Casino (No Gram Irene, Not THAT Casino)

June 3, 2013. Today was the start of exams! Third grade through seventh all week. I sort of helped manage/sit there and watch while they took the tests in the morning and afternoon tanda. Once they finished, they could leave. But for some reason, they wouldn't. So it was a mad house with kids everywhere and lots of assistance given by the teacher... In the afternoon I watched a few of the fifth grade tests get graded and let's just say I saw lots of 60s, 70s and a couple 40s... Today was math. Vamos a ver for the rest of the week! 

Since we finished early, I had lots of free time tonight. Lili, Alex, Mayelin, and Samuel came over and we played cards and they played on my iPad a bit. Then I asked if a colmado here sold bigger paper. I meant the cheap, thin stuff that wouldn't cost me much and can be used for anything but Lili thought I meant cartalina paper which is thicker and in colors. I did want some of that too so she said yea, at the one colmado at the thruway. I was pumped to go there since I think it's bigger and I wanted to see what else was available right here in the community. We went, the group of us, and chased each other and jumped on backs. It was a blast and I showed my face por abajo! Lol finally. I also saw Manuela and told her about what happened last Friday (O:) oops). She didn't really seem to care that I wasn't there haha. But then Lili stopped at a colmado before the big one and asked about the paper. Of course they had it... Haha so I didn't get to see the one I wanted to see. Oh well; next time. I bought some paper and some soda to share which always makes the kiddos super happy :). 

We came back, drank the soda together, and chatted. Lili and Alex left and shortly after, Mayelin too. Samuel and I played more cards until Moreno (my host dad) came home. Him and I haven't interacted too much but I love the way he is with the kids. Super funny, harasses them a lot (gives them hard slaps on the back and blames the mosquitos lol), and is so loving with my host mom. He walks up, pulls up a chair across from me and says, "Okay, let's play Casino." He knew I knew a little so he started to teach me. After the first game I really got it. I just laughed a ton because he whooped my ass. The second game I won and he absolutely destroyed me in the third. Haha I joked as much as I could, made faces, and managed to asked questions that he understood and answered :). My grandma called in the midst and then my host mom made me dinner so we stopped last game at him: 19 and me: 4. You play to 21...but we're gonna finish tomorrow! Lol I ate, showered (with running water! And there was luz pretty much all day!), talked to my gram (Love you!) and Nate (and you!). 

It was a really great end to the day and something I needed desperately. It may have been a simple card game (well, the game itself is actually pretty complicated) with Moreno but I felt included, a bit more like myself, and that I took a step in the right direction with someone "new" (you know, even though I live in his house... Lol). Here's to hoping for one more step tomorrow; just one at a time. Buenas noches.