I'm sitting in my (Argentine) room, wondering how the time flew so fast . . . was it really almost 5 months ago that I first walked into this room? Wow! The footprint that I accidentally left on the floor from the first day I was here has completely faded now. (Explanation: the hardwood floors are not stained and finished, therefore, anything wet/damp leaves marks - something my host mom had to explain to me several times since I love being barefoot)
My bags are packed (or rather, stuffed) and sitting in the corner, my closet and all my drawers are bare! It's so strange! To think that I'll never see this place again is mind boggling.
Buenos Aires (and Argentina) has been good to me. It's definitely all been an experience that I will never forget.
Last night, my entire host family came over for dinner and delicious dessert. After hours of eating and talking, I said goodbye to them all, thanking them for everything! In 2 hours, I'll say goodbye to my host mom and hop in a taxi to the airport!
Despite feeling sad about leaving Buenos Aires, I'm ecstatic to be getting home! Although 17+ hours of traveling isn't going to luxurious or comfortable, it'll be worth it!
Well, I'm signing out!
This is most certainly my last post from the great city of Buenos Aires. Thanks for following my incredible Spanish-speaking, mate-drinking, tango-dancing journey! It's been one for the books. Memories made!
Besos y abrazos siempre,
-C
Friday, July 6, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
T.O.M.O.R.R.O.W.
Whoa -- I leave TOMORROW!!
What a wonderful time it's been here in Buenos Aires!
I can't quite put into words these last (almost) 5 months!! At times, it still seems surreal. I studied abroad!! I studied abroad??
Where do I start? Just to name a few . . .
-I've learned more of the Spanish language (I've learned not to call it 'Español' but rather 'Castellano')
-I've learned how to sucessfully avoid dog crap on the streets
-I've learned how to navigate the public transportation system of Buenos Aires
-I've learned how much I can miss my family
-I've learned of my love for Dulce de leche
-I've learned to use the Argentine accent and 'vos'
-I've learned how much I can come to love a foreign country
And to be honest, there is a lot of this city that I'm going to miss. I always thought I was part 'cityiot' (city + idiot) but now I definitely am!
-I will miss the man who sings opera in my apartment building at any and all hours.
-I'll miss my cleaning lady always greeting me with the most sincere "¿Como estás mi corazón?" and following it up with "Me alegro mucho mi vida."
-I will miss my host mom's cooking
-I'll miss my daily commute to school (sometimes)
-Strangely, I'll miss being surrounded by Castellano
-I will miss medialunas, empanadas, and of course, dulce de leche
-I'll miss the friends I made along this journey!
Well, if I continued, we'd all be here for a while!
Thank you Argentina, for this amazing opportunity, that I will most certainly never forget!
Prayers as I head home tomorrow and arrive in the States on Saturday. I woke up this morning pretty sick and I'm hoping to feel a little better by the time I touch down in Newark!! Looking forward to seeing family and friends this weekend!!
Starting Saturday, I'll have my REAL cellphone back - and I'll be reachable on that! :)
Besos
-C
What a wonderful time it's been here in Buenos Aires!
I can't quite put into words these last (almost) 5 months!! At times, it still seems surreal. I studied abroad!! I studied abroad??
Where do I start? Just to name a few . . .
-I've learned more of the Spanish language (I've learned not to call it 'Español' but rather 'Castellano')
-I've learned how to sucessfully avoid dog crap on the streets
-I've learned how to navigate the public transportation system of Buenos Aires
-I've learned how much I can miss my family
-I've learned of my love for Dulce de leche
-I've learned to use the Argentine accent and 'vos'
-I've learned how much I can come to love a foreign country
And to be honest, there is a lot of this city that I'm going to miss. I always thought I was part 'cityiot' (city + idiot) but now I definitely am!
-I will miss the man who sings opera in my apartment building at any and all hours.
-I'll miss my cleaning lady always greeting me with the most sincere "¿Como estás mi corazón?" and following it up with "Me alegro mucho mi vida."
-I will miss my host mom's cooking
-I'll miss my daily commute to school (sometimes)
-Strangely, I'll miss being surrounded by Castellano
-I will miss medialunas, empanadas, and of course, dulce de leche
-I'll miss the friends I made along this journey!
