Feliz Año Nuevo!

Happy New Year!

I began my new year's celebration by taking my host sister to the hospital (which took 2 hours) because she had a 102º fever but nothing was wrong with her. Then we went to Santiago for a get together with the extended family from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. It was a little boring because I've only met the extended family a few times so it's not like I really know them and there wasn't much to do, but none the less it was ok. I ate 12 grapes at midnight to bring me good luck for every month of the new year. And there was a really spectacular fireworks show. We got back home at 3:30 a.m. and then I went to a really big party in the countryside with my classmates. It was pretty amazing dancing to reggaeton at sunrise in Chile to celebrate the new year :) I finally got home at 7:30, completely exhausted. 

So far summer has been incredible- since I dont have to work and have no real responsibilites I have all of the time in the world to do whatever I want. Lots of just hanging out with friends, exploring Santiago, and going to parties.

going away party for the Kiwis and Aussie

 I also changed my host family! As part of Rotary Chile, every person has 2 host families to see different ways of life in Chile and just to mix it up. I now have my host mom Eli, host dad Daniel, host brother Dani (21), and a host sister Anais (11). My host parents work in one of the plants of the company Carozzi which makes pastas and cookies and some other stuff. As part of the plant theres a mini-subdivision where some of the people who work there live, which is where my new house is. Its really cute and the best part is it is right behind the factory that makes cookies, so there is always the aroma of fresh baked cookies which is just plain awesome.

my new house

my host family's puppy cuky! cutest puppy I have ever seen

my nice manly room

my host sister Anais!

I'm really really happy here. I'm now the 4th exchange student this family has had so they know the ropes or dealing with exchange students and are extremely welcoming. My host parents and my host brother have to work during the day so unless I'm out with friends I chill with my host sister who is ridiculously nice- she helped me unpack all of my things, gave me her old pink cell phone (I had to leave my other cell phone with my first host family), put all of my contacts in my new phone, and is always game for playing Wii and watching T.V. Today we're going to the beach San Antonio to visit family which should be cool.

Best wishes!
Casey