This Last Month...

Wow, I knew it had been a long time since I posted, but I didn't realize that it's almost been a month! Crazy how fast time flies. This month was pretty busy with out of the routine things. The first 2 weeks, I had language lessons and taught as usual. I'm learning more and more about the language and the culture every day!

The middle of December, I went to Singapore to renew my visa and then on to Thailand to visit one of my best friends. She's definitely more like a sister to me, and I can't imagine how I would've made it through the last several months without her! Here is a picture of us together in Thailand :)

We explored the city she lives in together and had a ton of fun just catching up and pouring into each other. When I got home, I had a few days of holiday from language and teaching, so I caught up on sleep (much needed after hardly sleeping at all in Thailand!) and little errands, including Christmas shopping.

Christmas was relaxed and fun. I talked with my family and then just hung out with my "family" here, playing games, eating dinner, and exchanging gifts. A few days after Christmas, we went swimming for the first time since I've been here. Although it made me miss the Fuentes family and Sarah Beth, it felt amazing!

Yesterday I went back to language lessons after almost 2 weeks off! I was a little scared because I knew I had forgotten quite a bit just by being away from the language for the few days in Singapore and Thailand. But, my teacher said I spoke well, so that's good :) Hopefully I'll continue gaining back the words I lost!

This week I've had fun with one of my friends here, walking all over the city, trying new foods, practicing the language, etc. I keep learning how roads here connect to each other and where each road goes, which if you know me, makes my heart very happy! She teaches me the daily slang of the language in order to balance out the formal language I learn in school. It's like 2 completely different languages! She and I ran together tonight for an hour, which was amazing! Lots of hills. Great workout--by far the best I've had since being here :) Grateful for her adventurous spirit and willingness to hang out with me.

Monkeys :)

There is a little area of undamaged rain forest trees and plants near my language teacher's house, and monkeys often play there. I've been going there on Thursdays after language to see green and enjoy some quiet, but have yet to see one monkey. Today, however, I saw a lot! So many, in fact, that I had no place to sit in the shade without bothering them or making some mama mad. I took pictures, talked to the sweetest elderly man for about 15 minutes, and then walked home. What a great reminder of the beauty he's created all around us, even in a busy, dirty city.

View out to Indian Ocean. Look at the clouds!

Jumping from one tree to another

Curious?

He could care less how close I was to him. Eating was much more important, apparently!

This baby came to pose for me. He saw the camera and scrambled up this pillar closer to me! Hilarious!!

Wedding #2

I don't have good pictures from wedding #1, but here's wedding #2. Apparently, since I've managed 2 weddings in 6 weeks, these are going to be a common Sunday activity!

Stage that the bride, groom, and their parents sit and shake hands of all the guests

Groom and bride

Ali, Me, Valerie, Becca in wedding outfits