Moving, Escuela and Shakira

Helloooooo! Okay so I haven't written since my Patagonia post, but I've been SO BUSY with moving out, then starting school. I moved out of my host family's house and into my new apartment the day after getting back from Patagonia, and it was a lot sadder than I thought it would be. I thought I couldn't wait to live on my own, but my host mom, Virginia, my host sister, Pamela, and her two kids really did become my family and seeing Virginia's face when I left just KILLED MEEE :( but I'm definitely planning on visiting as often as I can.

I love my new apartment though! I live in a pretty commercial area in Comuna Providencia, but it's super convenient and just upstairs from the metro. My room is big, and I share a balcony with my friend Marcella! There's also a French girl living here, and a Chilean guy and his mom, who is turning out to be kindaaa a kook. Examples of her questionable comments:

"You have to close the door to the bathroom! The cat gets jealous if you leave it open!" What?
"You're sick because you don't wear shoes." (It can't be because I just started school - surrounded by a ton of people and stresseddd, or because of the horrible air quality or the fact that she smokes in the house. Definitely because I was barefoot at the moment.)
(After knocking on my door in the morning) "Did you hear what happened? There was an earthquake in Japan and now there will be a tsunami in Chile." (Long, somber stare.) DUN DUN DUNNN!!!

It's been nice cooking for myself though, and eating when I'm actually hungry. And being close to transportation. And not having to worry about a baby stealing my things when I'm not home and brushing his teeth with my toothbrush.

New room:

And I started classes!!! I've never felt more lost in my life but it was kinda...thrilling? There are a ton of exchange students at my school and I've met a lot of them. It's comforting to know there are a bunch of other people in my same situation who are just as confused as I am. As far as my classes, I've ended up picking them pretty much based on how well I can understand the professor's Spanish. Definitely left one class after 15 mins after I didn't understand a word...as of now my classes are: Political Corruption in Latin America, Armed Conflict and Humanitarian Work, and either a Chilean Culture Seminar or Literature and Culture.

Random comments about school:
There is an hour 1/2 gap during the day that is set aside for mass at the church in the middle of campus, and every classroom has a picture of Jesus at the front. Never thought I would ever go to Catholic school, but check me out!!!
An unusually large proportion of the student population is GORGEOUS, especially the girls. I was feeling pretty good about myself in Chile until school started and all the attractive people started showing up. A little sad now.
Most of the professors I've met speak Spanish, English and French and accept written homework in any of those languages.

Anddd I saw Shakira a few nights ago! SO FUNNN!!!