1. I'm done with school here, hello summer vacation.
2. It's so, so, so hot. (like it's still 'spring' here and today it was 100 degrees or more)
3. Tomorrow I'm going to Cordoba, which is another province in Argentina about 1000 kilometers away.
4. Life is good.
5. I'm the happiest that I have ever been.
Quiero hablar en español todo el dia! I want to speak in spanish all day! =) I'll write again soon! Un abrazo fuerte y espero que estes bien! A strong hug and I hope that you are well!
Kristen
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Top 10 Reasons Why I Love Argentina!
10. I some how got lucky enough to get the best classmates in Argentina. They're helpful, funny, kind, just the right amount of crazy, and they make me love to go to school.
9. La Siesta! Just to have a few hours in the afternoon to relax or catch up on some sleep is perfect. (I will definitely be missing this when I go home to the states)
8. I have an older brother with autism and to see him laugh is the most rewarding thing in the world. He cannot talk, and I will never have a conversation with him but I love him and I can't even explain it.
7. My grandma is the perfect, wise, spanish speaking woman. She tells us that boys are nothing but a headache and she has quirky comments for everything.
6. I got to watch the 7th Harry Potter movie one day before everyone else in the United States. That may not be significant to everyone but it is for me. Anyone who knows anything knows that Harry Potter is important.
5. Boliches. Now that I am 18 I can go out to dance whenever I want. Which I am planning on doing quite often. In one year I can't go out to a club to dance so I am planning on taking advantage of every chance I get to go out.
4. My other exchange student friends. The other exchange students just automatically get you... they understand the language problems, they understand you when you wanna go home. It's like an unwritten rule that your best friends are the other exchange students.
3. My boyfriend. This maybe isn't a fair reason to love this country so much but it sure helps. I've never met someone so wonderful, and that's the way it should be if he is my boyfriend... but the point is, the people here are unlike any other. They're special and if you travel here you will meet someone who steals your heart. Maybe not a boyfriend or a girlfriend but a friend or a teacher or someone who just makes you happy.
2. The music! You just hear the music and you want to dance. It works wonders on the body even if you don't think you know how to dance.
1. The food. Dulce de Leche, Milanesa, Licuado, Empanadas... It's all so good. I don't know how Argentina does it but it's great. I will miss the food so much.
Fun Facts...
*I changed my family and now I am SO happy... it was best for me to change my family and now I feel so much better.
*It's really starting to get hot here and my albino skin is not going to be happy with the sun.
*My new host family is excellent. My host dad is a doctor and he is really 'capo'... or he just has something about him, this confidence, that is so bad-ass.
*I don't want to go home. Sorry Mom.
*My boyfriend's family is like family to me now too. I love them all. His uncle, cousins, grandparents.
*I'm missing my last season of high school swimming and I don't even care anymore. I loved swimming and it was the best part of high school, but this experience beats everything.
*Now I'm really thinking about it, and I'm not going home. Sorry Mom.
But in all seriousness, I think about everyone from home all the time and I know I couldn't be here without the help of you all. I love you and I miss you a lot. Un beso grande!
9. La Siesta! Just to have a few hours in the afternoon to relax or catch up on some sleep is perfect. (I will definitely be missing this when I go home to the states)
8. I have an older brother with autism and to see him laugh is the most rewarding thing in the world. He cannot talk, and I will never have a conversation with him but I love him and I can't even explain it.
7. My grandma is the perfect, wise, spanish speaking woman. She tells us that boys are nothing but a headache and she has quirky comments for everything.
6. I got to watch the 7th Harry Potter movie one day before everyone else in the United States. That may not be significant to everyone but it is for me. Anyone who knows anything knows that Harry Potter is important.
5. Boliches. Now that I am 18 I can go out to dance whenever I want. Which I am planning on doing quite often. In one year I can't go out to a club to dance so I am planning on taking advantage of every chance I get to go out.
4. My other exchange student friends. The other exchange students just automatically get you... they understand the language problems, they understand you when you wanna go home. It's like an unwritten rule that your best friends are the other exchange students.
3. My boyfriend. This maybe isn't a fair reason to love this country so much but it sure helps. I've never met someone so wonderful, and that's the way it should be if he is my boyfriend... but the point is, the people here are unlike any other. They're special and if you travel here you will meet someone who steals your heart. Maybe not a boyfriend or a girlfriend but a friend or a teacher or someone who just makes you happy.
