Turns out I like blogging. I got a little burned out on it this summer...as evidence, I never actually finished my last 3 days in BA update. But they were rather chill, so that's ok.
Anyways, what's going on now. Oh yea, reality slapped me in the face as soon as I returned. There's this thing called life, which I have definitely been living. There's this other thing called reality....which I am slowly coming to terms with. I'm more at peace though now than I have been recently. There come days when I can't even talk about May without stress immediately consuming my body and manifesting itself through leaky eyes. And then there are those days when I think people must be hardcore praying for me because I just feel peaceful about it all and aware that God is molding me for his purposes. I am also, slowly, taking action steps towards various goals. The top step currently has been opening my Teach for America application. Another step was taking the LSAT yesterday. One step that already ended was emailing the TAMU center in Qatar to see if they had an opening for a writing center consultant. They don't, but at least I tried.
Argentina has not let go of me. My bank recently got bought out by an Argentina company, some Italian sisters came to St. Mary's and spoke about a service thing they have going on in Cordoba, one of my writing center consultations was with a guy who spent his summer in Argentina, one of the workesr at the MSC spent 6 months in Buenos Aires as well....crazy!
I was looking at my world map last night, and I get so excited when I see my dots of where I have been. But I still have so much to see! And so much of it is so completely different from anything that I have seen. One of many reasons why I am so stoked about going to Beijing, China is that it will be completely different from anything I have ever experienced. I do not speak the language....I can't even piece together parts of it like I could in Italian. The architecture, history, government....everything is so different. I'm really excited.
If only I could spend this next year just seeing the world.
Everyone is allowed their moments of wistfulness, right? But I am so thankful for everything I have seen so far. And there will be another traveling time in my life, it just may not be for a while. I think my college experiences will sustain me until then. Espero que si.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Home sweet home :)
I arrived in Houston this morning around 6 a.m. My mom and John walked up just as I walked through customs. I have since enjoyed changing into clean clothes, a cup of ice-cold sweet tea, catching up with my family, and just enjoying being warm and summer!! I hadn't realized how much I missed Texas and everything that comes with it :)
Sunday, August 16, 2009
So close
to being home!
Here´s my thought - if I was staying longer, I wouldn´t mind it at all. But since I´m going home...I´m really excited!! I´ve also gotten really bad about keeping my daily journal....so the last blog installment (which should come tomorrow or Tues) will be weak sauce.
I´ve been hanging out with a new group of peeps this weekend. Saturday, we went to Tigre and it was BEAUTIFUL. As I sat on the top deck of the boat (we toured the delta) in my DRESS and soaked in the SUN....it was heavenly.
Last night, I also went out for Indian food with some friends. If you know me, the fact that I was excited to try Indian food and not fearful of what it might be like is a big deal! I got a little nervous when ordering, but when my food came - chicken korma - it was amazing!! Definitely a fan.
Today was brought in with rain and cold again. I slept in, then actually worked on some homework I´ve been meaning to do all summer. I went by the Recoleta market in the afternoon, but it was weird because only about half of the vendors showed up. I think I´m good on souveneirs, save one or two things I´m going to pick up at the store....aka food, because that has seriously been one of the best parts of Buenos Aires for me. Tomorrow is the feriado for San Martin, a favorite hero of the people. He liberated Argentina, as well as Chile and I think Paraguay from Spain. I don´t really have any plans, except to work on my memory book. It´s currently just a drawer full of trash that I need to convert into my book.
Tuesday I´m going to try to find some boots, as well as my last class with Maricel, as well as picking up the rest of my payment from Language Roots.
And then Wednesday will just be last errands and my final class at San Tarsicio! Whew...three months as of today.....three days left as of today. Cool.
Here´s my thought - if I was staying longer, I wouldn´t mind it at all. But since I´m going home...I´m really excited!! I´ve also gotten really bad about keeping my daily journal....so the last blog installment (which should come tomorrow or Tues) will be weak sauce.
I´ve been hanging out with a new group of peeps this weekend. Saturday, we went to Tigre and it was BEAUTIFUL. As I sat on the top deck of the boat (we toured the delta) in my DRESS and soaked in the SUN....it was heavenly.
