Happy Birthday, Ricardo!

Well, today's Ricardo's birthday!! I am writing to wish him a happy birthday because I know that he and his mom will read my blog soon. :) I was so surprised yesterday when his mom called me. And even more surprised when I found out that she had read my blog as far back as the first entry that I wrote after I went to Mexico! I couldn't believe that someone would take the time to read that much about me! I don't think I would haha. But she likes me. Ricky says I'm her favorite in-law already. And that's so awesome because I don't have my mom here to be my best friend. I have had Lisa and other examples and loving mother-like figures in my life, and I am grateful for that. But I really like how Ricky's mom and I connect when we talk, even though it's difficult through skype. And she took time for me. It's not something I'm used to, but I definitely like it. I am excited to spend hours talking with her when I go to Mexico. I think she is too.

Anyway, I am also REALLY excited about how spoiled Ricky is going to be when I see him. But I have to admit that he has spoiled me and will spoil me a LOT. But I can't write about the big surprise that I have for him. Because then he'd read it and know what it was - then it wouldn't be a surprise! But I will keep thinking of ideas of what I can do to pleasantly surprise him - it's too bad that I didn't have enough patience to keep the other presents a surprise. :(

Well, I'm writing a bit distracted because I'm watching the 5 hour version of "Pride and Predj" with Emily. But now I really should go practice and I have a phone call to make. Well, I will write again soon!

Love,
Stephi

Annalaura!!

So I FINALLY got to catch up with Annalaura yesterday. I wish I had pictures. But anyways, wow, I am always so inspired by her and I look up to her so much. There's no denying it.

We got to tell eachother our crazy love stories and I just think that it is so neat that we are going through similar things at the same time. I know that in the past it was the same thing. I got so excited when she said that she wanted to come to my wedding whenever that may be. I don't know if she really can - after all it would be difficult, but it would mean the world to me, she's one of the very few friends that I feel should be there. She's really special to me. We are very different but at the same time we have similar qualities and desires. I was so grateful to talk to her and she was really encouraging. Unlike one of my friends at work today. UGH well, my friends' opinions have always been important to me. MAYBE and just maybe my Heavenly Father wants me to learn something. I decided at that moment that I was going to start changing right then. I am going to let what I want and what Heavenly Father wants for me to be what I should do and listen to. Plus, I have so many people who are encouraging to me! So what's a few oppositions? Speaking of which, as if a long distance relationship wasn't hard enough without immigration laws, Ricky and I are trying to figure out what in the world we are going to do to be together. It's kinda insane how the government really doesn't want Mexicans to come here. But I'm not losing hope. Lisa has a good lawyer and he has to deal with immigration laws and stuff sometimes. We're trying to ask those who have had similar experiences what they did so that we can get ideas. Tonight we're going to do some praying and brainstorming together, but the bulk of that will be done when I go there in October.

Yesterday in the marriage class we studied the Proclamation to the Family. In it the first presidency listed 9 qualities that a family must strive to have. The first one they mentioned was faith. And I was thinking - without faith, a relationship is nothing. And especially my relationship. Maybe I am supposed to learn to have more faith. My Heavenly Father knows I have a lot of faith in Him, so he knew that I could do this. I feel blessed to be learning so many new things and ideas.

Today I was EXHAUSTED!! School is sooo busy and I feel like I'm just trying to make it through these weeks! And ironically they're flying by. I just hope that my lesson tomorrow goes well. I feel like all this music is above my ability but I am going to work hard. Today I did extra Schradiek and Kreutzer. Well, I'll ttyl! Have a great night, everyone.

Love,

Stephi

Back to School!!

HII!!!!!

