Yep, I'd definitely say the Americas is under-rated, if I haven't said it already. LOL (sorry, I've slept since I've posted last...;o)

My mom's side of the family is pretty big like your teacher's, Xoch. She comes from a small town in Pennsylvania and pretty much everyone up there is family in some fashion. LOL What's really funny, or weird depending upon how you look at it, is my maternal grandmother and grandfather both came from Italy from towns that were rather close together, but never knew each other. They ended up meeting in this small town in Pennsylvania. Funny how things turn out. LOL