Last night, I also went out for Indian food with some friends. If you know me, the fact that I was excited to try Indian food and not fearful of what it might be like is a big deal! I got a little nervous when ordering, but when my food came - chicken korma - it was amazing!! Definitely a fan.
Today was brought in with rain and cold again. I slept in, then actually worked on some homework I´ve been meaning to do all summer. I went by the Recoleta market in the afternoon, but it was weird because only about half of the vendors showed up. I think I´m good on souveneirs, save one or two things I´m going to pick up at the store....aka food, because that has seriously been one of the best parts of Buenos Aires for me. Tomorrow is the feriado for San Martin, a favorite hero of the people. He liberated Argentina, as well as Chile and I think Paraguay from Spain. I don´t really have any plans, except to work on my memory book. It´s currently just a drawer full of trash that I need to convert into my book.
Tuesday I´m going to try to find some boots, as well as my last class with Maricel, as well as picking up the rest of my payment from Language Roots.
And then Wednesday will just be last errands and my final class at San Tarsicio! Whew...three months as of today.....three days left as of today. Cool.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Discrimination Lesson :)
I taught my own lesson at San Tarsicio today! It was about discrimination, and it went SO well. I started off with a little game, where about 5 of the 15 kids had stickers. I asked them ¨questions¨, and the kids with stickers got them all right, and the kids wo were either asked unfairly or not given enough time, or something like that. Oh, and if you won you didn´t have homework, so they were into it. Some of the kids got SO frustrated, and then we started talking about the game. Pues, first I told them that whether or not you won didn´t mean you had homework.
We talked for a few minutes before it clicked, and one of the girls was like, It´s like discrimination! And it just flew from there. I also played the John Mayer song ...waiting on the world to change....at the end, for a little listening practice. They loved it, and we played it one last time and everyone sang along. It was a moment to be treasured.
It´s funny, because this morning I observed in another high school, and it was one of those experiences that made me ok with never setting foot in a high school again. The kids were in control of the classroom, so much time was wasted, they were so disrespectful....it was a quilombo. (argentine slang for huge mess). I was more than ready to get out of there.
But then my kids were great. They still like to talk and interrupt each other, but I´ll take that over the other stuff any day. During the break, instead of going to the teacher´s lounge like I normally do, I just chilled with them and showed them my music and pictures. One girl kept exclaiming - look, it´s americans! to which I replied -- i´m an American too, you know. It was funny. And they all exclaimed when I showed them pictures of the A&M football field. It´s great. I love their wonder.
I still have my last (for real this time) class at Quilmes tomorrow, and then my class with Maricel. But go me, I already made the lesson plans, so really, my work here is done. Aside from getting the final souveneirs and getting my plata exchanged, I´m just chillin´for the last 5 days. sweet. I think now I´m going to go to the Lenguas Vivas library. No tengo ganas de ir....I´m SO tired of the subte, but I need to at least check it out.
I can´t believe that this time next week I will be home! It feels a little surreal...
We talked for a few minutes before it clicked, and one of the girls was like, It´s like discrimination! And it just flew from there. I also played the John Mayer song ...waiting on the world to change....at the end, for a little listening practice. They loved it, and we played it one last time and everyone sang along. It was a moment to be treasured.
It´s funny, because this morning I observed in another high school, and it was one of those experiences that made me ok with never setting foot in a high school again. The kids were in control of the classroom, so much time was wasted, they were so disrespectful....it was a quilombo. (argentine slang for huge mess). I was more than ready to get out of there.
But then my kids were great. They still like to talk and interrupt each other, but I´ll take that over the other stuff any day. During the break, instead of going to the teacher´s lounge like I normally do, I just chilled with them and showed them my music and pictures. One girl kept exclaiming - look, it´s americans! to which I replied -- i´m an American too, you know. It was funny. And they all exclaimed when I showed them pictures of the A&M football field. It´s great. I love their wonder.
I still have my last (for real this time) class at Quilmes tomorrow, and then my class with Maricel. But go me, I already made the lesson plans, so really, my work here is done. Aside from getting the final souveneirs and getting my plata exchanged, I´m just chillin´for the last 5 days. sweet. I think now I´m going to go to the Lenguas Vivas library. No tengo ganas de ir....I´m SO tired of the subte, but I need to at least check it out.
