Hernandez,Natalie

Post 1: Embassy Get-together Last night, my family had a group of people from the American Embassy over in honor of a new woman named Katherine. This is her first post. The best part about last night was the food. We had a classic Honduran dish of frijoles, pinchos, rice, and chismol. The conversation was great. Since we are all from the United States, we only spoke English. The night ended early because Katherine was very tired from just having arrived to Tegucigalpa. During dinner we told her about all the great things that this city has to offer. For my proof, I wrote about one of the ladies who was there named Irene. She told us many interesting stories about her Nigerian family. (120)

Post 2: Wuthering Heights

This week I started the book Wuthering Heights. It is the only novel ever written by Emily Brontë. The book is a love story that occurs about 200 years ago. It is between Catherine and Heathcliff. The interesting part about the novel is that it is told from the maid’s point of view. Her name is Nelly Dean and she tells the story to her new employer, Mr. Lockwood. Nelly tells the entire story of Catherine and Heathcliff’s lives, starting from when Mr. Earnshaw firsts brings Heathcliff home. He was a boy of the streets. Mr. Earnshaw pitied him and didn’t have time to find him a new house. In consequence, he brings him to his own house. This puts the house into chaos. Nelly continues the story up to the current day. For my proof, I took a picture of me reading the book. (145)

Post 3: Annette Vallon

This week I read the book called Annette Vallon. It is a novel about the French Revolution from the point of view of an aristocrat. Her story is a sad one. During the French Revolution, all the upper-class lost their fortunes and properties. Annette was different than most aristocrats in that she felt a calling to help people during the war. This book is based on a real person. She is most famous for being the first love of William Wordsworth, a famous English poet. Their love is especially hard in that they are not permitted to see each other because their countries are at war. They have a child together named Caroline. The story is the entire life of Annette. (121)

Post 4: Sotocano



Over the weekend, my family and I went to Sotocano, the American and Honduran military base, which resides just out of Comayagua. We went to watch the U.S. play the game. While there, we spoke only English. Sadly, the US lost the game. We went in the pool, played ping-pong, and played tennis. I learned how to hit an air ball. While we were there we had breakfast with one of the officers and he taught us about what it was like to be in the military! We had many great meals. The food there is very good. My favorite is the ice cream with oreos! (106)

Post 5: Arrive to Washington DC



This week I arrived in Washington DC. So, of course, I have spoken English almost every second of the day. I am staying at my best friend's house. His name is Max and he lives in Belle Haven. On Saturday, Max and I went to Old Towne, Alexandria. This is a small town that has been kept the same since the 1700's. "Why Not?" was my favorite store growing up. It sells funky clothes for girls ages 0-9. After this we had thai food at a small restaurant called "Red Mai" on King Street. Then, I stopped by an old friend's house and said hello. The second picture is of my best friends named Kiri Spiotta at Belle Haven. I am looking forward to the rest of my visit in Washington DC. (133)

Post 6: Washington D.C.



This week I reconnected with many of my friends from when I lived in Washington D.C. In this picture are me and my best friend named Max. We have gone all over Washington D.C., Old Town, and National Harbor. There we went with old friends to a restaurant called Ketchup. I had never been to National Harbor. It is a nice walk-around place filled with restaurants and friendly people. Almost every day I have been hanging out with the same friends: Lauren Freshwater, Quinn Hynes, Connor Gribbon, Chase Whitely, and Max Shapero. In this photo, Max and I are at a party. In the second picture, I am with one of my best friends named Lauren Freshwater at a restaurant called Ketchup!(123)

Post 7: Arrive to London

This week I flew over the Atlantic and arrived in London! I am staying with my Aunt Nancy in her flat in South Kensington. We have done so many things! On the first day we went for Chinese food at the top of a hotel. It was the most amazing view! After, we went to Kensington Palace to the exhibit called "the Enchanted Palace". It was the story of the 8 princesses who lived there using modern artists and designers to depict them in one of the rooms they used when they lived in Kensington Palace. In the first picture, we are standing infront of Kensington Palace. We saw the play Legally Blonde! It was a very fun and light-hearted play! Before attending the play we ate at Le Petit Maison, a very delicious french restaurant! In the second picture, I am standing infront of Buckingham Palace. There is so much to do in London! (155)

Post 8: London Today we went to Hampton Court Palace, which resides just outside of London. We took the tube and then the train. It was a special day at the palace in that it was a live reenactment of King Henry VIII and his third wife: Jayne Seymour. We watched many swordfights, heard the King's jester, and walked around the palace. There are two different styles in the palace. Half is decorated during the time of Henry VIII, while the other half is decorated during the time of William III. There are over 1,000 rooms and about 600 chimneys! Here I am infront of Hampton Court!When walking home from the tube, we stopped at a little cheese restuarant. We sampled six different cheeses. This is me with the owner who we talked with throughout the whole meal! We were some of the only customers, so we got to know the waiters very well! Overall, it was a great day! (159)