What a Life

i have been running everyday this week on the beach. it hasnt been raining in the morning and i have to go at like 6 30 or 7 because its so hot out. it is beautiful running on the beach! its nothing like running on sunset cliffs at school : )
I have made some really good friends here. i feel like you get closer to people faster when you are all in an uncomfortable situation and you hang out together everyday! there are people here from all over, some from switerland, germany, france, canada, south carolina, texas, colorado, arizona, michigan, and im the only one from california.
As far as spanish goes, i feel like i am improving. i am for sure doing better with writing, and i am getting better at speaking. i am starting to speak more with my host family, and im doing better during the conversations in class. i am definately more comforatble here and i am all settled in!
The food is so good here! and i have been eating way too much! haha! yesterday i went to cooking class and made arroz con pollo, rice with chicken. it was sooo good. we ate that with a corn tortilla! YUM! there is a lady that comes to out school everyday and sells empanadas at break. i love the pollo ones! i get one almost everyday! they are delicious!
i have been drinking a lot of peach iced tea (and some of you know i never used to like tea) and its pretty good. my tica mom makes it all the time and i usually have that with my dinner.
my mom and her friend staci are coming to visit me and they will be here on sunday! im so excited to some familiar faces! they are renting a house here in Samara, and it has a pool! yay! i miss swimming in a pool, however this past weekend 2 of my friends and i got a hotel room and they had a pool. it was so nice to lay out on a comfy cushion and not the sand, and to be clean, swim in the pool! it felt so good! it was her last weekend here and she wanted to do something fun! and on friday night we went to "Reggae Night" at a restaurant called Tabonuco (which is every friday, im going again tomorrow) its right on the beach! it was fun hanging out with friends, and dancing to reggae music : )

i am trying to take in all of God's beautiful creation! it is absolutely unbelieveable and so gorgeous! He is amazing and so creative!