Today was completely stress-free for the first time in a few days. First thing in the morning I went to the office to talk about switching houses and it looks like it won't be a problem at all. Everything I told the assistant director he with in complete agreement with, so I felt better in knowing that I wasn't totally off base with my observations about the family. I was worried about having to move to a different part of the city, but they assured me that they could find a house that's close. There is actually one that is about 3 blocks away from my current house and about 4 houses down from Marcelo's that I've been eyeing lately...I talked to the girl that lives there now and she is living there happily so perhaps that could be me in a few months.

After that enlightening meeting I went to the gym to sweat out any additional toxins from my body and immediately after lunch I met up with my teacher and classmates at the movie theatre to watch a Chilean film. Even without subtitles I could understand pretty much everything, and I could especially notice how the actors were speaking Chilean Spanish. I really enjoyed the movie and and on my way home I got a call from my friend Milthon who was in the park with 2 other friends so I joined them there for an hour or two. I am getting much more comfortable talking with Chileans when its a group of 3 people or so. More than that and things start to get complicated fast, but maybe I can work up to that someday...

I was only home for about 2 seconds before I left to go to Marcelo's where I tried my absolute hardest to understand a 45 minute intense discussion between Marcelo and his mom and politics and history but that I could feel my eyelids getting droopy so I had to rest after that one. Even though it was really hard to understand at times and I definitely didn't feel prepared to participate much, I appreciate that kind of exposure to the language. At my house my mom usually repeats a story that I have already heard or keeps asking me if the food is delicious when she already knows it and I have even already told her. I feel so lucky to have another place to go when I want a break from my house, or at least some stimulating conversation. I am going to bed now because I don't think I have been getting quite enough sleep and with final projects coming up, I need to be ready.