¿Qué hora es?

Hey all, I'm currently sitting in the library of the University. I think I'll be spending a lot of time here to do homework since it's usually somewhat quiet, and even better, air conditioned. There is not a moment of silence at my house with three little siblings. Even when I attempt to read or do homework in my room, all three of them crowd on the floor around my hammock to talk. The other night, I went to bed a bit on the earlier side (10:00pm!!), and every time I was just on the fringe of being in a deep sleep, they came in to beg me to stay awake and play games with them.  

I thought Mexico would be a big change from last year as far as relaxing and having 'me-time' went, and maybe it's just a challenge to find ways to make 'me-time' when life seems to always be busy. I'm curious and a bit nervous and very excited to see what God's plans are for me this semester. 

I rode again in the back of a pick up truck with my family to a Cenote this weekend. I'm starting to notice more and more that it seems like everyone stares at me when I'm with my family in public. I guess I do stand out just a little. 

I was (all of us were) invited to go to a classmate's house on the beach this Friday after classes. I wanted to jokingly say something like "oh, and by then our Spanish should be much better!" and ... well I can't really explain it in English, but basically we ended up laughing at the fact that of all sentences, I couldn't manage to get that one out. One of the girls in my classes today gave me a kiss on the cheek when she saw me this morning, which is a way of greeting friends here, and I thought it was really sweet of her! But seriously, I want to improve my Spanish so I can actually have convos with our friends at the University. It's really hitting me how difficult it is to not be able to communicate what you're thinking. One or two weeks is okay, but now I just want to be able to have REAL conversations with my friends, and my family. I thought of all people I'd be the one to stick strictly to Spanish and not let any English slip into my vocabulary, but it's not always the case. Sometimes slipping in a few English words or sentences makes me feel a little more like ME. 

Also, I wore jeans today for the first time in the 95 degree humidity and heat. Now I just need to get rid of my bulging backpack that immediately makes me stand out as a tourist and replace it with a messenger bag or purse.  Then, I might just appear a bit less like a foreigner!

Paz Afuera!! 

Alexa