10/5/2005

Hey everyone-

Ok, let me tell you the bad stuff first before I tell you the good stuff... Okay; I have been sick to my stomach for 2 days straight and cannot be very far from the bathroom at any point in time. It's the first stomach problems I've had since I've been here (surprised it took this long) but I'm sure it won't be the last. I checked the temperature today and I believe it read "hot as hell."---and it's only "spring." I think the only difference between spring and summer is that it rains a lot in spring... GREAT...hot AND gloomy...perfect... anyways, I have a gigantic bug-bite right on the front of my neck and it really hurts and it kinda freaks me out...I mean how close was that bug to my face, right?! Oh and I absolutely HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE school here! it is THE WORST EVER!!! AHS was a thousand times better--- that's how bad it is!

ok, now that I'm done with all that negativity...here are the good things...

next week I have the whole week off at school and there's a "black music party" at one of the clubs--YAY--no techno!! I met 3 more exchange students this past weekend. The exchangers are finally starting to hang-out together (thanks to me) and that's so awesome... I had yoga today and Salla (the Finnish exchanger) went with me... it was awesome... I'd have to say my 2 favorite exchangers are Salla (Finland) and Sophie (Denmark) and then Katie (Canada) and Aidan (Australia)... that may change though because things are just developing between all of us and there are 2 Mexicans in my city... I just met them but I think we're gonna get along really well... anyways... so friendships are building (finally!) and that's really awesome... also, I found out Salla has a pool--and air conditioning at her house... and we swam there and played cards--this game called Truco (a Brazilian game) on Sunday night.

Saturday night I went out with my soon-to-be-host-brother who was an exchanger in Taiwan last year. He's half Taiwanese have Japanese-- he's so the most awesome guy I've ever met, no joke... and they own the biggest and best hotel in Araçatuba along with 2 Chinese restaurants... so yeah, that's pretty sweet... anyways, on Saturday I went out for pizza with him, 3 other exchangers, and 5 of his guy friends... they were pretty cool but I got into a big argument with this guy (in português--woohoo which by the way is coming along quite nicely) and it turns out, I'm right and he's an idiot--is that a surprise?!?! Anyways, so that was pretty sweet that my port. was good enough to do that...

I just talked to Maggie (her b-day was Sept 30) and she had 4 full-blown birthday parties thrown for her! She partied until 6am the next day!! how awesome is that?! so... yeah... I guess things aren't THAT bad when you think about it... oh, Salla's birthday was yesterday and we had a big b-day party for her with the most awesome chocolate cake EVER-

Well, I gotta go! I love y'all lots! Write back! muitos abraços com amor, Kati (hope you can feel the hugs all the way to wherever you all are residing...)