So it's clear I'm not dead

DISCLAIMER: this blog will be boring.

5 points –

1) 1) I didn’t end up going to Villa General Belgrano, but I did go to the river with my tutor and some other friends which was rad and beautiful

2) 2) St. Patrick’s Day was on a Saturday, not a Friday like I thought so I didn’t actually celebrate it properly

3) 3) I fell while I was trying to coolly leave my psychology class and knocked over an aluminum chair in the process

4) 4) Migrations went off without a hitch

5) 5) Soccer practice started yesterday and today I slept til 1:30

Love life, Love Arg,

Jessie

# of postcards I have still yet to send: 3

# of hours waited in migrations: 6

# of crunches completed at soccer practice: 2 million

# of times I’ve worked out in my brain which shoes I’ll have to leave behind to make weight on my luggage: 12 (ish)

Another post about Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires!

Thursday night we all met up at the terminal to embark on the 8-10 hour journey on a relatively comfy bus. Once we arrived in the capital early-ish Friday morning, we checked into our hotel that was hosting the annual Argentine tattoo festival or something which was totally rad and then we went to do the city tour which was essentially the same as last year. We went to La Boca, El Palermo, La Recoleta, a park with a gorgeous rose garden, and the Plaza de Mayo among other things. After eating lunch, we had some free time to explore or nap (nap for me, thank you) and then we visited some museums and went to dinner at the restaurant from last year (“Siga La Vaca”). On Saturday, we had some more tours and ate lunch at a casino which was gross because it was a buffet, but funny because we were the only people under 80 years.

That night, we went to Puerto Madero and got to see a Tango show and ate a delicious three course dinner. Thankfully, this go around I had a bad reaction to the food on FRIDAY night as opposed to SATURDAY night so I was able to actually watch the show this time! It was really fab- very seductive I must say.

On Sunday, we went to an artisans fair in the neighborhood of “Sant Telmo” where I got a few souvenirs and had a good romp around observing the vendors. After lunch and taking a tour of the “Pink House” (their equivolent to the White House), we hit another fair and then went to the bus terminal.

We arrived back in Córdoba, very groggy, at around 6:30am. Thankfully I was able to go home and sleep for a few hours but then I woke up to an electricity-less house which was loads of fun considering I was obviously smelly and rumpled from the 10 hour bus trip.

Anyways, I tromped along to school where nothing really exciting happened aside from being reminded that the Visa process is about to start again.

Not good news.

Not looking forward to waking up at 5 am to stand in line with millions of other immigrants.

Not looking forward to being denied a visa simply because the systems here are a little slower.

Not looking forward to the hundreds of return trips I’ll inevitably have to make simply because I’m me.

The earplugs are coming in handy pandy dandy! Used ‘em on the bus, use ‘em when I sleep, use ‘em when I go to class (heh..)

The chocolate withdrawals are less frequent.

The weather is really crap.

Today, I woke up for my 8:45 class and it was raining which was fine especially because I got to school and it stopped. But then on my way home it was pouring cats and dogs in every sense of the phrase. Oh sorry, it’s really important to note that when I hopped off the bus (and I literally had to jump to avoid puddles), I was merrily walking along with my stupid useless umbrella when two busses passed me and splashed the dirty road water EVERYWHERE. Best way to start my day, yeah?

Well this week that’s in progress seems like it’s gonna be snoreful…I mean, until Friday that is. Why, do you ask? Oh well of course it’s SAINT PATRICK’S DAY. I also want to go Villa General Belgrano this weekend but I mean who knows what the weather will hold- good gosh I’m praying for sun because I’m sobbingly white.

# of times I spoke English while in Buenos Aires: I don’t want to talk about it

# of exhibitions that were closed in both the museums we went to combined: 3

# of plates I used at the Siga la Vaca buffet table: 6 ????

# of people I saw with face tattoos: 4

good day.

< The flower donated by the ever generous France

< In America we should not whine about the cleanliness of our waterways until we have experienced this one.









