Wrapping up the Semester/ Happy Thanksgiving!

So things with school have been wrapping up. Most people are still finishing up the semester, I'm still going strong. I joined the gym that just opened in my neighborhood for the rest of this month and now attend daily my favorite dance class "balie entretenido." It doesn't really translate well so we'll just leave it at that, but its basically like zumba: latin style. Super fun and a good stress reliever for me. Two nights ago Mia (my friend who lives two floors above me in our appartment complex) came downstairs for the last time. She is done with school and now off traveling. I will see her again but she is definitely moved out. It was really sad cause it seems like just yesterday we both moved in here not knowing anyone, but feeling so lucky to live in the same complex. We used to walk to ILP together in the morning the first month and then would constantly visit eachother or walk home together. It was your classic Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz neighborly friendship. I will miss it alot! But soon I'll be moving out too (at the end of this month) and it will be exciting to start a new chapter here abroad. I will be very sad to leave my host family who have been absoulutely amazing, but I will sure me moving on to more exciting, great things.

Me, my host family, and mom

me and mia in valparaiso

Then on Monday, Favi, Mia, Rachel and I threw a little party for our kids in El Monte to say thank you and do something nice for our last day at the school. We brought chips and "negritas" (the best cookies ever). We also made them a card and said how happy we were to get to know them and have this "taller" or workshop with them. After we played a bunch of games, like 4 corners which was by far their favorite, and different relays and stuff. Then after they all went around the table and said something nice about us as well as their teachers. It was really special for us to have that little celebration and I think it really meant alot to them as it did for us to hear all the nice things they had to say. I will probably go back to visit in El Monte next semester. I had the chance to get to know a lot of really great people there and it was really sad to say goodbye. I would put up a picture from El Monte, but I don't have one and Favi hasn't uploaded hers, so when she does i'll add one ;).

On Thursday for thanksgiving, two of my "gringa" (white foreigner, not derogatory) friends had some people over to their house for thanksgiving. Apparently her host mom has a thanksgiving potluck every year because she always has foreign students. It turned out to be really good food, and desserts!! We actually had pumpkin pie!! I took chips and guacamole and salsa, hahah, I know its not that traditional but it was all eaten!!! But it was a great evening, we had a long table with about 25 people and we all went around the table to say what we were thankful for. It was really special and I'm so glad I got to go. Once again, no pictures are uploaded so I don't have any from that either, but i'm sure they'll be coming soon. :)