2. The music! You just hear the music and you want to dance. It works wonders on the body even if you don't think you know how to dance.
1. The food. Dulce de Leche, Milanesa, Licuado, Empanadas... It's all so good. I don't know how Argentina does it but it's great. I will miss the food so much.
Fun Facts...
*I changed my family and now I am SO happy... it was best for me to change my family and now I feel so much better.
*It's really starting to get hot here and my albino skin is not going to be happy with the sun.
*My new host family is excellent. My host dad is a doctor and he is really 'capo'... or he just has something about him, this confidence, that is so bad-ass.
*I don't want to go home. Sorry Mom.
*My boyfriend's family is like family to me now too. I love them all. His uncle, cousins, grandparents.
*I'm missing my last season of high school swimming and I don't even care anymore. I loved swimming and it was the best part of high school, but this experience beats everything.
*Now I'm really thinking about it, and I'm not going home. Sorry Mom.
But in all seriousness, I think about everyone from home all the time and I know I couldn't be here without the help of you all. I love you and I miss you a lot. Un beso grande!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Un mes...
I have been here in Formosa for a month now. Sometimes I can't really believe it but this is really my life now. Usually every day I am busy with something and the time has been flying. I am really enjoying my time here and every day gets better. I almost never have a bad day, and if I am feeling down it is just for a few hours. It is almost impossible to be sad here. I am surrounded by really great people. I really don't even know what to write about because there has been so much going on. My weeks are filled with school and other activities in the evening. Hanging out with some friends or just spending time with my family and going to the store. In the weekend, I go out with friends, but it is totally different than in the United States. Instead of being home by 11, we are just going out by then. At first this was kind of weird for me but I am starting to get used to it. There is no such thing as "too late to go out". As far as weekends go I do anything from going to a 'boliche' to dance or going bowling. I always have fun no matter what I do though and I am enjoying everything. A few weeks ago I went with my family and cousin to another province of Argentina. It is called Corrientes and it is about 2 hours from where I live. It is really quite nice and I enjoyed my time there. It was nice to see another part of Argentina besides Formosa. As far as my Spanish goes, I don't really know to be honest. I know I have learned more and it is better than when I first got here but I can't tell any major improvements. It has only been a month though and I know this takes time. Sometimes it is frustrating that I can't communicate well but I really do think it is getting easier to understand. I know that I am probably leaving out a lot of things in this update but it is really hard to write about all that I have been experiencing. I am going to add some pictures though :) Some other things that have been going on are that I have been accepted to 2 colleges back home! California University of Pennsylvania and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. I'm not sure how many other ones I applied to, I think 3 or 4 but I am still waiting for responses from them. I really have no idea what I want to study or where I want to go to school but I guess I have to actually start to think that one through now. I hope all is well with everyone at home! Un beso, Kristen.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Estoy en Argentina!
Well, it’s real now. I’m really actually in Argentina at this very moment while I am typing this. I have been in this country since about 6 o’clock on the 20th. After a 2 day orientation with other students of AFS in Buenos Aires, I arrived to my host family at 11 in the morning on the 22nd. I know that I am indeed in Argentina, but it really hasn’t hit me yet that this is my home now. Every day has a new situation and I think when it becomes daily routine it will hit me that I am actually very, very far from home.
Everyone writes on my facebook wall, messages me, and I feel so blessed that I have people interested in my journey. It is so hard to get back to everyone though and I feel bad about not being able to answer in full detail all the questions everyone asks me. I feel like this blog will help me talk about my trip more and hopefully answer all the questions that people have for me. I even find it hard to find time for myself to think.
I think the best place to start is after the orientation in Buenos Aires. I really did enjoy the orientation and meeting other kids but we didn’t leave the building for 2 days so we could have been in my backyard in Pennsylvania in this building and I wouldn’t have known the difference. My bus ride from Buenos Aires to Formosa was really smooth and enjoyable. We sat first class and got reclining leather seats and we received meals. I slept through the night and when I woke up the next morning we were only 2 hours from Formosa. When I got off the bus in Formosa, my host family, my host cousin, and 2 friends I have were there to greet me. I was not expecting the signs they made or anything of the sort. In all the commotion, I must have left all my Spanish skills on the bus, because as soon as I stepped foot in Formosa I felt as though my Spanish diminished.
