Mi Nueva Familia

I switched families this past Monday at 8 in the morning. To clarify, I switched because I decided that I wanted to switch. After I made the decision, it took a week or two to arrange the actual move. I had to move at 8 in the morning because that is the only time that would work for Marta.

I was really excited before the move because I received an email from my new host mom, telling me how excited she was to have me as a part of her family, and telling me that she would help me with anything I needed. When I arrived Monday morning, my host mom and brother were home to welcome me with open arms.

My new host mom is named Irene. She is 53 years old, and when she was 21 studied in England. I believe she speaks a little English, but she does not use it with me at all. She is very patient and always offers to help me with my homework. My first day we sat and talked for an hour in spanish.

Irene is divorced with 2 kids. My host brother, Jeronimo (Jero) is 18 years old and works with veternarian. He also coaches tennis a few times a week. My host sister, Camila is 14 years old and is still in school. Both of my new siblings are very patient, and they help me whenever I need it. Irene also has a 66 year old boyfriend named Luis. Luis is also very helpful.

I am very comfortble in my new house and so far love my new family a lot. It is nice to be able to sit in front of the tv with something to drink in my hand while putting my feet on the coffee table. Jero even told me to relax and put my feet up on the table. The first thing Irene told me is that I was just like one of her kids. She told me that if I wanted something to drink or eat, to help my self. She showed me how to use the computer and gave me permission to use it whenever. The family has internet also, which is really nice.

I have to adapt to some things in my new house. I only have 3 television channels now as my new family does not have cable. This is good because now I am forced to watch tv in spanish. My bed is a little bit smaller, but I have lived my whole life with a smaller bed. And probably the biggest adaptation I need to make, is that I live a little further away from school. It`s about a 45 minute walk or a 5 minute bus ride. However, I am really cheap (imagine that) so I have been finding other ways to and from school.

My first night returning to my house, I played the "Where do I live?". I got a ride from a friends host dad, and luckily I faintly recognized some buildings and street names near my house. I eventually made it home. Other times, when Jero does not need his bike, I have been riding that to school. It is a bit dangerous as only one of the breaks works and that break barely works. There is no stopping quickly on this bike.

I am now allowed to eat meals pretty much whenever I want. We all have different schedules in my house, so if I am late for a meal, it is usually sitting on the table for me to heat up in the microwave. For breakfast, there are usually different kinds of break, cookies, and cereales for me to choose from, along with coffee or juice to drink. It is amazing.

Jero has been really cool engaging me in other activities. He invited me to his friends house my second night there. We hung out with ten GUYS (and one girl) and it was just like being home. Chilling with the boys while listening to music and talking. Last night he invited me out to eat some Lomitos with two of his guy friends Walter and Juan.

Overall, things are a lot better in my new home. I feel way more comfortable, and I only use spanish in this house. When I don´t understand something, we work around it with other forms of communication. I am really excited because I have always been the youngest person in the family. I finally get to be the BIG BROTHER. I am looking forward to this weekend and the next 3 months with this family. I was a little nervous about the switch, but as of right now, I am so glad I went through with it.