First quarter of high school is done - straight A's for Fede! He has had some interesting discusions in Physics (teacher is sceptical of global warming and "man's" involvement in said theory.) We have also talked about Creationism and home schooling. Having someone to ponder these topics with and discuss all kinds of theories with regularly is really invigorating for me. One of the real upsides of having an exchange student, and one of the main reasons I would recommend putting yourself out in this way. Some other upside of the program for the host family includes a slightly more pulled together home life for everyone! The piles are attended more quickly, dinners less slip-shod, and very little grumpy-mom showing up for everyone. In addition, I have actually installed the Spanish Rosetta Stone, and have done some of the lessons, a task I have been meaning to do for years. Last Thursday we attended the Rotary Annual Auction, something totally new for him, including (modeled) Rotary boxer shorts being sold! Along with a hog, and a combine ride - ya gotta love Iowa. Yesterday Fede carved a pumpkin with other Rotary students, and today he is hearing and seeing more wind than he has in his whole life. Rugby has stopped practicing for the winter, but he has been invited to play ultimate frisbee after school on Wednesdays. He has to find another activity (says me) so on Monday he will talk to the Beak 'n' Eye teacher about the school newspaper. Meanwhile his camera is in constant use.

another quiet week in Iowa

As is typical in the Midwest, I am about to talk about the weather...The morning temps have begun to drop - usually in the 40's. Fede goes out the the door each day to check it out. The first time it was 44, he told me that this was the coldest weather he had ever felt. If he were home, it would mean long undies, extra coat, scarf, the works. I just smiled, and watched as he went out in his jacket, wondering how he will survive the winter here!
I am really enjoying the Latin model of spending time together, talking and pondering. When he comes home from school, he checks in and lets me know what has gone on at school. In the evenings, he has joined us to watch debates, commentaries and John Stewart. Naturally knowing English so well has made all of this so much easier, but he also is just easy to have around. Back in Argentina, Eleanor's family wonders when families in America talk...as they eat both the noon and evening meals together most every day.

New month! October

Oops - I let too much time go by...Fede is a great student - getting all A's, basically, impressing all his teachers. He has helped at an Iowa football game with Rotary, shopped at the mall, and gone to Homecoming, with a date - the German exchange student. Poor guy, he could hardly wrap his mind around going to a dance while it was still light out (7pm) and then being home by 11pm - meanwhile, Eleanor was probably just eating supper and about to head out for a night of dancing and partying in Argentina...hmmm...I hated to tell him that this was about what the rest of the year would be like! We had another crazy rainstorm, 6" of water in short order forced the water into the basement (again.) There was Fede, mopping the floor (had never seen a mop before as all floors are washed on hands and knees at his house...) while the rest of us were moving "stuff" and taking sopping wet towels and rugs to the washing machine. (Eleanor's next blog was naturally about a fantastic time she had had that very night...) So, he's officially a part of the family!

He has his new camera purchased here, and is enjoying getting back to his photography. One of his subjects is going to be mailboxes - he was so excited to see that we really have one on a post at the road, just like in the movies! He is playing rugby with a friend from West and other high schools - the big surprise there is: playing with GIRLS! Never in a million years would that happen back home. He hasn't tackled a girl yet, and claims he can't imagine it. We'll see...