24 de Marzo

Yesterday was 24 de Marzo, the 33rd anniversary of the golpe de estado in Argentina that started of a seven year brutal military dictatorship which is also called la Guerra Sucia. It is now a national holiday that serves to remember the estimated 30,000 people that were "disapeared" during the course of the dictatorship.

I believe there were about 10,000 people (thats the number according to the media) who gathered throughout the day in the Plaza de Mayo. This is a huge plaza in downtown that is right in front of the house of government (like the White House in the U.S.) as well as other official buildings. Over the past few years I've learned a lot about the military dictatorship in Argentina (as well as similar ones in other countries) and how truely horrible it was but I know that not living throughout it and not being Argentine myself means that I can't really understand it. Never the less, being there with all those people was such a powerful experience, unlike anything I've ever been though before.

The plaza was packed with people of all ages and backgrounds (mostly). It was full of banners and signs for different parties and organizations. People were chanting, giving speaches, marching . . . I don't thing I've ever seen so many people gathered together like that before. Its hard to explain just how it felt but it was powerful, moving and overwhelming. It was also interesting because I've seen so many pictures and videos of Plaza de Mayo packed with people protesting, celebrating and mourning and to actually be there and experience it in person was incredible.

Update

One week down, lots left to go. Had my first classes and they went well. Just introductory lectures so next week will be more normal and we will start to get into the subjects. So far it looks like it will be about the same level as UCSD but just a different language. Things in the apartment are good as well. MariLu wants to have a little get together on Sunday so that I can meet some of her friends and some international students that are living with them. Should be interesting/fun.

I have really been enjoying time with friends. Since I have gotten back I have realized just how important some people are in my life. And I love going out with everyone. The rest of our group (with the exception of one) arrives this weekend and we are all gonna go out together. Ahhh Im really excited for that.

P.S.
I promise that once I get settled in and have more time that my posts will get more interesting than these have been so far :)

Settling In

I'm all done with UCSD for the year! Last night was quite a roller coaster trying to finish my last final. It was a 10 page research paper and I had everything done except for actually writing the essay, which for the life of me I couldn't do. Briefly, I even contemplated just not doing it . . . but then someone gave my own advise back to me and that motivated me to get going on it. Note to self: don't try to do finals while in another country. Ohh and look what I found . . . http://www.ulinks.com/topuniversities.htm Top 10 in the nation is pretty damn good I must say. Thought UBA started today but really it starts Wednesday for me (today and tomorrow's classes are like section and thus don't happen before the first lecture). Still not completely sure how this system works but I'm learning and adapting.

Went grocery shopping today so now I wont starve! My diet is gonna be a bit restricted for a while. I'm good with fruits, pastas and sauces here and in the U.S. but I'm not too confident with meats. Even in San Diego I pretty much stick to shrimp and chicken (jaja anyone I've lived with who is reading this is laughing right now). Maybe I should get Santi or Nahuel to take me shopping and teach me how to buy and cook more meat. Ehh I'll let you know how it goes.

Ok time to Skype. Besos!

Its been a busy weekend

I got the apartment I saw last week and I moved in yesterday! So far so good, its really nice. The Señora is very sweet and welcoming and the apartment is really comfortable. The elevator takes forever though because the aptartment is on the top floor, the 18th, but its worth it because I have an amazing view of the city and of Rio de la Plata (the pic is the view from the balcony). I also really appreciate the location because I already know and love this neighborhood and a few friends live right around here too.

I finally went out this weekend too. Went to a bar for a bit on Friday night and on Saturday we had a previa (the Argentino word for pregame) at the apartment of a girl we used to live with. It was cool meeting new people and friends of friends. After, some of us went to a club called Crobar (one I went to all the time last semester) but it just wasn't the same without the rest of our group of friends there. Next weekend more friends will be arriving tho!

Also, still a little stressed about school. I finished my physics final last week but I still have a research paper to finish for my literature class. I've already got a 5 page outline but now I have to turn it into a 10 page paper. Ahh . . . oh well at least its an interesting topic: the transition from folk rock to psychedelic rock in the mid to late 1960's. Hopefully I can get myself into my writing zone and be done with it.

Ok last topic . . . . why does figuring out what you want have to be so difficult sometimes? I feel like this should be the easiest kind of decision in the world. This makes me happy, I want it. This doesn't make me happy, I don't want it. But then we tend to over-complicate it by worrying about all the different ways the future could turn out. The "what if's" . . . . I wish we could just say exactly what we mean/want/need with complete honesty and have it be understood. Its these little complications that become a huge deal and they drive me crazy.

Me voy para escribir. Besos.

Day Five

Well, things are starting to come together for me. When I first got here my excitement was dampened a bit by the weight of all the things I knew I had to take care of still. I went to UBA today and signed up for classes, I start Monday. I'm taking Political and Social Theory I and History of Argentina. Also, I've looked at a few apartments and today I finally found one I really like that works with my budget. Its just down the street from where I lived last time on the 18th floor of a nice apartment building. Anyways the lady is very sweet and friendly. She is supposed to call me this evening to let me know if she wants me to move in (or she will choose someone else who has come to see the room) so I've got my fingers crossed.

Hmm . . . what else? I've just been trying to enjoy being back. The weather has been cooling down a bit, and today it has been rainy. I love just walking around the city, watching the people, taking in all the sights and sounds. Ohh and I love the food! The other day finally had some ice cream and oooh was it good (but it was from Freddo and I prefer Modena). Also, I've been getting to spend quality time with friends here. Haven't gone out to the bars or clubs yet but that will probably happen this weekend when Becky is here! Can't wait!

Ok well I still have things to take care of, like the two finals for UCSD I still have to write. . . . uhhh I can't procrastinate with those anymore cuz the due dates are fast approaching.

Chau

Stuck at the airport . . .

And it feels pretty crummy. I got here about 6 hours to ago and i have at least another 2 hours to wait. Something on the plane was broken so now that the new part is here they are working to fix it. Although its no fun being here I'm glad its getting fixed before this really long flight.

Airports are weird for me. When I fly back and forth from San Diego to Sacramento I always seem to have good feelings about it and am almost always in a good mood. Maybe its because during these times I'm flying back and forth between my two families and my two homes. I know that in either place I will find people who love me, people who make me happy. But right now, and the other times I've flown internationally, its a whole different story. The first time I flew to BsAs I was mostly scared (understandable though). Coming back was sadness. At the time the pain of saying goodbye outweighed the excitement of going home. Today, I guess i feel like I'm in limbo. I'm not too sad to leave Cali. I know I will miss my friends and my family but I know that they will be here when I get back and hopefully a few of them will actually make it down. I also feel an absence of excitement. . . . . it sounds so wrong I know. I am going back to an amazing city that I love, I get to see friends that are very special to me, its a new semester at a new university, I'm going to be traveling all over the place and having all new experiences . .. . the list could go on and on. I just don't feel the excitement that I know I should feel.

Maybe it is because I know that things are completely different than when I left. Change is never easy, especially when its people and their situations that change. This probably doesn't make sense. I just know that I am sad but I just can't figure out what part of all this is causing it. Ehh, it could just be the sleep deprivation catching up with me. I'm gonna sleep a lot and when I wake up I will be in a new (sort of) city, starting a whole new chapter of my life. Here goes.