I can´t believe that this time next week I will be home! It feels a little surreal...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Dia del Nino
Sunday, August 9th
Needless to say, I didn’t do much today. It was Dia del Nino, so Maria Laura bought some facturas for breakfast. I enjoyed my standard two pieces of toast, as well as a yummy biscuit filled with dulce de lecho and some churros…which I dipped in dulce de leche.
I pittered around the house all afternoon, as well as napped. At 5, I headed to mass at my church, which requires a longer walk but was so worth it. After mass, I just came home and set up my appointments for this week. I don’t really have lesson plans because I only have two students left – Maricel y Patricia. With Maricel, we’re just finishing the conditionals. We’ll review the first two today, and then maybe start the 3rd. With Patricia, I just need to touch up one of my articles, as well as I think we’ll briefly review some of the simpler tenses just to perfect a few rules she has forgotten.
The thing that’s making me nervous this week is my class about discrimination with the high school kids. Obviously I have to make it fun, interesting, and of course, educational. I’m supposed to meet with Paz tomorrow to work on it though. Jon leaves tomorrow, after which I don’t really have anyone who I hang out with here anymore, until Lia gets back from her trip around Friday. I’m not worried though – if I play my cards right I should be observing in a school or in a library every day. I emailed two more teachers, and so I’m going to get two more high school observations (….3 total), but one of them is at the ‘premiere’ high school in Buenos Aires. The only school I haven’t been able to get inside is a public high school, but I at least have an idea of them from the Ministry people. They’re basically understaffed and underfunded. Go figure.
Needless to say, I didn’t do much today. It was Dia del Nino, so Maria Laura bought some facturas for breakfast. I enjoyed my standard two pieces of toast, as well as a yummy biscuit filled with dulce de lecho and some churros…which I dipped in dulce de leche.
I pittered around the house all afternoon, as well as napped. At 5, I headed to mass at my church, which requires a longer walk but was so worth it. After mass, I just came home and set up my appointments for this week. I don’t really have lesson plans because I only have two students left – Maricel y Patricia. With Maricel, we’re just finishing the conditionals. We’ll review the first two today, and then maybe start the 3rd. With Patricia, I just need to touch up one of my articles, as well as I think we’ll briefly review some of the simpler tenses just to perfect a few rules she has forgotten.
The thing that’s making me nervous this week is my class about discrimination with the high school kids. Obviously I have to make it fun, interesting, and of course, educational. I’m supposed to meet with Paz tomorrow to work on it though. Jon leaves tomorrow, after which I don’t really have anyone who I hang out with here anymore, until Lia gets back from her trip around Friday. I’m not worried though – if I play my cards right I should be observing in a school or in a library every day. I emailed two more teachers, and so I’m going to get two more high school observations (….3 total), but one of them is at the ‘premiere’ high school in Buenos Aires. The only school I haven’t been able to get inside is a public high school, but I at least have an idea of them from the Ministry people. They’re basically understaffed and underfunded. Go figure.
Chinatown
Saturday, August 9th
Tomorrow is Dia de los Ninos. Two weeks ago was dia de amigos, and a few weeks back was dia de abuelos. They’re really big about people days here. It’s a good emphasis, but I think that, like Valentine’s Day, it’s become an industry to encourage economic purchases. Anyways, Maria Laura and Martin were taking Lu today to buy a bike for children’s day. She has been really excited about her bici all week, and I joke with her that she’s going to get a pink one because she hates that color.
I did the general morning routine – reading, bathing, computer emails, etc. I waited until they left before leisurely making my breakfast and a mate cocido. I really like mate, and I wish I drank it more, but it’s kind of messy. If you see me back in the States and you want to try it, ask me and we can make some, I’m bringing back some yerba mate. Inside joke: church John told the customs officials he had “yerba”, which by itself means drugs. Don’t forget to say yerba mate!
At 1, I met up with Jon at the subte station. I was really glad we subte’d because with him around I felt more comfortable about taking pictures. A large part of my trip has involved travelling on the subte, and I didn’t have any pics to document it. I was still really discreet, but I got a few pictures. Also, it’s amazing how different the Pueyyredon stop, which is more downtown, is from say the Olleros stop, which is in Belgrano. Obviously it was added later, and as such it’s bigger, brighter, and just better. There’s also an ad which I LOVE which used to be all over and is now less present. I had seen it at the Olleros stop though, so we got off there and I got my pic. We weren’t at our stop yet though, so we just waited until the next one came.
