Una semana más ¡Qué triste!

It's November 22, 2008 and in exactly seven days I will be leaving Buenos Aires. I remember when I came here time couldn't go by any faster, but now that I am almost done I don't know what to feel. Ofcourse I am happy because I will be able to see my family and boyfriend after 4 long months. On the other hand, I am also saddened because I have to leave my host mom, María. I mean you never realize how close you get to someone when you live with someone. Es increíble. With only seven days left I don't know what to do with my time. Ofcourse I have to do schoolwork and prepare for finals (womp womp), but what else am I supposed to do. It seems that there just isn't enough time in the day. I mean today I went to the Plaza de Artesanias in Recoleta to finish buying gifts and after 4 months I still don't know what to get my friends and brothers. Isn't that a shame? Up until now I have been just buying things and figuring out who it's going to later, but this is crunch time. If I don't buy their gifts now then they just won't have a gift because I'm not going to have time during the week. I am supposed to go to San Telmo tomorrow so hopefully I will find something there. Wish me goodluck!!

Chau,

Yaszy

El Tigre

Yesterday I went to El Tigre with my program. It was really nice. You know someone told me that they were all "Artesan's market" out, and I know exactly what they mean. I mean oncce you've been to Recoleta and San Telmo, it is so much different things you can buy. However, El tigre was different. It seemed like it had a little bit for everyone. I mean it had your Argentine souvenirs ofcourse, but it also had furniture, clothes, and fruit. I didn't buy any fruit but I wish I had. Since I've been here the only fruits that I have eaten are bannanas and mandarin oranges. I mean don't get me wrong they are good, but every once in a while you want a little bit variety. So at el tigre, me and my friend walked around and looked at the merchandise. His family is small so he's done with the gifts, me on the other hand still have so many people to buy gifts for. I mean I have a lot of things, but a lot of it isn't designated to one specific person. Another thing is hoping that they like their gifts. We always hope that people are grateful, but we never know. Also since I am the only one in my program who bought one suitcase it's going to be a field day trying to get all my clothes back in with the gifts. Granted I bought really small things, I'm just worried. I know that has a lot to do with my excitement since I only have 13 more days in Buenos Aires. It's crazy to think about how time has gone by. I can honestly say that I enjoyed my time here, but I am so ready to go back home and see my family, eat my favorite foods, and wear more clothes than what I bought here. I have literally been rotating like 6 jeans, 10 shirts and 3 pajama pants. That is ridiculous. i just need some variety in my life. I am so excited I've just been thinking about what it's going to be like to be back in the states with familiarity. I can't wait. We also took a 2 hour boat ride which would have been really nice had the weather been better. It was so windy and cold, but it was still very nice and peaceful. Well until next time...

Chau,

Yaszy

Life goes on

Congratulations!!! President Barack Obama. As you already know, history was made on yesterday. For the first time in history the United States of America has an African American president. Hats off to Obama and Biden. I am SO ready for change. For me the presidential election was just another reminder that life goes on. I mean here I am in another country while so much is going on in the states. On September 11, I was on my way to Iguazú. Most of us were pumped because we had a longer weekend not realizing that September 11 marked the 7th year anniversary of a tragic. It's crazy.

I currently have 2o more days in Buenos Aires and I am so excited, but also saddened because I am leaving my host mother. As my time here dwindles I am trying to fit as much in as possible. This weekend I went to two trips with my program. Today I went to another artesan's market in which I bought more gifts, but I still have so much more to buy. Man it sucks having a large family. Anyway, don't have much else to say so until next time...

Chau,

Yaszy