So, last night I went to bed super early, like at 12:30am. And, I slept until about 12:10pm. Despite this, I am still quite tired--but that is probably due to the fact that I went out two nights in a row. So, between the two previous nights, I got about 3 hours of sleep at maximum. And, I probably only got 3 hours of sleep the night before that, haha. So, I really don't sleep all that much.

And, then, Andrea came over to meet Jane, Leah, and myself. We went to Plaza Serano in Palermo to walk around. We stopped at this wonderfully hipster and ecclectic coffee house/restaurant. It was the best coffee that I have drank since coming to Buenos Aires because it was actual coffee, not expresso. And, it was DELICIOUS. Plus, while we were there, the daughter of the most famous futbol player in Argentina came in and sat near us. Then, we say this really famous model walk past us with little dogs dressed up like people.

But, now, I'm just sitting in my room with Jane and we are planning out future endeavors and excursions that we will go on together. Seriously, this girl is awesome (and she is probably going to be reading this as soon as I post it because she is looking at my blog while sitting on my bed)...But anyways, Jane this is a shout out to you. I think you are incredible and I am super blessed to have met you. I couldn't have asked for a better person to meet and become friends with if I tried. Thus, if I get my way, I would want to keep you in my life for a very long time. So, we are just going to have to stay in touch, go on trips together, and maybe, one day, go into legal practice together as well. There is just no other option, haha.

So, here are some pictures of amazing memories and people. These are the things that will remain in my heart forever...

Ok, so tomorrow I'm going home. And, honestly, I'm really sad. A part of my heart is going to be left down here. I had so many wonderful and incredibly special memories that were created here. I really don't want this period in my life to end. But, just as all things have a beginning, they also have an end. But, I guess the endings allow the memories to be held more dearly in my heart. The ending makes you appreciate all the life building experiences that occur in the middle. The ending makes you appreciate the substance that engenders your daily life: the way a person laughs, a particular expression, the scent of a particular smell that triggers a sentimental memory, a new perspective, the comfort of good company, the attainment of new and solid friendships, and etcetera.

I can't even begin to express just how life changing this experience was. My views and my approach to life radically altered, and yet, my beliefs and principles became so firmly established within my heart. Finally, I feel like the person that I am meant to be. Finally, I truly feel like me.

So, on Mayday, I was on Spanish overload. I had an hour long private class before school started. Then, I was the only one in my specialized law class. So, it was just me communicating my my favorite professor, Nadia, for 4 hours. Then, during lunch, we were speaking Spanish. And then, Jane and I went to the Buenos Aires branch office of Amnesty International--where we listened to and asked questions during a presentation about their campaign to end the use of the death penalty worldwide. So...I spoke in Spanish consistently for about 8 hours. It. Was. Intense.

L-R: The Director of Amnesty International, me, member of the Amnesty International Staff, Jane

In the evening, people came over and we all went to La Bomba Del Tiempo.... Presently, I feel the need to list and briefly describe all the people who went. Mark--the Hawaiian medical student who is just really down to earth, super nice, and lots of fun at a party. Glen--the soon to be medical student from Southern California who graduated from Princeton. He is super down to earth and a really nice guy. Jussier--my wonderful friend from Brazil who always has my back when I'm down here and who always makes me laugh. Milton--Jussier's best friend and quite a nice guy. We have this deal where I help him learn English and he works on helping me with my Spanish. Luisa--my other amazing Brazilian friend from Recife. She is well traveled, really smart, and just a boat load of fun. I'm really going to miss her when she leaves. Actually, I spend the majority of my time when I go out and about the city with Luisa and Jussier and Milton. Jane--my darling housemate from San Francisco who is just very similar to myself. We have the same birthday. We were both aiming for taking the LSAT in June before similar life circumstances got in the way. We were both the president of our pre-law societies at the same time. We have very similar tastes regarding various things.  We have lots of in-depth talks. And, she is my best girl friend down here. Plus, she is the BEST at imitating peoples voice. I swear, this girl is spot on every time. It's so funny. Anne--my lovely housemate from Holland. She is 18 and has traveled so much. She is incredibly kind and generous. She is always the life of the party. Plus, she has connections with different people all over the city. I just don't know how she does it. Victoria--my newest housemate from Dusseldorf, Germany. She is really laid back and incredibly sweet. Plus, she knows how to tell a story about mundane things in a manner that makes it seem like the funniest thing in the world. Rolf--my other housemate from Holland who just left to go backpacking through various parts of South America. He was super chill and quite nice....Needless to say, there are lots of awesome people here. In fact, I have not met a single person that I haven't liked. 


