ESL Update

Since this was supposed to be my ESL blog, maybe I should update about something ESL-related.

Sooo I got a job teaching at Berlitz here in Austin, which in case you don't know is a big ol' language school in pretty much every major city of the world. Including, you guessed it, Buenos Aires. Hooray! I see a transfer in my future.

Training starts next Monday, and the job is very very part-time, but I'm excited nonetheless. In the meantime, I'm back tutoring, etc. for the Aztex/Orlando City since someone finally realized that they fired the only person who can speak to the Colombian.

So Ronald and I have been studying for the TOEFL about 4 days a week along with running errands as he doesn't have a car - he is a really hard worker and is improving a lot. It feels good to actually be able to see/hear/read his progress and to know that I helped him accomplish that. I'm not sure when he'll actually be ready for the TOEFL, but considering he got here in April, he's doing very well.

Some highlights: Listening to him sing every word to "Bottoms Up" when it comes on the radio is really great. Also, today he asked me what "tryna" means. Like, wrote it out and everything. This kind of makes me sad for the speakers of the English language now that I think about it, but it made me laugh. It must be so hard to learn English. Jeez.

The other day we ate at Casa Colombia, my favorite favorite restaurant in Austin, and he walked in like he owned the place. He also somehow managed to dance while eating. Fantastic.

Anyway, that is fun.

I've been selling some jewelry and things on my Etsy site, which is periplogifts.etsy.com in case you missed it. Buy some jewelry because I am poor!

I was also accepted to the teaching certification program I applied to, and that starts in January. Yay! Moving forward with teaching is making me feel good because I know it's what I'm supposed to be doing with my life.

Boyfriend finally got things straightened out with his school, and he got his tools today after he, his dad, and I spent a lot of time on a three-way call to the immigration office. Turns out his school is crazy and he had already given them everything they needed, but they didn't realize it. Anyway, he has his auto tools and is on the job hunt. Hopefully we will both find something else soon.

In other news...I LOVE THE WEATHER! Thank you, Texas! My plants are still alive. Emmanuel bought me a Nochebuena the other day, and it is beautiful. It looks great on the balcony. Yay!

Buenos Aires Recap

First I would like to comment that posting this was a pain. Aside from all the formatting issues, this entire post has been erased and redone three times. Thanks, Blogger. Anyway.

Ideally, in the future I'll be posting pictures as they happen. On a trip, however, it's nearly impossible to do this, so apologies for the delay. If you've seen pictures on Facebook, you'll have seen these already. Apologies for that too. BUT, here are favorites from Buenos Aires!

This is the Obelisco, seen up there in the top right of my blog. It was built in May 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first founding of the city. Also worth mentioning is the fact that it wears a giant red condom on World AIDS Day. Attaboy, Obelisco.

This is the Flor, given by the architect to all the women of Buenos Aires. It closes at sunset and opens with the sunrise.

This is the Casa Rosada, the Pink House. Like the White House, but pink. Really. Worth noting: Argentina has a female president.

This is me tangoing spontaneously in the neighborhood of La Boca, known for its colorful buildings. Also home of Boca Juniors, a very well-supported and successful soccer team and the favorite of Diego Maradona.

This is Lexie and me posing with the traditional Argentinian asado, sort of a barbecue with a bunch of different kinds of meat. This particular asado was at Soledad's house (she's an acquaintance of Andrew's) and was the best meal we had the whole trip!

This is Soledad and her family! They were very kind and fed us all kinds of Peruvian and Argentinian food - we were stuffed to the gills!

This is the tango show we went to at La Ventana. Lots of great music and singing, plus a great dinner that we had to try to stuff down after eating way too much at Soledad's house.

I took this picture while walking around the market in San Telmo. Most of the tourist-y streets in Buenos Aires feature some type of musician or band playing music for the passers by.

This is Sarah and me at La Bombonera after watching Boca Juniors win! It was great to see Riquelme play. The stadium is called La Bombomera (chocolate box) because it looks like one from the air.

This was our gaucho day. We spent the morning and afternoon riding horses and taking in the countryside on la Estancia de Dos Hermanos. The white mane and ears in this picture is my buddy Comanche. Up ahead are Mataco, Gallego, and Luna. We also got to eat another delicious asado at the estancia. Note to self: Do not gallop on horse with camera in pocket.

This is Sarah and me on the BA pub crawl, funnily (or predictably) enough started by Americans.

This guy is one of the Ositos de Paz. They are a collection of painted bears from countries around the world, hanging out in a circle in the Plaza San Martín. They all want world peace. This is Miss (Mr.?) Argentina!

All in all, a great city! I had a blast, and I have never met so many nice people in my life. Even the taxi drivers were amazing. I actually began to miss it as soon as we left...I've definitely decided that Buenos Aires is my destination. Now begins the process of job hunting (assuming I get my thesis together and actually graduate from college). Wish me luck!

Rio recap coming soon.

Adiós, Buenos Aires!

Lunch with Peruvian/Argentinian family was best meal of trip. Good Spanish practice.

Tango show was fun. Ate too much again. Eat too much every day. Food too cheap. All that working out for Brazil wasted.

Bought lots of things. Probably too many. Hard to resist though. Everything so cheap, including taxis. I like being driven around. Have been told that my Spanish is good. Each time has been followed by me messing up next verb. Maybe these are just attempts to get me to buy more things. It´s working.

Fútbol was intense. Took picture with Maradona look-alike, though only part that looked alike was hair. Lost sister at one point and was forced to spend 1st half thinking of best way to tell Mom and Dad that I lost their daughter at South American soccer match. Found her at half time. Boca won 3-0.

Gaucho day was fun, though the four of us were only ones there. Was hoping to meet people. Managed to lose camera in the yerba, but our guide searched and found it. Thanks, Alex. Never galloped on a horse before. Have video. V. sore.

Pub crawl after gaucho day probably not best idea, but fun anyway. Slept in sort of. Lunch at burrito place that was suspiciously like Chipotle. Tasty.

Last meal at Los Inmortales. Best thing about most meals is dessert. Why is ice cream so good here?

Love BA. :D Everyone so nice.

Rio tomorrow. Why am I awake? Must sleep.

Bienvenidos a Argentina!

Have made it to hostel and successfully made reservations for Boca Juniors football match on Sunday. Hope we don´t die in football riot.

V. tired. Never can sleep on planes.

Hostel Suites Florida v. nice. Lots of people but no hand soap. Don´t know why.

Pizza everywhere. Also, loving how "llaves" now begins with shhhh. Hoping my Spanish skills shape up pretty quickly, although did teach Lex new word to describe how she feels today(cansada). Going on night walking tour now. More soon.

V