ONE MONTH

I don't know if you knew... but it's been a month since i've been in Argentina. I honestly can't believe it.

The beginning weeks were rough... I remember people saying "I can't believe we've been here a week already!" and me thinking "well... I can," but now a month has passed and I'm shocked.

This weekend has been a nice relaxing weekend, didn't do any traveling, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been as much fun. Last weekend we went to Uspallata, stayed there a night in a hostel, then went to Puente del Incas and hiked up the side of a random mountain... which was amazing. On Sunday we went to Cachueta were there are termas or hot springs, and spent the day there. Last monday was a day off, and I went to an asada at my sisters house. The food is sooooooo good. :)

The weekend before that we went to Potrerillos (which is difficult to say), went trekking and repelling... so having this weekend off has been nice. We have more time here, it's not necessary to rush and do everything now. It has been cold here (not that cold, but it is "winter" here), but now it's been warming up. My favorite thing to do is just go to the Park, which is like a 25 minute-ish walk from where I live. Today I went there twice :)

I've been getting used to living here. Each day it gets easier (but i refuse to comment on the classes i'm taking... that has not gotten easier... i still don't know what classes i'm going to take. oops). I've been learning to take things as they come, and not to worry. Well i'm still a worrier... but that's just who I am.

I love it here.

Do i still experience "Culture Shock?" yes. I still have the packet that St. Mike's gave to us about Culture shock, and it definitely is like a roller coaster... sometimes things are great, and sometimes there aren't as good. I'm learning to just enjoy the good times and accept the not-so-good times. Also, i've learned the best way to deal with the not-so-good times is to find friends.

I feel like i'm getting a little long winded... and i haven't really said anything with content. Oh well... this is why I don't blog.

Tonight ima go bowling :) Except I hate bowling. Like I really hate bowling. i try so hard, and i mean i took bowling in gym class in high school, but i still suck. i just hate bowling. i know how to do it, but i can't follow through. bowling is stupid.

i'm just sayin'

Culture Shock?

Let's be honest, I'm lazy and don't like to write things.

Also, I'm afraid of using too much electricity in my house... but I FINALLY HAVE INTERNET ON MY COMPUTER!!!!

Anywho, I didn't realize what culture shock would really be. Of course there are obvious differences like eating hours (Lunch is the heavy meal and dinner is around 9/10), greetings (one "kiss" on the cheek), and the language that would obvious cause some stress, but I didn't think about the other things that would be different.

For example, when I'm walking down the street, I'm always saying "excuse me" and dodging everyone... now I'm not saying that everyone does that in the US, but people are a little more ... polite. Here, that does NOT happen... ever. and it's weird for me because I don't want people thinking that I'm a jerk just walking through people, but it's how it is.

People also don't say "Bless you;" I pride myself in saying "Bless you" to someone when they sneeze... maybe even as they are sneezing. No one here says "Salud."

The culture here is really laid back, I would say their quote would be "Why do today what you can put off to tomorrow." This is hard... I'm always being told "Tranquila," and no, I can't calm down... it's not part of my nature, I'm always nervous and freaking out. I would like to learn how to be "Tranquila," so we'll see.

The bus system... I think of it as a joke. theres no schedule... it comes when it comes, and it doesn't come when you want it to come. I immediately decided not to worry about the bus (or micro) system.

hmm... well i can't think of anything else to say... maybe i'll post later after i organize my thoughts more.

besos

Don't Worry, I went for a run

I'm officially in Buenos Aires!

But let us start from the beginning, starting on the 20th when I left. My flight was not until 2:45, and I wouldn't be leaving for the airport until 11, so how did I spend my time pre-departure? After getting the dog settled I went for a run. Which is why I missed my parents first phone call. It was a successful run full of nervousness, but by the end I was pleased. After my shower (during which I missed my parents second call) I did last minute packing and had an emergency backpack change. My new back pack is too small, so I switched back to my dank backpack which has a sock safety pinned to it. Don't worry, I took off the sock and safety pinned a black t-shirt on to it.

Then my wonderful neighbors, Mary and Chip, took me to the airport and kept me distracted. Mary took me inside and helped me check in and then sent me on my way. I was so grateful for having them there with me, because I was shaking in my boots.

After arriving in Dallas, I saw a group of girls who seemed to be around my age at the gate I was going to. After sitting alone for a minute and getting some water, I decided to face my fear and ask them if they were going to Mendoza. If they weren't, it would really only be awkward for a moment, then I would leave and they would laugh at me, and I would never interact with them again. Well, that didn't happen, they were all studying abroad... what a relief!

The plane ride was uneventful: did some reading, some sleeping, had a hard time eating my favorite meal (breakfast... who has trouble eating cereal??), and realized that I was really going to Mendoza. This was really happening. Like, it's not something I'm talking about, it's something I'm doing.

Right now I'm in Buenos Aires in a hotel, and will be here until Friday. So... FREE WIFI UNTIL FRIDAY!!!!

Sorry this post sucks... I tried to make it sound decent, but I failed. Maybe I'll get better, or maybe you should read this, and I'll just reference it when you ask me what I did in Argentina

... I'm just sayin

Getting Ready to Go

What up yo.

So I leave in less then a week and No, I'm not ready. There are a lot of loose ends I have to tie up before I head out, but I know I'll get them done (at least the REALLY important ones).

I just emailed the woman I'll be living with for the semester, and I'm very nervous. What if I said something wrong and offend her? Then she'll hate me... well that's a little dramatic, she probably won't hate me, just hate me a little or deduct points from me.

I asked her questions like: Whens Malaria season, what's the weather like now, do you guys really have a siesta and eat super late, and do people run in the streets.

We'll see what she has to say. I'm a wee apprehensive about her being the woman I'm staying with, because her hobbies are "Tai chi chuan" and "chi kung," which means she disciplined and probably super neat... which I am not. I will hopefully adjust and not feel the need to switch homes, although I know that's always an option.

Hopefully everything will go swimmingly and I won't forget my passport or my leg or something, and I'll get along with la Señora, pero no sé.

... I'm just sayin'