When I arrived at my new house I got the tour of where I will be living and I was instantly charmed. It’s cute and it feels like home. I unpacked my suitcase and got to know my new room that I share with my host-sister. After this, I got a shower and we ate the famous Argentinean asado! Now I know what the obsession with this meat is. I can tell that asado and I are going to have a very good relationship though. After my very first asado, a few friends came over and we chatted and drank some cold tea drink. I can’t remember the name but it is really good. Later that evening we went to the supermarket to buy food for the week. Their supermarket here is almost the equivalent of wal-mart. At some outrageously late hour we ate hamburgers for our dinner. Throughout the whole day I met family members and friends of the family. It is all a blur who is who and whatnot but I hope to sort out the names soon.
Monday, I did not go to school. I stayed with my host sister and we went shopping for things I was going to need. I got to buy my school uniform shirt and the shoes. I still don’t have my skirt yet, so until then it is just jeans and my polo to school. My host dad and sister showed me around the city a little and I got to try and take it all in. A new habit that I have is after lunch, I go upstairs with my host sister and we watch Disney until we fall asleep. I can’t say I hate it, because I definitely don’t. My Spanish at this point is still questionable and sometimes I have what it takes to say what I need to say and other times I trip and fall into my own Spanish mess.
Tuesday was my first day of school and I really like it there. It is so much different than school in Ligonier. I constantly tell myself “It’s not good, it’s not bad… it’s just different.” That’s how I feel about school here. To be honest, so far I haven’t done much. The only classes I have really understood were math and chemistry. This is ridiculous because in the United States I do horrible in those subjects. But, I’ll take it. ;) The English teacher at school has been playing show and tell with me for days. I go to other classes and talk about my life in the United States and talk in English for them. What I can say, I do say in Spanish, but most of it I say in English and the teacher translates. I really like her. She is a great person and I am happy I got to meet her.
Currently I am in the 6th year of school here, which is equivalent to being a senior in the United States, which is fitting because that is what I am. But, I’m going to be completely honest and say I don’t like my classmates too much. I fit in really well with another class and so I am changing my class. It is no problem with the school and I am really happy about this because I feel so much better with the other class. I think I have a better chance of learning in their too because I can communicate well with them.
So far I have gone out every night with friends to see the city and to get to know people. I have met a few really great people who I adore. Sorry to all in Pennsylvania and my friends and family in the United States, but I can’t say I’m missing you too much right now. I don’t have time to miss you and the people who have taken your place are incredible. I feel like I could write about all my experiences for hours and hours and still forget something and I haven’t even been here for a week. But to sum it all up, I’m doing really well.
Besos a todos!
Everyone writes on my facebook wall, messages me, and I feel so blessed that I have people interested in my journey. It is so hard to get back to everyone though and I feel bad about not being able to answer in full detail all the questions everyone asks me. I feel like this blog will help me talk about my trip more and hopefully answer all the questions that people have for me. I even find it hard to find time for myself to think.
I think the best place to start is after the orientation in Buenos Aires. I really did enjoy the orientation and meeting other kids but we didn’t leave the building for 2 days so we could have been in my backyard in Pennsylvania in this building and I wouldn’t have known the difference. My bus ride from Buenos Aires to Formosa was really smooth and enjoyable. We sat first class and got reclining leather seats and we received meals. I slept through the night and when I woke up the next morning we were only 2 hours from Formosa. When I got off the bus in Formosa, my host family, my host cousin, and 2 friends I have were there to greet me. I was not expecting the signs they made or anything of the sort. In all the commotion, I must have left all my Spanish skills on the bus, because as soon as I stepped foot in Formosa I felt as though my Spanish diminished.
