Pics

So I posted a few pictures, I'll post more today or tomorrow, but it's a start:) Gotta go, time for school:)

Still goin´strong!

Hey guys!! Thank you so much for your posts, I always look forward to reading them! I read them all and love knowing what is going on in your busy lives. I´m going to make it my mission for the next few days to get my pictures up and skype working, sorry it´s taking so long! I´m going to internet cafe´s to use the internet right now, but I start school on Wednesday so then I can use my laptop!! Today is another beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky! Yesterday I went on a tour of Quito Antiguo, the older part of Quito. Jose was our tour guide, he is a professor at the university. We saw cathedrals and museums, I had a really good time although at the end I was pretty tired and ready to chow down! We went to a place called the Basilica, it is a beautiful church with 4 towers. We climbed up them yesterday afternoon, that was quite the experience! The stairs to get up are steep and outside! I tried not to look down:) I´m glad I did it though because the view was well worth the climb. After the tours were over we took the bus back and I did a little exploring. I managed to get to the supermarket and back by myself, I was excited! I had to get some lotion for my sunburn, it´s not to bad, I´m ready for the sun now, it just caught my off guard the first day! I forget how much closer to the sun Quito is. Last night I met up with some of my friends from U of I and we ate mcdonalds(comfort food:) Then we saw a movie, noche en el museo(night at the museum) I thought it was really cute! It was actually in English with Spanish subtitles, I was glad for that, it´s much easier to understand the jokes! Today my host sister comes back from Spain, I can´t wait to meet her, here name is Diana. I went to church this morning, didn´t understand half of what was said but I was just glad to be there. Everyone was so nice to me, I had to introduce myself to the congregation, I was pretty nervous! Today at 3 I am going to take the telegrafico up the mountain to see the view of the city. It´s pretty much like a ski lift so that should be fun!! Well I have to go meet up with my family, but I miss you all and am so glad to hear from you!!!

Universidad San Francisco!

Hey everybody!! I hope you are all doing well! Great news, I got my luggage back yesterday afternoon!! So no worries there. Let me tell you I was so happy when I saw it! It's amazing how much having all your stuff with you makes you feel more at ease. Things are still going great! I'm at the University today for orientation, it is absolutely gorgeous! I can't believe I am going to be able to study here for the next couple of months, once again I'll post pictures as soon as I can! Today we walked around the city of Cumbaya, so nice, a few more hills than I'm used to but good exercise I'm told:) Cumbaya is where the University is located, I live in Quito which is about a 30 minute bus ride to the University. Not bad at all! I take two buses to get here, it'll take some getting used but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I'm very excited because many of the students who also came here from Illinois live pretty close to me! We are going to go and explore the city later and hopefully get cell phones also. The mall is also very close to my house, always a plus:) There is a beautiful park close to us called Parque de Carolina that I can't wait to explore! This trip to the University has pushed many of my worries aside, each day I learn more and more and feel more comfortable in my surroundings! I must say I have taken advantage of the fact that my family speaks English, but I'm letting myself off the hook for these first few days, then strictly Spanish! We talk mostly in Spanish but sometimes when I need clarification, which is actually a lot of the time:), we switch to English then. My family continues to be so gracious and loving, I am very fortunate. So far I've seen two KFC's and one burger king, it's so crazy how many american fast food resteraunts they have here! I've heard there is a taco bell also, I'm certainly going to find out where that is!! The food has been amazing and the views breathtaking, so far my stay has been most enjoyable! I am liking the fact that school hasn't started yet, it starts on Wednesday I believe, that will be a whole new adventure! Sorry this is so long! I'm so excited and always have much to say! Thanks for your comments, write me all the time I love to hear from you! Take care!

Universidad San Francisco!

