End of Classes at EEE, new host family

Hola a todos y todas,
The last few weeks have been great, but very busy here in Xalapa. My classes at the school for foreign students ended today as I took my last final exam. Ive had more homework these days because of the crunch from days lost due to the influenza and the fact that we had such little time left at the school for foreign students. So from here until the end of June, Ill only have 3 classes which will be nice, but I should be stay pretty busy with final projects in those 3 classes.

Recently Ive been just enjoying how Ive gotten to know the city and the people here. Its amazing that in a city of almost a million people, I run into people in various parts of the city that I know from school or other places. It makes Xalapa feel more like home and a lot smaller than it actually is. Whereas before it was sometimes intimidating to go to the university for classes because I didnt know many people very well, now I love going to university and just hanging out and talking to different people. I continue to enjoy my classes and I feel like I am learning a lot about the politics, culture and history of Mexico. Its often fun to have discussions with different people about the politics and government, its something that people are more than willing to talk about and its fascinating.

Another big switch in the dynamic of things here is that I decided to switch host families. It was a decision that I came to after talking to my director about the dynamics in the host family that were sometimes uncomfortable and made for a tense and heavy environment. I still pass by my old house to say hi, because we had a fairly good relationship and they are good people, it was just difficult to live with them sometimes for various problems and tensions within the family. So I now live about 2 blocks from the university which is nice and Im enjoying the company of my new family. There is more conversation and its a much lighter and inviting environment. So, for the next month or so until I leave Mexico, Ill be living with them.

I also have been playing soccer with an intramural team. Its a tournament with the entire university and each area of study has its own team. Yesterday we won our first game, which was enough to advance to the next round. Its been great to get out and play more soccer and its a fun way to get to know another group of people, because Im actually playing with the students who study languages, they invited me to play with them.

Well, those are the major things that are happening for me in Xalapa. Im trying to appreciate each day I have here as my time in Mexico is winding down and I know it will be difficult to leave what I have come to love about Xalapa. Sorry for no pictures this time, the computer wasnt wanting to upload them. Maybe Ill add some if it starts working again. Best wishes to all back home,
David