2 Months from Home!

  It's so hard to believe that today, the 22nd of November, marks two months that I've been away from my home, my family, my friends, and life I've known for all my life. It's so hard to explain what my life has been like in that time.  It's been such an amazing experience and I feel like I've grown so much and learned so much about myself here. I'm not saying that there haven't been obstacles, challenges, difficult days, and times when all I want is my home; however, everything has been so worth it thus far. There is nothing like the first time you can answer a question from someone on the street without saying "No hablo mucho espanol", the first time you can successfully ask for directions from a stranger, the first time you claim a package in the post office while having a conversation with the customs officer, and many other similar experiences. Although they may seem like small feats, it's the sense of pride and accomplishment that they provide you with. In Argentina, most students end their education after high school. I had a deep conversation with my English teacher the other day in which she explained to me the education system here. Almost all jobs only require a high school education.  At my school, most of the students are in middle-class families. She says that as long as one is not at the bottom of the social classes, most Argentinians are perfectly content in the middle-class. For these reasons, the students seem to have very little motivation to continue their schooling. She said that even a few years ago, the students were much more disciplined in class and Argentina had a higher standard of education. However, in the past years, the necessity for an advanced education has declined, student's motivation for an advanced education has declined, and for these reasons, Argentina's standard of education has significantly dropped. When I return to the states, I will have so many reasons to be so thankful for the opportunities that are provided to me such as a wonderful education, a job that I enjoy, and many other things like this that many people around the world aren't given the chance to experience.
 Like I said, lately I've just been living the life of a typical Argentinian student. Going to school during the week, going out and sleeping on the weekends, etc. Last Wednesday night, I went to an English school with an Australian friend to talk to the students. There was another 21 yr. old American boy there who is serving a religious mission here in Cordoba, also. I have asked to go to similar classes Thursday evening and Friday afternoon. It's amazing how much the teenagers enjoy talking with, listening to, and answering questions to me, the gringo. Also, this past Sunday was Mother's day. All of my host cousins and I got together late Saturday night at the Grandma's house to make a surprise pizza dinner for the entire family. It was so funny to be sitting down to a family dinner at 1:15 am. and heading home at 4:30. Sunday evening we went to my aunt's house to celebrate a cousin's 13th birthday party with a big family dinner, once again. Very fun weekend! And, the best part yet...I received a package from my mom and dad this morning! I had to go to the central post office to claim it and there I had to wait to go through customs with it. I found it pretty funny because the officer had to open all packages to check the contents. The other boxes contained things such as business shipments from around the world but when he got to mine and opened it, bags of Reeses and candy corn, Halloween stickers, boxes of cake, and jars of frosting were found. I don't even know how to describe the look on his face-fabulous. Anyways, hope all is well wherever you are reading this from. Love from Argentina <3 -Kerri

 My cousins-18 yrs. and 1 yr.

 Cousins-14 yrs. and 1 yr.

 Cousin Lucas "The Skater"-14 yrs.

 Big family-some of the cousins!

 Cousins Fernanda and Florencia-18 yrs. and 14 yrs.

 Birthday cake

The birthday girl, Florencia-14 yrs. old
 America is boring. Why can't we have sparklers on our cakes?

 Dance time! Cousins-18 yrs., 7 yrs., 1 yr.

 Cousins and best friends-4 yrs. and 5 yrs. 

 Dance lessons!

Mom and Dad's amazing package

Daily Adventures!

