Familia nueva

Little sis and me! This is before our movie night out last Friday :)

Mother and daughter, Eva and Camila.

My new 'mom', Eva! She's hilarious, full of energy and so loving. I caught her dancing in the kitchen :)

It's been a few weeks since I moved into Poeta Augusto Winter 4146, and I must say, it's already been a big change. I was welcomed with open arms immediately when I arrived, and I don't think there's been a quiet moment yet! I've spent two weekends here in Santiago hanging out with the entire Soto family and a few extended relatives. We've sat, laughed and talked around the table for hours. But by Sunday evening, it's always back to studying for Camila and Sebastian...oh I'm so glad I'm not a student anymore. Then on Monday the week is off to a busy start as Camila, Seba and I go to school, Sergio goes to work and Eva is running errands and preparing meals all day. In the evenings, we all have lots going on too. Poor Camila goes to PreU every evening...PreU is what most high school students attend in their Junior and Senior year to help them get ready for the huge tests required for all high school students in order to graduate. Imagine taking the SATs and multiplying them by ten...that's how much information kids have to learn and remember for these 'right of passage' tests. So not only does Camila attend school every day from 8 to 4, but then she goes to PreU in the evenings from 5 to 8:30...ugh. Too much. Sergio, the dad, also works super long hours. He usually stays at the office until Camila gets finished with PreU and picks her up on the way home. Needless to say, I can't complain about my long Wednesdays any more!

It's really cool living here and seeing what a typical Chilean family does every day. I definitely felt like I'd adjusted to the Chilean lifestyle before, living in the apartment, because I visited the Cisternas' so often in Viña. But now, I'm experiencing it so much more. Obviously there are a few cultural differences, but family life down here seems pretty much the same as what I remember growing up in Chesterfield. I think one thing I really appreciate here is the time set aside for the entire family to enjoy meals together...on a regular basis. Even though Camila and Sergio don't get home until close to 9pm, we still all sit around the table together when they get home for Once. Since I basically spent my high school years as an only child (Todd and Mark were both already off to college), I think that aspect of our family eating nightly dinners together went away. I was busy in so many after-school activities and both Mom and Dad were working so hard that I don't think we took advantage of those last four years as much as would could have. One cultural tradition I definitely want to take home with me is making meals an important time for anyone/everyone I'm around...whether that be friends, roommates, or family.

Last Friday evening I had a fun afternoon shopping with Eva and Camila for Camila's graduation dress. In Chile they don't really have a prom, but about a week after the graduation ceremony, Camila will get together with her 25+ classmates for a dinner with all of their parents. After dinner, most of the parents go home and others stay to chaperone a dance. I guess it's a small version of prom because she told me they'll stay out all night and even have breakfast together the next morning. Eva, of course, is going to be a chaperone. So anyway, Camila was really excited to go out and find a dress for her big event! I was thrilled that they invited me to tag along. It brought back fun memories of when Mom and I went shopping for my homecoming and prom dresses in high school.

On Friday night Camila and I continued our girls day into the evening. We went to the movie theater nearby and saw a chick flick. Aaaand for the second time since being in Chile, I drove! Eva and Sergio asked me if I wanted to just drive the two of us since it was only five minutes away from the house. Although we experienced a small technical difficulty figuring out reverse (for some reason the reverse is in the opposite side of the gear shift in Eva's car), it was a smooth and safe ride. I think Camila felt especially 'bakan' because she didn't have her parents taking her out somewhere...this time she had her 'big sister' driving her around! I have to admit, I also enjoyed having a little sister for the night :) I treated her to the movie and we snuck McDonald's fries into the theater...such rebels. It was definitely a gringo evening!

Then I headed to Viña on Saturday morning to spend the rest of the weekend with the Cisternas'. We had a lot of fun watching the Chile vs. Venezuela soccer qualifier on Saturday night even though they tied. Chile plays Brazil this Wednesday, so it'll be another stressful evening for fans. I hope Chile gets to the World Cup as much as the U.S.! As usual, I was spoiled with lots of love and food at the Cisternas' home and loved hanging out with the Ubilla's (including Gaby again finally, woo hoo!) too.

Tonight, I have to admit, after I got back to Santiago, I was really missing all of you at home. Like I said before in one of my earlier blogs, this comes and goes...and well, tonight is one of those nights that I just wish you were all here with me. Even though I have two WONDERFUL families down here, I still love and miss all of you very much.

Grace and peace on your week,
LG