thursday we headed to udla (the mexican university we are working through) and had a class and a video call back to canada.  it was pretty neat and great for us to see and hear the canadian peeps.  after that it went down hill.  i became suddenly ill after a quick drama explaining our program to recruit mexican students for next year.  after hours at the school, while being very ill, we finally made our way back to liz’s house not far from the school.  i stayed home that night with the worst cramps in my stomach from who knows what.  when everyone else stumbled through he doors at 1:30 am i got worse.  non stop trips to the washroom.  high high fever.  you get the picture.  i was taken to the clinic the next afternoon at noon, got hooked up to an iv, got blood taken, and all that fun stuff.  the problem was that i was technically not a student of udla so me being there was sort of a problem.  after we figured that all out it was more iv, more bathroom, more drugs, more spanish speaking nurses, and then mark came in (another student on the exchange).  so for the next litle while we shard a nice little corridor in the clinic until i fell asleep.  when i woke mark was gone and my mexican prof was there.  mark had been rushed the the hosptial b/c they couldn’t control his fever.

i am now in the hospital restaurant with mark…5 days later…he finally got his iv out and is feeling much better so we came done to use the internet.  i have been keeping him company here in the hospital while everyone else resumes classes and work placements in santa lucia.  it’s been very weird to be away from the town and our families for so long and are very excited to go back.  we are both on a strict diet, although i have been cheating a couple times, ooops!

other than this eventful week the program has been very good.  i am sorry i never update…it’s hard enough to send emails from my computer in our favored internet joint.

alot has happened back home while i have been away.  i wish i could be there for all these changes but i know where i am is where i am and where i am more than happy to be.

news:

- hello world i am an auntie!!!!  (the most exciting thing in my life!  it’s name is chief (well that is my name for it) and it is due to arrive the end of january!!!  i am the most excited person in the world and am so excited to smother this baby with my love!!

- parents have moved to white rock, bc.  up and left regina yesterday i think. i am very excited about this change in their life and hope that i will see them and their new digs sometime within the next year?!  (fingers crossed)

- sheena and conrad and chief and moses and now cullen are one big happy family at 35 mitchell cres.

- sonja and nathan are married!!!!!!

- amy is about to leave on her amazing europe adventure with book…pretty jealous!

there is more…but i am beginning to tire.

my spanish is getting better although it’s been weird not speaking it in the last few days here.  it is very frustrating at times but i am learning to deal with it better.

i love my host family!  they are the most beautiful family in the world!  Dona Ana is my mom, Anjelica is my 18 year old sister and Lupe is my 9 year old sister.  they are so patient with us and are so eager to share their culture with us.

well, my food has arrived so i am out.  hope you are all doing well and enjoying the back to school/fall/and whatever the else season it might be for you.