This week Alex and I did something that I am extremely proud of. As many of may or may not know, I have had many problems with Rotary in Chile this year. The other exchange students and I have felt betrayed, unsupported, and abandoned by our clubs this entire year and we felt that something needed to be said. Alex speaks Spanish phenomenally and felt very strongly about this, so she decided to give the presentation. I was shy and didn't want to complain about anything at first, but then I was thinking about it and realized that of we didn't tell them how we felt, all the future exchange students were going to have the exact same experiences and that wouldn't be okay. Alex and I put on our bravest faces and walked as two teenage girls into a room filled with powerful middle-aged men to offer our not-so-pleased personal opinions in a second language. Alex had prepared her presentation and I went to support her and show them that she wasn't only speaking for herself. You guys couldn't possibly understand how amazing Alex is. She walked up there and spoke like the President. She spoke with grace, patience, and respect the entire time. The point we were making was that we have had the most amazing and wonderful years, but they were good because we made them that way. We were trying to express that we felt like they didn't care about us and that they should show more interest in the kids that leave everything they know to come overseas and represent their countries and learn about other cultures. These Rotarians didn't know our names or anything about us before we walked into that meeting, and we have been living here for over 10 months! During the end of the presentation, the Rotarians began to interrupt her and say things that were kind of attacking her and not letting her respond to her comments. They said that no exchange student has ever complained before and that they aren't interested in the program or getting to know us. Alex and I were feeling a little hurt but then one Rotarian stood up and said that even if he had to do it alone, he promised to get to know the new exchange students who will arrive in August. In the end we may have only changed a few minds, but even that felt like a great success. We didn't want to offend anyone, just protect the future exchange students from the unfortunate experiences we had had with our Rotary club, and to some extent I think we did that.
That same day, Chile beat Spain in the Mundial! All of Chile was practically screaming. Cars where honking and I swear all of Chile was jumping out of joy! Alex and I got into my host moms car in red Chilean soccer jerseys and stood up through the sun roof with a Chilean flag and screamed and celebrated with all the Chileans as we drove through downtown Rancagua. It was probably one of my favorite moments of my exchange and I will remember it forever!
Later in the week I went over to Alex's house to spend the night and visit my old family. Manuel was off in Curico visiting his father, but Alex and Lilian and I all had tea together and then Lilian and I did some catching up while Alex wrote some weird essay about the chemistry of potatoes or something. It was nice to sit in the old kitchen of my old house with my adorable little host mom again. I miss the Onces in that house so much so I made sure I enjoyed every bite!
I have spent this entire weekend lounging around with my host siblings and being lazy. It's freezing outside, and when it isn't freezing it is pouring rain so we are happy to sit inside with hot chocolate and cuddle and watch movies. I spend a lot of time at home now, but it's okay because I never feel lonely. I see my friends at school and sometimes have lunch with them but I spend a lot of time with family now. In this family, I love spending time in the house, cooking delicious meals, and just feeling comfortable and like I belong. :)
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