I Can't Believe It's Already Been 2 Weeks!

Hey All,

I wanted to write a blog to keep you updated on how my summer is going :) My internet access is limited so it will be sporadic. To get to Virginia I first flew to Washington DC and hung out with my friend Caroline for a few days which was great. I then took a greyhound from DC to Virginia which was quite the experience. As soon as Caroline and I walked into the bus station I knew I was in for an interesting ride. My parents warned me about the characters that take the greyhound but I thought they were just being over the top. Now, I know different. I was freaking out because I had no idea who I'd sit by if I had to sit by someone. Thankfully I got a seat to myself and arrived safely.

Everyone here is really nice and wants to grow closer to God. I really enjoy my roommates which has been such a blessing. Allison goes to Western Michigan, Allie goes to Michigan State, Megan goes to Miami of Ohio, and Lori goes to University of Detriot Mercy. It's crazy because Megan is actually really good friends with one of my sorority sisters, Anna. There are a lot of people here who I have random connections with which is fun :)

The first week was lots of orientation and job hunting. I got a job as a hostess at a hotel resturant. It's fun because my roommate Allison got a job there too as well as a few other girls from project. We also work with other college aged girls and a few international students as well. I'm hoping that if they decide they need another waitress I can volunteer. I like my job but its tiring because I have to stand on my feet for 6 or so hours straight without much of a break. I think I have a cute uniform though. Its a blue polo, khaki shorts, and gym shoes. I either work from 6:30 am till 11 or 12 or 11 till 5.

Then, we have different night activities. Monday we have evangelism training and women's time. This monday, we have a special women's conference to celebrate being women. We get to dress up and have a nice dinner together. Tuesdays are bible study night. Wednesdays are date night with Jesus. That means we have 2 hours to do whatever we want with Jesus like read our bibles or pray, sit, run, anything. Then we have prayer and praise after that to come together to worship. Thursdays we have our weekly meeting where we are encouraged to bring co-workers and people we meet on the beach. Friday night we have off which is nice. Last friday I got to play baseball, soccer, and frisbee which I loved. Saturday we have a group dinner and then we share on the beach for an hour or so. Sunday is church and then we get together in ministry teams. Also, on my day off of work I meet one on one with a discipler where we talk for an hour and share for an hour.

Before I came I was very skepticle about sharing. And I still am a bit skepticle but I've also seen positive aspects of it. This is how it goes. Partner up. Walk the beach/board walk. Spot your prey. Approach them and say, "Hi, my name is Lizzie. I am here for the summer with a christian college ministry and I was wondering if you would mind taking a survey with me." If they agree you move on to step two. If they don't you say "have a great night" and walk away. Step two: Go through the survey. There are a couple options. If at the end if they answer they want to know God more or want to know the Good news of the gospel we have a cute little booklet that I call the bible in spark notes. After you go through the gospel they have a chance to accept Jesus as their lord and savior. Some do, some don't.

I am still iffy on all of this but I'm coming around. One girl even prayed the prayer with me which shocked me b/c I stumbled through the whole booklet. I talked to my mom about it and she told me that God uses people as hunters and farmers when it comes to evangelism. Sometimes to go straight for the kill and other times to nurture the growth and move on and its all up to God whether he wants you to be a hunter or a farmer in each situation. Somehow that makes sense to me.

Thats all for now if you made it this far!
~Lizzie

SCHOOL'S OUT!

Hey ya'll. A week from last friday was the last day of my program. I had my biggest final on thursday night (theater) and i think I did alright. I got a B on my spanish exam, and human rights was take home. I'm just waiting now to get all my grades and let me tell you they cannot come soon enough!

So after my test on thursday we had a girls night out. This was my first enjoyable all night experience. We met up at 12ish at one of the girl's apartments. Her host parents were gone so we had the place to ourselves which was great. We had some wine (it was fizzy and actually yummy) and were out the door around 1:30. We went to our first boliche (club) that one of the girls had interned with and that was a lot of fun. We got in for free due to her connections. I forget what type of music it was but it was maybe reggatone or something of the sort. Not rap. but fun and danceable. Then around 3 or 4 we proceeded to our next boliche , Club 69. Now this was an experience. Club 69 is a drag queen club. haha. at first it was fun and halarious but it got a bit raunchy for me. There were some dancers onstage in crazy outfits dancing on poles and each other. haha. Finally, around 6 am we left and got some breakfast then went home around 7 am. It was quite a night.