It's been a bizillion years since I've written in this and it's been so long that I was thinking about putting up a new blog but then I realized that I worked pretty hard to set this one up and I still like it. :) Well, now I don't really bring my computer to campus so I can't blog during my one slacker class.. although he does go pretty fast so I should bring my laptop but it definitely isn't like that american music class that I had last year where I could blog pretty much every day in class because I knew a lot of that stuff anyway. Well, either way I need to blog again - I miss it!! Blogging was such a good thing for me last year but when I didn't have a slacker class to do it in I didn't have so much success in Mexico - although I was really happy when I looked back on this blog and realized how much I still wrote! It was cool looking back. This summer I was working on a really long version of my love story but I never finished it.. I could always post what I do have - well, it sorta describes everything that happened - my love story, my spring break, how I got sent home, and a lot of other things. So I'll post that sometime.

Well, to sum up my summer - Living with my family was pretty awesome. I thought I wouldn't like it and I have to admit I was pretty excited to come back to kzoo to be with my friends and back to school and in my own place with Em, BUT it was really nice because I felt that I was really appreciated being home. With Ethan being born and a lot of help with rides, etc that was needed, Lisa loved having me home. Plus I was more responsible and I had my own car this year. And I wasn't as busy. I took 1 class each half of the summer and I only worked part time, as opposed to the 40-45 hour work week I had last summer and I would always come home too exhausted to do anything. My family welcoming me home was what really saved me emotionally because it was so hard to get sent home early. They really needed me, and I believe that that was one of the reasons that Heavenly Father let it happen. It's good to feel needed and loved by my family.

Of course, I have also had a great opportunity to learn so many things about Ricardo - we have been talking every day since I've come home, and we send each other pictures and do things for each other. This summer I have come to really love him and I know that he's amazing and very special. I am a better person because of him. Everyone who's seen me since I've come home knows that I am pretty serious about him. It seems weird but at the same time not. And it's like everything around me is pointing to marriage - so many friends are getting married (including Debbie), my siblings can't wait to meet him and Lisa is encouraging, even President Johnson was talking to me like I was almost engaged - it was so funny seeing that. I'm not saying that I want to get married because everyone's doing it, but I just feel like there are little things that are preparing me and that make me feel more peaceful about it. I don't even want to go on a mission anymore (and that's saying something) because I know that I can serve the Lord just as well by getting married, and that I'll be happy. So that all sounds cheesy but.. well, I'm cheesy and in love. And even still I know that it might not work out how I hope it does. I just have a really good feeling about this, and a lot of faith and hope.

So 3 1/2 more weeks until I see him and we can figure out what's going to happen, and how we're going to get him to come to the US so that we can be together while I finish school. I'm going to make a few calls and try to learn as much as I can - is anyone an expert on visa getting? :)

Well, now it's back to school and back to hard core viola - I just got a sub position and it's awesome because I get to play in every concert - so really it's like a normal position except less commitment - nice! And I get money. I'm working hard to keep a good track of my money this semester - Ricky's helping me with that. And I've been more organized on my own too. I've learned SO much since last year. Imagine what I will have learned by next year!

But right now school is stressful - I hate the beginning of the semester because I get scared - like, I gotta do all that?? And grad school auditions next year - aaaahhhhhhh

But I love being back and I absolutely love living with Emily she's the best roomie that I could ever ask for and I like that we can just hang out for example we just went out to dinner at applebee's the other night and we were just making fun of random songs.

Well, I only meant to write in this for a few minutes but it took a long time - but I'm glad I could catch you all up. :) I'll be sure to write more often. And I hope you are all doing well - I haven't been able to do any reading of your blogs either but I'll do more now.

Love,

Stephi

Updates, relationships, etc.

