Ups and Downs

Kind of a crazy day today, but I think it kind of fits well with my experiences here so far. I'm starting to realize how overwhelming all of this is- which is one sign of the "culture shock" they've been talking about in orientation. There's so much to learn and think about AND it's all in another language...I'm just not so much jumping-in to life here as I am slowly absorbing it all. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but I know that I certainly am happy to be here...I'll get into more stuff as we go. So it's been a little up-and-down so far, which brings me back to my day. We did some business-y stuff today like course registration so I got all studious and serious for awhile- emailing professors and what not. I'm really looking forward to classes starting because in true-Perri-fashion I do much better when I have things scheduled. Plus it's near the end of summer and I always get restless around then, my mind needs to work! Also I am a big nerd. So yeah...work then play, so I went with 2 friends to the Cementario de la Recoleta, which is apparently the 3rd "best" cemetery in the world (whatever that means). Personally I found it a little creep because you can look in the crypts and see the coffins and all, but after awhile it was also really...peaceful? I wouldn't really want to be there alone or late in the evening but you could just feel the history. AND Eva Perón is buried there, which is super cool. Anyways I was feeling a little stressed in the morning, then really good by the afternoon- see what I mean about up-and-down? So I went walking around and was chilling in a park, reading about this amazing city and thinking how lucky I was to be there...and some asshole tries to jack my backpack. I'm not dumb so there wasn't really anything of importance in it except for books and papers but still, it's MY damn backpack and I don't care how much I look like some clueless gringa... I couldn't really let it slide. They tell you constantly just to let thieves take it but I didn't even consider that, I ran after that guy and when he hesitated I caught up with him, then we both slipped in this giant mud puddle and I jumped up and aimed for the balls. The look on his face...he totally hadn't expected me to 1) chase him, 2) pop up that fast after falling and 3) knee him directly in the balls so he literally handed me my backpack. BOO. YAH. Of course then I got to walk home covered in mud but hey, I was triumphant. FUCK THAT GUY. The situation did make me laugh a lot though, it's just bizarre to be so out of my normal routine. Up-and-down. I think I need to make more of an effort to socialize with IES people, I'm just not very...social. BUT I'm going to wish I had those groups later, I think, so might as well jump in. Part of it is the whole mentality of going abroad in the first place- out of your comfort zone, independent, self-sufficient- and hanging out with Americans seems to defeat the purpose. Then again we're all in the same boat, and everyone needs support sometimes. I'd love to hang out with some Argentinian kids my own age, just need to boost up my confidence first :-) In other important news- the fashion here is fabulous! It's nearing the end of winter so everything is going on sale- cute boots, coats, todo. Def going to do some serious shopping, plus I need to dress cuter anyway. Thinking about joining a gym or scoping out places to go running. It'd be awesome if I could find yoga classes! There I go, looking for routine again :-) I checked out the universities and decided to take a class at UMSA, a private college not too far from my place. I placed in the intermediate level for spanish comprehension which was actually a bit of a relief... I have a tendency to take on too much and I don't want to get in over my head. For instance, I really like UBA because of the atmosphere; the students are all super smart and active and motivated. BUT it was quite intimidating to think of taking a class there. So we'll see, decisions decisions! Off to bed... but first: Les Mentettes are an awesome band and everyone should listen to them. Buena noche!