Then, we were one stop from the end of the station, so we just rode to the Congreso de Tucuman stop so I can now say I’ve been to both ends of the D-line. Didn’t do anything besides step off then back on at Tucuman though.
Finally, made it to the Juramento stop. Oh, the goal today was Chinatown. About 2 blocks in, we hit a plaza with a market. I seriously think that any place with an open area converts into a market on the weekends. This one was more artisanal and had some lovely pieces, but I didn’t get anything. There were hand-crafted dominoes, but they were tiny and didn’t actually scream Argentina, so I passed. I also got a door sign though for my room, but ended up not getting that either.
Then, we finally made it to the barrancas, or a really hilly spot, crossed the train tracks, and entered Chinatown under the arches! Jon chose the restaurant, so we ate at the Porteno Dragon. I got some rice with meat with a green tea, and it was quite good. We had a good time talking about all the places we want to travel to.
We also hit upon a good point I hadn’t realized before. Travelling I think will always be appealing to me. But there’s something SO MUCH FUN about travelling when you’re young. I really don’t think it can be beat. I mean, if I travel when I’m older, ideally I’d have more money and could perhaps eat better, but I don’t mind hostels and cheap food. It’s kind of fun to just go with the flow. And you meet such interesting people and you can just DO stuff. It’s something I don’t want to forget as I plan these next years. Yes, travelling is always an option, but not travelling while I’m young. There’s something wonderful and exciting about it. I suppose the same thing that some people apply to their significant other – how happy that person makes them, etc. That’s how I feel about travelling. It makes me feel alive!
Anyways, good lunch. We walked around the couple of blocks, poking into some of the shops, but didn’t get anything. I was reminded of when I went to Chinatown in New York and all the crap I bought. Back in the 9th grade. Man, that’s so weird to think about how young I was. But seriously, I bought such crap. Maybe I don’t buy better stuff now, but at least I buy less of it.
After that, we just meandered back to the market place, as well as to this HUGE church. I forget it’s real name, but it’s popularly called La Redonda…b/c it’s circular. It was really pretty, and actually bright in the inside because the circle middle lit the place. Then, we headed back to the subte. Oh, I did stop into a computer store and bought two c.d.’s I’m going to burn some of my music for Maria Laura and Lu as part of the going away gift.
We subte’d about 3 stops to Carranza. This was another new area of town for me. We had to walk about 10 blocks. I kept getting confused because we were on a street where all the cross streets ended and had new names. I think it was the boundary of Palermo and Belgrano. We made it to the flea market, which was kind of weird. First of all, it was a really deserted part of town. Secondly, I was expecting junk, or antiques if you will, but it was more furniture. Lots of chairs and sofas, etc. I couldn’t help but think that some of it would be useful in my house next year. Oh, and there were egg chairs, which were cool. There were a few good stalls with paintings, but overall it wasn’t anything I was in the market for.
We subte’d back, and I made it home. I think we might be going to a Beatles cover concert tonight and maybe a boliche. Not sure – Jon leaves on Monday so he’s getting in his last kicks.
Yea, we met up with Jon’s friends from Ecuador and we all went to a boliche called Pacha. It’s supposed to be a cool place for younger people. Thankfully it wasn’t too cold because we had to wait outside for a bit. One of the girls knew someone, so we got discounted entradas, which was helpful. Inside, the scene was crazy. Tons of people, everyone dancing to this electronica music. I really felt like I was in a movie – or rather, in that mojito commercial where he is shaking the drink and everyone moves and then stops when he stops. Because the bass would stop in the music and everyone would stop…it would build back up….and then boom! Everyone goes at it again.
However, the one thing about electronica, for me, is that it all sounds the same, and it’s not like you’re really dancing with anyone. So I would’ve been fine with leaving about an hour in, but we ended up staying until 6 a.m. We cabbed back, and I made it in bed just as the day was beginning.
Tomorrow is Dia de los Ninos. Two weeks ago was dia de amigos, and a few weeks back was dia de abuelos. They’re really big about people days here. It’s a good emphasis, but I think that, like Valentine’s Day, it’s become an industry to encourage economic purchases. Anyways, Maria Laura and Martin were taking Lu today to buy a bike for children’s day. She has been really excited about her bici all week, and I joke with her that she’s going to get a pink one because she hates that color.