When I arrived at my new house I got the tour of where I will be living and I was instantly charmed. It’s cute and it feels like home. I unpacked my suitcase and got to know my new room that I share with my host-sister. After this, I got a shower and we ate the famous Argentinean asado! Now I know what the obsession with this meat is. I can tell that asado and I are going to have a very good relationship though. After my very first asado, a few friends came over and we chatted and drank some cold tea drink. I can’t remember the name but it is really good. Later that evening we went to the supermarket to buy food for the week. Their supermarket here is almost the equivalent of wal-mart. At some outrageously late hour we ate hamburgers for our dinner. Throughout the whole day I met family members and friends of the family. It is all a blur who is who and whatnot but I hope to sort out the names soon.
Monday, I did not go to school. I stayed with my host sister and we went shopping for things I was going to need. I got to buy my school uniform shirt and the shoes. I still don’t have my skirt yet, so until then it is just jeans and my polo to school. My host dad and sister showed me around the city a little and I got to try and take it all in. A new habit that I have is after lunch, I go upstairs with my host sister and we watch Disney until we fall asleep. I can’t say I hate it, because I definitely don’t. My Spanish at this point is still questionable and sometimes I have what it takes to say what I need to say and other times I trip and fall into my own Spanish mess.
Tuesday was my first day of school and I really like it there. It is so much different than school in Ligonier. I constantly tell myself “It’s not good, it’s not bad… it’s just different.” That’s how I feel about school here. To be honest, so far I haven’t done much. The only classes I have really understood were math and chemistry. This is ridiculous because in the United States I do horrible in those subjects. But, I’ll take it. ;) The English teacher at school has been playing show and tell with me for days. I go to other classes and talk about my life in the United States and talk in English for them. What I can say, I do say in Spanish, but most of it I say in English and the teacher translates. I really like her. She is a great person and I am happy I got to meet her.
Currently I am in the 6th year of school here, which is equivalent to being a senior in the United States, which is fitting because that is what I am. But, I’m going to be completely honest and say I don’t like my classmates too much. I fit in really well with another class and so I am changing my class. It is no problem with the school and I am really happy about this because I feel so much better with the other class. I think I have a better chance of learning in their too because I can communicate well with them.
So far I have gone out every night with friends to see the city and to get to know people. I have met a few really great people who I adore. Sorry to all in Pennsylvania and my friends and family in the United States, but I can’t say I’m missing you too much right now. I don’t have time to miss you and the people who have taken your place are incredible. I feel like I could write about all my experiences for hours and hours and still forget something and I haven’t even been here for a week. But to sum it all up, I’m doing really well.
Besos a todos!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Estoy emocionada!
Hola!
I know I said I probably wouldn't write until I was in Argentina but I have way too many exciting things to talk about! I have received a lot more information from AFS. I have 17 days left in my home in Pennsylvania. It's a bit weird to think that my days are numbered here but I am still excited. I need to be in Miami on August 18th for an orientation with the other AFS students from America going to Argentina. From there, we leave Miami at abour 9:30 at night on the 19th and we arrive in Buenos Aires at 6 in the morning on the 20th. From there I will take part in another orientation with ALL the AFS kids in the world going to Argentina. Since my town in Argentina is in the wayyy north, I will take a bus with the other exchange students living in Formosa from Buenos Aires to our new homes. There I will be greeted by my host family and the wonderful AFS staff in Formosa. To say the least, I AM SO EXCITED!
Right now we are currently waiting for my Visa. Which is kind of the most important thing and it is still not completed yet. It is coming soon though, hopefully next week. If I don't have that visa, I don't go anywhere so it is kind of making me nervous that I don't have one yet and I leave in less than 3 weeks. I'm thinking positive though, I know it will all come together and there still is time. The next few things on my agenda are to pack and get all of my things together for my adventure.
I just recently finished my online class so I am 100% on summer vacation now and I have been with my friends all the time. I am going to miss them so much. They are so supportive though and they know I really want this. I couldn't ask for better friends. My family has been incredible too, my mom especially. She has put everything together for me and I am so thankful. I am so thankful for everyone who has helped me get ready for this in some way or another. I couldn't ask for more supportive people.
Now really, this is the last post before I am in Argentina! In 3 weeks my life is going to be totally different and I am SO ready. Besos :)
Edit: I GOT MY VISA! Now everything is in order to go!