Well, if I continued, we'd all be here for a while!
Thank you Argentina, for this amazing opportunity, that I will most certainly never forget!
Prayers as I head home tomorrow and arrive in the States on Saturday. I woke up this morning pretty sick and I'm hoping to feel a little better by the time I touch down in Newark!! Looking forward to seeing family and friends this weekend!!
Starting Saturday, I'll have my REAL cellphone back - and I'll be reachable on that! :)
Besos
-C
Friday, June 29, 2012
I miss . . .
¡Buenas!
Well, since I officially have 1 WEEK left here in Buenos Aires, I thought I'd share a few things I miss from home!
Well, many of these go without saying, but Imma say them anyway
Well, since I officially have 1 WEEK left here in Buenos Aires, I thought I'd share a few things I miss from home!
Well, many of these go without saying, but Imma say them anyway
-My Mom & Dad
-My brobros
-My friends, both Gordon and others
-My Yiayia & Papou
-My pupster, Haley
-Bagels
-Rudy
-The smell of fresh cut grass (as long as I’m not the one cutting it)
-A fresh pot of coffee every morning (as opposed to day old coffee)
-Random trips to Target
-Scrambled eggs for breakfast
-The smell of saw dust as my dad does some handy work in the driveway
-My Bob-o-pedic bed!
-Space (there's not too much of that in this city)
-New York pizza
-The rest of my wardrobe
-Forever21 and all it’s glory
-Spicy food
-US money (although I sure won’t have much of it when I get back)
-New Hope and East Gloucester Community Church
-Orange juice
-Milk that needs to be refrigerated
-The beach
-BBQs
-Moe’s Southwest Grill
-Making guacamole
-American TV
-My cell phone (yeah, I’m materialistic)
-My vibram five fingers
-Taco Bell (unashamedly)
-Netflix and Hulu
-My pearl earrings (in true Garden City girl form)
-Watching the Yankees!
-American boys
-My hair straightener/curling iron
-My wide selection of sweatshirts
-Windham
-Manicures & pedicures at Donna’s
-CVS
-Chips and Salsa
-Being barefoot in the house
-Fresh air
-The English language!
-American radio
-My jewelry
I'm sure there are hundreds more I could list, but that'll suffice for now!
This weekend calls for a 100% chance of paper writing :/ but, once I finish this last paper I'm (basically) home free! I head home at 4pm on Friday and arrive around 10am on Saturday!
Can't wait!!
Besos,
-C
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Just for Kicks and Giggles
Whenever Someone Talked to Me for the First Month
When I Set my Clocks to 12HR Time Rather Than 24HR Time
Applying for My Visa
When I Found Out Netflix and Hulu Didn't Work Due to Restrictions
When I Thought I Got on the Wrong Bus and Had a Mini Panic Attack
Successfully Navigating Public Transportation For the First Time
Hope you enjoyed those :)
-C
Saturday, June 23, 2012
two...WEEKS?!!!!
It strangely feels like not too long ago that I was telling people I "only" had 2 months left here in Buenos Aires. Now I ONLY have two WEEKS left! Whoa!
In precisely two weeks from today, I will be landing in Newark, New Jersey after having traveled for 17 hours! (can't really say I'm looking forward to sitting in an airplane for that long again!)
Today also marks 4 months! I have been in Argentina for 4 MONTHS! How crazy!? How did that even happen?
This experience has been so many things! -- incredible, challenging, authentic, bizarre, priceless, intense, ... the list goes on!!
I'm super eager and anxious to get home and see friends and family who I miss so so dearly, but on the other hand, I'm not quite sure how I feel about leaving this place which has really caused me to 'see' differently!
Well, I'm striving to finish strong - I still have plenty left to do in the short amount of time that remains -- namely, papers to write! So prayers that I would be able to get everything done that I need to!
Thanks again for following my South American sojourn!
besos y abrazos,
-C
In precisely two weeks from today, I will be landing in Newark, New Jersey after having traveled for 17 hours! (can't really say I'm looking forward to sitting in an airplane for that long again!)
