the rhythm of life

Last Saturday marked week four that I have been here. One month. One crazy month of non-stop adventures and memories. I went to the beach, Orientation, Hung out with friends, Learned how to play ecuavolleyball (poorly), won my first ecuavolleyball game (after three weeks of trying!)Went to school, Created new AMAZING best friends, took my first horseback riding lesson, and sat through my first piano class. One month inst that long, but it has flown by all the same. I think where did august and September go? Time does fly when your having fun. I'm having the time of my life!

Whenever i have issues tieing all my thoughts together i go online and search for a quote. I read hundreds of them before i find the one that clicks and my thoughts just flow from my mind to my fingers. So here is the one i found today;
                  “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” –Jim Rohn
My life here is so amazing. I dont want to call it better than it was in the states, but it is different. Besides the constant headaches, i have things i never had at home, like close girlfriends, a ridiculous amount of extended family, and a culture i am completely and totally in love with. I've also been blessed to have the gifts i have been given at home, a family that loves me, food (more than i can eat!), and clothes. I really believe i am the luckiest girl in the world, just because a little over a year ago i decided it was time for a change. 
I have talked a lot about what i have been doing here but i havent talked about this lovely institution called school. Salesianos is the place that i go monday through friday from 710-110. I take six classes there, English, Spanish, Religion, Biology, Computers, and Social Studies. The time that my classmates are taking different subjects (other sciences and math) i go to the elementary school and help teach English. It has actually been a bunch of help because English classes are taught in Spanglish. The first day of school was CRAZY. I went a little bit late with my aunt (who works there!) and we went to the school inspectors office to work out a schedule for me. Then my aunt took me to the room that would serve as my class room. She pulled out three students, Pome, Sebastian and a girl whos name i didnt catch. My aunt used to be their teacher. She told them who i was and how i was going to need a lot of help and friends to make it through my year. Pome automatically adopted me. She told Jose that i would sit in front of her, and she would take care of me. And she so has! I love her and my other friends. They invite me out on the weekends and make sure i know what the homework is. They are patient with my lack of spanish and talk to me in spanglish. I know there is so much more to say but i cant think of it right now! off to do HOMEWORK! Yes i do my homework mother! 

Two week are up!

I wrote this a while ago but forgot to post it..... Woops. Well here it is

Two weeks are up!
As of Saturday I have been here two weeks. It’s been two weeks of bliss. Two weeks of new beginnings, connections, friends and family. Two of the best weeks of my life. These last two weeks have been two weeks into the new life I am creating for myself. I am more excited that I have ever been for anything in my life. More excited than that Christmas where I thought I was getting a horse and I got a rolling cart of art and office supplies instead.

I know so much has happened to put me on this path. I know they were a strange set of circumstances that somehow fell into place. I’m pretty sure that even if I tried I couldn’t get it to happen again. For those of you reading this who don’t know, I am a Lutheran. This exchange isn’t only teaching me things about myself and helping me grow up, but it is bringing me closer to God. I know that he put me on this path, and someday I’m hoping to pay him back by using what he taught me here.

Well here is what happened since last update. On Thursday my grandpa, father, brothers and cousin drove to Ambato for a basketball game. It was a game for the all-stars of Ecuador and the funny part was a bunch of them were American. I met with another Rotary student at that game. Her name was Morgan and she is from Texas. Her transition hasn’t been easy for her, but I’m pretty sure that the night spent with my family helped. Here children rarely sit in their own spot; they usually perch on the arm of a chair near a parent, favored aunt, uncle or cousin. I had many failed attempts of sitting with Andy. Andy and me have a very I-hug-him-he-screams-and-runs-away-laughing relationship. I’m pretty sure it’s because we tickle each other and he can’t trust me not to do it whenever. So a little later my cousin (nico 8) came and sat on my lap. I was ok with that, for I was cold and he was warm. Andy soon followed and sat on Morgan’s lap and they took some pictures with us. They were so cute. Nico stayed there for the rest of the night. Running off here and there to throw airplanes and laugh. I was happy because I hadn’t really gotten to know Nico yet. He is a shy boy who doesn’t attach to people easily.

The game ended, Morgan left, and we went home. Overall it was a great day. Friday was spent hanging out with my family around the house. Then Saturday came with the usual get together with Carlos’ family. Little did I know it was going to be Embarrass-Hailey-Until-She-Wants-To-Hide-Under-A-Rock-And-Never-Emerge-Again day. I get there do the usual say hello to everyone, and then follow my mom to set my jacket and purse down. Nico came up behind me and gave me a present. I said thanks and opened it. He gave me a really pretty purple ring. I thank him and he runs away. I walk back into the living room and sit down next to my mother. That’s when my dad comes in and translates what Andy has been yelling for the past five minutes. He tells the group that Andy has been making fun of Nico because he gave me a marriage ring. I turned bright pink right then and there.  That’s when Nico’s mother chimes in and tells the whole group how at breakfast, lunch and dinner at their house I am always brought up by Nico. If I thought I was embarrassed before I was mistaken. She then brings up the basketball game and my dad chimes in with another story that Morgan told him.

Morgan and me were going to the bathroom at the game. In order to do that you have to walk around the stadium.  As we were walking six men held up their papers with “10” on them and started trying to get our attention. It was so embarrassing! So of course my dad has to tell the world. At this point I think my face is going to burn off it is so red.

I’m really lucky. I haven’t experienced homesickness or tears yet. I’ve just been super excited to be here. I know that I’m meant to be here and that this year is going to be great.