Being in a new country is full of realizations. Like realizing that everyone drives crazy, while talking on the phone, and seat belts are only used in the front seat. Realizing that every time you see dog poop doesn't mean that some person was inconsiderate and didn't pick it up, but knowing that the dog that left that lovely present you almost stepped on doesn't have a home and is probably sick.
Today I realized how hopelessly lost I am when it comes to my Spanish skills, but realizing everyday I understand more and more. Today I also came to the realization that I am here for a year. A year. A year ago today I would have told you how scared I was. It was a daunting task ahead of me. But truth is i already gave a year of my life to Rotary in my country. Seeing how amazing it was, I am not scared for the year ahead. I know its going to be hard, and sometimes disappointing. But I also know it will be the best year of my life. This is my senior year. Most of my peers will look back at this year and remember the parties, prom, schoolwork and the epicness of being on top of the totem pole of high school. I will look back on this year and remember the friends I made, the memories created, the language that I swear is the prettiest on the planet, and the beautiful country called Ecuador. Not many people can look back at their high school life and remember an experience like this one.
The real hard realization that hit me today what that i wont hug my family for a year. I will see their faces, hear their voices and read about their lives. But I wont physically see them for a whole year. That is the most daunting task ahead.
So far I have been to the beach, unpacked, met almost my whole extended family and shopped. I've met the other american exchange students and tomorrow i will meet the rest. I know that these people will become my extended family and make it easier not to see mine. Besides the kids I'm going to meet, I have already created a family here with Cathy, Carlos, Juanfris, Andy, Lorena, Jose, Valentina, Dana and the rest of my wonderful welcoming family.
This last weekend was so much fun. Carlos spent Saturday in Quito for a work training. He was supposed to catch a bus to Quito and a car home. But he woke up in the morning and his phone didn't work. So he missed the call to go downstairs and get on the bus. So he had to take the car (the other car is in the shop because the person we rented it from rented it someone else while we were on vacation and the got in a car crash). Cathy and me were supposed to go shopping that afternoon but now we were stuck. Lucky for us we have a truly wonderful family. My aunt Lorena (Panchis) family was going out with my grandparents so Panchis let us borrow her car.We started off by going to Carlos' parents for lunch (like we do every Saturday) then mom and me went out and did so much shopping before returning it to her. But we weren't done yet. But my grandma let us borrow her car, so we finished almost all of it. I got my uniform, hangers, laundry bin, baskets for all my make up and stuff, school shoes and most of the ingredients for cinnamon rolls and cheese potatoes.
Sunday was busy as well. It was my mothers birthday. I gave her a pair of BEAUTIFUL hand make earrings from Portland. we had a lazy morning fitting Cathy, Andy and me on the bed to watch cartoons. Carlos went out for a bike ride and Juanfris was still at the beach with his friends. About noon we left for a town called Chambo where a family member owns a house. Little did i know how many people were going to be there. Cathy and me both wished we had more sleep. The night before there had been some sort of celebration in Riobamba that included lighting off fireworks that sounded likes bombs every 20 minutes from 9pm until about 330am. That was followed by a cat fight in the street outside my house and a marching band soon after. I got about four hours of sleep total.
Well when we finally got to Chambo (about 15 minutes from my house) I met my great aunts, uncles and grandparents. I noticed how young they all were for their generations. My great grandparents were the age of my grandparents at home, my grandparents are a tiny bit older of my parents and my parents just seem flat out young. My mom was turning 38. I helped set up the table (which not speaking Spanish it was pretty funny) when all the sudden I hear my name said like three our four times. I poke my head out from around the corner with a "Si?". My dad looks at me and laughs. My great grandparents were trying to figure out how to say my name! Here the H is usually dropped and it comes our Ailey. Its cute and I like it. After lunch (they think i don't eat enough) I sat down on the couch and completely fell asleep. I got rudely awakened by my little brother about an hour later and he started poking me to see if I really was asleep. So I talked with the family for a bit then sat back down in a chair. I guess my day was just catching up with me because I promptly fell asleep again. Before I know it I'm getting attacked by my cousins saying in their cute English accents "Time to go!!!!" Panchis family and mine were heading to the mall we all needed a few things. So we piled in the cars and took off.
We got in late that night and I literally fell into bed and passed out for nine hours straight.
Today was fun, I spent the morning with Panchis visiting her preschool (which is under construction to add a few new class rooms), helping her pick up a few items and just hanging out. I've been very blessed to have a family the speaks English very well. I know that its going to take me longer to learn Spanish, but it has allowed me to get to know them and form bonds with them before I am plunged into the world of school. They all promised that as of the first day I attend school they will speak Spanish to me.
Tomorrow is going to be so much fun. In the morning I'm spending some time with the other exchange students in my city. Then coming home for lunch and making cinnamon rolls for when my counselor and his wife come over that night. Its really going to be a great day. I promise to post pictures soon!