Today also marks 4 months! I have been in Argentina for 4 MONTHS! How crazy!? How did that even happen?
This experience has been so many things! -- incredible, challenging, authentic, bizarre, priceless, intense, ... the list goes on!!
I'm super eager and anxious to get home and see friends and family who I miss so so dearly, but on the other hand, I'm not quite sure how I feel about leaving this place which has really caused me to 'see' differently!
Well, I'm striving to finish strong - I still have plenty left to do in the short amount of time that remains -- namely, papers to write! So prayers that I would be able to get everything done that I need to!
Thanks again for following my South American sojourn!
besos y abrazos,
-C
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Where did the time go?
Time seems to really be flying now. I suppose most of that is due to the fact that I have SO much to do in what seems like so little time! I have about 3 1/2 weeks left here in Buenos Aires and I don't quite know how I'm going to get everything done! Possibly a lot of focus, determination, and motivation -- all of which I seem to be running low on these days!
This weekend was one of the more relaxing weekends I've had in a long time!! Thank God! Thursday, Bot and I headed to Casa Bar (an American style bar smack in the middle of Buenos Aires) to watch the Celtics-Heat game. Despite spending an $40(pesos not dollars) cover, we got the last seats we could find at the bar and waited for my friend Annie to show up! It ended up being a really great night, I got to watch a few minutes of the Yankee game (before the switched it over to basketball) and we consumed copious amounts of wings, something that is not all too common down here!
Friday, Bot and I headed back into Barrio Chino (Chinatown) for some delicious Chinese food! So delicious! I can't get enough of it. And I've also discovered dried/candied grapefruit peels (which are better than they sound). I've already started looking up recipes to make them for myself when I get back home!
Saturday, I headed to the Recoleta market to do some souvenir shopping. It was nice to just walk around and check out all the vendors selling their handicrafts! Later that night, I headed over to Annie's house to hang out and watch a movie! Believe it or not, she found a bottle of wine for $8 pesos - that's less than 2 American dollars!!!! We laughed a bunch and got a kick out of watching "Something Borrowed".
Sunday, I headed to the market in San Telmo to do more souvenir shopping! Even with two days of souvenir shopping, I'm still not done! But, I've made an impressive dent in the number of souvenirs I have to bring back! Bot and I of course headed to church that night, at the Methodist church.
Now, a week of homework and papers! Hopefully on Thursday some of us are going to head to Siga La Vaca (buffet style BBQ) for dinner and Friday we had to a Milonga with our Tango class to get some practice. We'll see what the rest of this weekend brings -- I'm sensing lots of homework!
Although I'm fairly content here in Bs.As., I'm definitely anxiously awaiting to get on my flight home! My heart hurts every time I think about getting home to see my friends and family! Oh what a glorious reunion it will be :) My expectations for this summer are SKY HIGH and I only hope my summer can live up to my expectations!
¡Vamos a ver!
Until July 7th,
-C
This weekend was one of the more relaxing weekends I've had in a long time!! Thank God! Thursday, Bot and I headed to Casa Bar (an American style bar smack in the middle of Buenos Aires) to watch the Celtics-Heat game. Despite spending an $40(pesos not dollars) cover, we got the last seats we could find at the bar and waited for my friend Annie to show up! It ended up being a really great night, I got to watch a few minutes of the Yankee game (before the switched it over to basketball) and we consumed copious amounts of wings, something that is not all too common down here!
Friday, Bot and I headed back into Barrio Chino (Chinatown) for some delicious Chinese food! So delicious! I can't get enough of it. And I've also discovered dried/candied grapefruit peels (which are better than they sound). I've already started looking up recipes to make them for myself when I get back home!
Saturday, I headed to the Recoleta market to do some souvenir shopping. It was nice to just walk around and check out all the vendors selling their handicrafts! Later that night, I headed over to Annie's house to hang out and watch a movie! Believe it or not, she found a bottle of wine for $8 pesos - that's less than 2 American dollars!!!! We laughed a bunch and got a kick out of watching "Something Borrowed".