< La Boca (I swear it's a different picture from last years'...)

< I swear that the most common medium of graffiti here is white-out.

update of my thrilling vida

wasn’t kidding last time when I said the weather is playing mad games with my closet. Seriously, two days ago a mere blink was enough physical exertion to warrant sweatiness and now I’m sitting in my room with pants, a long sleeve shirt and slippers. I feel like this ALWAYS HAPPENS. In Clemson it’s obnoxiously hot until Fall break and then we return to blizzards. I mean where is the tapering out and introduction to the new season, people? I say this to mother nature, “why rush darling?” Plus it makes me sick which is soooooo unwelcome.

Today is Thursday and tomorrow we will take the final exam of the Intensive program. Yesterday, the new foreigners arrived that will be here for the semester. The main difference between this semester group and the one from last year is that this one is composed primarily of foreigners; meaning, most don’t seem to be from the U.S. which is groovy, right? More people that don’t speak English, I hope!

The grade we receive on our final exam will be combined with the grades from our other test and the informes that we had to write and then the result will determine our level for the semester. I mean I obviously hope to be in the higher level but I got a 7 on my first test and then another 7 on my first essay so omg I don’t know.

WOAH GUYS, DEF FIGURED OUT HOW TO GET WIFI ON MY BLACKBERRY!

So the big question is: will dad’s Verizon bill be one million dollars because I’m using BBM to communicate with Emma more easily? Please let me know! I’m so happy having a channel to my sister at my fingertips (when I’m in a WIFI zone…)!

Having a loving family here does make me miss mine at home- Today I guess Emma was in VA for job interviews (multiple!!!!) and told my uncle about BBM so he sent me a “hello”. The emails and whatsits that I get from friends and family are really happy surprises and tooootally welcome. I might not be great at communication because of my internet limitations, but I almost always have the loved ones from back home in my mind.

Sorry this post took a turn for the sappy.

Soon, we’re going to Buenos Aires, which I’m ¼ looking forward to and ¾ dreading. Sounds really down-ey, right? Well if you saw the itinerary, you’d have anxiety attacks too. I obvs knew what to expect since I’ve done it before, but to the unknowing eye, it appears that Argentines are anything but a relaxed and flexible population. My idea of a perfect Arg trip is more along the lines of our romp to Mendoza last year where wine tours, hostel parties and whitewater rafting were among the main activities. But it’s whatever…beggars can’t be choosers…and although I thought about telling CRI to count me out while I went somewhere else, I’d like to experience the tours with a new understanding and get to know the Clemson group that I hardly hang out with.

Yesterday I finally bought earplugs for two reasons: 1) the dogs that scratch and bark, and 2) bus trips.

Probably some of you are thinking “wait what, it’s two little dogs, how much noise could they possibly make”. Well, one day I might record them for you all because some nights the squawking is literally unbearable and murderous thoughts definitely plant themselves firmly in my mind. Not to mention we have A METAL DOOR. Metal doors + four hungry toe nailed feet = psychosis.

Things I’m missing:

-Chipotle

-Cheese fries

-Chai tea

Today is Tuesday and sorry I didn’t post over the weekend but it was largely uneventful except for the time that I broke a sandal and then Hanna and I split a Big Mac (a first for both of us but …ew)

The exam went fine and then we had an oral interview in which I got an 8.5. Afterwards I waited around to see my second informe grade and I got a 9 which was fab news because it meant my average was an 8 (an A)!

Monday we started classes and I had Spanish, Literature, and Social Psychology.

Social Psych doesn’t start until 8:30 at night so after Lit class, I had an hour and a half to bite all of my nails off in a nervy spaz but then I walked in and there are literally 5 other girls and the teacher (who’s a man, surprisingly), so it was really relaxed and they didn’t mind him giving me a lesson (and them a refresher) on the basics of Psychology. Obvs going to Wikipedia some stuff, but I think I’ll be okay because I can understand the terms and concepts which they say is much better than some other foreigners that they have in their classes before.