I did the general morning routine – reading, bathing, computer emails, etc. I waited until they left before leisurely making my breakfast and a mate cocido. I really like mate, and I wish I drank it more, but it’s kind of messy. If you see me back in the States and you want to try it, ask me and we can make some, I’m bringing back some yerba mate. Inside joke: church John told the customs officials he had “yerba”, which by itself means drugs. Don’t forget to say yerba mate!
At 1, I met up with Jon at the subte station. I was really glad we subte’d because with him around I felt more comfortable about taking pictures. A large part of my trip has involved travelling on the subte, and I didn’t have any pics to document it. I was still really discreet, but I got a few pictures. Also, it’s amazing how different the Pueyyredon stop, which is more downtown, is from say the Olleros stop, which is in Belgrano. Obviously it was added later, and as such it’s bigger, brighter, and just better. There’s also an ad which I LOVE which used to be all over and is now less present. I had seen it at the Olleros stop though, so we got off there and I got my pic. We weren’t at our stop yet though, so we just waited until the next one came.
Then, we were one stop from the end of the station, so we just rode to the Congreso de Tucuman stop so I can now say I’ve been to both ends of the D-line. Didn’t do anything besides step off then back on at Tucuman though.
Finally, made it to the Juramento stop. Oh, the goal today was Chinatown. About 2 blocks in, we hit a plaza with a market. I seriously think that any place with an open area converts into a market on the weekends. This one was more artisanal and had some lovely pieces, but I didn’t get anything. There were hand-crafted dominoes, but they were tiny and didn’t actually scream Argentina, so I passed. I also got a door sign though for my room, but ended up not getting that either.
Then, we finally made it to the barrancas, or a really hilly spot, crossed the train tracks, and entered Chinatown under the arches! Jon chose the restaurant, so we ate at the Porteno Dragon. I got some rice with meat with a green tea, and it was quite good. We had a good time talking about all the places we want to travel to.
We also hit upon a good point I hadn’t realized before. Travelling I think will always be appealing to me. But there’s something SO MUCH FUN about travelling when you’re young. I really don’t think it can be beat. I mean, if I travel when I’m older, ideally I’d have more money and could perhaps eat better, but I don’t mind hostels and cheap food. It’s kind of fun to just go with the flow. And you meet such interesting people and you can just DO stuff. It’s something I don’t want to forget as I plan these next years. Yes, travelling is always an option, but not travelling while I’m young. There’s something wonderful and exciting about it. I suppose the same thing that some people apply to their significant other – how happy that person makes them, etc. That’s how I feel about travelling. It makes me feel alive!
Anyways, good lunch. We walked around the couple of blocks, poking into some of the shops, but didn’t get anything. I was reminded of when I went to Chinatown in New York and all the crap I bought. Back in the 9th grade. Man, that’s so weird to think about how young I was. But seriously, I bought such crap. Maybe I don’t buy better stuff now, but at least I buy less of it.
After that, we just meandered back to the market place, as well as to this HUGE church. I forget it’s real name, but it’s popularly called La Redonda…b/c it’s circular. It was really pretty, and actually bright in the inside because the circle middle lit the place. Then, we headed back to the subte. Oh, I did stop into a computer store and bought two c.d.’s I’m going to burn some of my music for Maria Laura and Lu as part of the going away gift.
We subte’d about 3 stops to Carranza. This was another new area of town for me. We had to walk about 10 blocks. I kept getting confused because we were on a street where all the cross streets ended and had new names. I think it was the boundary of Palermo and Belgrano. We made it to the flea market, which was kind of weird. First of all, it was a really deserted part of town. Secondly, I was expecting junk, or antiques if you will, but it was more furniture. Lots of chairs and sofas, etc. I couldn’t help but think that some of it would be useful in my house next year. Oh, and there were egg chairs, which were cool. There were a few good stalls with paintings, but overall it wasn’t anything I was in the market for.
We subte’d back, and I made it home. I think we might be going to a Beatles cover concert tonight and maybe a boliche. Not sure – Jon leaves on Monday so he’s getting in his last kicks.
