School ending, summer starting

Hello!

As school here is coming to an end, I'll now have more time to write in my blog! woooo!  All in all, I am quite satisfied with my school work this semester.  My Literature class (in which I was the only American) was super difficult, but because I worked my butt off, it ended up being super satisfying.  I learned a lot and got great grades...thanks to William, my Chilean tutor that I had near then end of the semester, and lots of prayers.  The professor sent out an email with all of our grades (there's not much privacy for grades here) and I, the gringa, ended up with the best grade in the class!  I think this has to do with the fact that here they don't have a GPA, meaning, they just have to pass the class.  So instead of aiming for A's, most students just aim to pass the class.  Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

So far I have all A's here...I'm just waiting on one more grade.  All the thanks goes to God...I couldn't have done it without Him.  Seriously.  All classes in Spanish have been challenging.  Even though some classes (aka the gym classes) weren't that difficult, there were many times where I still had to say a little prayer and just go with the flow...I'm in Chile, here!

Summer plans:

1) Spend time with my host family and Chilean friends....seeing as all my American friends have left me!
2) Be outside...ride my bike...go to the beach...exercise...etc.
3) Write in my journal. (I've been really slacking on this one during the semester...so little time!)
4) Teach English...I'm going to be participating in "English Camps" for two weeks in January where I will be helping out at a week long day-camp here in Viña and then for another week in a different region of Chile...still not sure which one yet.  It's a camp for high schoolers who want to learn English.  A great thing about it....I'll be getting paid! 
5) Volunteer at the girl's home.  About half of them stay and half of them live with their families during the summer.  The girls from Santiago also come to Viña, so the number of girls stays about the same.  They will need lots of help this summer as they will be going to the beach three times a week and also taking trips to the movies, the zoo, etc.  I'm super excited for this!

Well....here are some pictures to leave you with:

Playing UNO that my family sent me from the states in the girls' home!

With my language exchange group on the roof of my friend's apartment building looking over Viña del Mar.

Thanksgiving CIEE (Study Abroad Program) dinner....I DID eat PUMPKIN PIE! YUUMM!

My last camping/mountain climbing trip with my class! :)

We slept in the open air, under the stars...here's us just waking up.

My host parents!  My host mom had a jewelry showing/selling these past few weekends.  I helped her set up!

My friend, Victoria, and I on the beach in Concon!

My language exchange group on the beach in Laguna Verde!

Friends from church on a absolutely beautiful beach, Las Docas.

Baby Esteban is getting so big!!!!!!!!

Saying goodbye to my dear friend, Melissa (all the way on the left) at her house in Valparaiso.

Exploring Valparaiso, Cerro Concepcion, with two of my wonderful friends from church.

Here I am in the ascensor (street elevator) with Cote and Cony (they're sisters).  I love them so much...as the always remind me of my sissy, Sarah!

Meli and I made apple pie....and it turned out SPECTACULAR!

I also made two pumpkin pies with the canned pumpkin that I brought from home way back in July. jejejeje...I think ahead when it comes to pumpkin pie.  Here I am with my lovely friend, Marjorie.  She French...but basically Chilean! :)