pilates, sooper bole, same diff.

well, how about that fute ball game. because of my strong obsession with football that you all know i have, we went to a local sports bar place to watch the juego. the bar was really fancy and really loud. overall, it made me miss home a little just because of all the fun superbowl parties in the past that involve lots of fab snacks and lots of not paying attention to the game. but it was still fun. minus the large number of middle aged men that were speaking english and being ridiculous about getting my friend to swing her pittsburgh towel constantly. what can you do. oh and the best part of watching the superbowl was when the audio in the bar messed up and rather than hearing the commentators and the game, we were listening to a pilates video infomercial. it was so hilar. imagine a very high voice saying "zip your abs together" while watching grown men throw each other to the ground. fortunately it was fixed by the halftime show.
as for earlier in the weekend, on saturday night, brie and i got to go to a sancocho (this really good soup they make here) contest at the country club place with our padres. it was so cool and sadly neither of us brought our cameras. not the best plan. but it was like a baseball field with little fires set up with huge cauldron type things on them. most of the family was there and lots of friends. there was a live band and a huge dance floor. at one point a nine year old was running around the dance floor by himself lip syncing. it doesn't get much better than that. i danced some merengue/bachata (still am really confused about the two) with eduardos brother in law, pancho. it was great. and quite funny considering everyone was watching me and brie on the dance floor, being the only americans there. but the soup was soooo darn good. they really know how to cook here. its the best.
so thennnnn on sunday, i went to church. it was cool. although the combination of it being catholic and in spanish made it quite difficult to understand. but i am glad i went and i got to sit with this family that i met a little while back who is really nice.
overall, things are rolling right along. i do miss friends and fam at home but i am really thankful to be here learning how to live in a new place. its always an adventure and yes, there are frustrations sometimes, but i think there are definitely some great things to learn from this place. something i am especially noticing is the way dominicans interact with each other with this immediate comfort. i havent seen many awkward interactions. they love their family so much and it is so cool to see they way they love just hanging out together. k well love you all and would suggest that you come to santiago sometime before may 3. or after. but i would prefer when i am here.
hasta luegooooooo.