Estoy una Chilena!

After a bit of confusion, I have made it to Chile and moved in with my new family! The day before traveling, I received an email from my host mom saying that I may not be able to live with her because she does not own a printer. After several hours of trying to figure all that out, it seemed to be alright, but it was great when I arrived to find that I was in fact able to liver with her! Today is my first full day here and I cannot tell you how grateful I am to be done traveling. I am definitely not cut out for airplanes and all that jazz.  After nearly 24 hours in transit, I arrived to the University where our host families were ready to take each of us home. After I got all moved in, my host mom took me to the grocery store, we made lunch and then I crashed. For several hours. When I finally woke in the early evening, I met my little brother, Ian. I am really looking forward to the time I have to spend with this new family! I have already had great conversations with mi madre, Marcela, and it was only the first day! 

I went to bed fairly early last night because Ian has school (it's winter here) in the morning. For him, though early is 10:30! Much different than my 9:00 all through my school years! I still tried to stay up a while longer because I am not sure what adjustments I will need to make to fit the culture of my peers - so much to learn!

It's been clear to me that I really need to work on my Spanish. After three years without using it, I have definitely lost a lot! But my mom and brother are very patient with me. At times, it's frustrating when I want to tell Marcela what I'm thinking about more philosophical ideas, but I don't have nearly the vocabulary to do so! Nonetheless, she understands the overall idea of what I'm trying so say, and I feel the same about what she is describing. Even though the language has been difficult, even now as I write I find it difficult to continue using English and my thoughts are most often in Spanish! After all, I haven't spoken a word of English in over a day. If this is what it feels like after only a day, I can't imagine what it will be like after two months!

The place I'm staying is beautiful! Marcela works hard on a lovely garden outside the house. She is a photographer, among other things, so she invests a lot in the aesthetic aspects of living! As I write, I am sitting in somewhat of a patio with a slew of cats that want to sit on me and investigate everything I'm doing! They apparently have no idea that I'm not such a fan. I keep putting them down on the ground but they jump right back up! I guess they're not taking me seriously =P I have to laugh about it. I was even just telling a friend in the last couple weeks about my distaste for cats, so of course I would move into a home with at least 10! Who knows, maybe I'll become a cat lady after this?! But all of the cats are certainly worth living with this wonderful family =)

Probably my most favorite superficial thing this far has been breakfast. When I went shopping with Marcela, she asked if I like yogurt. Of course, I said yes! Then she asked about cereal and if I like yogurt on my cereal. I was surprised she would ask that because I get some strange looks in the US when I eat yogurt with cereal on top that isn't simply granola. I was excited that someone else shared the same taste =) But even further, I come to find out that in Chile, they yogurt is the only thing they use with their cereal! Milk comes in cartons that are not stored in the fridge until after opening. And so a  less viscous (more runny) yogurt is used instead. Anyone who knows me can guess how happy this camper is =) 

And she brought home fresh bread to have with breakfast as well! Two of my favorites in one! I'm starting to think I was born with some Latina blood and didn't even know it!

I will soon be off with my mom to meet my little brother for lunch after school!

Hasta luego!

Siempre en Amor

Siempre en Amor... Always in love. It's what I often use to close letters - even the hand written kind - and a way I desire to live my life. I want to live my life pursuing love. The love of God and the love of others. And I want to constantly live in the love of my beautiful Savior that I may continue to offer love to others. I want to bask in His love and I want to be in love. Always. 

Why in Spanish? Because the motivation for me to create a blog comes from my adventure to Chile this summer! This will be a place to keep updated on much of what is happening in my life while I'm here. And after...we'll cross that bridge when it comes =) But whether I am in the states or in another hemisphere, my challenge remains the same: Vivir siempre en amor.