Really when i don’t ravel I don’t have that much to say but I’ll try to find some interesting things to share from my past few weeks.

I had my first quiz (práctico) in my class that I am taking in the university here. I studied so much this week for it and I think it payed off to some extent. It went ok I suppose. I am learning lots of new studying skills because studying in Spanish is kind of different. I know that in my head I understand the concepts but I think I understand it half in English and half in Spanish and then when it comes to the test I have to put everything into Spanish and that is the hard part!

I have continued to meet lots of new people and develop closer friendships with some people. I spend lots of time hanging out and just chatting and drinking mate (a popular tea here) with them. I am learning the skill of going with the flow of scheduals here in Argentina…I can wake up one day not having any idea what I am going to do that day and then I end up being so buisy by the end of the day that I just need to sit down and breath a bit. It is kind of refreshing to not be tied down to my agenda and strict time restraints.

I have been going to church a lot and trying to figure out my bigger calling here. We are starting to do a lot of reachout to the community here and I am excited to be a part of that. I have also been noticing that there is so much distinction in social classes here. Lots of people really look down upon the poorer people in the community and I am trying to find out why that is and how I can do my part to reach out to those people. Another thing that has been bothering me is that there is no recycling here. People here are more worried about how they are going to feed their kids and survive than recycle things. I miss that there are no tree huggers here!

It is also amazing some of the political discussions I have this week. Many people ask me about Obama and my veiws on him and the truth is that I am not following the new on the US that well so I really can’t answer any questions very well. Something that is a big issue right now here is salaries. There are many protests asking for higher salaries for teachers, taxi drivers, and geovernment workers. There are many days that kids don’t have to go to school because the teachers don’t go to work. There is always someone who is unhappy!

My guitar lesons have been going well. I am learning lots from my teacher who is really the cousin of my host mom here. She is really nice and fun to work with. I have definitly found things to keep me buisy these days! I really do love this country and the time I amd spending here. I feel blessed to be here and to be growing and learning and meeting such great people! Thanks for the prayers and thoughts you all are sending my way and I am sending them back to you as well!! chau!