Chile: Week 7

I'd like to tell everyone who is worried about me, namely my grandparents and some of my students in Chicago that I am A-OKAY. The weekends here are fun...kind of harrowing at times but fun. I have not been taken advantage of by anyone yet, I have not gotten anymore tattoos of meaningless things, and YES I am still healthy. Albeit about 10 pounds lighter.

My housemate Carolyn left with other people in her program this weekend. I went down to see them off in Santiago and hang out for awhile. We had a good time as usual. I'm gonna miss Carolyn and all of the other crew. Chocolate Milk, Panda, Towel, Audacity and most of all Care-Bear: it was real and I hope to see you soon.

Now that Carolyn is gone I will have to double my efforts to learn Spanish since I will have no one to get me out of linguistic jams. My house parents asked me last week if I was going back to Chicago with my family when they came down to visit in November. I stated that I had told my friends and family that I wasn't leaving Chile until I was atleast partially conversational in Spanish so, no, I was staying for atleast another 6 months. Giovanna responded by laughing in my face and pointing at Manuel who had apparently said "tengo miedo" (I'm scared) I asked "What? You don't think I can learn spanish in that time?" Which they responded to by saying, in essence "Maybe in 6 years of studying, you will be at a kindergarten level"

I hate this country.....