Come on baby

Observations I have made about Argentine television:

1) It is totally acceptable for woman to wear absolutely nothing on normal tv (the news, talk shows, etc.)
2) When these so called women do where nothing, it is normal for the over weight, hairy, news casters or talk show hosts to check them out openly on air.
3) You are not Argentine unless you know who Ricardo Ford is. He is a gotee sporting bling wearing player who is famous for being famous and rich. Honestly he doesn't seem to far off from some of the celebs we have at home.
4) Sitcoms are my life. Think of Desperate House Wives and The Hills on some sort of acid trip. Then add cute Argentine accents. It's awesome!
5) SUBTITLES LIE. If anything, I feel like subtitles should be called "a loose translation of what is possibly being said"
ALSO, I made a discovery yesterday:
One of my classmates would always say "come on baby" when I walked into the room. At first I was a little weirded out, but I didn't think much of it because I figured he didn't really know what it meant. I was right about that. He had no idea what it meant. Turns out he had been learning his english from Joey on Friends, and thought that was a perfectly normal greeting. I couldn't bring myself to correct him.
It's like an inside joke with myself...
Besos
Rebecca

53 Days

There are a couple reasons I haven't blogged in a while. Mostly, It's because I find it hard to describe my life here in Argentina, within the confinements of a 4 by 6 white text-box. However, it is also because I only have 53 days until I leave Catamarca, and re-enter reality. I have been trying to cram every possible experience into these 53 days, so things have been pretty busy. The little time I do spend at home, I am usually so exhausted I can barely concentrate. No one ever tells you how much energy it takes to speak a second language all day long. I can hardly keep my eyes open when I skype with my parents from the US. So much has happened this past month, yet it feels like the days go by in seconds. I have been on three radio stations that broadcast to the province, and in two newspapers. Me and another exchange student go on and talk about life in Catamarca, and how different it is from our lives at home. It was so nerve racking in the beginning, I almost said no, but I forced myself to go and try my best. I was mostly worried about the Dj's talking so fast I wouldn't be able to understand the questions, but once we got going I was fine. It was such an amazing experience, and I felt really good about talking about the importance of exchange, and how it really can open up so many doors in your life. I really do believe that a lot of the teenagers in Catamarca could benefit greatly from going abroad, so I'm excited that I got to get the word out. Last weekend they had their day of independence, so we had a four-day weekend. It was the 200th anniversary of Argentina, and there were incredible festivities all weekend. I got to walk in a giant parade holding a huge flag and chanting "Viva Argentina" as loud as I possibly could. The entire city was blue and white and in such high spirits. I also went to a fiesta de Locro. It was a giant fiesta in the plaza where they sell Locro, and Carne asada, Empanadas, and pastries. Mostly though, it’s all about the Locro. This incredible saucy meat dish. I couldn't get enough of it, but that didn't surprise anyone. I'm not very shy about consuming as much food as I possibly can before I leave. I also turned in my first long term project in class, and had to explain all about it in front of the class. I expected to be more nervous, but I love my classmates so much, and they made me feel extremely relaxed. I think it went very well, and I was proud of what I turned in. Yesterday my family announced that I could call my parents (in the US) and tell them that it would be fine if I lived here till December, and that they wanted me to stay for a year. It was very touching, and made me realize how much I have bonded with them. Life in my house is so normal; it feels like I have known them my entire life. A couple weeks ago I found myself falling into a lull that was incredibly boring and average. I would walk to School then to the plaza, head home for lunch, take a siesta, walk to tennis, walk home, hang out with my family, repeat. After a week of nothing exciting happening, I was getting insanely board with my life here in quiet Catamarca. I knew this wasn't unusual with exchange students, having talked to many prior exchange students they all have said the same thing. You hit a part in your trip when the excitement wears off, and you are left longing for life in your home country. However, I was determined not to let that happen. The amazing exchange students I have befriended here, all have the incredible luxury of a year trip, and so had a little more time to waste on the "homesick" period. However, having only two months left, I absolutely see the importance of living every day to the fullest. I can always catch up on my sleep when I'm home. I feel like that sort of mentality is one thing that will carry on over to my life in Santa Monica. There's never a better time then now. That definitely is not a siesta sleeping Argentine point of view, but I do think it is an exchange student’s point of view, one I feel very fortunate to have. I continue to live my life here, full of excitement and new things. Along with making incredible Argentine friends, I have acquired a wide variety of extremely unique friends from all corners of the world. I have already made plans to travel to Thailand, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, and Ohio. This trip has definitely awoken my inner traveler, and I think Argentina is only the first of many amazing adventures I hope to have.
On an entirely different note:
My parent's just sent my first box and I cannot wait till it comes! The minute it lands on my door step I am going to lock myself in my room, stuff my face with greatly anticipated peanut butter and chocolate chips, read every single book in English, hug my new piano music close to my chest, and laugh when everyone calls me a loser <3
Chau,
Rebecca