It's so hard to believe that I have already been here for 1 1/2 months and that I only have about 3 1/2 months left. Time is definitely flying by! Recently, it seems like I've pretty much just been experiencing the life of a normal Argentinian teenager. A normal week day starts with waking up at about 11:45 unless I have gym class (9:30-10:30) or have to go to the center, eating breakfast, and getting ready for school. One of the most prominent differences that I have yet to adjust to is what breakfast consists of. Since you get up so late, their breakfast foods are pretty much what an American would eat for lunch or dinner. For example, this morning my host mom woke me up at 11:30 with a nice breakfast in bed that I thought would consist of bread, butter/dulce de leche, and a coffee (Mom, if you are reading this, know that I'll have some high expectations when I return home). Instead, she brought two trays for Mili and I both consisting of bread, juice, and a full plate of spaghetti, meatballs, and mashed potatoes...mmmm. After eating "breakfast", I shower, change into my uniform, etc. before my host cousin Rami comes at 1:15 to take us to school. As said in previous posts, the school hours depend on the day. After school, I walk home (about a 20 minute walk) unless it is Mon., Wed., or Fri. in which I go to the gym. No matter the time I arrive home, my host brother and I walk to the nearby bakery for "creollos" which are like biscuits for the merienda meal. Dulce de leche, various marmelades, butter, hot chocolate, hot milk, and coffee are all served to accompany the bread. It is not uncommon to eat this meal at 8 or so. After merienda, we either do homework, chat with friends, watch TV, or something like that. Then, at around 11 we all sit down together to have dinner. I really enjoy this time because it is a time to talk with my host family and grow closer to them while at the same time learning Spanish and enjoying a meal. After eating, everyone heads for bed to use the computer or watch some TV. Usually, Mili and I go to sleep at around 2 in the morning. Writing this post has kind of made me think about how weird this schedule sounds, but I guess it's just became normal sometime in the past six weeks. Let me just say that I'm going to be a little messed-up when I return to the States.
Not a lot of big events have occurred lately so it's been pretty calm. Last weekend was a really relaxing long weekend and we just hung out around the house and did some cooking and cleaning. Mili, one of the cousins, and I made alfajores (see food post) and a marmalade cake on Saturday night. Both turned out sooo tasty and were gone within hours! Sunday night, we got together with lots of the family to eat pizza and talk at one of the aunt's house that is a few blocks away. I was just advised that on Saturday, October 20th, I have a full day orientation with AFS and all the other students here in Cordoba from 9-6 so we'll see how that goes. Mili told me that in the beginning of November the family is taking a trip together. From what I understood, it sounded like we are renting a camp in the forest in the province of Los Gigantes to stay at for a couple of days so that should be very fun! Also, I am really looking forward to my trip to the north of Argentina which is later in November. Sounds like a great time coming up. Hope all is going well in Montana, Washington, Ohio, or wherever you may be reading this in! My love from Argentina, Kerri

 A typical class

 Some of my classmates

 Spring sunset

 Spring sunset

 Spring sunset

 My home for 6 months

 My home for 6 months

 Rolling out alfajor dough

 My crazy cousin and sister

 Very messy!

 Making a clean work surface

 Finished marmalade cake and alfajores

 Showing off our hard work!

Funny ARGENTINIAN facts...

Although I can't say that I was born and raised in Cordoba, I am finally adjusted to the lifestyle here! The things that seemed so different and shocking at the beginning are now becoming my normal...
1. You don't dare use a pencil in school, only pens and white out.
2. Kissing strangers and friends alike on the cheek is the only acceptable way to say hello and goodbye.
3. Facebook is only called "Face".
4. The social hangout for kids your age is McDonalds.
5. The ground is the new trash can.
6. It is 85 degrees outside and you leave with a pair of jeans and a jacket to fit in.
7. You are very unpunctual. "I'll be over at 7 o'clock" really means "I'll leave my house at 8 o'clock."
8. It is the most difficult task to explain the meaning of the term "o'clock" to your English class.
9. Calling friends, family members, and teachers "Fatty", "Ugly", "Fool", etc. are simply terms of endearment.
10. Your parents are perfectly content with waking up at 5 in the morning to pick you and your friends up from the disco.
11. Coca-Cola is simply called "Coca" and is the new juice.
12. Water comes out of the tap warm and has to be refrigerated before drinking.
13. Eating dinner at 1 in the morning just happens. For that matter, so is eating dinner at 5 in the morning.
14. Facebook is the only reliable communication.
15. Mornings and breakfast don't exist. You start your day at 11 and your first meal is lunch.
16. You drive on whatever side of the street is open. You park wherever you can find a space and  facing whichever direction. You pass on city streets on whatever side is open.
17. You honk your horn before open intersections to signal your presence but hardly slow down.
18. The smell of cigarette smoke hardly even makes you cough.
19. Cockroaches are just like ants, common bugs found outside.
20. Milk is drank hot with sugar...unless you're an American exchange student.
21. Bakini bottoms are Brazilian bottom cuts which pretty much look like thongs.
22. You arrive to a party 2 hours late and are still the first one there.
23. The worker fills up your car with gas (like Oregon).
24. You try to walk with your hands in your pockets for fear of the stray dogs (or maybe that's just me).
25. In public restrooms, you must pay the toilet paper lady when you enter for a wad of TP.