Coming to America

Thursday, we had our end of IES Program dinner. it was like a prom mixed with a middle school dance. There were chairs against the wall, just in case no one wanted to choose you to dance. Everyone was pretty excited that the semester had ended and everyone went out after. Honestly, I'm a little bit nervous to come back home because of culture shock. I don't really feel like typing a blog right now, but here are some pics from the dinner and some old pics from the club. And there was a talent show.

Chelsea did a tango performance at the dinner. Pretty cool.

Most of the gang

This kid is so stylish

Jack!

DOUCHE

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Hey.

If anyone is still reading or was hoping to read. Here's another one. I stopped posting because I got tired of being here/talking about how much longer I had left. But with only a month to go, things are looking silver lining-y?

Here are some updates:

I can do an elbow stand now. Which is sweeet.

I've been wearing an afro, because I can get away with that here. It's also cute. see pics.

Can't wait to eat a taco.

The guys leave at the end of this week.






                                                                             The airline sent me an e-mail saying I now have a 5 year layover on the way back, so that'll be fun.

Classes are regular.

My Spanish skills.......

The internship is going very well. I'm excited to be there and I learn something new each time.

Guess what we have this week?? A holiday break. For the thousandth time this semester. Not complaining, just saying. I probably have more updates, but can't think of them right now and I have class.

I look kind of scary here

I've never seen a bathroom sign like this

Thanks for all of the support.

TB

Korean BBQ

Love this nail polish color

I was going to add more to the last post, but the pictures made it really long, so I decided to break them  up, which is inconvenient, because I have to think of another title. Wasn't prepared for this. Just so you guys know, sometimes, these blogs don't go up until days later, because I can't think of a title. But let's get to it.

Soooo, the count down to Farriggs girlfriend coming to visit is less than a week now. It's the most anticipated event of the semester lol and the guest list is very exclusive. I'm on it. We're all really excited to meet her, because Farriggs is super cool. When you guys get to know someone, aren't you interested in what the person they're dating would be like? Especially if they've been dating for a while. Not like those couples who just use each other as jewelry. The only downside is we're going to the most expensive restaurant on earth to meet her, but I hear they have good food, so it should be fun.

Sometimes, when we have spare time, the American students sit downstairs and complain about the cleaning ladies. And we end up downstairs because we've been put out of our rooms by the cleaning ladies. It's funny, because it's like the best problem a person can have, but we find it so annoying because we're not used to it. It's so hilarious, the lengths we go through to avoid them. They come and clean your room every single day. My room does not get that dirty to where I need someone else to come straighten up my things every day. And sometimes they mix up my thing's with Lydia's. So we sit around an exchange stories. Some of them are pretty notable. One time, I heard them rolling the cart down the hallway and knocking on some doors (the anticipation is the worst) so I went into the bathroom and turned on the water to pretend to shower, and they knocked, but then went away. (Victory!) I went out to run some errands that day, came back a few hours later and my room had been cleaned "..." Farriggs' biggest issue is that they don't come at the same time every day. So, you can't even plan your day around it. So, sometimes they'll come at 11 in the morning, but sometimes it'll be 5 in the noon, but one time they went to his room at like 9 am. lol. He was so upset. Then he tried to explain one time that he doesn't need his room cleaned (I've tried that too), so they left, then a few minutes later, he got a call from the front desk "Alexander, you have to let them clean your room". It was hilarious. Then Nick, who gets drunk during the week, sent them away twice one morning, because he couldn't get up, then the third time just said forget it, and told them to just clean around him while he slept on the bed.

Other notable news is, I found another internship. I don't know too much right now, but ask me for details later. I start next week. I think this one is serious. Apparently, Argentine students think Americans are suckers for doing any free work for "experience", but that's how the system works in the states. Internships aren't really a thing here, and I feel like that's the main reason I'm able to find so many. I've gotten two internships and had four interviews so far. In the states I'm crying every day, because employers use my resume as company toilet paper.

And, finally, I'm considering changing up my scene for the last two months to see if I can maybe branch out and meet some new people. I was thinking of joining a gym outside of the neighborhood and with the internship, hopefully I can meet some people there. So we'll see.

*Sometimes I find myself translating from Spanish, or using Spanish grammatical structures in English.
*I bought Fight Club in Spanish, for reading practice and a copy of GQ.
*Looking forward to seeing everyone back in the staytez.