Don't Worry, Be Happy

If there is one thing every Argentine person knows how to say in English it is: "Don't worry, Be Happy" I kid you not, the minute I say I am from the US they shout it out at me like it is the cure for cancer. However, I have come to learn that they are not only catchy song lyrics, but very much a way of life here in Catamarca. There's always an upside, even in the worst conditions. Honestly, at first the peppy optimism seemed slightly unnecessary. However, after only two months here, I have noticed myself looking at things as a challenge rather than an impossible task, a new experience rather than something unfamiliar and every opportunity as another chance to experience the world. The past 3 weeks since I blogged have been excellent. Last weekend I took the bus to Cordoba, which is another province about 6 hours away from Catamarca and stayed with my sister for her 19^th birthday. It's very beautiful, trendy, and filled with college students that are simply way to cool for me. This incredible church looms over the center of the town like something out of a fairy tale, casting shadows around the rest of the square. An epic fountain also attracts the attention of every person near it, projecting a light show into the sky while it spews water 20 feet high. Aside from acting like annoying tourist everyone hates, I went shopping for some serious winter clothes. I came here thinking it would be hot the whole time, so that is how I packed. Now, in retrospect that probably wasn't the brightest idea. But...there is a giant sun on their flag, so you could see how I was a little misled. I have been drilling my mom in English phrases like " I need the bathroom" and "Can I smoke in here" because today she leaves for a month long trip in Los Vegas and Miami. I am going to miss her a lot! Also, my sister is gone on vacation as well, so now it’s just me, my dad and brothers. Talk about culture shock. School continues to be a challenge, however I am making progress. I can now take part in some class discussions if I really pay attention, and am working on a school wide project on culture with my English teacher. I continue to eat my weight in meat, but I have finally fully embraced the term “when in Rome.” I have been dreaming in Spanish, which is so strange. It’s mostly Spanglish and involves me yelling “No entiendo no entiendo” (I don’t understand) really loud. But hey, it’s a start. Actually, I think my Spanish is coming along very nicely. I have been trying to talk to every single person I can, and I have taken to stopping by my favorite keosko on the way home from tennis, and talking to the owner for a good 30 or 40 minutes. Her name is Mara and she has become an amazing friend. We have exchanged e-mails, and she already gave me jars of Dulce de Leche to send to my parents. Well, she gave me one for me and one for my parents, because she knew I couldn’t handle sharing. The 5 year old boys at the tennis club and I have Spanish lessons regularly, because they seem to be at my level. I was truly homesick for the first time yesterday, and it kind of came as a surprise. I absolutely don’t want to go home and I am in love with Argentina so how could I possibly be homesick? Anyways, it came and went, and on a plus side reminded me to blog for everyone I love at home. I have started to use the word “we” which makes everyone smile. For example “In Argentina, WE love to play cards” or “In Argentina WE have a blue and white flag” Honestly, this feels like home. A beautiful home away from home, with people that I care about with all of my heart. Friends that make me laugh until I cry, family that I am my dorky embarrassing self around, and a community that now represents part of who I am. I feel a part of a culture that only two months ago I was looking down on from the window of an airplane. If I only take one thing away from this trip, it will be that just like at home, I have bonds with people that will last a lifetime. So, if you were one of the many people that helped me get here, thank you. I wouldn’t give this experience up for anything in the world. All my love