Today I had at 8:45 (in the MORNING OMG), Publicity and Propaganda, which has way more people (argentines) and 3 other foreigners. Granted, 2 are from Mexico so it’s not like they’re experiencing a language barrier, but still.

So tomorrow (Wednesday) I have practice for the DELE exam, which is a separate class offered by someone in Spain. It’s a licensure that’s useful for those who want to teach Spanish and I think just in general it seems helpful. One cannot get enough grammar practice!!!!

Muy bien

# of hours slept when the dog, Mono, had heartburn: 4

# of pairs of size ten shoes they seem to have in this country: -18

# of temperature and complete weather changes we’ve experienced TODAY: 3

Some of you might be dying for photo proof that I’m here but honestly the only pictures I have are of shoes that I like, the huge cockroach that was on the bathroom wall, and my broken sandal. Oh and then there’s the matter of my Visa picture that I took today which would make our creator himself blush.

Surely after the weekend I’ll upload some….surely…..................

Theme: complaints.

Ick the weather is playing mindgames with me so I’m clearly not at the river and it’s Sunday so there’s little more to do then blog and crave alfajores.

This past week was a disaster in every sense of the Word. We had activities early every day which Left little room for sleep or homework. The problem with short weeks is that you get in your head that it’s going to be way shorter than it actually is. I went into Wednesday thinking yip yip it’s almost Friday but for some reason, by the time Friday actually rolled around, I was ready to burn the school to the ground.

On a positive note, Thursday we made bread and rode horses at our taller cultural class. My bum was so sore, I could hardly sit through the proceeding 4 hours of schooling, what larks!

Then Friday, they gave us a “fiesta de despedida” to close out the intensive. The thing was a dinner and it was supposed to start at 10, so I made sure not to get there until 10:30- but even then, the adults weren’t there and the waiters had no clue we were coming. I mean I know I’m disorganized but that’s taking it to a whole new level.

Yesterday was Saturday and around 4, my friend Hanna and I went to centro to look for a piercing shop and for heels. Now, we all are familiar with my obsession with the shoes here, but this expedition was actually to find HER some. The problem lies in the fact that she wears a size ten and the average number here seems to be around a 4 ½. I rarely have a hard time finding my size (obviously), but yesterday was a bust for both of us. We couldn’t find any piercing parlor open and all the cute shoes were already snatched up. I don’t really have plans to buy sandals since it’ll get cold soon, but I found a pair that was absolutely adorrrrable and the only size they had left was a 6. A 6!

Luckily we have free time in the morning during this upcoming week (finally) so we’ll be able to go hunting again, wee

Omg you guys, I broke my gate.

Some might remember how on the first night last year in my old house, I couldn’t get a door to open so I jumped over? Well, Friday night I got the gate open, no prob…but then when I was trying to lock it, my key wouldn’t come out so now we have the ghetto-ist system where we have to take the handle OFF OF THE DOOR and hide it into this flowerpot. So embarrassing. Argentina brings out the destructive side of me I think…

Going to romp around Centro, hope all is well in hamburger a gogo land!

XOXO

# of times my mouth has watered from seeing alfies: 4

# of busses I took yesterday: 5

# of chunks of hair I had pulled out by blonde loving strangers on Friday: 8+

P.S. sorry I’ve been really crap with my camera…pics soon (maybe)

bear with mee

Hello faithful followers,

This post is basically a snippet of my week and then the little trip that I just took with my host family to their country house. Pardon it’s boringness…

Last week passed like any other week- After the dance class fiasco, we had the Valentine’s Day fiasco where everyone and their mum had mushy gushy plans while I was home alone (which is actually no big deal considering I’ve never really cared about V-day anyway). To celebrate it being a TUESDAY, Hanna, our friend Julia, and I went to a bar just to have a drink and observe the love birds- great fun!

Friday was our first exam and it was relatively easy. I studied mainly just by reading the chapters again and although I botched a few multiple choice questions, I think I did alright.