Muchos Besos,

TB

brandnamet.blogspot.com

¿How Many of us Have Them?

I thought some of you might be curious about the people I fraternize with here, so I thought I'd post some photos and maybe a few deets about cada persona. The first few pictures are from the night where I made the mistake of wearing a red dress to the club. I was originally going to wear black. With sequins, but still safer than red. The girls convinced me to put on this red dress. All night, every aggressive creep in the club could easily spot me and follow me around to try to dance. And the club wasn't that full. Later, the DJ started calling me out from the loud speaker. "Maracha" "Rojo" I'm like "Is this really happening?" BUT I wasn't gonna hide in the corner, because I like to live it up. I just owned it and dodged the creeps all night. Never doing that again though. Worst decision ever. I wish you all could see a picture of me in this dress next to a picture of a red dress my mom has from a 90s picture where she was going out one night. The similarities are striking. This is the part of life where I start looking like my mom.

The first photo is of Alex and myself at a bar. Alex goes to NYU. From Jersey. Likes afros, cool jewelry, and cropped tops. I would probably describe her as a free spirit. Very laid back and always leads the group to the next destination when we're out. Perfect for the cooperative.

Yes, that ice cream thing has alcohol in it. But it's cute, so I ate it.

The next is of Hope and Courtenay. Courtenay is Alex's roommate here at Entis, but they were also roommates freshman year at NYU. Courtenay likes the color pink, exercise, and is a cheerleader. Super fun. We also like the same music and we have the same career aspirations, just about. The story of their roommate-ship is pretty hilarious. Hope goes to BU ("Because you go to BU"- Insider for Arrita, or anyone who saw that movie) but is studying abroad through the NYU Program. There are also some Michigan girls studying through that program.

Hope and Courtenay

 Farriggs and Jose, next. Farrigs is the most mysterious person ever. It's weird. He's been on Jerry Springer (In the audience). We all watched the episode while we were in Mar del Plata. Hilarious. Jose is funny. Jack, James, Russel, Nick&Leah, and Farriggs all go to Ithica College, which is pretty impressive for a small school. The schools with the most IES participants this semester are GW, Penn State, University of Michigan, and Ithica College.

More NYU, then, a picture of me and the guys from Mar del Plata. Jose took the picture. James is also a theatre student (get excited) hoping to go into non profit or producing. Jack has the same type of humor I do. That works out. And then, a picture of some of the volleyball team.

Can you tell this is later in the night? (hint: my hair)

Hope

Oe Yi 

A Team

Volleyball Team

Other notable people include Danny, Nick&Leah, Chelsea, Guadalupe, Larissa, Geraldine. I don't have pics of them. But Danny is the social butterfly who always wants to show everyone a good time. People I hang out with most, in order, are myself, The guys, NYU girls, the whole team, which is the guys, plus Danny, Russle and Nick&Leah. Yes, Nick&Leah are one person lol.

Everyone's a bunch of fun.

TB

Signs the Bus isn't Coming

Buenos Aires has been really fun, but every time I think about my life here, it seems like an illusion. In some ways it is. In some ways, college in general is an illusion. Mostly, because a lot of us have the comforts of being a dependent student. Here, it's like, my friends are perfect, classes are leisurely, weather is nice. I'm not sure how to describe it, but life is unrealistically good right now. And I take advantage of it because I know it's short. Maybe living in one place too long makes room for too much comfort, and I should just become a nomad.

I've had a lot more opportunities to hang out with the girls lately and it's obviously been the time of my life. I don't have to tell you all how much I prefer the company of women (hence, moving into the all girls dorm sophomore year). They're like the perfect combination. Unfortunately, they leave in a month, and it'll be back to me hanging out with the guys, although not really, since one of them confessed that he liked me, and now he feels weird, so I don't really get invited anymore, I usually invite myself. I'm just going to have to find some hobbies, which I'm working on.

Sometimes, I think about when I'll come back to Buenos Aires, which I realized, translates to "good air". And I feel like I'll inevitably come back, and I would stay longer if it were continuous. But since I have to go home, then buy another plane ticket sometime in the future, might as well experience another place. I keep imagining coming back, and it being like Big Fish, where it's too late the second time. And I don't want to return hoping to have the same type of experience, because I know that isn't possible.

*I'm convinced that everyone in this city works out ... except for the men.
*Also, I finally found peanut butter, got really excited and finished off 85% of the jar in the first three days. So I've refrained from buying more.