Yea, we met up with Jon’s friends from Ecuador and we all went to a boliche called Pacha. It’s supposed to be a cool place for younger people. Thankfully it wasn’t too cold because we had to wait outside for a bit. One of the girls knew someone, so we got discounted entradas, which was helpful. Inside, the scene was crazy. Tons of people, everyone dancing to this electronica music. I really felt like I was in a movie – or rather, in that mojito commercial where he is shaking the drink and everyone moves and then stops when he stops. Because the bass would stop in the music and everyone would stop…it would build back up….and then boom! Everyone goes at it again.
However, the one thing about electronica, for me, is that it all sounds the same, and it’s not like you’re really dancing with anyone. So I would’ve been fine with leaving about an hour in, but we ended up staying until 6 a.m. We cabbed back, and I made it in bed just as the day was beginning.
Final Quilmes...
Friday, August 7th
Friday morning just consisted of meandering around the apartment. I had thought about trying to find a pair of boots, but it was cold outside so that idea quickly faltered. The beautiful eclipse of weather that was Wednesday was no more.
I did go out to make my copies for class, and I noted that my photocopy store had purchased a new desk! When I complimented the guy on it, he opened up and started asking me questions. I was glad because I’ve come to this place like 10 times. I got my copies, which I paid for with my 10 pesos from last night, and then I used the leftover funds to purchase a coke in the kiosk near my house. The best part about doing that is that they give you a straw as well, and when you drink through the straw it makes the coke really fizzy. So much fun.
I ate my customary lunch at home, and then headed to Quilmes. I was running a few minutes late, and I was worried about not making it to the 1:45 train because the 2 train would’ve made me late. Of course, when you’re in a hurry everyone around you walks SUPER slow. I hate when people are walking slowly AND taking up the whole crossway so you can’t pass. Major ugh.
Yay for the subte though, because I made it with 8 minutes to spare. I speedwalked up the stairs, understanding how the people who always walk so urgently must feel, and went to the pago rapido for exact change window, got my ida y vuelta, passed the checkpoint, and was seated on the train with 3 minutes to spare. Whoop.
I sat down next to this guy, and we were facing the wrong way. I reviewed the papers I was going to do with the guys, and then I just stared into space until I arrived in Quilmes. I didn’t ask anyone this time, I just knew where to stop!
I made it to the office, and when I called Pablo D. to let me in, I saw him and Eduardo across the street. However, someone was at the door, so I waved to them and headed in, where I greeted Jorge. We talked for a few minutes, before Pablo D. and I started class. Of course, the other Pablo wasn’t there, but Pablo D. let me call him on his phone, and it turns out that again he was at lunch. So he said he would hurry back. Pablo D. and I started with the listening exercise, as well as just talked. We talk well together. Then the other Pablo showed up and we redid the listening exercise. It was hilarious because when we were reviewing it, he had the exact same questions about words, etc. that Pablo D. did. You can tell they’ve had the same English instruction. And they both made the same joke about the past tense of rise, rose, being just like the flower.
Class lasted long, until Jorge came in and kicked them out. We talked for a bit, during which Jorge said his daughter had asked him to ask me where the word handsome came from, which I didn’t know the answer to, but I told him I would research. He finally called in Eduardo, who was dallying, and we did the listening exercise. I managed to pick an article that challenged Jorge a little. Class went by quickly, and then I gave them each a letter I had written thanking them for the fun month and wishing them luck with their English.
Jorge walked me out, and we talked for a bit about other places I could visit before leaving. As I left for the last time, I won’t lie, I was a little sad. I really liked hanging out with those guys. Oh, point to remember – there’s an awesome really old ad in Quilmes. It’s painted onto a brick building, and it is of a glass of beer (because the Quilmes beer plant is right there) and it says, Lo admito, vivo en una burbuja. And I just think it’s a great ad, so I also took a moment to admire it one more time while crossing the train tracks to get back.
I had a couple of missed calls from Language Roots, and it turns out they had wanted to move up my lesson with Maricel. Pues, I told them that I would, but I had to take the train and subte back, so I didn’t think it would be possible. I arrived at the station right when the train showed up, so I again felt like a natural as I sprinted to the train door and found a seat by myself before the train took off. I just read Agatha Christie and the time passed by really quickly. I love reading that book in Spanish!
