Everything is good. The last 2 weeks since vacation have actually been very laid back, with the exception of the paper we wrote for Howard.

We started new classes; a few are basically the same as before (grammar/writing/reading/conversation), but we have also started a literature class with Felix, which has been great so far. He is a very calming presence, and when he reads, you feel like you're listening to a book on tape. We started out by reading Aura last week, by Carlos Fuentes, which (gracias a dios) I had already read in high school. It was a nice review to read it with a better level of Spanish. Now we're going to be reading some short stories. We are also taking a lecture series with Andres Barreda, a brilliant political economist from UNAM who is essentially socialist. He thinks capitalism is the root of all evil, and that the world is in the midst of about 8 grand crises (he's right...). He can talk and talk and talk, and you never really get bored. Friday night we had class with him 5-8, today 12:30-3, and we have 2 more sessions with him. We will also be starting a film class with Norma soon, but I think we only have that a few times.

It's nice because the course load is less, since we're spending 10 hours a week in our projects. My class is great, but now I have to start thinking about the final 20-page paper and 30 minute presentation. I am going to write about my students, and their process of learning English. I am planning on conducting interviews with them this weekend, and it should be really interesting to see what they have to say. I am also serving as an assitant, and sometimes substitute, in other classes, which has been a great way to get to know more teachers and students. Today I had a class that was supposed to have 10 students, but only 2 showed, unfortunately. It was really hard because the grammar was simple past vs. continuous past (ex) I was running when I fell), and they didn't understand the difference in Spanish, so it was hard to teach in English without that foundation. I tried my best...

This weekend was really fun because I went with my family to DF (Districto Federal) for a baby shower. The niece of my mom is 7 months pregnant, so I got to meet my mom's brother, sister, parents, and lots of cousins. It was the first baby shower I had ever been to, and it was really fun to play all the games associated with babies and giving birth (they hired a party-planner to run everything). The only bummer is that my mom feels like the black sheep of her family, because she doesn't have as much money as her siblings, so I could feel some tension. It was really fun to be together with all of my 4 siblings though, and to see how they all interact in a group. Camila and I spent the night with Andrea (my oldest sister, Stew's age) in her apartment. It was a good opportunity to get to know her a little bit better. She is a computer engineer, so we don't have a ton in common, but she's still really fun. The highlight of the weekend had to be watching America beat Monterrey in fútbol yesterday. The whole family was super psyched.

Oh! I forgot Dia de los Muertos! The weekend itself wasn't that full of excitement, just because my family isn't really that into the holiday. BUT Monday, we went to the cemetary, and it was AMAZING. It was just like all the photos. We chatted with a bunch of people about their loved ones who have passed away, or about the tradition. They think it's very weird that we don't celebrate the dead like they do, and I agree fully. People were super friendly and open, and lots of kids wanted us to take their picture.

I am mostly excited about Dad coming to visit in a couple weeks! I can't wait to show him around, and for him to meet my family! I just can't believe I only have 5 1/2 more weeks! Time is flying!