Rebecca

Semana Santa

Hello everyone,

It has been about two weeks since I have blogged, and I hope all is well at home. Today is Pascua (Easter) and I can not believe so much time has gone by already. I have been avoiding blogging, because I don't quite know how to form all of the incredable things I have seen and learned into words. Let me start with this. If all of the salt in the US suddenly vanishes, I know where to find it. Argentina. On top of every piece of meat, bread, vegetable, pastry, and pasta. Seriously, I don't know how everyone here is not 700 pounds, or dead from overdosing on salt. Anyways, these two weeks have been a blur like the rest, however I am settling into more of a routine, and honestly feel more like an argentine every day. Someone asked me an interesting question this weekend, that took me a little by surprise. They asked me what I hated about Argentina. Im so used to saying how much I adore this place, that I didn't really know what to say. In the end I realized that I don't hate anything about Argentina, at least not yet. Are there things that confuse me? Or that make me uncomfortable and scared? Things that truly take me out of my comfort zone? Yes. But isn't that the beauty of the exchange? These things that make me uncomfortable or nervous are not bad or wrong, they are just different. I have come to realize that Santa Monica, California is not a reflection of what the rest of the world is like, it is just a little slice of the world, with a culture just as beautiful and different and unique as Catamarca Argentina. As for school, I never thought such little homework would take me so long. True, we don't get a lot of homework, but I still spend around 2 to 3 hours a day answering everything in spanish. It makes me really tired, but I also have such a strong sence of accomplishment I don't mind. I have been going a mile a minute lately with tennis clinics every day and homework and my other activities. I even babysat this weekend. Its really fun to be with little kids because they help me with my spanish more than anyone else. Also, I have found it very entertaining and helpful to play scrabble with my sister and friends. Granted, most of the words I use are not actual words, but when I do get a word we all get so excited and I am so proud. I had Thursday and Friday off of school for Semana Santa which is in preperation for Easter, so I have been going dancing and learning to cook different dishes for Pascua (Easter). Also, I have mastered the grid system here, and now walk a lot of places by myself. I am also very friendly with the lady who owns the pastry shop on the corner...surprise surprise! Because my cookies were such a success last time I had the brilliant idea of making apple crumble last weekend. Yeah, that was most deffinitly too advanced for me. It was such a disaster that we couldn't stop laughing when I dumped it down the drain. The cat didn't even want it. Every day I am reminded how blessed I am to have the life I do. My heart aches for the 6 year old boys that walk along the streets covered in dirt begging for pesos. I am going to a meeting next week where we will try to raise money for the homeless boys and girls in Catamarca. The first time I saw them I had a very strong: Your not in kansas anymore moment. I am so humbled by how honest and hard working the people I have met are, and how the kids have a very strong sense of respect for their parents. The fact that the large amount of freedom they are given is not abused is very refreshing and honorable. You would call me crazy if I told you how many stray dogs I see per day, and how much I have tango-ed in the past month. Every time I get a twinge of homesickness I remind myself that I have to go home in 4 months, and I instantly become homesick for Argentina. I have school tomorrow, so I better stop and sleep so I can go conjugate some more verbs in the morning. If you celebrate Easter I hope it was magical, and If you don't I hope your sunday was a relaxing one. All my love.

Rebecca

During my first day in Catamarca with my brother and sister

The lake near the house.
My Papa
Dinner with the family.

Week 3

Hello,

I have been in Argentina for about 3 and half weeks, and it's hard to believe the one month mark is coming up. I really see what all previous AFSers mean when they say you blink and it is over. I feel like I just arrived, yet I have already done so much. I am blogging a little late because the internet has been down for a couple of days, which to tell you the truth has been really nice. Today is Wednesday the 24th and I just finished eating a massive lunch which I helped buy and prepare. My family loves to send me into stores alone to buy food, it was really nerve racking in the beginning, but helpful because now I can pretty much buy anything I want alone. Today we had all different kinds of meat so I picked that out, and then went to the bakery to get bread for the week. I didn't have school today because it's a national holiday so the entire town is literally shut down. Even the Tennis courts are closed. I have come to realize that they have a lot of special days here. When I first arrived it was day of the Women and we got to miss school for that as well. I also didn't have school on Friday, I'm not really sure why, but that didn't really matter much to me. Last weekend was really fun. On Friday I went to the gym with my sister then over to my friends house to hang out for a little and have some Mate (Pronounced Ma-tey) It's the tea they drink religiously out of this strange looking metal bowl cup and straw. They add hot water every time before you drink, and pass it around a giant group. When I first got here I thought it tasted like butt, however now I think I drink it more than water now. After I went to a birthday party for a friend of my brothers, and then to the park (Parque de los Niños) with some friends and another girl from Austria that is here with AFS. Then, Saturday I mostly hung out during the day. Played some tennis and went to the plaza and then my mom dragged me to the hairdresser. It was actually so fun and I got to gossip with all of the ladies. After the hairdresser I went to my cousins house and then to a fassion show with my sister and her friends. I know, so random, but it was a benefit for something and I had a lot of fun. We got home from the fashion show at around 11 and I threw on a dress and went to a quinceanera. It was very similar to a bar mitzvah and so beautiful. While she entered the party there were fireworks going off everywhere. We danced a lot, even though I have come to realized these kids were definitely born with a lot more rhythm than I was. I made sugar cookies this week, and they turned out really well. My family was very impressed, but I think thats because they think I had to follow some difficult recipe or something, when in reality I kind of mushed butter, eggs, flower, and sugar into a bowl. I figured they couldn't taste bad with the amount of butter I added. I also went to my aunts house for a party for my grandfather and got to meet my entire family. They are very similar to my family in California. Big and Crazy. I danced Tango with my grandfather as well, that was fun. My sister and I learned a duet that I play on the piano, and she sings in Italian while I hum along and pretend to know what I am saying. Also, the other day I was so confused when I saw a girl walking through the plaza covered in eggs and flower and soda, but then my friends informed me that it was here birthday. Its a big deal here to get covered in gross nasty food when it's your birthday. I cut my bangs so I look a little different, and I have grown officially banned myself from dulce de leche because I might not make it home alive at the rate I am consuming it. My newest idea was to put it on potato chips. Unfortunately it was a success. I have so much more I want to write, but I must go feed the horses at the other house. All my love.

