time for an update,..

Well, I love all the exchange students here in my city. So much. We're all just a really good group, and I can't imagine when we have to split up after this. I will definitely miss going over to Xavier's house to watch "How I Met Your Mother", or dancing with Chacha whenever a song comes on. Anyways...
I went to an insanely huge concert with practically all of the city last Friday. It was Colombian music, so I didn't understand anything, but it showed me a lot about the culture about here. I really wish I had known the lyrics because all those that did looked like they were having so much fun. I was too of course, just not the same. The next day we had classes, Saturday?, and I practically died. I got home at 2:45am the night before, well the morning of, and I had to wake up at 6:30am. It was awful. Then we had classes and after a program for Dia de los Disfuntos. It's funny how I got to an all girl's Catholic school, but I have never seen an outfit shorter than that. All the classes had to do something, so they dressed up like pirates or leprechauns and danced; it was funny.
I went to Ibarra, Otavalo, Quito, and a few other lakes. We left "at 6:30 on the dot," literally 9:00am for Otavalo. There is a huge market there, and I bought so much for presents and for me for so cheap now that I look back on it and see what I bought. Oh, before that we went and had lunch at this beautiful lake that I definitely want to have my honeymoon at. From there we went to Ibarra, where I stayed the night with Mexi (U.S.), Charline (France), Ashley (U.S.), and the next day I saw Marie (France). It was so nice of my family to go there and so that I could see my friends that live way too far away. We went to a lake there too, which was so pretty; I love lakes. Then we stayed the next night in Otavalo, where I sang with another cousin to Justin Bieber and tried to learn Spanish lyrics. We watched "The Big Bang Theory" for a while, I talked with my sister (we're now really good friends, it's awesome!) and then the next day was wonderful. We left for Quito and, wow. I love Quito. We saw the Historical District, which just practically made me faint. It was so gorgeous, and there was one monument, Virgen de El Panecillo, and we went there at night. There was a wrap-around balcony that showed all of Quito at night. Breathtaking, and so romantic.. From there, went to this street, La Ronda. If it is possible to fall in love with a street, I did. It was so clean, everyone was holding hands, it was actually an alley because there were no cars, and it was all made of brick with flags and cute lights. I loved it so much. We left, had pizza, and the next day we had to leave. Got back, went with Xavier, Chacha, and Billy (girl from YFU-other program, from Switzerland) to a barbecue. More bonding, more love.
Back started classes, but as of now, every Thursday we only have class until 11:00am. It's awesome. Friday I went to Xavier's and then after we all went to watch COMER. REZAR. AMAR (Eat, Pray, Love). How beautiful, but so different from the book. Of course I loved it, but different.
Today I went to Mama Negra, which is this program where everyone in Latacunga, the city next to us, gets drunk. It was insane, like we were dancing and watching the parade and they would try to feed everybody alcohol or put them in circle, rub them with sticks, and spit on them. Weird, but completely Ecuadorian and awesome. I thought it was so cool and fun, and the people were nice. I met a lady who went with Rotary to Ecuador I believe twenty-two years ago and fell in love, and just now married him about a week ago. How cute is that? Well, we danced, then I left that party to go to another one, and from there back to Ambato.
Today, a miracle happened. I never really got along with my brother, but yesterday he said "Hola Diane" and I was so surprised. Then, today got home and had nothing to do so I just decided to talk with Mateo. We actually talked and decided this fighting is over, thank gosh, and now I really honestly do think this will work. I'm so excited. I now actually have a lot of respect for him, and he smiled and talked with me like I was a person that mattered, which you would think would have happened sooner, but nope. Anyways, we're good. And my sister and I, yes, we are friends now! I really like her now, and I feel like I can talk to her about anything. We are both very different people with completely different personalities, but it works. I love it. I love life.

Pictures:
Classmates and I.
Most of my class.
A long time ago, but I think it's a cute picture of us.
Isn't that girl just too cute?
We were having fun in a dance party.
Mexi and I in Ibarra.
Again.
Us four.
Charline and I.