My Spanish Support System

Today it hit me how blessed I am to have encountered the people I have in such a short amount of time. As most of you have heard, an American exchange student was found dead earlier this week in a river. Reports say he was heavily intoxicated, which explains why he drowned in such a shallow river. Naturally, this adds to even more nervousness in my family, despite me reassuring them that the people who make the news never use their heads. It really put things into perspective for me though. I guess there's something about being a mother that gives you a special intuition. Regardless, I have found myself surrounded by "mothers" over here. I rent a room from a family who has six kids, and Isabel the mother, considers me her oldest daughter. Last night I had a fever and she made sure I took medicine then and this morning. Tonight, as I was leaving a private lesson, a mother of another student told me if I ever needed anything (to be taken to the doctors, etc.) just to call her. This on top of my original Spanish mother, Sol, who is always a phone call away. Add these to countless co-workers and friends, and I consider myself truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people!

The weather this week has warmed up a little, but leave it to the Americans to go crazy and think that sixty degree weather means you can wear shorts and tank tops. I had to chuckle today in class, when I looked around and all of the visiting students were wearing shorts, flip flops, etc. and I had on a pea coat with a scarf. I guess people don't realize it's still MARCH. But my building manager told me tonight as he was opening the elevator door for me (yes, I'm spoiled) that tomorrow the weather is supposed to change and it will rain this entire weekend :(

I have my English proficiency test this weekend and I know it may sound funny, but I'm really nervous about it. It's bringing up old nightmares about ACT's and SAT's. Some of the vocabulary is absolutely ridiculous. I mean, who uses words like impetus, hitherto, henceforth, and herewith on a regular basis? The Queen of England? It would all be fine and dandy, except she's not taking the test!!!! Plus not to mention that two of my co-workers failed a different English test over the weekend and the fact then entire school knows myself and a co-worker are taking the test on Saturday, adds a little bit of pressure. I mean, how embarrassing would it be if the American didn't pass the English test!?!!

Anyways, I'm off to bed. I think I spoke too soon - I feel the fever making a return, albeit, un-welcomed visit.