Week 44--

My apologies for not writing yesterday! I have been in Buenos Aires, and I just arrived home to Montevideo tonight... But here it is: week 44!

I LOVE BUENOS AIRES. I love the city. I love the people I know who live there. I love the time I have spent there. As I'm writing this on my ipod on the ferry, I keep looking back to catch a glimpse of what's left of the city's lights. They are becoming more and more difficult to see... No matter how hard I squint my eyes. The people behind me probably think I'm crazy. I just love Buenos Aires.

On Friday, after another long week of school, I took a bus to Colonia and then a boat to Puerto Madero in BA. I listened to these two songs as I entered into the port... Get it? River? Cuz I was pulling in on the River...? My friend Pablo (who is the brother of our family friends back at home) picked me up and took me to his family's apartment. I immediately felt right at home, as he, his wife (Tere), and I sat down for a dinner of milanesas and puré de papa at 11:30 at night (totally normal). We had such wonderful conversation--mostly about Argentinian politics and the role of the church in Argentinian government and society... Ya know, the usual light dinner table conversation...

The next day I met up with my friend Anneka from Charlotte who is studying Spanish in BA for 5 months. It was so nice to see another familiar face. We had a lovely day catching up, eating good food, and wandering about the city.

That night, I went with Pablo to meet his wife, daughters, and in-laws at their house in the country to spend the night and the rest of the weekend. Again, more good food, and SUCH good, real conversation. I officially want to read the Hobbit, as we talked about it for like an hour, and the family told me about all of the symbolism within the story and of Tolkien's wittiness.

Sunday = even more delicious food, more great conversation, and a good ol' siesta (nap) to boot! We went to evening Mass and then dinner at Pablo's family's house in San Isidro. It was so good to see all of Pablo and Tere's family, as I had spent New Years with them in December/January. What a fun, relaxed weekend, huh!?

But the fun wasn't over! Today (Monday) I went for a walk with Tere and the baby to buy some Tom-like shoes (for a fourth of the price!), then I met Anneka for lunch and more strolling. We ate SUCH good empanadas and SUCH good ice cream. I'm tellin' you guys... It might seem like I just ate the whole weekend... And I practically did. BUT the food is just soo yummy. Please add "food" to the list above ^ of "the things I love about Buenos Aires."

I was sad to leave, but I feel very blessed to know such wonderful people who live in BA, who have told me that their doors are always open for whenever I choose to return. I hope that time is soon.

Hasta luego, Buenos Aires. You've been good to me.

Saludos, che!--

Courtney

Stroll.

Bienvenidos.

Garden child.



Amigas en el parque.

Tesi (one of the cute lil' babies).

Plaza de mayo.

Camina!

To you city. To you city I love so much, to you I sing.



Week 43--

Today marks 10 months since I left for Uruguay. Double digits! Holy cow! (Fun fact: there are five cows for every one person here in Uruguay. Maybe even more now! Holy cow indeed!)

This week was a long one. I feel like things I did on Monday or Tuesday happened 43 years ago-- probably due to the lack of sleep from my 1ST URUGUAYAN SLEEPOVER!!! (With real-life-Uruguayans!) On Tuesday night my friend Chiara and I ate dinner at our friend Josefina's apartment, and then studied, ate junk food, and laughed the night away...almost literally... We got like 3 or 4 hours of sleep. I don't think I've recuperated yet... My 21 year old self just can't handle pajama parties like my 20 year old self could ;)



In other news, my best friend here, Lindsay, leaves tomorrow to head back to the U.S.A. Our church group threw a surprise party for her on Friday night which was a lot of fun--and the surprise was a success! It felt like everything was coming to full-circle: Lindsay and I started this huge Uruguayan experience together by going on a retreat in August with a lot of the same people... and ten months later, we were spending one of her final nights together with them--people who have turned from "other Uruguayans on the retreat" to "our dear friends."

One of our dear friends from the group invited Lindsay and I over to her apartment yesterday to have lunch with her family. We stayed for hours, and once again I was amazed by the kindness, joy, and love I could see amongst all of them. It made me so, so thankful for my family back at home, and also reminded me of what I want for my future family. After lunch I returned home, rested with some good ol' Arrested Development on Netflix, and then made my way back to Lindsay's for another goodbye get-together.

I am so sad to see Lindsay go, but I find comfort in knowing that this is not a final goodbye. She has been (and continues to be) a true friend, and true friendships last.





















 

All of this "goodbye" stuff, and the fact that I have hit the 10 month mark, has sent me into a sort of "panic-type mode." I feel like I'm over-thinking a lot of the little ways I'm spending my time... How exactly am I spending my time? Have I/am I making the most out of this experience? Where did the time go?!! Although these are good questions to ask for reflection, the way I'm asking them (in a way that is making things less enjoyable because I'm worrying if I'm going to regret not doing something here...or missing something...if that makes sense?) is twisted. Thoughts of Satan, I just know it. It's like my boyfriend, David, said to me, "he's trying to make you feel like there's something to regret when there's not." I have no regrets so far about my time here... And I don't think I will when I return and look back on my time. It's just that now I feel like I'm scrambling in order to ensure I don't acquire any regrets in my final two months here... To be sure to not have any instead of just thinking I won't... It's just plain silly, I know.

