I don't know if those of you reading this know, but my mom is awesome. I am 27 years old, have been living on my own for a few years now, have a job, and am thousands of miles away, but I still find myself counting on her to do really great things for me and she always does, so I want to dedicate a little time to thanking her for being so "super-bien" as the Colombians would say. Since I've been here she has:

• Sold my car
• Organized my bills
• Sent me loving letters
• Helped my credit
• Listened to me
• Helped me contact old friends
• Shown me that she loves me!

...And all of this from thousands of miles away! UNBELIEVABLE!!! So, because I can't, if you see my mom, give her a big hug for me and tell her you love her. I know there are a lot of you out there!

So it was a nice night in Medellin tonight. Took a walk with a friend, stopped at the store, bought some Mozorella cheese that tastes like plastic, and strolled home down Avenida Poblado. Rush hour comes late here-between 6:30-7:30, so it's a nice time to go walk around. You can watch the people get on and off the colorful busses, sit on a bench and watch students and workers heading home, and gasp at the near accidents that take place between the Taxis and motos. It was beautiful tonight. Rained a bit when coming home from school, but then cleared off and felt like a spring night with a summer breeze. I am so happy that after so many days of rain the sun is poking his head out for a bit.

Have big plans for the upcoming weeks. Going to a wind and cheese party this Friday and heading to a finca--house in the mountains--this weekend. There is a holiday this weekend and I'm not super sure, but I think it is like Valentine's Day. Have a week of work, then going to another wine and cheese party in Santa Fe Antioquia, a town (south?) near Medellin. It is supposed to be quite a bit warmer there and we're staying again at a Finca. And the next weekend begins our Fall Break. Some friends and I are going to Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Parque Tayrona for some serious beach and camping time. It is supposed to be paradise. All cities on the Carribean coast with wonderful weather, scenery, and people. I can hardly wait. I am going to try REALLY hard to replace my camera before I go so I can try and capture what everyone is raving about on film. We have 10 days off to bum around, so I'm really excited to play tourist. We're staying on hostels and hammoks for the journey, so should be eventful if nothing else. Anyway, that's the news for now. I have put off grading paper for too long, so I'll get on it!

Hope all is well in the States and I send my love!