My name is Paloma, but my friends usually call me "Loma." I was born in November. I'm extroverted and a little shy, but it depends a lot on where and who I'm with. With my friends, I'm extroverted, but with people I don't know, I'm more shy, though I become more comfortable with them over time. My friends would describe me as trustworthy enough to tell secrets, a good listener, funny, understanding, responsible, affectionate, and respectful; many also say I'm someone who makes friends easily. Depending on the occasion, I like to be alone, to do homework and study, but most of the time, I prefer to be with my friends and go out. At home, I like quiet, but outside I prefer to play rather than be quiet. I enjoy helping people by doing favors and doing simple tasks. My family has four people: my mother who lives with me, my father who lives alone, and my paternal brother who lives with his mother. My mother is a cleaner, my father is a bricklayer, and my brother is in college. I get along well with my father and mother. I usually hang out with my father more, and with my mother, I watch movies at home. I usually go out once a month with my brother; we like to go to the mall to watch movies. I have a stray dog, but he stays at my father's house. His name is Don, and he's already 6 years old. My city is the largest in Brazil. Depending on the location, it can be very beautiful, and I love living there because I was born there and there are thousands of things to do. One thing I really enjoy doing is going to the open-air parks here; I usually go with my friends. I live in a house, and I really like it. I have my own room, and it's very organized. At home, I'm responsible for helping with the washing and putting away the dishes, clean my room, waking up alone for school, doing my homework, making my snacks for the day, sorting my dirty clothes, and taking out the trash. During the week, I wake up at 5:30 AM to get ready for school. And for breakfast, I usually have fruit with yogurt and granola, with orange juice. In the mornings, I'm at school, and on Mondays and Wednesdays, I'm at school all day because I do a program called "High School Griggs." At night, I usually read, watch TV shows, or study, and I usually go to bed at 10 PM. On weekends, I wake up at 8 AM, and on some Saturdays, I wake up early to go to church. I study in the mornings, from 7 AM to 12:45 PM, except on Mondays and Wednesdays, when I stay at school until 5:45 PM. I'm in my sophomore year of high school. I like to study. My favorite subjects are biology and math, and I don't really like Portuguese, but I try to do well. I find the subjects easy, but I have to dedicate a lot of time to understanding them. In my free time, I like to watch TV shows, and if my mom lets me go out, I like to go to a friend's house. I like to go out with my friends to the mall or parks, usually twice a month. When it's raining, I like to read because the sound of rain is relaxing. I like pasta, Japanese food, salads, fruits, and vegetables. I occasionally eat fast food, and I like eating out, especially McDonald's. I like playing volleyball and really enjoy watching soccer on TV. I like to go anywhere depending on who I'm with. I like romance, thriller, and horror series/movies. My favorite shows are Supernatural and Doctor House, and my favorite character is Sam from Star Trek. I like these series because they're long, and you never know what might happen in the next episode. I like a variety of music, but I think Brazilian hip-hop and rap are my favorites. My favorite Brazilian singer is Fabio Brazza, but internationally, it's 50 Cent. I listen to music every day; I concentrate better when I listen to music. I want to go to another country because, since I was a baby, I've always wanted to study abroad and meet different people. I decided to do this program to expand my knowledge and experience a different culture. I don't know the state where I'll attend high school, but I believe that wherever it is, it will be an incredible experience. I have high expectations for meeting new people and further improving my English, and I hope I can leave a mark wherever I go.