I guess I'm just at a weird point where it's like I'm almost home but still have a significant amount of time here, time I know is going to fly by, and I don't quite know how to handle that. I feel like I'm beginning to close this circle I've been drawing for so long now, and it's a horrible-mixed-up-mess of emotions: the sadness of leaving my life and the ones I love here, but also joy in returning to my life and the ones I love back at home. It's all very grey-ish... if you will.

I don't know...that's just what I'm feeling right now, so I thought I'd share! I guess these feelings mean that I really have enjoyed my experience here, otherwise I wouldn't care! And there's absolutely no regret in that. Bolded & underlined.

Resolution: SIMPLY ENJOY THE REST OF MY TIME HERE LIKE I HAVE ENJOYED THE PAST TEN MONTHS.

On a more chipper note: Happy Pentecost Sunday! "Come Holy Spirit!" (That song's for you Dad... click on the link, then go dance around the kitchen for me.)

ALSO--CONGRATS, to my baby-brother and his girlfriend for winning Prom King and Queen! We're fay-mous!

That's all for now folks!

Off to live in the moment--

Courtney

Week 42--

 

Hello there!

FELIZ DÍA DE LA MADRE! Thank you, Madre real, for saying yes to life, for helping me grow through your constant love and support, and for singing with me in the kitchen with spatulas for microphones. I love you so much. There is no way to thank you enough for everything you do for our family.

'Como sea'... (anyways)

I survived my first real 'parcial' (test), and therefore feel like a new woman! I think I did pretty well: everything I wrote made sense in my head... I just hope it made sense on paper... Welp, one down, one more to go on Wednesday!

Once again, I studied, studied, studied a lot this week and throughout the weekend (lame, I know.) BUT my weekend studying is justified because I am trying to get everything done before: 1. I go to Buenos Aires for a quick little visit! 2. MY FRIEND SARAH COMES TO VISIT ME FOR A WEEK! So, you see, I'm not so lame...

The weather was beautiful towards the end of the week this week, so one day I took my studying to the beach. The Río was smooth, the sun was setting over the city in the distance, and I just felt at peace.  I felt that same peace on my run/walk today, as I stopped to look out into the Río. ...Such a great feeling: peace. I know you all are probably sick of hearing my say this (/reading me write this?), but these last nine months have truly been a gift and blessing from the Lord. I am starting to recognize that more and more as I feel the end beginning to sneak up on me. I feel like it's lurking behind me... and that, my friends, is an unpleasant feeling.

'Como sea'... (pronounced co-mo say-a)

My Uruguayan friend Marce and her brother Martín took my friend Lindsay and me to a fútbol game yesterday--Peñarol vs. Progreso (two Uruguayan teams). I still had never been to a soccer game here, which is practically a sin, so I was pretty excited! Marce es una fanática de Peñarol--she looooves Peñarol, as does 55% of the country, according to Martín. Apparently 55% of the country is loyal to Peñarol, 40% to Nacional, and the remaining 5% is divided amongst all of the other Uruguayan professional teams. Progreso was one of those "other Uruguayan professional teams." Poor guys... they practically had a handful of fans compared to Peñarol's roaring crowd.

Martín explained to Lindsay and me that fútbol here is like salvation for many little Uruguayan boys. Many play with the dream of becoming a professional in order to earn money for their families. He also talked a lot about the "extras" that now come with the game: now it's not just soccer, the love of the sport...unfortunately, nowadays, fútbol is a lot about the money-- which is why, according to Martín, Uruguay doesn't play so well against countries like Brasil or México, as those two countries have more money to put towards the game. He also explained to us that violence has become more of a 'thing' between the fans themselves. He said that there are some gangs who fight against one another in between the two cuadros (teams)--Peñarol and Nacional. I asked him what would happen if someone wore a Nacional jersey in the most rowdy fan section, where we did not sit with safety in mind (don't worry, Dad), and he said without thinking, "They'd kill him." Oh boy...

I would like to emphasis that not all fans are like ^that! There are a lot of good, peaceful fans out there! Martín was just saying that the violence does, unfortunately, exist.

SO...THAT being said, there is still a lot of good that comes with fútbol. The "coming together" of a country to watch their men play, the excitement of seeing their team play (and hopefully win), the demonstration of the players to young boys that hard work and determination can help you achieve your goals... Ya know, things like that! It was also so neat to hear everyone singing and chanting and clapping in unison, showing their passion for Peñarol: ♫♪ "Peñarol es así, el orgullo de todo el país..." ♪♫

One more thing that Martín said that caught my attention: "Todo el mundo juega fútbol en Uruguay. Si no jugás, es como no sos hombre." "(Everyone (male) plays soccer in Uruguay. If you don't play soccer, it's as if you aren't a man.)" Woa. I'll just let that one sink in for ya... Iiiiiii don't know about that one... It's like my host-mom said, "That's like saying that real men don't cry..." With which I am also not in agreeance. I don't think Martín was being literal, just trying to paint a little picture: In Uruguay, fútbol matters.