I sent this e-mail to study abroad because they wanted an update on my trip. so I thought i'd post it. I know I haven't written in here for forever. But I did buy a new journal to write in. It's just easier because sometimes I'm just sitting outside waiting for the bus or whatever. But I'll make sure to write in here again soon so that you guys know how I'm doing.
What is really lame is that my camera broke in February so I haven't been able to take any pictures. :( but my new friend Ricardo lent me his camera for my spring break trips which was incredibly nice of him, so I will take a ton of pictures and post them on here or on facebook. I'm borrowing a dress for the dance that makes me look super-guapa so I'll make sure to take some pictures of that too. :)

Here's my update:
My classes have been going well. I had some difficult times trying to figure out what the teachers wanted, but I have learned that they are very understanding and encouraging. I have been on 2 trips so far, and will go on 2 more over spring break. My first trip was to Puerto Vallarta, which was amazing. I loved swimming in the ocean and meeting people from all over the world. We also swam in a waterfall and got serenaded by local kids which was really cute. I also went to San Miguel de Allende, which is close to Querétaro but still "super padre" - super awesome. I got to see mariachis and take a picture in front of a huge castle-like church - it is beautiful! I have made a lot of new friends from church and friends who share my passion for music. Another accomplishment I have made is that I have been learning how to salsa dance. I've always wanted to be able to dance well and now I'm living one of my dreams. I think that's my favorite activity to do here. I also love to walk around the centro or the mall to shop or just to people watch. On holidays, the centro is super full of people just walking around, and there is a lot of tourism. I really like my host family. My host mom is very proper, which is kindof the opposite of me, but we are both respectful, religious, and dedicated to our families, so we have had some really great talks. She also cooks amazing food. My host dad is funny, he always teases me for practically sleepwalking to my first class of the day. My 2 host brothers are awesome - they both know English really well but never speak it to me because they want me to learn Spanish. One of them moved out to live on his own but he still comes to visit sometimes. Something I would like to accomplish during this last part of the semester is that I would like to add as many new experiences as I can, and work even harder to perfect my Spanish. Well, that's my update, I hope everything is going well at Western too! Have a successful end of the semester! Stephanie


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In my time here in Querétaro, my relationships with my friends have been very important to me. Laura, one of my best friends here, is from Western too, and we talk about boys and exercise together - we joined a gym together. I love the girls in my study abroad group - Amy and Katie and Lisa and Janelle and Amanda - they are alwasy such fun to hang out with and I meet a lot of people through them. Lenina is my ever-animated mexican friend from church that always laughs at me when my spanish comes out funny and when I try to dance by myself. She's always talking about her "Pololo'' -which is apparently the chilean word for boyfriend, even though she's not chilean or anything, she just likes the word, haha. She has been helping me get hooked up to go to this YSA conference this weekend - I'm sooo excited! And then there's Jaser - my bestest ever mexican friend who taught me how to dance, as you know, and also took me to San Miguel, vents to me about whatever problems are going on, relationship-wise or with his job, family, whatever - which I understand - especially the relationship ones. He introduced me to his family, and watched general conference in english with me, gave me the courage to ride on his motorbike which is DEFINITELY new for me.. I thought I was going crazy. I hate motorcycles. AND he is the only guy besides Brian that's ever held my hand. I'm still trying to figure all that out, but I am pretty sure we will end up staying as just good friends. I have also made a new good guy friend named Ricardo who walked with me to the centro and back TWICE - and that's a good 20 minute walk each way. And he lent me his camera. We just became good friends on that day, which was this past Sunday. I guess it's really nice being a foreigner because guys actually notice me. I think it will help me have more confidence when I get back to the US.

Maritza and Frank and their daughters Magaly and Magda are my "adoptive host family". I am at their house nearly every day to practice viola and I hang out and talk to them and through them I have made a lot of new friends. Magaly's boyfriend, Fedy, is really fun and wants to study in the US. Alejandro is tall and black and cuban and he has an accent that's so strong I can hardly understand him. hahaha Tonatiuh plays the violin and is really cute but i think he has a girlfriend. we all always want to go out and dance but never can because Alejandro is only 17 and they won't let him in in the clubs.. hahahahaha. Jousmin and Juan Manuel are in the band that plays at my ultimate favorite place, Barra Habana, but they are teachers at the music school which is also the house of the family that I was talking about. I want them to introduce me to the rest of the band but we haven't gotten around to that yet.

