The Wednesday after we returned from Buenos Aires, we began our "legit" classes. Because I goofed off so much in the first month, my grade placed my into the lowest class AGAIN! Luckily, my teacher agreed that my comprehension and speaking was on the level of the more advanced class, so I was able to switch! M/W I have Español avanzado I and Introducción a los generos literarios. T/Th I have Cultura de sudamerica and Historia de latinoamerica. My classes start every day at 2pm and each one is 1 1/2 hours, so with a 15 min break between, I get done at 5:15. I can't complain, especially since we don't have anything on Fridays, but the classes are challenging. They're not like classes in english where you can zone out and still be ok...I have to concentrate for 90 minutes, and it sure can be exhausting! It's especially rewarding though when I can comprehend questions and answer with my own words in a clear manner!
I had been planning on taking Portugese, but since it meets on Tuesdays from 8:30-10PM, I think I might opt for something else, like fotografia!
Last weekend, to christen our new schedules (no Friday classes!), we went out Thursday night. The night started out rough when one of the guys broke a plastic chair at my house (for future reference: don't rock on the back two legs of old plastic chairs). It picked right back up though, when we met a group of guys who play soccer on one of the popular teams here! So, maybe they play on the lower division, but still...I don't think many people can say they have Argentine semi-pro soccer players asking for their phone numbers, haha! Friday night, my friend, Amanda, and I actually went to their game, where they won! We're like Belgrano groupies now!
Saturday morning we had to wake up early to go to another stupid estancia. This trip, though, they had promised, was going to be fun! It was designed to mix the old kids (Clemson kids) with the new foreigners. The problems arose when they literally had no planned events. We got to the campground thing by noon and we're expected to entertain ourselves until the next morning at 1o. I had fun for a while, but then I hit the wall around 4pm and started feeling AWFUL. I didn't really meet anyone new, because by the time people started intermingling, I was stuck in bed...cheers! I don't mind THAT much though, because I don't like to be forced to meet people. I'm hoping that I can get to know some people naturally through my classes.
As you all know, today is St. Patrick's day (and also cousin Paula's birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL), so there are obviously festivities occuring here. It's definitely not as popular in Argentina as it is in America, but I think they're trying to promote the holiday.
I thought I was going to have more to say in this post, but it's the end of the week so I'm sort of brain-dead. I have a weekend of downtime so I'm sure I'll post again soon. No pictures to report, but maybe soon!
I'll take pictures of the nightlife here, that'll help mom and dad sleep at night! haha
CHAU
