Credit goes to Matt at corrugatedcity.blogspot for the photo of Valpo graffiti used at the top of the page.

So...

I have 12 days left until I leave. Two more days of work.
Still have not received a response from the host family, I hope that doesn't mean they're going to be the sort of family I never even talk to. Maybe the email just got lost in the interwebs?
It turns out one of the girls I'm traveling with has a family friend outside of Santiago, and it's looking like they might be willing to take all three of us in, as opposed to just her. I'm so excited to save money and not be in a hostel with thieves and loud European weirdos... although I'd like to stay in a hostel for some portion of the trip, it's much cooler to have "friends".

More preparation...

12 days of work left before my leave of absence begins. 22 days until I leave!

I met with the two other girls I'm flying with, and they are both pleasant and smart and seem like they'll be lots of fun and good to travel with. I even tactfully made sure they weren't going to bring any short skirts or any outfits that would get us in trouble. I said "Ok girls, so, what kind of outfits are we planning? Anything special for clubbing?" and their response was "No, just jeans." I was so relieved they laughed at me for asking so sneakily. I just worry about getting more catcalls and attention than necessary. Three hot gringas on the streets of Santiago could get into a lot of trouble if they didn't mind their p's and q's! :) It has been impressed upon me by many people that I have no concept of how many hoots and hollers the average woman gets there.

I emailed my host family (thanks to the lovely Josh for a bangup translation job!) and am awaiting their response. I hope to know enough about them to think of a really thoughtful gift.

I'll probably live to regret this URL...

but I had to. It was not decided by me, but my my friends in #lolutah chat. Other suggestions included machonacho (taken), chupacabra (taken), chupacablog (taken!), and blogna (sadly taken, but good one Lara!). Hopefully there are at least some funny things that happen to me in Chile. With me there, knowing my abysmal comprehension of the Spanish language, Chileans will at least be laughing at me! If the trip is full of tragedy and heartache, the "lol" part will certainly end up mocking me. So let's hope that's not the case, shall we?

The facts: I'm traveling to Chile in June to study in Valparaíso for five weeks. There will be 3 days in the beginning and several days in the end of the program to hang around Santiago, and I also might go to Sao Paolo to visit a friend of the family after the program is over. Much has not been decided yet, and a lot depends on money and how long I really want to be there. I just found out about my host family, and they live in nearby Viña del Mar.
I'll be temporarily leaving behind my lovely parents and sister, as well as a wonderful fiance, lots of awesome friends, and an office full of fun coworkers. Hopefully I'll come back with new friends, not just the ones I'm traveling with.