I made it to Language Roots, and Maricel’s lesson focused on her reading and the 2nd conditional. I really felt like we made some progress, although it went really slowly. She was really having trouble saying the word “would”, and she kept pronouncing it good. That got a little frustrating. But we pretty much got the hang of it. After that, I got paid!! Yay!! I mean, it’s not much, but it’s still cool to be earning the plata. They gave me about 100 pesos less than I had calculated, so we doublechecked and it turns out they had forgotten to credit 4 classes to me. Glad I checked! I also found out that I had gotten paid for two classes when the students had cancelled, so I actually made a little more than I thought! She wasn’t sure about two of the extra classes I claimed, so she wrote on my receipt that I lacked two and once she doublechecks I should get them. I also reminded them that I leave in two weeks, and they said would be no problem to get paid for August early. That prompted a story about a girl who told them the day before that she was leaving, causing them to lose two clients. I felt really bad, but Monica was like, you told me the day of your interview, so can’t complain about that. Whew. Now if I can get my plata from my Quilmes classes I’ll be set!
I headed home, changed, and went to the tango class with Jon. Oh, and while Lu was taking her bath, Maria Laura was like, Lu has ….some word I don’t know. And I was like, oh, ok. And she said, you don’t know what that is do you? And she itched her head. Oh crap.
My host sister has lice.
I was like, animales en la cabeza? And she laughed and said yes. Great. I don’t do much closely around Lu, so I’m really really hoping that I don’t have them. But you know when you’re thinking about something and your head starts itching? Yea. And M.L. was like, I have some shampoo, I have a lot of hair it would not be convenient to get them. Yea, no crap, I don’t think anyone wants to catch it.
Anyways, we walked to tango class. The past two times there were lots of new people, but this time there were just four of us. We all did this basic step, which was something different from the other two classes. Then, they split me, Jon, and the two other new people in the corner with two easy level teachers. I confided in Cassandra that I had come before but that I preferred to keep expectations low. She laughed and said she wouldn’t tell. We worked on the basic step, which I was content to stick with. Go any higher and you start twisting your legs and stuff. I love to watch it, but doing it is another thing. Well, I was just laughing and having a great time, but I think they got frustrated because I laughed a lot. Jon and I had to dance at the end in front of everyone, and we totally did the incorrect step. But we did it correctly! So no one clapped. Haha. Then, these like 5 year old did this amazingly complicated step. I was really impressed and joined in the clapping.
After that, headed home, where an omelette dinner and chips awaited me. Read some more of the Isabelle Allende book, which I’m really getting into. I’m also getting better at reading it.
Friday morning just consisted of meandering around the apartment. I had thought about trying to find a pair of boots, but it was cold outside so that idea quickly faltered. The beautiful eclipse of weather that was Wednesday was no more.
I did go out to make my copies for class, and I noted that my photocopy store had purchased a new desk! When I complimented the guy on it, he opened up and started asking me questions. I was glad because I’ve come to this place like 10 times. I got my copies, which I paid for with my 10 pesos from last night, and then I used the leftover funds to purchase a coke in the kiosk near my house. The best part about doing that is that they give you a straw as well, and when you drink through the straw it makes the coke really fizzy. So much fun.
I ate my customary lunch at home, and then headed to Quilmes. I was running a few minutes late, and I was worried about not making it to the 1:45 train because the 2 train would’ve made me late. Of course, when you’re in a hurry everyone around you walks SUPER slow. I hate when people are walking slowly AND taking up the whole crossway so you can’t pass. Major ugh.
Yay for the subte though, because I made it with 8 minutes to spare. I speedwalked up the stairs, understanding how the people who always walk so urgently must feel, and went to the pago rapido for exact change window, got my ida y vuelta, passed the checkpoint, and was seated on the train with 3 minutes to spare. Whoop.
I sat down next to this guy, and we were facing the wrong way. I reviewed the papers I was going to do with the guys, and then I just stared into space until I arrived in Quilmes. I didn’t ask anyone this time, I just knew where to stop!