So that's sorta the run down on my life and friends here right now. i will try to write again soon. I really miss all of my friends in the US. *hugs to everyone!*
Love,
Stephi

Español

hace mucho tiempo que he escrito aquí.. que triste!!! Pues, voy a escribir en español un rato. Debbie me dijo que uso muchos modismos cuando escribo... jeje.. A ver.. Ahora, estoy muy muy bien.
Recuerden mi amigo, que me llevó a bailar? A él yo le gusto mucho, y este es muy extraño. Él es mas grande que yo y creo que quiere relaciónes serias, y yo no. Pues, sólo estamos amigos buenos. Es uno de mis mejores amigos aquí. Ayer, me pidió que yo fuera al baile mañana con el como "una cita," no sé como decir, pero yo dije no. Todavía estoy sin pareja, y me gusta. Cuando yo voy a bailes de la iglesia, claro que quiero bailar con otras personas! Cómo no? Yo quiero conocer la gente aquí. Esto debo hacer!!!

Ahorita voy a un baile/fiesta para mi clase de alimentación. Hay muchas cosas q hacer aquí, no?Ojalá que vaya a ser muy divertido, pero no sé, ahora, estoy un poco espantada.. porque el viento es muy fuerte hoy, y también como voy sola. Nadie de mis amigas van a ir. :( Yo quiero ir para divertirme con las amigas de la clase, pero quien sabe... quizás no debo ir. Pues, tengo una hora y media (mas o menos) para decidir.
También he estudiado mucho de mi viola esta semana - por fin!!!! lunes - 3 horas, martes.. muy mal, como 30 minutos! yo estaba muy ocupada ese día, pero el miércoles, estudié como 4 horas!! y hoy casi 3. Es muchísimo mejor.. Ojalá que Gela no vaya a matarme... porque si me matara..Fedotov también me mataría.. de veras...
Hoy y ayer he estado pues, un poco desanimada de mis abilidades en el español. De hecho a veces siento bien y a veces me doy cuento que no sé mucho. Pero hoy mis amigas y mi padre de intercambio me ayudaron... Ojalá que voy a reconseguir mi confidencia. Pues, tengo ir.. nos vemos. Que rezen para mi!!

Que Dios les bendiga,
Stephi

Feliz Día del Amor y la Amistad!

Puerto Vallarta!

So I definitely had a great time at PV. But I'm not going to write too much about it now because I actually had to write a short essay about it for my class so I'm going to post it on here - google translate?? :D I'll probably add a bunch of comments to it too. I have lots of pics on facebook - more coming soon.
But I just wanted to write and say that I did in case I ... forget someday? jaja jk.

Well, I decided to make a goal. Some people here always try to speak Spanish 24/7 with American friends, and those who know english. Others speak english every time they get a chance. I decided that I want to be the first one. When I first got here, I was speaking so much Spanish because my host family doesn't know english (and I just discovered that my host brothers both know english better than they let on but they did it so that I would speak Spanish, which you know, I REALLY appreciate that.) But every time I was with my American friends I would talk in english. and all too often I was making comparisons to the US. Well, that's just the way I am, sometimes I understand the present by looking into the past. And sometimes that's a good thing, but only sometimes.

I'm rambling now, but I also wanted to say that during my PV trip, one of the girls was always insisting quite strongly that we all talk in Spanish. And, I think my Spanish actually got better over the trip when I thought it was going to get worse, but it was thanks to her persistence which even got annoying sometimes, but I'm glad she did it, and I let her know so.

I only have 6 months here. To be honest, this first month has gone by quite rapidly. and I don't want it to be a waste. I wanna come back with a spanish accent!
it really stinks that I have to take english when I get back - UGHHHH. haha. yeah.. not going to be fun at ALL.

Lots of love and besos,
Stephi