I learned how to play chess in Spanish yesterday with Devin's Chilean host brother Marcelo, it's pretty much the same except it's called ajedrez you say "jaque" and "jaque mate" when all hope is lost. Unfortunately I was hearing these words more than I was actually saying them, and not surprisingly I ended up losing both games...Luckily Marcelo didn't rub it in my face or anything, and one day I think I may beat him...

On Monday I gave a little slideshow about Seattle during an English class at the university. To be honest I don't think they understood much even though I was trying to speak clearly and slowly. But, at the very least it was fun to show them a new foreign land. I thought for sure that when I mentioned that Nirvana was from Seattle at least someone would be really impressed, but no one knew who the band was...bummer. I want to help out in more English classes since I have the time and I enjoy it. I've noticed that I'm beginning to recognize more and more people on my way to class and it makes me feel like I am creating a home for myself here. 

I've taken my Spanish studying to a whole new level by writing on my hand. Now I can fit about 25 words on my left hand alone, plus I enjoy the challenge of writing with my left hand which frees up room for about 10 more slightly misshapen vocab words on my right hand as well. I've gotten questions about it when I hang out with Chileans, and I think it's kind of amusing for them to see a list of words that I want to learn. I can tell that it is already paying off, and even though my hands may look a little weird for the next year it'll be worth it : )