I made it to the office, and when I called Pablo D. to let me in, I saw him and Eduardo across the street. However, someone was at the door, so I waved to them and headed in, where I greeted Jorge. We talked for a few minutes, before Pablo D. and I started class. Of course, the other Pablo wasn’t there, but Pablo D. let me call him on his phone, and it turns out that again he was at lunch. So he said he would hurry back. Pablo D. and I started with the listening exercise, as well as just talked. We talk well together. Then the other Pablo showed up and we redid the listening exercise. It was hilarious because when we were reviewing it, he had the exact same questions about words, etc. that Pablo D. did. You can tell they’ve had the same English instruction. And they both made the same joke about the past tense of rise, rose, being just like the flower.
Class lasted long, until Jorge came in and kicked them out. We talked for a bit, during which Jorge said his daughter had asked him to ask me where the word handsome came from, which I didn’t know the answer to, but I told him I would research. He finally called in Eduardo, who was dallying, and we did the listening exercise. I managed to pick an article that challenged Jorge a little. Class went by quickly, and then I gave them each a letter I had written thanking them for the fun month and wishing them luck with their English.
Jorge walked me out, and we talked for a bit about other places I could visit before leaving. As I left for the last time, I won’t lie, I was a little sad. I really liked hanging out with those guys. Oh, point to remember – there’s an awesome really old ad in Quilmes. It’s painted onto a brick building, and it is of a glass of beer (because the Quilmes beer plant is right there) and it says, Lo admito, vivo en una burbuja. And I just think it’s a great ad, so I also took a moment to admire it one more time while crossing the train tracks to get back.
I had a couple of missed calls from Language Roots, and it turns out they had wanted to move up my lesson with Maricel. Pues, I told them that I would, but I had to take the train and subte back, so I didn’t think it would be possible. I arrived at the station right when the train showed up, so I again felt like a natural as I sprinted to the train door and found a seat by myself before the train took off. I just read Agatha Christie and the time passed by really quickly. I love reading that book in Spanish!
I made it to Language Roots, and Maricel’s lesson focused on her reading and the 2nd conditional. I really felt like we made some progress, although it went really slowly. She was really having trouble saying the word “would”, and she kept pronouncing it good. That got a little frustrating. But we pretty much got the hang of it. After that, I got paid!! Yay!! I mean, it’s not much, but it’s still cool to be earning the plata. They gave me about 100 pesos less than I had calculated, so we doublechecked and it turns out they had forgotten to credit 4 classes to me. Glad I checked! I also found out that I had gotten paid for two classes when the students had cancelled, so I actually made a little more than I thought! She wasn’t sure about two of the extra classes I claimed, so she wrote on my receipt that I lacked two and once she doublechecks I should get them. I also reminded them that I leave in two weeks, and they said would be no problem to get paid for August early. That prompted a story about a girl who told them the day before that she was leaving, causing them to lose two clients. I felt really bad, but Monica was like, you told me the day of your interview, so can’t complain about that. Whew. Now if I can get my plata from my Quilmes classes I’ll be set!
I headed home, changed, and went to the tango class with Jon. Oh, and while Lu was taking her bath, Maria Laura was like, Lu has ….some word I don’t know. And I was like, oh, ok. And she said, you don’t know what that is do you? And she itched her head. Oh crap.
My host sister has lice.
I was like, animales en la cabeza? And she laughed and said yes. Great. I don’t do much closely around Lu, so I’m really really hoping that I don’t have them. But you know when you’re thinking about something and your head starts itching? Yea. And M.L. was like, I have some shampoo, I have a lot of hair it would not be convenient to get them. Yea, no crap, I don’t think anyone wants to catch it.
Anyways, we walked to tango class. The past two times there were lots of new people, but this time there were just four of us. We all did this basic step, which was something different from the other two classes. Then, they split me, Jon, and the two other new people in the corner with two easy level teachers. I confided in Cassandra that I had come before but that I preferred to keep expectations low. She laughed and said she wouldn’t tell. We worked on the basic step, which I was content to stick with. Go any higher and you start twisting your legs and stuff. I love to watch it, but doing it is another thing. Well, I was just laughing and having a great time, but I think they got frustrated because I laughed a lot. Jon and I had to dance at the end in front of everyone, and we totally did the incorrect step. But we did it correctly! So no one clapped. Haha. Then, these like 5 year old did this amazingly complicated step. I was really impressed and joined in the clapping.
After that, headed home, where an omelette dinner and chips awaited me. Read some more of the Isabelle Allende book, which I’m really getting into. I’m also getting better at reading it.
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