Saturday we had a visit to another estancia, but this one was more of a museum than a functioning farm. Once a part of the many properties belonging to the Jesuits that essentially founded Córdoba, it contains a church, rooms for the priests, and a bathroom with a superb drainage system. Wow gosh golly! Those Jesuits sure did know their water….They originally came to convert the Indigenous people of South America; you all know how that goes. The good thing though is that they were actually on the side of the Indians when the politicians of Europe wanted nothing more than to make them slaves. Yes, the Jesuits had negro slaves- but as my teacher said, although the Natives were darker in complexion than the Europeans, they were still considered more “humanlike” than the blacks. What a way to look at things, right? Thank God that’s not the norm now.

Saturday night I went with my host mom and her boyfriend to his house for an asado with his family. I was hesitant to go because Friday night I literally didn’t sleep at all and wanted to rest Saturday night, but Augustin assured me that we would stay long. Well wouldn’t you know that it wasn’t until 4:30 am that I finally got into my cozy little cama.

Obviously I slept until 2:30 on Sunday and then we headed out to the campo. Delfi, Mum and I drove for around 1 ½ hours to the little town of Potrero de Garay where they have a teeny adorable house. Naturally, I forgot my camera but since the weather was bad the whole weekend and we didn’t get to go to the lake, Ma promised me we’d go another time.

Tere and her boyfriend Nano met us there and we had dinner and played Pictionary which was a real mess considering my vocabulary is sooo lacking. On Monday, we lounged around just talking and studying and whatsits and then we went to buy stuff to make pizzas for dinner. After dinner, we played cards which was groovy because I actually knew the game. My friend Mimi and I would play it all the time at her house while eating oreos and milk and I’ve literally never met anyone who knows it.

Today we woke up and ate alfajores for breakfast which is fab considering tomorrow starts Cuaremsa (lent) and I’m going to give up sweets (as per usual). On our way home, we drove through Alta Gracia, a town near the city of Córdoba…There, mom and Delfi showed me another one of the Jesuits estancias and also the Museum that’s in the house where Che Guevarra lived.

This week is a short week thank goodness, but I’m sure that means we’ll be bombarded by homework. And speaking of homework, I met with Alejandro to talk about the semester and in addition to a Spanish class and Literature class with the other foreigners, I’m going to be taking Social Psychology, Portugese, and Publicity & Propoganda with the native students. Additionally, I’ll have Taller Cultural and an Independent Study with Dr. Massei (who is in Clemson). I guess I’ll have my hands full.

All in all, I had a good week/end in which I spoke loads of spanish (especially this getaway with the fam). The upcoming weekend, I think I’m going to Carlos Paz to see the river and all that it has to offer but that’s not for sure yet…

Talk soon. HAPPY LENTING. Byezz

GUYS PLEASE CHECK OUT MY BEST FRIEND MIMI'S ART. homegirl's got talent.

http://www.wix.com/mollybean7526/mollysstudio#!

I'm doing so well

OOH when did I post last?

Whatever, clearly doesn’t matter – I got a lot to share (more or less).

Last week: Although it’s Monday, I hardly can remember that far back which is so embarrassing but still. I remember that Thursday, I went to my friend Hanna’s house and then we went to my friend Leo’s house to watch a movie with him and his roommates (great Spanish practice!). Then there was one day that I went to see my family from last year- They were so happy to see me and definitely loved the Victoria’s Secret Lotions and Nutella that I brought. I think I’ll go back sometime soon just to hang out because they were really welcoming and I miss Vacqui (the dog that would sleep in my bed)…

Saturday we had to be at UBP at like 8:30 am which was a real nuisance but I woke up on time and dragged myself to the bus stop just in time to hop on N11, completely clueless that N11 doesn’t go by UBP…When I finally realized my mistake, we had turned and gone 5 blocks so I had to get off and walk to another bus stop where I waited for another ten minutes before N5 appeared. From UBP, we went in a bus to a farm around 2 hours outside of the city where we ate homemade bread with jam and then watched some cowboys play traditional games on their horses. We ate an asado and the veg’s of the group got this DELICIOUS red pepper filled with uncooked egg and oily cheese…yum! I did not eat it BUT there was salad and bread and whatsits. When we finally got back to Córdoba, I headed home to eat a little dinner of homemade gnoccis and then went out with some other kids in the group.

