a moment to breathe

Last night I returned home from a long and tiring day in El Tigre and discovered that I have another roommate after all. This girl Elizabeth, who is from North Potomac, MD (right around the corner from me) has been with Mimi since February. She was traveling with her sister over the holiday weekend and returned last night. It was awesome because I now have a translator and an insider to Buenos Aires and schooling. This will make living with Mimi easier. I finally got my cell phone to work locally so I can contact my friends from ISA and get in contact with my house mom if I need to. That was a great weight off my shoulders.

Today I finally got a chance to relax and take in my surroundings. I had my placement exam this morning and met a few other international studies who will be attending my class for the next month. The test we were given today was one of the hardest tests I've ever taken. It was nothing like the practice test and I completely freaked out. We then had orals after the test and that just capped off the morning for me. I was so nervous and upset over the test that I bombed the oral and now have to perform really well in my class over the next two days to prove that I should be in a higher level. Sigh. This was not the way I wanted to start my studies here in Argentina, but I have to just take it in stride and work on my speaking ability. I am not alone because a few other people in my class need to move up a level as well so I'm hoping Belgrano will be accommodating. After the test I had lunch with a different group of students from ISA. Its funny that I still haven't really introduced myself personally to everyone in my group yet. However it is really nice that everyone generally gets along with one another. There are no cliques so it makes traveling together that much better and enjoyable. 

After lunch I had another ISA meeting. After the meeting I was FINALLY free to be on my own. I like to be around people but I need my alone time and these past few days its been non-stop socializing with no "me" time. It might sound anti-social but one of the reasons I did this program on my own was because I didn't want to depend on anyone, I wanted to explore the city on my own terms, and get outside my comfort zone. Now that school has officially begun I think i can finally start reallllllllly enjoying Buenos Aires. I don't have to eat with a group of people every meal and I don't have to be at a place for any longer than I want to be. :)

tomorrow is the Champions League final and I plan on watching the game downtown with the locals. Should be quite the experience. Then on friday I plan to go to my first training session with San Lorenzo women's club team. gulp, i'm soooo out of shape. ughhhhh