Week 46--

In honor of the month of June (although I've already written in June), here is a song I like. (0:43-0:44)

I've been thinking throughout the day today: "What the heck am I going to write my blog post on?!" Life is just feels so normal here now... and I don't want to bore you! And to be honest, I still don't really know what's going to come out of this blog post... But here it goes!

You know when you miss class in elementary school cuz you're sick, or your family goes on vacation, or you deside to give yourself a personal day (hehe...just kidding...), etc. and everything just feels so right with the world as you think of all of your friends at their desks doing their morning worksheets while you're tucked into bed or stopping by the McDonald's drive-through on your way home from said vacation? And then you return back to school the next day...and the "everything just feels right with the world" comes to a screeching halt as you're handed... dun, dun, duuuun... your make-up work. Welp, that's kind of how this week was for me: quick, scramble and get all of your work done that you didn't do during week 45! But you know what? Although I won't pretend that I didn't stress out at all, I tried keeping what my dad always tells me in mind, "It'll all work out," and I definitely didn't let all my schoolwork overwhelm me. It twas' a good feeling. 'Bout time I figured it out!

On Friday I had a test in my video production class in which I had to do things like look at twelve different versions of the same picture but with different lights (apparently) and match the lighting with the corresponding picture... I also had to memorize the names of the connectors, lights, cables, draw camera plans, etc. Yeah, I don't think I did so great. But fingers crossed! When I got home, I bundled up and walked down to the beach for some much needed, SO peaceful, reading for pleasure. I am (still) reading "La Sociedad de la Nieve," a book about the Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes in the 70's. 16 men ended up surviving, after battling for their lives for 72 days in the mountain range, overcoming two avalanches, and making the tough decision to resort to cannibalism. It is an incredible story of faith, positive attitude, and community. I highly recommend it, although it is in Spanish. My dad read an English book about it... I think it's called Miracle in the Andes. If you know my dad, maybe you can ask him if he recommends it! So anyways, I enjoyed a cozy, little read/thinking time on the beach, and then relaxed at home for the rest of the night--caught up with my cousins and mom and got to bed early... my kind of Friday night. Am I 81 or 21?

On Saturday I met up with some Uruguayan friends to start working on a hUgeee goup project we have that counts as an exam grade--we have to make a whole plan of communication for a company of our choice, complete with a month to month game-plan for different stakeholders, a budget, analysis of the company/product... things like that. It was actually fun though! I remember looking around the room at one point, smiling, and thinking to myself, "Wow... this is just so normal!" I know I've written about this before (aka, in the second little paragraph in this very blog post), but I just have to write about it again...because I just find it so fascinating.

Sidenote acutally related to this: My friend Anneka, who is studying in Buenos Aires, and her friend Brittney came to Montevideo for the weekend, and we were talking today about how cool language truly is... something I think I've also written about before (so sorry if I'm boring you by repeating myself!) But that's a key part of what made my "study session" with my Uruguayan friends so normal: we were just 5 girls, hanging around, laughing, taking pictures, drinking tea, writing a paper... all the while communicating through language. What a wonderful thing, language. To think, 11 months ago, there's no way on earth I'd be able to feel normal in a setting such as the one I just described. But throughout my time here, I have grown so much in the sense that I can feel normal and comfortable ... and soo much of that has to do with knocking down the language barrier one block at a time! It's still not all the way knocked down, but it's gettin' there. Gracias a Dios.

Speaking of Dios, my friend Ariel from my church young adult's group gave his testimony tonight (I'm giving mine next week! Eek!)... and he said something that really stuck with me: "I figured out that without God, I could go through life on my own. But I figured out that I didn't want to go through life on my own." (something along those lines) He pointed out that with the Lord comes a sense of fullness... and I couldn't agree more. Sure, without God my life is "doable"... but do I want my life to be just doable?

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

During Mass today, as we sang and I looked up at the crucifix, I just felt a sense of peace and belonging. The Lord died, and rose, and promised "never to leave us orphans" (John... at it again!... 14:18). Gracias a Dios!

And so this is where my blog post has arrived... bed time for me! Cinco horas hasta que tengo que levantarme para empezar la nueva semana: week 47! Vamoo0O00ooOs!

 Saturday.

 

Have a wonderful Monday (or whatever day of the week it is as you're reading this!)--

 

Courtney



Week 45--

Sarah came to visit me in Montevideo all the way from the U.S. of A.!!! (note: that rhymed)

Here's a quick list of things we did (not in order): walked along the rambla, ate churros filled with dulce de leche, went to McDonald's (three times...), watched movies, strolled around the museum of art, saw a cow in the park, explored the old part of Montevideo, ran-hiked-walked a 21k race, talked about God, life, and the future, ate delicious food with friends, sang The Sound of Music... etc, etc.

What a wonderful week.

Sarah and I realized that we have never been in the same class, are rarely in the same city...let alone state (nor, more recently, in the same country), and for the majority of our friendship  our schedules have caused us to spend only short, sporadic periods of time together. But we have been friends now for 12 years-- and every time we see each other it feels like we had just seen one another the day before. I'm sure you've heard it said that true friends can just pick right back up where they left off... and that's how it is with my friendship with Sarah. What a blessing!

It is neat to see how our relationship has grown and evolved throughout the years. We are no longer the little nine year olds sharing recess together (although Sarah would usually be playing football with all the boys while I was probably making up a dance somewhere...or having my teacher braid my hair...), nor the awkward eleven year olds showing up on the first day middle school in matching red-pin-striped Gap capris (on purpose), nor the (arguably even more awkward) fourteen year olds helping each other get ready for their first homecoming dance. Of course, we can still be as goofy as we've always been (you should have seen us running the 21k singing The Sound of Music), but Sarah pointed out that it took SO little time for us to start talking about very real, profound things in life: our faith, our future, our worries, our personal and spiritual growth, our relationships, etc. Sarah said it perfectly: "It's not like we have to try to talk about these things, but it just happens." It's nice when a friendship can just be real...naturally. The real beauty of our friendship is that it is built on the foundation of Christ, and I think that is why it is so easy... and I know that's why it's lasted for so long.

So thank you, God, for Sarah AND thank you, Sarah, for coming to Uruguay.

And now... embarrassing photos! (Sarah... don't kill me.)

Cerca 2003.

2003.

2007.

2008.

2009.

2009.

2010.

2010.

2011.

2012.

2013.

2013.



Week 45--

Sarah and I have been quite busy today conquering a 21k (half-marathon)!

YESS! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!



4 minutes, 10 seconds, and 43 milliseconds! NEW RECORD! USA!

That being said... we're beat and will be retiring early to watch a good ol' Netflix movie. This week's blog post, therefore, will be posted tomorrow when Sarah leaves. Thank you for your patience!

Nevertheless, here's a small glimpse into our week through pictures...

Traveled all the way to Montevideo just to eat Mc-y-dees for din-din.



Casual cow in the park...





Rambla!

 

More to come in a bit!

 

Until tomorrow--

 

Courtney





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.