I also learned some cool facts about the stadium from Martín. El Centenario (the name of the stadium) hosted the first World Cup in 1930, which Uruguay won! The stadium was built in 9 months, and because it was rushed...the builders were worried that it would collapse during the World Cup game from all of the fans jumping up and down. Luckily, it didn't, and it is still standing today! "If they could build the stadium in 9 months, then you can (fill in the blank)" is apparently a common phrase heard from bosses in the workplace here in Montevideo. I also learned that there is a tower in the stadium built in homage for all those who came over from Europe for that first game. It is a "thank you" for making the journey to Uruguay, all for the love of the game.

Annnd...that's all I remember! Overall, my time watching Peñarol play (and win! 1-0) was a fun and educational experience.

Once again, Happy Mother's Day! And happy Sunday as well!

¡Peñaroooo000oOOol! --

Courtney


Amigas y fútbol.

♫♪ ¡Peñarol es así, el orgullo de todo el país! ♪♫

El Torre del Homenaje en el Estadio Centenario.

Week 41--

Happy May, everybody! The fire in the fire place is officially cracklin' here in Montevideo, as the cold weather continues to roll in.

School, teach English, study, teach English, school, study, school, teach English, school, study, school, study. That's pretty much how Monday-Friday looked this week! Aren't you jealous? (insert myself winking at you) There were, however, some little treats sprinkled into the week... for instance: Wednesday was Labor Day and the whole city shut down (including classes WOO!), so I went for a nice lil' run, and Wednesday night me and Sabri, my host sister, had a little host-sister-movie-night on the lower bunk--we watched a movie about Helen Keller in Spanish. I also had my first of four theology classes at the University where we'll be going through the Catechism. I really enjoyed it. I also was told that I looked like a Uruguayan, which is always a confidence-boost! Now I just need to nail down their accent and all of their vocabulary/grammar... check back in with me 0n that in about three months...

Here are four other little "week 41 treats" for ya:

1st treat: On Friday it was soo so rainy, windy, and yucky. PERFECT café/study weather. My friend Abby was kind enough to introduce me to a café en el centro with the most delicious (and resonably priced) food. It also has free wifi AND the staff didn't (verbally) mind us hanging out/studying in there for 5 hours. A+! A+! I had a great time chatting, eating, and laughing with Abby as I studied and she wrote letters to those back at home.

2nd treat: As I said, it was so gross outside on Friday. As I left the café and boarded the bus, the whole city just seemed dark... including the people. The sun may have been fading, but the rain kept on a'comin', and the wind, likewise. Let's just say public transportation is not the most fun in the rain. As we all sat on the bus, damp and crabby, a man boarded with a ukulele. "Damas y caballeros, muy, pero muy buenas tardes..." Oh boy, here we go. The man started to play his instrument and sing. This is nothing out of the ordinary. It happens all the time on the bus, and I usually always enjoy listening. But this time it just felt extra-special. I was looking at this man, happily strumming his ukulele and singing his heart out, and then looking at the people on the bus and at the weather outside, and I just had to smile. Such a lovely contrast: the ukulele man and the stormy weather/people. I wanted to film him with my iPhone, but I didn't know if that'd be creepy... But anyways, even though he will never read this: Thank you, kind sir, for stopping to play for us bus-ers despite the weather. And thank you for reminding me to smile despite the storm.

3rd treat: Friday night, my friend Lindsay and I went to "Joven Tango." When we arrived, we quickly realized that the people who typically come to "Joven Tango" are noooOo000ot so joven. (The word 'joven' means 'young'.) But we went in anyways, and oh boy am I glad we did! Our plan was just to watch, as neither of us really dance the tango--Lindsay had taken a couple of workshops beforehand, and I...just have never tango-ed. As we were observing, a man approached and asked if I wanted to dance. I told him I didn't know how to tango, but that I could try! It was one of those, "Welp, here goes nothin'!," moments I often have here in Uruguay. As I was dancing, a man who ended up being a tango professor asked Lindsay to dance, and from that point forward, we danced the night away! We were both in combat-type boots (because of the rain), quite different from the stilettos that adorned the other women's feet, but that didn't stop us! We danced on our tip-toes for hours and learned to tango from our guides. It was so much fun. I woke up the next day with sore legs and Lindsay with a sore back. Despite the obvious discomfort, the soreness was like a nice little memory of a nice little night of tango!

Fourth treat: I babysat last night--5 little boys and a little girl. When the boys decided to have a "Nerf war," I felt right at home. I love seeing kids just be kids. 

And with that, I sign off to go for a run and then STUDY some more! WoohhOooooOo! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I have one of my first big tests on Thursday. Essay format, in Spanish. Let's hear another "woohhOooooOo"! WoohhOooooOo!

I hope all is well and spring-y for you back in the U.S.A. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all of my friends who graduated yesterday! So proud of you all!

Cheers--

Courtney

Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum. Delicioso!

Noooot the most convenient.