When your host mom says "Te quiero mucho"

       This is a feeling that I can not really explain.  Having someone that is not related to you, and only in a few days of knowing you, will do anything for you and loves you as their own is a really incredible thing.  When my mom went to bed tonight, she said "te quiero mucho" which translates to I love you a lot.  I already feel comfortable here and love my family, but that just sealed the deal.  I can't explain the feeling because it's so different than anything I have really felt before.  I am so unbelievably happy and lucky to have been placed in this family.  I haven't even been here a week and I know I am at home.  What an amazing feeling and thing that can happen in just a few days....really it's incredible.  Ok, enough of the sappy stuff, I'll fill you in on what I've been doing in the past few days.
       I have not started work yet, and it is still unclear to me as to when I start; but honestly I am very content and happy staying at home with my mom...(just like in the states).  Yesterday I went to the zoo with my brother Cristian.  We took the bus there and back.  Going there we had seats, but on the way back we both had to stand and it was packed like a sardine can.  I'll be honest the bus is the most scary part so far, but that is probably because I'm not accustomed to it yet.  The zoo was practically empty, maybe with one other family.  We went into the museum of natural history and there was a preserved baby cow with two heads....that was interesting to see, also a little bit disturbing. 
       It has been very "cold" here.  It is something similar to a brisk and chilly fall day in Cleveland.  It was cold enough today where I was wearing a sweatshirt, coat and scarf. 
       Today I went with mamá to the main market in Asuncion which is called Mercado 4.  It is really big with many stores.  We went to meet with Andrea, one of Cristians friends (who I consider my friend too).  We talked with her and her coworkers for a while and of course they all commented on how beautiful I am and my hair....it's just what people say when my mamá introduces me.  It was kind of embarrassing at first, but I'm getting used to it.  After we met with Andrea, we got some groceries and a pair of shoes for one of mamás clients in the store.  Then we took the bus back home. 
       There are always vendors on the busses.  The driver lets them on and then they try and sell their goods.  My favorite vendor from today was the man selling toothbrushes.  We had such passion and a lot of information about how great the toothbrush was and at the end of his speech, he said "gracias por su atención, y buen día".  I thought it was such a funny way to end it. 
       There is a little girl named Romina who is 8 years old that is my first friend here in Paraguay.  Every day now after school and on her break she comes by the store and asks for me, so she can ask me questions and talk to me.  She is so cute and today Romina and her friend showed me all of their notebooks with stickers and all sorts of things.  They are very cute little girls and I always look forward to seeing them! 
       I met my abuela the other night and she is very nice.  She lives in a town only about 10 minutes away called Villa Elisa.  My aunt Niti and uncle Javier live there too.  They are all very funny and I love spending time with them.  My whole family is funny (thank goodness) because what would I do in a family without humor???
       I've been playing my ukulele a little more and my mom loves it.  Tonight before diner I was going to play some in my room and my mom said, oh no come to my room because I will take a nap before diner and I want to listen to your music.  So I sat on her bed and played and yes haha believe it or not I played her to sleep.  It was really funny and nice. 
       Well speaking of sleeping, I have reached that point.  Lots of Spanish and guaraní and soccer games today and I'm ready for my bed.  Make sure to check in again! Chauuu.