"Partyin' Partyin' YEAH"

The internet is so jank here, that I am skeptical about writing a blog. I may just do more frequent and shorter, so if I lose it, it won't suck too bad. I moved into the dorms yesterday, and today I had the first day of orientation. We went on a shorter version of that all day bus tour I went on a few days ago with Vanessa. I've met several students from universities all over the US. Everyone's really nice and trying to learn and be nice and stuff. No one really speaks Spanish to each other. But, fortunately, I also have a group of local friends thanks to my roommate, so when I go out with them, we all use the language.

Right now, I'm taking a break between my day and partying I guess. I have to work on adjusting my sleep/wake schedule. I am a morning person, so I like to get up around 8am, but that's when the clubs get out, so that's when people are asleep. It's bad. I keep thinking, "Do all South Americans work at bars?" Like, how else could you party like that? Don't you have to go to work in the morning/in an hour? It makes sense for students, because a lot of them don't work, but..I'm confused about this lifestyle. Also, why is South America named that? It seems like it would have an independent name. Probably has something to do with something I missed in history class in Elementary school.

Everyone's super nice and gets along really well so far. This one guy turned 21 today, so we're supposed to be going out for that. Everyone downplays their 21st birthday when they're abroad. They're like it doesn't matter, but I feel like, if it's a big deal to you, then it's still significant. People celebrate their Quinceñera in America and that's not a thing for us, but if it's significant to you, then do what you will. Most of those people drink illegally anyway, so they've already been drunk/had the experience, so it's less significant anyway, not because you happen to be out of the country. Anyway, I convinced him that he was still cool, so a group of us are going out.

I took some pictures, but I don't have a camera cord. I may order one online soon, but I have to see what's going on. I've heard about a few cool places we're planning to visit. Some of them are in the planned IES field trips, so i'll be going to those.

I'm feeling pretty comfortable now. Like, life is regular. I overheard this girl saying that she had to get over the jet lag. There's a 5 hour time difference from wherever she's from. I guess I didn't have jet lag because there's only a two hour difference here. Interesting question I have: Could people avoid jet lag if they bought flights that stopped in places with smaller time differnces on the way to their destinations? Not that anyone would do that. It's not that serious, but I wonder if that's true.

TB