Just some thoughts,

TB

Starry Eyed

The night I decided to wear fake lashes. In comparison to my actuals, they look pretty gross/extreme.

Wednesday, I had my spanish midterm and I felt crappy afterward as usual when someone takes an exam, especially language. But Diego, the professor, had it planned out so we could spend our break happily. When we turned in our tests, he handed us progress reports so we wouldn't freak out and think we were failing. It was really nice of him. So after I took the test, I went to the restroom and while I was drying my hands I was lolligagging a bit and noticed the dispenser on the wall wasn't for tampons, it was for condoms. "...?" I stood there and pondered it for a moment and thought about the person designing the restroom going to the store, picking up two dispensers, one in each hand. One for condoms, one for tampons and eventually deciding that condoms were the best choice. I would think that you would at least get condoms in addition to, not in place of tampons. The only reason I could see that even being an option is because there are a lot of students around, but still. If I'm having an emergency in a bathroom, it's not something that can be solved with a condom. Anyway I decided to turn the knob to see if the condoms were at least free. Like, if they were just encouraging safe sex, but that wasn't the case either. My American logic means nothing here.

 This weekend, I decided to go out, because I had some free time and I felt like it. So Friday, or something, I went bar hopping with Alex and Courtenay. It was very laid back, but really fun and we stayed in our neighborhood. We also found this cute little "Mexican" restaurant that served tapas and split a few plates. It was super cute. At the second bar, I had to use the restroom and while I was washing my hands, I noticed a condom dispenser! I'm like really? Again with this? So I guess that's just what they do here.

 I had been talking about straihtening my hair for a while, so I looked up a salon and took the bus out to where the salon was located, but when I got there, the one I was aiming for was closed, but I was in Palermo, so I was sure I could find one if I just walked down the street, and I did. And I figured it would be fine, because there are Brazilian women here and someone does their hair. So I stumbled upon the best salon ever. There were like three guys and a lady at the reception, and at first it was calm and they were getting to know me and stuff. I was the only one in there at the time. Then they started blasting some beyonce and gaga and having a party, all the while the guy who was straightening my hair knew exactly what he was doing. Then they were asking me questions like "Do you have a voice like the rest of them?" "The rest of who?" lol I was so confused. Then he started naming various black American pop stars. I'm like...no. I'm not Beyonce loll. It was so funny. If you guys listen to the good stereotypes associated with blacks in other countries, they'll make you giggle. Even though they're just as ridiculous as the bad ones. It's hilarious. Then they're like "you should wear an Afro with some heels. I'll do your make up." I'm like "Kay, next time, maybe." They were so fun and super nice though and it was really cheap. And they told me some clubs to try. It was a great morning.

 So after that, on the way home, I stopped into this little shop and bought a dress, hoping that someone was going out later. I got back to the res hall and found Alex and she was on her way to a going away barbecue for a guy who used to live here. He's on his way back to Germany. So I went with them and we had an asado. Delicious steak and chorizo and blood sausage. Haven't worked up the courage to try that yet. But the food was delish, as usual. He's really good at grilling. Then we decided to go out to some bars. I was really tired, but hanging in there, because I really wanted to do this. People were dropping off from our group one by one. So while we were at the shadiest bar on the street across from the sleazy teen club, someone mentioned having free passes to this other club, so after some debate (just got my hair straihtened today, it's late, does anyone feel like dancing) we went.

 It was SO fun.

 Like, "I couldn't believe what I was living" lol, that's from a song. But at first it was kind of empty, because it was "only" 12:30am, but then it started getting more packed. Also, we stopped by the residence Hall and convinced Jose to come with us. So there were four of us just dancing the night away to some Latin American hits. And as the night went on, the club was more packed, the lights were more intense and the music was more American. We were ridiculously tired, but every time we would think about leaving, a good song would come on, so we stayed and at one point, I was just on the stage dancing, like unable to see anybody in the crowd because they were shining these bright LEDs on us, plus fog. It was great. Finally, were all dehydrated and talking about leaving and it was like 4am, then a good song came on. I have no idea what time we left. Probably around 5. So worth it. People were asking me if I was Brazilian all night and, trying to speak Portuguese and stuff. But I'm like, if we both speak Spanish, what's the prob? It was weird. Men are such creeps lol. These two guys at the bar tried to double team talk to me. I'm like, are you talking to me, or should I be paying attention to your friend? "no, I don't want to kiss you, I'm just trying to order a beverage" "do you want us to pay for it?" ('Us?' Lol, what? Do people not call dibs here?) "nope, cause I don't want to talk to you" This is where living in a small town becomes an advantage. So the guy from waffles sur, which is down the street, where I love to eat (see Oreo Enthusiasts Unite to eat Waffles), because it's a genius restaurant, was at the club and stepped in, like "is everything cool?" I took this opportunity to make a smooth exit.

