it´s SO great to finally be in Chile. i´ve been here several times before, but this trip has felt different from the start. since i arrived, i´ve felt like a lost child finding her way "home" to her roots. when i´ve come in the past, it was usually to visit family, check out the beautiful beaches and other beautiful sites, and visit more family. obviously this time, i´m here for different reasons - i´m here to get to know my culture, people and of course, to teach.

most of my life, i´ve felt american or what we call, "white" american, which is ridiculous since i´m hispanic through and through. it wasn´t until high school that i started to become more interested in my chilean roots. so here i am living in an apartment on campus, eating at the cafeteria, and hanging out till curfew - it´s like college life all over again. :o) i´m happy tho - FREEZING, but happy. :o)

i´ll begin teaching next monday. 15 hours of conversation weekly, 2 hours of pronunciation, helping with the drama team, and leading out in the English sabbath school. i feel very at home here and am looking forward to what is to come.