Then on friday we had a goodbye barbeque to see everyone one last time. It was fun and then I went shopping with some girls. I bought this super cute sweatshirt/coat and some pants. When my host mom saw my coat she told me she tried one on too and wanted one so I recently went back and got her one as a goodbye present.

Saturday I packed and then moved in with Kim and Alexis, two of the campus crusade girls I met while I was here. Now it is a week later and I cannot belive I am going home in a day and a half. This week I had no set plans which was great. Monday I just hung out at home and then we hung out with the other 2 girls and made some dinner. Tuesday I got my final wisdom tooth pulled and then baked the best cookies in the world, Peanut Butter Bombs (or no bake cookies...call it what you want). Then we went to tuesday tacos and I got to practice my spanish with some girls. Wednesday I bought my host mom that jacket as I previously mentioned and then hung out with some Argentines and Crusaders. Thursday I went to the plaza de Mayo and watched the mothers of the desaparecidos march which was interesting. I also met up with my friend Carla at Starbucks for some coffee and conversation. It was her first time at Starbucks. Then I went and had my last meal with my host mom. I'm going to miss her bc she was so great. I stayed for 3 hours of conversation which was fun. Then friday I got a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, and legs waxed for only $70 USD which is unbelievable. My legs HURT real bad. And she missed a few spots BUT it was quite the experience so its all good. For dinner the crusade girls and I made peanut butter stir fry which was sooosooo yummy. Saturday, today, was the 4th of July. I slept till noon then did nothing until 6. lol. Then all us Americans got together for a celebration and pot luck. It was a lot of fun and we had tons of food. I had to unbutton my pants because either I've gotten fatter or the laundry people have shrunken my clothes! haha.

thats all for now!
~lizzie

Skipping School=Amazingness

I just got back from my last big trip here in Argentina. I went to Jujuy which is in the northern area in mountains. I went with my friends: Julie, Jaclyn, Amanda, Siobhan, Bri, Meaghan, and Melaura. We took yet another very long bus ride (about 20 hours) down there on tuesday night. We arrived in San Salvador de Jujuy where we took yet another bus for 1.5 hours to Tilcara. After walking in the wrong direction to our hostel we took cabs and found it. Little did we know there would be extremely slow to non existent internet and no heat except for little heaters. IT WAS FREEZING. It was also at a very high altitude which made it very hard to breathe. Not a good combination. Anyway, we stayed there for two nights. The first night we had a great dinner out including llama and delicous goat cheese. The next day we drove even higher to see salt flats and a 7 colored mountain. I am still not eactly sure what a salt falt is but it seems to be a lot of salt in one area. Like the ground was made of salt or something. It was pretty cool no matter what it was. That night we got home and went to the local market where we bought even more things to take home with us. I got a llama sweater for myself. Sio and Bri got them too. I also got llama gloves and a scarf. We are going to have llama days where we all wear our llama clothes. later that night our hostel made pizzas which were amazing! And only cost 7 peosos which is like 2 dollars for a lot of pizza!


After Tilcara we left for Quiaca and Yavi. It took us like another 3 hour bus to get to Quiaca and then a 15 minute taxi ride to Yavi. Yavi is a small town of about 300 that apparently has a great location to look at stars. Thats what we heard anyway. When we arrived the town was dead. Literally we saw like 10 people tops. We got to the hostel that our other hostel recommended and the owner wasnt there. But there was a couple there who gave us the key and said the owner would be back soon. After sandwhiches which were amazing and only $4 pesos which is about a dollar we explored a bit and even a few hours later the hostel owner still wasnt there. So as we were debating what to do a man walked by and told us about his hostel which is where we decidedto stay. The selling point was probably the fire place and the huge king bed that we slept 4 in. haha. Bri and Sio made an amazing pasta dinner that only cost us $2 pesos each. Incredible. Then I taught the girls fishbowl!!!! Everyone loved it. My team lost both times though but thats ok. Afterwards at about midnight our hostel guy and his friend took us out into the wilderness to see the stars. After we went down a hill in the dark and stepped on various cacti a few of us were getting a little nervous. No big deal or anything but we were out in the middle of no where with two men who had been drinking whisky. We finally got back to the hostel though safe and sound.

Then we went back to San Salvador and back to civilizaiton. There we were able to get internet and it was a small city. We wanted to go to the hot springs but coudlnt find out how so we explored the city a bit and then went back to the hostel where a few girls made mexican food and fruit salad! it was yummy and only $20 pesos each. and then we went to bed and woke up at 5 am! We wanted to go to the jungle and it took 2 hours to get there and we had to be back by 5 pm to go home to BA. When we got to the next bus station we learnd that we missed the bus to the actual jungle. So we found some taxis who agreed to take us and we went and hiked for a few hours then made it back in time for our 2 hour bus to San Salvador and then showered and ate ice cream quickly and got on our 5 pm but to BA.

