Today is my 8th month is Ecuador, and WOW how time flies. My Spanish is at a fluent level and my English is in need of home.
     Since last time I wrote there have been a few bumps in the road, but right now it's all good. It is sad to think I am coming home in so little time, I really don't want to. I am completely in love with this country!

Here is a quick review of what's happened, happening, and going to happen. 

     As for my former family, I still see a lot of them and miss them a lot. But after being here for a month I am glad I am getting to know a new family. And for those of you who might be asking Victor, my former brother, he and I are in the best relationship we have every had. We actually talk now, haha. He has been running his new songs by me and just last week played his band's first CD for me, a 6 track CD of rock and roll, rock metal, and alternative rock. You can check out a video on Youtube that he did called La Espuma de Venus + (intro) by user deadjoker35 (song by Heroes del Silencio).
     In April it's been a little bit busier. In the first few days I came down with a horrible flu with temperatures around 103ºF. But because of it I have come to know some of my new best friends here, Micheal and Niels and their friends. Micheal is an amateur professional soccer player in the Netherlands, and Niels is a guy that could totally pull off being David Beckham's younger and better looking twin. Haha. These two guys and all their friends are from Holland and Germany. And when we all get together we make food, which tastes amazing! Last Sunday, Micheal and Neils and two other exchangers and myself went to the Carolina (the largest park in Quito) we played soccer for 4 hours in the sun, and won 50 cents after betting against an Ecuadorian team who would win the game. We won 5-4.
     April 4-8 I was in the Galapagos Islands, which are amazing! It was so nice to be in 90 some degree weather and with great people. One night my friend Lacey (from Yakima, WA) and I went down to the beach and listened to the waves and locals playing Sublime songs on acoustic guitars. When I closed my eyes it felt like I have sitting at Juanita Beach again on a warm summer night, we both wanted Dick's hamburgers too (that added to the effect). The Pacific Ocean in the Galapagos is warm, clean, and crystal. The beaches, animals, environment, people, and plants, are just spectacular. I am so ready to go back there. The favorite part in the Galapagos was probably when I jumped 15 meters in Las Grietas. There is no way to describe in words what the Grietas are or what the place looks like, but it was wonderful, looked like a place from a movie. My jump was from the top of the cliff at the Grietas into the water below, I found out hours later I am the first girl to have ever jumped from there, however I jumped wrong and now I have a bruised chest.
     After returning from the Galapagos I went to CCI (a mall) with a friend from Colorado and bought a VIP ticket to the Riders of the Storm concert, yes that's right, I am going to be seated in VIP for The Doors this Saturday. I am so excited!
     Besides all that April has been full of school, bad jokes (I ate a cup of ají for 10 dollars and afterwards found out I could have just asked for the 10), and bus rides. Is 3 days I have been in 2 bus races, the buses I have been in won both times. Haha.
     On my calendar for my last weeks here is a lot of traveling, going out to lunch and dinner with friends, cooking (making Apple pies tomorrow), and continuing to learn.

Hope everyone is doing well, see you guys in 2 months!