Even More Pictures and Church

Now that I can finally post pictures on my blog I decided to go through my phone and upload some of the pictures I had..

Just a few of my classmates and me outside of school

Us at the dinner celebrating our school's 50th anniversary

All of the Miss CED competitors: 1st place was the 6th girl, 2nd was the 5th, and 3rd was the 4th

Me before the Miss CED competition with my makeup done

Mi casa <3 <3

The view from my bedroom window (yes this picture is on instagram)

Our grill from supper one night. This thing is HUGE! And we always cook a ton of meat when we use it. For example, here we have a whole lamb's leg, a bunch of ribs, some part of a cow, lots of chorizo (sausage), and even some cow venison.

 

 

Last night, I went to what my first church service here. At least I'm pretty sure you could call it that. It was really chill, there was a guy playing guitar and everyone was singing and clapping. Then the pastor came in and shook everyone's hands and delivered the sermon. After that, he took a branch and dipped it in water and shook it throughout the whole building. That was the end of the service. After the service food was brought out. Finger foods! We had tiny empanadas, tiny milanesa con pollo (basically it was like a little chicken nugget), tiny sandwiches, and a bunch more. We drank coke and water and a few people drank wine, too. When we finished eating, everyone but my relatives left. (The building we went to is right across from my abuela's house.) We sat outside and talked for a while, although I'm not quite sure about what.

 

On the way home, something weird happened. I was just smiling the entire ride home and I had no idea why. I think it's because I'm starting to really feel at home here in Coronel Oviedo. My family here treats me like I'm a member of the family, and my classmates treat me like one of them. I'm even making a lot of friends here, both exchange students and not. My Spanish is improving to the point where I can often understand when people aren't talking to me, and occasionally I can even add to the conversation. Everything is just going really well!

 

On that note, is there anything that you all would like to hear about/see/learn about? I'm kind of short on ideas as to what I can post on here. Just leave a comment or facebook me!



Mas fotos!

1) Me sipping on some mate (like hot terere)

2/3/4) Some friends and I "doing homework" - someone please tell me that Alexa (closest to the camera) looks like HolaSoyGerman !!

 

I don't know why the pictures finally decided to upload but they did. So happy!

Pictures, finally!

Top: My classroom. Usually there's a LOT more students!

Bottom: The outside of my school. My classroom is right behind the tree on the left.

The Obligatory "I'm still alive" Post

I guess its been a while since my last post. I haven't been busy, per say, I just haven't really felt like blogging. But now I feel obligated to write so that everyone knows I'm alive!
If I'm able to, I'll post some pictures of my school in this post. Its difficult to add pictures on here. One is of the outside of my school, and the other is the inside of my classroom.

Last Friday I participated in my school's 'Miss CED' competition. It was a pageant that (I believe) ten of us participated in. I loved everything about it, besides the high heeled shoes that I had to wear. :'(

In school right now my class is practicing a dance that we're going to perform next week for the opening of the student games. Like the high school Olympics! I'm not participating in the games, but I am planning on dancing for the opening. As long as I can get the steps down!

It's been really hot here lately. At school, some people have brought water balloons and water bottles to cool everyone off (or maybe to annoy the teachers)! They asked me if we ever do that in the states, and of course I said no. It might seem crazy but it's so much fun! Especially when the weather is as hot as its been. To think its not summer yet is impossible. It's going to be so hot out.

The mosquitos have literally eaten me alive. My legs and feet are covered in mosquito bites. Luckily they're going away but that's only because I put on pants and a jacket when the sun goes down. That's miserable in the heat, but less miserable than putting up with the mosquitos.

I think I'm starting to learn my way around Coronel Oviedo. I can walk to my school and to my guitar lessons without a problem, and the rest of the roads are starting to become familiar to me! Also my Spanish is certainly improving. I can usually understand what's being said if I pay attention.

Right now I'm sitting on my couch, sipping terere and wondering how I've been here for five weeks. I guess its true that the exchange really does fly!

So yes, I am still alive.
Love from Paraguay!