 It was great. And everyone was happy. And even Jose had fun, even though, initially, he didn't want to be the only guy in the group. I had to convince him that that wasn't gay. Overall, a success I would say.

 *First world problems are still problems
*iPads suck again

 Til next time,

 TB

H,I,J, K, elemental (?) P

The other day, I was sitting alone having some quick breakfast on my way to class. And I started not to go, because every day, it's the same situation where there are about 7 students who have to get up early and compete for the same few slices of bread the chef puts out. I didn't feel like fighting for food that day, but when I looked in, there wasn't a long line, so I stopped in. Mind you, a normal breakfast here is, for example, a slice of toast, some coffee with milk and dulce de leche, or a croissant, dulce de leche and coffee. So it's not filling anyway. I just eat it because I'm hungry and that's the option.

So I'm sitting there having my three slices of a dinner roll with spread, and this kid sits down across from me with his "breakfast" which is three croissants. He has the nerve to look at my plate and comment: "THAT'S your breakfast? If I don't eat at least this much *indicates three croissants*, I'm starving." Now, I have NOT complained about the minimal breakfast here. I just roll with it. But he tried to take me on. I'm like "boy" don't even talk to me about breakfast. As soon as I touch down at DTW, that will be my FIRST stop on the way home (and some tacos). Do you know what we eat for breakfast in America? We eat like men. Do you know what I would give for a three egg, three cheese omlete, stuffed full of vegetables, potatoes and random fried pig parts, two fluffy white flour butter molested pancakes drenched in syrup, and a thick, creamy glass of whole milk to wash it all down? I shake my stick at your scrawny breakfast of crumpets and leisure. Don't you ever talk to me about breakfast again. You haven't met breakfast. Dismissed.

Now, obviously, I didn't say all that to him, but he definitely heard a piece of it. I couldn't believe he tried to attack my toast, as if I had a choice. Smh.

Also, I started thinking about how popular pickpocketing is here, and I thought to myself, if it happens that much, someone has to be watching it happen. Like, everyone can't be missing it. Is everyone in on it, or what? Are these people that good? And why are there still citizens who wear their backpacks on their backs and not the front? That seems like a bad idea. So, because it was on my mind, I paid attention and I caught one! So I was standing next to this kid on the bus. And I'm wary of everyone, so I was Paying attention. He was wearing his bag on his back. Strange. But he ended up not being the shady one. When he went to get off the bus, he was standing, waiting for the doors to open, when this guys who was obviously a coward, started sneakily unzipping this kid's outer pocket. The reason I knew is because we were packed in pretty tight, and every time the bus would rock back and separate the two, the kid's zipper was undone a little more. And the guys strategy was, he had his jacket draped over his hand so no one would suspect him or see what he was doing if they weren't paying attention, but I was staring. Bad idea, yes, in hindsight. But I was so fascinated by the fact that I was witnessing this in action. The guy noticed me staring and I think he probably thought I was staring critically/was going to bust him, but I was too entranced to say anything to the kid. Not that I would have probably. But, eventually the guy gave up. He kept looking at me, and finally said forget it, and the kid was getting off anyway, so the day was saved.

Also, I know that University is cheap/free in other countries, but hearing someone say it, blows my mind all over again, then I blow their minds right back. I was chatting with my partner for a project who lives in Spain, and he pays $1,000 per year to attend his university, which, he says is the best university in the area. And I'm like "wow" Every year, I pay to attend your school for 22 years. At least. Ridic. Then I added, "But I'm American, so that's normal for me." Everyone just plans to be in debt. *shrugs*

Updates:

*Every time I think I could stay here longer, something happens that makes me want to leave. The same thing happens the other way around.
*Living in a residence hall is a bad idea if you aren't a freshman.
*It's fascinating how one can learn a language, despite having an accent. Just to be able to gain an understanding of a differnt structure. Very interesting.

TB