¡aqui estoy!

I'm bundled up in layers underneath blankets in my room at the Loyola's house! Indoors all over Chile, if I didn't mention it in my first post, are not heated so it gets verry cold. My room is really sweet--there is a large window (which i haven't been able to see out of yet because it's been nighttime since I arrived) dressed in lovely mustard yellow curtains. I have my own bathroom, a little closet, a dresser, a desk and even a bedside table! It's perfect! There's a TV even in here! While in the states I probably would have turned it on rarely, I hope I get hooked on some telenovelas (soap operas) since they'll be so good for my spanish!

The family is really great. I haven't yet spent too much time with them, but I'm trying to catch the jokes and send some of my own back at them. But of course, bringing out your personality in another language ends up changing it! And also, I can't tell jokes in English. The mother is "Vero" and the father is "Pepe." Tomorrow I'll have to be sure they are okay with being called by these names. Then I have a 21 and 22 year old sister, Maité and Pía. Though they both seem really nice, Pía was more outgoing. But I hope I can be friendly with both of them.

I right away went to get a pre-paid cell phone from el mall, and then they took me to these cute little cafe where dinner was basically a piece of cake! It seems the Chileans like their desserts! It's hard worrying about things to talk about in situations like that, but I need to keep reminding myself that it's okay not always be talking. Especially right now! But I do admit I got caught in a few situations where I could tell I didn't understand what they had said--you can see it in their eyes! It's funny that we both sat there and just nodded our heads (or i discreetly shook mine), soon moving on to some other question.

The family seems comfortable and close with each other, and it seems like it will be really nice. Tomorrow I'll go over the more particular reglas-de-casa and meet mi abuela! aqui estoy and aqui voy!