FAMILIA

My first host family here consists of Sandra and Fernando - the parents, and Elias and Lucas - twin boys. Before I came I didn't receive a package about my family, only e-mails, so I really didn't know much. For instance I was not aware Lucas and Elias were twins or that Elias was an exchange student in Virginia for the year. I really like my family here, it's never been awkward and I get along well with them. None of them speak english, which is actually a good thing but can be frustrating. Lucas takes english at school and has said two sentences, he's not bad at all, but it's easier for us to talk in french if I need translating.

Lucas is fifteen and plays both basketball and soccer. He's quite the socialite and is always going out at night with his friends from the neighborhood. I think his mom would like him to spend more time studying though, he seems to be a tad bit of a troublemaker. He's really nice though and is always helpful, which I appreciate. We're starting to talk more now that I'm more comfortable. He can be quite entertaining too, he's sung the song "I want to be a Billinnaire" at the dinner table a few times and his eyes light up when he sees chocolate - which reminds me so much of my brother back home.

Fernando my host father is a bit of a character. He likes to make jokes and sometimes plays little pranks on me. We laugh a lot and he's always saying I don't eat enough. Today we decided that that's in comparison to what he eats. He's a bit of a heavy smoker which I can barely stand. Their room is across the hall from mine so I always smell it as I enter my room, I also try and keep the door closed at all times. He smokes while watching tv, and then invites me to watch with him. I would but I usually say it's time for bed. Sometimes he'll smoke at the dinner table - this is not so pleasant. I have no complaints other than the smoking but it's part of the culture here...

Sandra is very sweet. I help her out a fair bit in the kitchen most days. She's now starting to tell me that she's going to do it but then reminds me to put my dishes in the dishwasher - a trait I carried with me I guess. We've potted some plants together, cleaned up the house, done laundry and put the salón back together after it had been painted. Sometimes I'll help prepare meals too and I'll join her on some errands. I think she likes having a girl around but the language barrier is prominent with us. Because I don't always understand she'll talk louder; my hearing doesn't affect my understanding though. She catches herself sometimes and I hope it doesn't annoy her. I went out with her to meet her chikas at the tennis club one night. There's five of them with this cute social circle and they meet every Friday. Sandra works from January to July so I'm the lucky one living with her when she has more time.

I'm very happy in my family here. I would not mind staying the whole year here but apparently I have three host families. I've met my other mothers and they seem nice and the students with them now are very happy. I'm excited for the different family experiences but will try to get as much out of this one as I can.