Tests and Travels

I'm officially done with my first round of midterms. I had a theory midterm last week and then my history midterm on Tuesday. Both went ok but I'm not sure how they will be graded (I'm hoping for 7's because if I get 7's or higher on all my midterms I won't have to take finals).

This was also a big week for flight purchases. I booked a flight for my momma to come visit me for 2 weeks in July! I am so very excited for this and last night I even had a dream about her being here to visit. Thinking about someone coming to visit me has made me realize how much I'm going to have to explain. There are many aspects of la vida cotidiana (everyday life) that I am accustomed to that I forget are completely different from life in Cali. Like the people selling things on the subte and busses, cat-calls, the importance of monedas (coins), toilets . . . things that were strange to me when I first arrived but now are just a normal part of life. Besides just being able so see and visit with my mom, I'm excited for someone from home to be able to share this part of my life with me. Living here in BsAs has affected me so much and I am glad to have the opportunity for someone from my other life to come here and understand it.

The other big flight purchase was a flight to El Calafate and Ushuaia. On the 20th of May I'm flying to El Calafate which is in southern Argentina near the Andean mountian range. I'll probably spend a day or two there seeing glaciers and parks. Then I'll take a 12-14 hour bus to Ushuaia (with one stop along the way). Ushuaia is the most southern city in the world! - Note: Buenos Aires is more south than South Africa - And I'll likely spend about 4 days in Ushuaia! Ahh I'm sooo excited for this. There probably won't be enough snow for snowboarding but I'm still looking forward to doing things like tours, boat rides, seeing national parks etc.

I've also started looking into a trip to Brazil for late June and I've been thinking about trying to make it to Colombia in August . . . its just a thought and would depend on when I start traveling, how much I like Chile, when I fly back to the U.S. . . . .

Classes, Cooking, Conversation

I can't believe its been almost a month already. It is kind of scary, how fast time goes by. Every year just goes by faster than the one before it and everyone tells me that this is the way it will always be. That the older you get the faster time seems to go by. I don't want it to be like that! I want things to pass slowly so I can take everything in and enjoy the little things in each moment.

Ah, anyways . . . things are going well here in BsAs. I changed my schedule around at UBA. I'm now taking History of Argentina and Theory of International Relations. History is a bit boring but I like it because it is giving me a more in depth understanding of things I already know a little about. I've only had one Theory class (I joined the class during 3rd week) but I really really like it so far. The readings are very stimulating and it seems to be quite relevant to my major (go figure from the title and all).

My exciting news: my cooking is improving! I cooked my first real peice of meat the other day. Steak with sauted peppers and onions. Mmmm it was quite yummy if I do say so myself. Even my old standby - pasta - is getting better. I'm figuring out new varieties and new kinds of sauces.

I've also been a little home sick lately too. I think its probably because I was without internet for about two weeks so I haven't really been able to talk to anyone from home. I miss my family so so much. I want them to be here so they can share some of these experiences with me. And I miss all the things I do with my friends from home. I'm sad I'm missing baseball season (but I do get to listen to UOP games online). And I miss my girls in San Diego, especially Dollar Scoop. But, now that I have internet I can start catching up with people I miss and start making arrangements for people to come visit me . . . . yay!

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!

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