Below is a video of La Bomba del Tiempo. It is a bit hard to describe, so I thought a video would do a better job.

I'll upload two more videos about this later. 

Right now, I'm going to go to China Town! Heck Yeah :) 

Today, I talked to my Dad, my Mom, my Soul Sister (Megan), and one of my dearest friends (Gabrielle). Actually, I even talked to Megan twice. Because of this, I'm realizing that I will be happy to be home in two weeks. I love it down here, but it will soon be time to go home. I really miss home, and the people that make home home.

Also, this evening, the boys (Jussier and Milton) came over at like 9:30pm and we ordered in some absolutely terrible Mexican food. I swear, Los Portenos have NO idea how to cook with any spices. Spices just don't exist down here. It's rather frustrating. And, after dinner, Milton gave me another dance lesson in the art of Forro. But, I'm too stiff. Apparently, I need to learn how to relax my arms. It's just such a free form dance--which is the exact opposite of the structured and semi-structured Latin Ballroom dances that I love so much. Nevertheless, I will perservere and hopefully add Forro to my repertoire. Hopefully.

Then, once the boys left, Jane and I went to McDonald's to get McFlurries....at 11:30pm. Yep...we had ice cream two nights in a row super late at night. Actually, Jane and I consume such high quantities of sweets, especially ice cream. We eat SO MUCH ice cream--specifically the kind from McDonald's or the kind we get delivered to our house. It's becoming a problem, haha.

Protests in la Plaza del Mayo

Symbol of the Madres del la Plaza del Mayo

Jane and I posing with one of the fake guards at the Museum housed in the restored customs building behind the Casa Rosada.

Peron y Evita

Painting depicting a mother reaching for her missing child that was taken during the last dictatorship. 

Me in front of the Casa Rosada (which is where the President works, but doesn't live)

Me in front of the monument that symbolizes Argentine freedom. The soil surrounding this monument is even made up of soil from all the provinces in Argentina. Son muy linda. 

The tomb of San Martin, the liberator or Peru, Chile, and Argentina. It is housed in the church in the Plaza del Mayo--which is the first Catholic church in all of Argentina.

Protest about the rightful Argentine ownership of the Malvinas (the Falklands) hosted by the Madres de la Plaza del Mayo. They Marched counter-clockwise around the monument signifying Argentine freedom.

The Madres de la Plaza del Mayo

Me posing in front of two actual guards standing in front of the "Governor" of Buenos Aires' office

Oh, and as a side note, this is what Burger King looks like down here. Be Amazed.

Tigre Pictures

T is for Tigre...or rather, Tiger.

Tigre House

Beautiful house in Tigre...plus the backs of everyone's heads.

Jussier :)

Notice the way that Denise is looking at her sleeve in disgust? Well, it's because a pigeon just pooped on her. Haha.

The three amigos, a Brazilian sandwich, or simply Milton, Myself & Jussier.

Boats that belonged to the Tigre Rowing Club

The big thing in the center is used for bungee jumping. Right before this picture was taken, someone jumped off that narrow little platform between the two poles. Fortunately, they didn't jump to their doom. Praise God

Milton, Jussier, Denise, Mark, and Alisa

Pretty, right?