Sunday, I headed to the market in San Telmo to do more souvenir shopping! Even with two days of souvenir shopping, I'm still not done! But, I've made an impressive dent in the number of souvenirs I have to bring back! Bot and I of course headed to church that night, at the Methodist church.
Now, a week of homework and papers! Hopefully on Thursday some of us are going to head to Siga La Vaca (buffet style BBQ) for dinner and Friday we had to a Milonga with our Tango class to get some practice. We'll see what the rest of this weekend brings -- I'm sensing lots of homework!
Although I'm fairly content here in Bs.As., I'm definitely anxiously awaiting to get on my flight home! My heart hurts every time I think about getting home to see my friends and family! Oh what a glorious reunion it will be :) My expectations for this summer are SKY HIGH and I only hope my summer can live up to my expectations!
¡Vamos a ver!
Until July 7th,
-C
Thursday, May 31, 2012
100 days
Ayo amigos!
It has been 100 days since I have been in Argentina (don't judge me - I was bored in class one day and counted how many days I had been here)
Wow, where do I start? Seems like I've been lacking on my blog posts lately - mostly because I'm so busy! This past weekend was FULL of paper writing, and lucky me, this weekend will be the same!! :/ The past few days have been especially stressful for me! The amount of work is building up and as some of my classes are starting to finish up, I'm realizing just how much I have to do before I can rest (un)comfortably on my plane back to New York, er actually Chile first, then Canada, then New Jersey: then FINALLY Garden City, New York!
So, the past 100 days, let's see!
-Well, I have avoided stepping in dog poop for 100 days! And believe me, this is a major feat here in Buenos Aires, and I'm proud to say I still have not fallen prey to the poop that litters the streets!
-I've made porteño friends :)
-I have finally become more accustomed to and comfortable with riding the colectivos (buses)
-I've learned to love mate!
-I haven't painted my fingernails or straightened/curled/blow dried my hair (it's a big deal for me)
-I've watched good friends graduate from Gordon College thanks to the Live Streaming graduating ceremony!
Oh, who am I kidding? There's a ton of things that have happened in the past 100 days and I'm certainly not going to recount them all to you right now!
I have about 5 weeks left here in Buenos Aires, which is both comforting and scary at the same time. I know I'll miss this city, but I am looking forward (so much) to getting home and seeing my friends and family. At the same time, the number of papers I need to write and exams I need to take is starting to stress me out! Oh boy!
Well friends, continued prayers are always appreciated! Gracias for continuing to follow my Argentine journey! Can't wait to be back home!
Chau chicos,
-C
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
It has been 100 days since I have been in Argentina (don't judge me - I was bored in class one day and counted how many days I had been here)
Wow, where do I start? Seems like I've been lacking on my blog posts lately - mostly because I'm so busy! This past weekend was FULL of paper writing, and lucky me, this weekend will be the same!! :/ The past few days have been especially stressful for me! The amount of work is building up and as some of my classes are starting to finish up, I'm realizing just how much I have to do before I can rest (un)comfortably on my plane back to New York, er actually Chile first, then Canada, then New Jersey: then FINALLY Garden City, New York!
So, the past 100 days, let's see!
-Well, I have avoided stepping in dog poop for 100 days! And believe me, this is a major feat here in Buenos Aires, and I'm proud to say I still have not fallen prey to the poop that litters the streets!
-I've made porteño friends :)
-I have finally become more accustomed to and comfortable with riding the colectivos (buses)
-I've learned to love mate!
-I haven't painted my fingernails or straightened/curled/blow dried my hair (it's a big deal for me)
-I've watched good friends graduate from Gordon College thanks to the Live Streaming graduating ceremony!
Oh, who am I kidding? There's a ton of things that have happened in the past 100 days and I'm certainly not going to recount them all to you right now!
I have about 5 weeks left here in Buenos Aires, which is both comforting and scary at the same time. I know I'll miss this city, but I am looking forward (so much) to getting home and seeing my friends and family. At the same time, the number of papers I need to write and exams I need to take is starting to stress me out! Oh boy!
Well friends, continued prayers are always appreciated! Gracias for continuing to follow my Argentine journey! Can't wait to be back home!
Chau chicos,
-C
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
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