Hey everybody!! I hope you are all doing well! Great news, I got my luggage back yesterday afternoon!! So no worries there. Let me tell you I was so happy when I saw it! It's amazing how much having all your stuff with you makes you feel more at ease. Things are still going great! I'm at the University today for orientation, it is absolutely gorgeous! I can't believe I am going to be able to study here for the next couple of months, once again I'll post pictures as soon as I can! Today we walked around the city of Cumbaya, so nice, a few more hills than I'm used to but good exercise I'm told:) Cumbaya is where the University is located, I live in Quito which is about a 30 minute bus ride to the University. Not bad at all! I take two buses to get here, it'll take some getting used but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I'm very excited because many of the students who also came here from Illinois live pretty close to me! We are going to go and explore the city later and hopefully get cell phones also. The mall is also very close to my house, always a plus:) There is a beautiful park close to us called Parque de Carolina that I can't wait to explore! This trip to the University has pushed many of my worries aside, each day I learn more and more and feel more comfortable in my surroundings! I must say I have taken advantage of the fact that my family speaks English, but I'm letting myself off the hook for these first few days, then strictly Spanish! We talk mostly in Spanish but sometimes when I need clarification, which is actually a lot of the time:), we switch to English then. My family continues to be so gracious and loving, I am very fortunate. So far I've seen two KFC's and one burger king, it's so crazy how many american fast food resteraunts they have here! I've heard there is a taco bell also, I'm certainly going to find out where that is!! The food has been amazing and the views breathtaking, so far my stay has been most enjoyable! I am liking the fact that school hasn't started yet, it starts on Wednesday I believe, that will be a whole new adventure! Sorry this is so long! I'm so excited and always have much to say! Thanks for your comments, write me all the time I love to hear from you! Take care!

Universidad San Francisco!

Hey everybody!! I hope you are all doing well! Great news, I got my luggage back yesterday afternoon!! So no worries there. Let me tell you I was so happy when I saw it! It's amazing how much having all your stuff with you makes you feel more at ease. Things are still going great! I'm at the University today for orientation, it is absolutely gorgeous! I can't believe I am going to be able to study here for the next couple of months, once again I'll post pictures as soon as I can! Today we walked around the city of Cumbaya, so nice, a few more hills than I'm used to but good exercise I'm told:) Cumbaya is where the University is located, I live in Quito which is about a 30 minute bus ride to the University. Not bad at all! I take two buses to get here, it'll take some getting used but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I'm very excited because many of the students who also came here from Illinois live pretty close to me! We are going to go and explore the city later and hopefully get cell phones also. The mall is also very close to my house, always a plus:) There is a beautiful park close to us called Parque de Carolina that I can't wait to explore! This trip to the University has pushed many of my worries aside, each day I learn more and more and feel more comfortable in my surroundings! I must say I have taken advantage of the fact that my family speaks English, but I'm letting myself off the hook for these first few days, then strictly Spanish! We talk mostly in Spanish but sometimes when I need clarification, which is actually a lot of the time:), we switch to English then. My family continues to be so gracious and loving, I am very fortunate. So far I've seen two KFC's and one burger king, it's so crazy how many american fast food resteraunts they have here! I've heard there is a taco bell also, I'm certainly going to find out where that is!! The food has been amazing and the views breathtaking, so far my stay has been most enjoyable! I am liking the fact that school hasn't started yet, it starts on Wednesday I believe, that will be a whole new adventure! Sorry this is so long! I'm so excited and always have much to say! Thanks for your comments, write me all the time I love to hear from you! Take care!

I made it!!

Hey Everyone!

I´m sitting in an internet cafe right now in the middle of the city with Pablo! Pablo is the son of Cecilia, my host mother, and is showing me the city today! The weather is amazing, no rain and very hot! I wasn´t quite expecting this but I´ll certainly take it! The flight went smoothly, unfortunately my luggage was lost, we are going to the airport today to see if it has made it here or not. I´m sure it´ll work out soon! My family is so nice and their apartment is beautiful with amazing views of the city. I´ll post pictures as soon as I can. I have to go for now, but I miss you all and can´t wait to hear from you!! I am also including my mailing address in case you are interested!

Talk to you soon!
Jess

Telegrafo 354 y Alcantara
Quito, Ecuador

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a fun New Year's Eve! We watched movies, ate popcorn and had a great time. We talked about new years resolutions, I think mine will be to become more fluent in Spanish, kind of a cope out since I have to:) But it'll do! Do you guys have one? My friend Katie came back from California yesterday, it was so good to see her! She kicked my butt in gear, at least I'm partially pack now! I still have today to pull it all together so no worries. Heather was in the city last night so she'll come back today, I'm sure she had a blast! Nothing quite like new year's in the windy city! We both leave on the second, I'm heading to Quito and she's heading back to Denver. The next couple days will be filled with emotion, sadness from leaving my friends and family but also excitment for my new adventure! Thanks for your comments, it is so great to hear from you all! Talk to you soon!!!