Today I made the decision that I will not be living with my current host family for the next semester. I feel really relieved, and it has nothing to do with my host mom but rather my host dad, go figure. I have really enjoyed living with this couple for the past three months, and I can tell that I have become their daughter in a way. However, I am not at the point in my life where I feel the need to have parents constantly watching over me. Even though they are just looking out for me because they care, I do not necessarily want that kind of influence in my life. You are probably wondering what happened to make me change my mind so quickly about my living situation. It is through dating Marcelo that I have discovered this whole new authoritarian, traditional, and macho aspect of my host dad that I never knew existed. He is a really sweet guy who brings breakfast in bed to his wife every morning. However, he is also very set on his ways and refuses to make any compromises for anyone. I misunderstood the fact that no boy is ever to set foot inside their house, with no exceptions. I realize now that the only reason Marcelo was able to come over for dinner once was because the dad was out of town and therefore will never find out about it. Therefore, when Marcelo came over to use my computer for a few minutes on Monday evening, I could tell something was not sitting well with my dad when he asked him to leave within 15 minutes. I brought it up at lunch the next day and find out that what I did was a BIG no-no that infuriated my dad and certainly didn't make me look very good. What bugs me most of all is that even though he was really annoyed with what happened, I'm not sure when he would have talked to me about it. I am really glad I brought it up because I honestly had no idea that he was as mad as he was. I am really not used to this kind of parenting and to be honest I don't really think it meshes well with my personality. I am glad that this came up now when I have enough time to change houses for the next semester. I really don't have any hard feelings. I talked to the mom about it today and even though she really really wants me to stay she can see why I would want to live elsewhere. I already told her that I will come over to have lunch with them from time to time and that I am not deserting them. I haven't told my dad yet because I want to wait and talk to the director of the program first. However, I am pretty set on my decision and the more I think about it the better I feel with this resolution. I just can't live in a house with someone who is so controlling and yet doesn't explain why. This has been quite an insightful last 2 days into the machismo that is still alive and well in many Chilean households. I still want to see my host parents, I just know that I can't live with them because I would be constantly worried about overstepping some boundary that I didn't even know existed and it doesn't seem worth it. So, that's my new plan. I feel good about it. We'll see how things unfold...