I have been in Queretaro, Mexico for 12 days now, and this is my first blog post .....always the procrastinator. Mexico is amazing! The culture, language and people are so different from that in the US, and many aspects of it are so refreshing! The public opinion of what makes a woman beautiful is so different here than back home. Here I am considered a beautiful woman! Back home, I suppose I would be considered a heavier girl .... it is so nice to walk around downtown here and see most of the population my size or bigger!! I am used to being one of the biggest in the group, generally. Additionally, the people are so patient with the language barriers (but those barriers are quickly dissolving).

I cannot believe how quickly my Spanish is improving and how quickly I am picking up the cultural aspects which are incorporated into the language! I can just feel that I am on track for achieving the goals I have set for myself. :) The other students whom I am here with and I all get along well too, which makes things nice. Sometimes all of us go out on the town during the evenings and sometimes I just join a couple of friends for coffee or to try out a new taco stand. The food here is ridiculously amazing! One thing I will definitely miss when I return home.

It is interesting how time works, sometimes I think "wow, I miss everyone back home, I can't believe I have another month here" and other times I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown thus far. I still can't believe how blessed I am to have been given this amazing opportunity.

Today I have just discovered my score on my first exam -- a 95% -- not bad! I am swamped with homework at the moment, and I like it! I love learning! Especially about the Mexican culture, customs, and language! Today I need to walk to the school of Gabi for a weekly meeting .... those walks have caused me to actually lose weight even though I am eating so much good food! I am guessing that I have lost around 8 pounds so far ... without even trying!

Well that is all for now .....