I know I said I probably wouldn't write until I was in Argentina but I have way too many exciting things to talk about! I have received a lot more information from AFS. I have 17 days left in my home in Pennsylvania. It's a bit weird to think that my days are numbered here but I am still excited. I need to be in Miami on August 18th for an orientation with the other AFS students from America going to Argentina. From there, we leave Miami at abour 9:30 at night on the 19th and we arrive in Buenos Aires at 6 in the morning on the 20th. From there I will take part in another orientation with ALL the AFS kids in the world going to Argentina. Since my town in Argentina is in the wayyy north, I will take a bus with the other exchange students living in Formosa from Buenos Aires to our new homes. There I will be greeted by my host family and the wonderful AFS staff in Formosa. To say the least, I AM SO EXCITED!
Right now we are currently waiting for my Visa. Which is kind of the most important thing and it is still not completed yet. It is coming soon though, hopefully next week. If I don't have that visa, I don't go anywhere so it is kind of making me nervous that I don't have one yet and I leave in less than 3 weeks. I'm thinking positive though, I know it will all come together and there still is time. The next few things on my agenda are to pack and get all of my things together for my adventure.
I just recently finished my online class so I am 100% on summer vacation now and I have been with my friends all the time. I am going to miss them so much. They are so supportive though and they know I really want this. I couldn't ask for better friends. My family has been incredible too, my mom especially. She has put everything together for me and I am so thankful. I am so thankful for everyone who has helped me get ready for this in some way or another. I couldn't ask for more supportive people.
Now really, this is the last post before I am in Argentina! In 3 weeks my life is going to be totally different and I am SO ready. Besos :)
Edit: I GOT MY VISA! Now everything is in order to go!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Good news, bad news
Well as I mentioned in my last post I wanted to change my exchange to a year. AFS has informed me that I can't. I try to understand since I did sign up for the semester. I desperately want to stay for a year though. Though I am sad I only stay for a semester, I am going to enjoy and appreciate what I do have in front of me. GOOD NEWS THOUGH! AFS has confirmed my host family and where I will be living. I will live in Formosa, Argentina. A town in the north of Argentina full of warm, loving, and caring people. My host family consists of my father (Eduardo), my mother (Olga) and my host sisters (Susana and Adriana). Susana doesn't live at home though. Adriana is 13 days older than I am and I have been talking to her. She's a beautiful person with great intentions. She is nothing but nice and welcoming to me. I am counting down the days until I get on that plane in Pittsburgh and start my journey to Argentina. Already my host sister has introduced me to some friends of hers and her cousins. It's a comforting thought I am going somewhere that I have already established some friends. Thanks to Facebook I have connected with other AFS students from all over the world going to Argentina. I am excited to meet them in August at our orientation. They're all genuinely kind people who have the same emotions and feelings I do every day. It's nice to know you're not alone.
School's over and summer is starting. Now all that's left for me to do is wait. Though it seems like the days pass slowly before I know it (and my family knows it) I'll be saying my goodbyes. I'm not sure if anyone actually reads this, but if so expect my next post to be when I'm in Argentina. Hasta luego! (See ya later!)
Besos, Kristen
School's over and summer is starting. Now all that's left for me to do is wait. Though it seems like the days pass slowly before I know it (and my family knows it) I'll be saying my goodbyes. I'm not sure if anyone actually reads this, but if so expect my next post to be when I'm in Argentina. Hasta luego! (See ya later!)
Besos, Kristen
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Waiting, waiting, waiting...
Hello all,
I haven't really even thought about this thing until today. I had my first AFS orientation today with the other kids from Western PA who are going abroad. I really liked the orientation and it was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. Today helped me in a lot of ways and I am BEYOND excited now. Also, I am going to try and change my program from a semester to a year. I will let you all know how that goes. I need my school and AFS-USA and AFS-Argentina to okay it before it is for sure but that is what I'd really like to do. There's not much else going on now except waiting for the answers to all the questions I have.
Thanks for reading! Love, Kristen
I haven't really even thought about this thing until today. I had my first AFS orientation today with the other kids from Western PA who are going abroad. I really liked the orientation and it was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. Today helped me in a lot of ways and I am BEYOND excited now. Also, I am going to try and change my program from a semester to a year. I will let you all know how that goes. I need my school and AFS-USA and AFS-Argentina to okay it before it is for sure but that is what I'd really like to do. There's not much else going on now except waiting for the answers to all the questions I have.
Thanks for reading! Love, Kristen
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