Rebecca

Week 2

As of today I have been in Argentina for two weeks, so I thought it would be good to update the blog. This was a huge week, and I don't know how I am going to fit it into one blog post. However, we can start with school. It has been so interesting to see how different and similar school is from school at home. For example, in Catmarca, or at least in my school, they don't photo copy one thing. I'm used to getting work sheets every day from the teachers at home, but here have dictations before every class. Thats when the teacher says out loud the assignment for the day with all the questions and we have to copy it down in our notebooks. Now, that would be hard enough in English, but that fact that its in Spanish makes it almost impossible for me. Everyone laughs when I do a victory dance because I was able to copy down the first sentence. But, I think it will definitely improve my spanish and I have really understanding class mates that let me copy all of the notes after they are done. Also, there is no lunch time. Everyone goes home to eat with their family, and parents come home from work as well for lunch, and then a siesta before they go back to work. Teachers don't have their own class room either. Each group of students (I am in 2D) has their own class room, and the teachers rotate through out the day, that makes it really easy on us exchange kids, because your able to make friends easily with the people in your class. There's barely any homework, but a lot of work is done during the school day. School is usually from 7-12 (they have this fluxuating time schedule that I still am not able to figure out) but there are barely any breaks and only 4 classes per day, so it feels about the same as at home. I have 11 classes here, spread through out the week, and they vary from geography to technology to language arts. On friday in language arts I had to stand up and read a passage from a book in front of the class. I read it fine, and the class even gave me props for my pronunciation, however when the teacher asked me what it meant all I could tell her was that it involved a dog. She was just happy I participated. After that though I walked to the book store near my house and bought two books in Spanish. I have been working on translating 5 pages a day since I got them. It makes me want to pull my hair out, but I can feel myself getting better. Anyways, over all school has been incredable. Every day I come home and pass out because my brain is so tired. I have been playing the piano every day, and even written a song with a few spanish words. I also have been playing tennis with kids from my school, and I start lessons in the middle of this week. I go to the gym with my sister twice a week for spinning classes as well because I don't think I have ever eaten so much meat in my entire life. It's so good I sometimes for get to breath. Oh yeah, and I have also discovered dulce de leche. Thats an issue. It's this beautiful carmel thing that you put on bread. I have realized that it's just as good when you spoon it into your mouth. Also, I have been going to Tango twice a week, and now have a dance partner named Martin. He's 62 and makes me look like I have two left feet. But we laugh a lot, and we have a secret handshake that is pretty amazing. Friday night my classmates had a Welcome party for me that was so much fun. It was at one of my friends from class's house, and everybody from 2D was there. I danced an lot and got to know everyone. I love them all. Saturday it rained so I couldn't play tennis as planned, but learned how to make Argentine pizza and went to see a Rugby game. It was so hot but really fun. We had to take the bus to these giant field and then I hung out with my friends, watched a game, and then learned how to throw the ball. After I had churros and played this really difficult game of cards with my friends. I am just learning, so I get to have a partner, but I still like it a lot. After cards I went to Peppers this restaurant that everyone goes to get burgers (What a surprise, more meat) It had incredible food and after we went to this place where you could do out door karaoke. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard. I haven't been homesick at all yet, but I think that's because I don't have time. I should definitely be taking more pictures, but I feel like such a tourist when I bring my camera along. Finally today, I woke up at 12 and we went and had lunch (more amazing pasta filled with meat) then we drove into the mountains with some friends and went to the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. We hung out all after noon and I couldn't help but stare at how incredible it was. It really reminded me of how lucky I am and how every second I need to be soaking in as much as possible. I hope all is well at home, where ever that may be, and I will post next sunday.

~Rebecca