Patzcuaro.  I went with Simon, Gloria (his grandma), Justine, Sandra (her mom-my 3rd host mom), and her sister (I can't remember her name), Caro, Roxy (her sister), Bernardo (Simon's Dad's Friend), and two cousins (of someone-still a little confused).  It was pretty fun, we took pictures- Patzcuaro is home to the largest Plaza in all of Latin America-and we walked around.  The only complaint I had about the trip was the comment that Sandra made-Simon and Bernardo had walked down a different street because we were all looking at jewelry, and then Sandra said lets go.  We started to leave and Gloria realized we were missing Simon and Bernardo, we didn't see them, so Sandra said "Oh just leave them, they aren't sociable people anyway!"  Of course I chimed in that we needed to wait and received quite the look from Sandra and Justine.  But after waiting 2 minutes Simon and Bernardo came around the corner.  After we went to lunch and had "Orange Chicken"-it was delicious and orange.  After we got back Fran and I met in the Centro and watched the lighting of the Cathedral with our host dad's then we went back to my house to get ready.  We were going to our first Antro/Discotec.  "ego" is the name, and it has the BEST view.  I'll put some pictures up, we had a lot of fun and we actually got everyone dancing.  Fran and I plan on going back again, but I believe we are going this coming weekend with rotary so that should be fun!

It was a normal slow Sunday.  Favio cooked his famous burgers, which included the normal toppings and something slightly different-pinapple!  It took a while for me to muster up the courage but I ate it.  I actually didn't hate it, I wouldn't order it all the time but I deffinitely suggest you try it!  (The pinapple was fried...I think)  Then I went to the movies with Isaura jr, Karla (her friend) and we saw Orphan- and the whole time Isaura jr and I had a hold of each other's arm!  

Monday-school went quickly and Simon told me that his class had to take a drug test (you know pee in cup) I found this pretty hilarious and after a while he did too.  After school I talked to Julia and her friends on skype then headed to my first salsa class.  Favio's mom and grandmother had come over for lunch so we took them home first and I found out that Favio's grandmother had 43 grandchildren and 67 great grandchildren!  I got to the salsa class and when I walked in I was greeted by Laura's smiling face- for those of you who don't remember Laura is my pilates teacher and we get along really well.  We had a nice conversation while we were waiting for everyone to get there.  I found out that she is (i think) married to Bernardo (the other pilates teacher) and they have a son.  Then the class started and I met her friend- I can't remember his name- and she made me get up and dance with everyone else.  I LOVED the class and surprisingly caught on quickly!  The last 10 minutes we danced with a partner- I of course got the shortest guy in the class (pausing for the predicted chuckling).  But he turned out to be one of the best dancers there, and so I learned some really good moves and I was comfortable dancing with him and Laura's friend too!  Aurore is taking the class as well, she came later so she was learning at a slower pace, but she seemed to like it a lot as well.  On the way home Regina, Isaura, and I worked on some of my spanish-well one conversation in particular!  We were laughing the whole way home!  Then Isaura mentioned that there was a song that doesn't make sense but it is really funny so when we got home Regina and I listened to it!  Part of the lyrics are the title of my blog for this week.

Also I have to mention that today and tomorrow is the celebration of Mexican Independence Day!  It starts today at 11 and goes all through tomorrow.  But I will describe the festivities in next week's blog.

Week 5: "It's the party of Bienvenido" "Yeah but for who?"

Tuesday was one of the best days I have had during my stay here.  We made it to school without popping a tire, which would make anyone's day!  We didn't have Mexican Culture, so we got a free pass out of class, I sat with Aurore and Simon's class (they had gym) and talked to all of my friends there.  It was nice to sit outside for an hour and talk to everyone, it deffinitly beat the pants of sitting in the classroom watching everyone take a test.  Then I had French II, we played a game and everyone was laughing the whole time.  After school Mariana was driving us home and as we were leaving the parking lot she took off her sweater and let go of the wheel we started heading towards the right hand side so I grabbed the wheel, then Simon said "AHH You just broke a rule, NO DRIVING"  This is an ongoing joke now in my family.  At 5:30pm I went to a spinning class for an hour-which I LOVED, then I went to an hour of pilates.  After that I showered and went to an hour of Yoga!  As we left the club I got my hand print and number to work (need a pass code and to scan your hand to get into the club).  As I walked in the door I saw a package- it was my camera cord!  I was so happy and I proceeded to add a lot of photos on my facebook!  

I woke up and wished Isaura a happy birthday!  Then when Mariana and I went to pick up Simon, he said that we was sick and he wasn't going to school.  I had gym first hour of the day, and everyone was really tired, so as a joke I told the gym teacher that I was a  lazy girl from the US and I couldn't run, he chuckled then said we had to run 2 laps.  Well Aurora (one of my friends in my class room) and I were the ONLY ones who ran.  In the second lap the gym teacher said "Floja huh?  Pero tu puedes corre!" (You're a lazy person?  But you can run?).  Then we stopped Aurora and I and made the rest of the class run another lap and we just stood there.  When we got home we changed quick and went out to this fancy restaurant for dinner for Isaura.  It was this awesome pizzeria type thing, with the coolest sink I have ever seen!  Then I went to spinning, then ran for 15 mins before pilates, then went to pilates (with a different teacher).  Then I got home and went to sleep.

