la vida buena

So, I have already fallen behind on my blogging. This week I attempted to write something about 5 times and got bored with it and didn't finish. So, let's see if I make it this time (I promise I will try hard).

Buenos Aires was wonderful. It was so fun to be in a huge, busy city like that and of course to see my friend Brad in his "element". I spent the days catching up with the Argentina culture. It was so easy and natural that it seemed weird that I had traveled for more than 30 hours to get there.

On Friday afternoon I flew into Mendoza. When the plane landed I burst into tears. After so many months of deciding what I was doing with my life, if I were going to Mendoza or not, always trying to use my head over my heart... I even remember times talking myself out of living in Mendoza to a point where I was almost convinced... But, finally I made it. When the plane landed and I realized that, I got so happy and excited that I cried like a baby. Yes, it was embarrassing. But it felt so so good. I wanted to bottle up the emotion that I had that first few hours, ya know to use on rainy days. It was a damn good feeling, and I was so overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity.. for my family that let me do crazy things like this.. for such a loving support group in Mendoza.. so so thankful. I am one lucky girl for sure.

This weekend has flown by so far. I haven't even unpacked my bags yet. Yesterday I spent the day in the mountains and even tried to snowboard a little bit! I am just finishing up a lazy Sunday complete with a tasty asado (meat, meat, meat) and a long siesta. It sure is wonderful. But, tomorrow is Monday and I am going to get work looking for jobs, organizing, and of course catching up with everyone here (I so far have only spent time with Bruno, his family, and our adorable new roomie from Colombia).

My new motto for now is to live in the moment. I know that highs like this in life don't last forever, so I want to take in every second that I can. I don't know where or how I will be in a month, or a few months, or a year. But for now, I am so damn happy to be here. And I only cuss because I mean it.

That's all I have for now. I am leaving out lots of fun details, but you get the idea. :) pics of snowboarding fun to come soon.

And YEAH! I finished a post!!! Cheers for me! :)

Airports

Well, I have to admit it is pretty weird sitting in an airport (my third one of the day... two more to go in the morning!) knowing my still-in-college friends are back to school and my Centro Latino kids have their first day today. I say "weird" because I don't know how else to explain emotion right now. The travel from airport to airport is an emotional rollercoaster to say the least. It's a strange in between time where you've had your time to be sad about saying goodbye but the tears haven't yet been washed away by the joy of getting somewhere.

I didn't cry during goodbyes until this morning at 530 AM when I was going through security. I looked back and saw my adorably proud parents waving at me and I finally cried. A got a lot of strange looks from the people around me, which is annoying since I'm sure more people cry in airports than in any other public place. Now I am not sad anymore. I'm exhausted. I slept for a bit on the first plane to NY but had nightmares that I forgot my luggage. Sooo that didn't last long. And now, I get to wait about 7 hours before getting on the next plane ride. Waking up in Chile (my last stop before Argentina) will be when I really get excited. But now I am mostly numb and nostalgic thinking about the first day of school that I am not attending for the first time in 17 years.

Oh wait... then an Argentine family walks by me. I hear their accent and my heart melts and now I am excited again. See? Airports are a rollercoaster. But in the way that makes me happy to be young and alive. Argentina ya voy!!

PS. For those interested, both my bags weighed in at 65lbs this morning (see picture above for a visual). I got them both down to just above 50 by making my carry-ons heavier and leaving something clothes, books, and shoes behind. You'd think after traveling so much, I'd be a little better at packing...

Blog Title

"I don't even know where I am going, nor how, nor when. I just know that I am going."

.. it's just a catchy phrase that got stuck in my head awhile back that stuck with me. Sometimes Spanish phrases more accurately describe how my heart or soul feels in a certain moment, especially if those moments are monumental in some way. This phrase spoke something I was feeling, and I haven't forgotten it since.

Now, after a full, exciting, emotional and productive summer...(take a pause for a sigh)... me voy. I am going.

I am so excited about being able to go back to Argentina. When I left in 07, I promised myself that I wouldn't be just another study abroad student who went, had the time of her life, and only re-lived the moments while reminiscing with friends while sitting comfortably in America. I knew that I belonged there in some way, so until I figure out where else life will take me, I am going back. It could be for a month, it could be for 2 years. I am not sure what to expect, but I have a feeling it will great.

At the request of family and friends, I am going to attempt to keep a travel blog about what's going on in my faraway corner of the world. I am AWFUL at this sort of thing, but I am going to make a very brave effort to keep this up as much as possible.

Until then, I need to go back to packing, goodbyes, and slow, deep breathing..

Hasta pronto!