Sunday, Hanna and I tried to work on essays that were due today about the visit to the estancia but I think we got about 5 words out of 800 written so then I went and stayed at her house so we could work on them and also because we had to be to El Centro around 8:30 am today. Why did we have to go to El Centro as a big group, you ask? To begin the VISA process…my absolute FAVORITE PART!!!

Naturally we woke up at 8:30 for whatever reason, so without brushing my teeth or washing my face- we were off! What a long day though, gosh! We had to go do Visa stuff then we had a break where we dawdled around the city and ate, but then we had to go back to UBP for 3 ½ more hours of classes and THEN we had dancing lessons. The highlight of the day, is that I found the HOTTEST pair of wedges while waiting for them to call my name at the Visa place- like they are seriously divine and I cannot wait to wear them all around the town.

The low point of my day? Seeing some boys we met Saturday night come into the gimnasio at UBP while we were rolling around on the floor sweating and doing stretches during dance class but that’s neither here nor there.

This week we have various activities and classes and then a test on Friday which should be a real treat, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. After all, it’s ONLY MONDAY L

This upcoming weekend and the beginning of next week, however, is Carnaval (the huge party they have in Brazil--- like Mardi Gras) so we have Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday off to travel and whatsits. No plans yet, but I think we all know that doing things last minute is sort of my style.

Tally:

# of hours spent at a café attempting to write an essay but failing miserably: 5

# of pieces of pan casero (homemade bread) that I ate at the Estancia: 5

# of times I had to stop dancing because I was laughing so hard at our luck of seeing those guys: 5+

# of times I smiled to myself to day, just thinking about these shoes: too many to count

Until a trip...

...enjoy these boring posts where I blab about my day

Sunday I went with Maru and her boyfriend to a small river about an hour away from the city (in bus) and it was so hot and sunny when we were waiting to go and then while we were driving but of course as soon as we got there, it became cloudy and then it started storming after about an hour. When I got back to my house, Hanna came over to do homework and hang out with my sisters so we could practice Spanish with them. After that, the family went to Mass (I’m going with them next week) and we went out to eat.

Monday we had to be at the school at 10 for a boring city tour, but of course I didn’t wake up until 930 so I had to rush and get a taxi (annoying considering I should have set enough alarms to actually wake up in time for the much cheaper bus). We bustled around to see the outside of some factories and the national university and then headed back to school. We had our first official classes and thank little baby Jesus, I made the cut for the more advanced one! Afterwards, we had a class where we learned “Merengue” . Fun, except I’m of the opinion that learning how to walk forwards and side-to-side while swinging ones hips shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. This class lasted for 1 ½ hours – joys unbounded.

I think I had pushed from my mind how boring some of the activities were the first time around, so now having to do them again is pretty bad. The one advantage is that I really am aware of what they are telling us. When we went by la ciudad universitaria which is the neighborhood in which the national university is located, I looked at the skyline of Córdoba and knew exactly where I was. So that being said, rest assured that I’m still learning a lot.

Considering we have random meetings or classes around lunchtime, I haven’t been seeing my family that much- but when I do, I’m still so grateful for how included they make me feel. My mom told me that sometime during the semester, “we’ll all have to go to the country house for the weekend” and then Delfi and Tere invited me to Mass with them and to go out for ice cream. My family before didn’t even seem excited to invite me to eat dinner at the “adult” (read: native speakers) table much less to a country house!

Tally:

# of adorable jean shirts I have bought: 1

# of times one of the new people tried to pet a nasty dog: 3

# of times I’ve been by kioscos to buy a bus card (they don’t use cospeles anymore!) but they didn’t have anymore: 6

# of Milka oreo alfajores that I’ve consumed so far: 1