The next day I wasn't going to school because I had a rotary meeting at 9:30 (of course we didn't get there until 9:50).  Turns out Isaura wasn't going to the breakfast because it was a Rotary meeting, and it was only for Rotary Camelinas (Caro, Simon, Justine, and I).  After the meeting Laura (the chair person) said we should go back to school because it was so late.  So Caro and I went with Gloria (Simon's Grandma) and we met Laura at the Zoo, we just went there to buy tickets for the when we go for the Rotary District Conference.  Then we were invited to go to see the Hotel we were going to be staying at, then to lunch.  Justine turned down the offer and had another lady take her home, so that left Caro, Simon, Gloria, Laura, and I.  We got to see this BEAUTIFUL hotel and we went to the roof, we are renting it out for a night to watch the light show on the Cathedral.  Then we went out to lunch in the centro.  Laura said since it was hot she was getting us a beer, we had one corona (she insisted because it is part of the culture).  It was offically a month that I had been here, and I got to try Chili Relleno-my dad had been telling me about this dish for months.  Well this restaurant had it is Urchepos (MY FAVORITE FOOD HERE) so it was a wonderful lunch.  After I went to Simon's house to wait for my mom- he is currently living with Gloria because Patti (my future host mom and his current host mom) had moved and they weren't ready to host him yet.  So I talked to Gloria, then Luis (grandfather) and Simon.  I found Luis really interesting, he told me he lived in NYC for 4 years and he is a very philosophical person; I enjoyed talking to him!  Then I went to Spinning, then Pilates, then I ran for 30 minutes before going home and going to sleep.  

The next day Simon and I were getting picked up by Gloria at 11:00-of course it turned out to be 12:00 before she got there.  Justine and her mom were with her, Justine didn't go to school.  Then we went to the Immigration office, but we were missing all of these papers.  We ended up running all around the city (5 hours).  We had lunch at this restaurant that is very popular-it is called El Infierno, I am pretty sure everyone can figure out what that means.  The tacos were AWESOME!  After I met Isaura and we went home.  Later on I went to a dinner party thing for Fran's brother (he is going to Canada).  

I hung out for the afternoon and then when Isaura got home she suggested we rent a traditional movie of Mexico.  I can't remember the title- but it was hilarious.  It was a musical type movie- I can't even begin to tell you the plot because it is so complicated, but I really liked it.  Then at 8:30pm I went with Aurore and Luis (one of my friends) to see the lighting of the Cathedral.  It was amazing, there was this introductory video, then all this music and fireworks as they turned on the lights.  It was so pretty and there were tons of people, it was like a mini carnaval, and this happens EVERY Saturday.  I was in awe!  After we got churros (by request of Aurore) and watched an african drum band.  Then we passed through the center where they had a HUGE TV set up and tons of people were watching a football game (Mexico vs Costa Rica).  Then we went to a coffee shop and got come coffee, and it was right next to a bar so we got to experience some real Mexican Futbol culture!   

Sunday was another lazy day, Fran and I went to Starbucks and Subway.  Then we went shopping.

Monday went by pretty slow.  After school Fran and I started to walk to the convenience store to get some more candy for a present for my friend.  (It is his birthday today-his name is Bienvenido).  On our way there Isaura pulled up and asked where we were going, turns out I had misunderstood her when she had told me that she was picking me up after school.  She is going to pick Simon and I up after school every monday now!  We got home later and Isaura jr was home sick, and Regina has a cold.  Then I talked to my dad before going with Isaura and Regina into town.  Regina had a guitar class so Isaura and I bought a gift bag for Bienvenido's present, then we went to a little mall type thing.  She asked if I wanted some coffee and I said sure.  I told her I was going to pay for it because she is always driving me everywhere, she was really grateful and it made me feel a little bit better.  

Today was alright, classes pasted fairly quickly.  Bienvenido really liked his present and the card that I made for him.  He then asked if we wanted to go get tacos with him and all of our friends.  Fran and I went, then Elsa drove us to Starbucks were we met Isaura and then we went home.  

The language is still a challenge but I learn new things everyday and I am slowly improving.  Today my Mexican Law teacher told me that I spoke and understood spanish very well.  He told me he understood everything I wrote on the test we had (the test that I attempted), he said that I was a very smart girl.  I was really happy to hear this, I just wish I could understand everything!  I get frustrated when I don't understand because I want to be on the same level as my class mates and I want to be able to express myself; but it still a little tough.   

And to explain the caption.  Bienvenido is welcome in spanish, so I was trying to explain to Isaura jr that my friend Bienvenido was having a party on Friday.  But she didn't realize I was talking about my friend Bienvenido, and not a welcome party.  She kept asking who the party was for and I would answer Bienvenido, and she would say "Yeah but for WHO?"  We eventually figured it out, we found this quite hilarious.

Miss and Love you all,

Mariah

PS: My parents are sending a package out tomorrow or the next day if you have anything you need to send to me, just let them know!  haha