All in all great vacation. I had a few accomplishments as well. I peed outside for the first time in my life i think. sorry if that is a TMI but it is a big deal. haha. i also didnt shower for two days straight. another huge accomplishment. and i hitchhiked from yavi to quiaca b/c there were no taxis. all in all a great trip.

Now i've seen just about every type of nature in argentina. I've seen a glacier, the jungle, salt flats, lakes, mountains, rio de la plata, uruguay, desert, and who knows what else.

Thats all for now :) Only two more weeks of IES and I cannot wait!
~Lizzie

Triumph

Well ladies and gentlemen, I'm not sure if i previously mentioned my involvement in student council over here because yes i am a member. And i love it. I never would have thought either. But we basically get to complain about our program and think of solutions for problems. One for example is one that I brought up as it is very pertinent in my life. The toilet seats in some of the bathrooms were broken and uncomfortable to use. So during one of our meetings I informed the teachers in charge that the toilet seats were in need to be changed and two weeks later we had new toilet seats. I feel like I have the power to change the world (or my dumb program) one toilet seat at a time. :) Who knows what I'll be able to do next!

11 actual class days (that is if i dont skip any!)
20 days till my program is over
36 days till I am home

WHOOOOOO.

Vacationing

So last week I got my spring break! It was 10 days of traveling without having to worry about classes and just what I needed! I think I spent about 60 hours total in buses. It is crazy but the bus system here is great. One option you can take it like basically getting a bed as a seat. it is a seat but it lays down ALL THE WAY so that you can sleep. Its amazing for overnight trips.

My first destination was Valparaiso Chile. It took me two different buses and about 19 hours to get there but I made it! I left thursday night at 8:30 and arrived friday afternoon around 5 maybe. I also had to go through customs. This took about an hour to two hours. One lady got in trouble because she had an apple in her purse and this is illegal for some reason. Anyway, she had to pay $170 US dollars as a fine. How sucky is that! I almost left my visa there by accident! Thankfully I realized my mistake in time.

Vaparaiso was gorgeous. It reminded me of Greece in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Lots of little colorful houses. The ocean. Lots of hilly streets. I sure got a workout walking to and from the hostel. We had to walk down like 2 hundred windy stairs and walk up quite a few steep places. Our hostel was nice. Breakfast was sucky though. Oh and did I mention that one of the employees offered us pot??? haha. Itw as his birthday and he had friends over and invited us to hang out with them. We then proceeded to a club where I was approached and asked to dance and or (i think) but some of my own pot. Needlessly to say I declined both and we left. Then getting home to our hostel was a bit tricky. Apparently in Chile they have taxis and collectivos. The difference is a taxi takes you wherever and a collectivo has a fixed route. BUT on the outside to me they look the same. So we tried to take a collectivo home and it took us like an hour to go ten minutes b/c we didnt know where we lived. haha. The driver took us to the police station to ask them and we finally figured it out and wayyy overpaid him for getting us home safely. To sum up Valparaiso I also ate a lot of seafood including shrimp and some octupus.

Then we went to Santiago and I loved it. I'm not exactly sure why but it might have to do with the fact that they had kentucky fried chicken AND dunkin donuts and Buenos Aires does not. Also the taxi drivers werent honking 24/7 and would actually let pedestrians cross the street. it was nice.

Next, we traveled to Bariloche which is back in Argentina. That bus ride was about 20 hours. Bariloche was gorgeous. It has mountains and lakes, and its just great. I went horseback riding and on a mountain hike. The mountain hike was in the rain for parts. It was super cool but I was soaking wet for 4 hour which was not fun. We saw a black glacier, some waterfalls, and got to the highest point of the mountain. At one area itwas so windy and rainy I thought i'd get blown away! Bariloche is also known for chocolate and I definately got my moneys worth of chocolate while we were there. it was great!

Finally, we completed the journey with yet another 20 hour bus ride to Buenos Aires.

Sorry this is so late!
~lizzi

Half Way point!

The vida retreat was great! I was able to follow along with the speakers and the worksheets we had. We received two different phamplets to use while sharing your faith. One with the four spiritual laws and one with the different types of christians (lukewarm, smoking hot!, and non believer). I also got to spend quality time with all of my new friends which was great. And I got to meet the staff and students from la plata another province of buenos aires. This retreat was one of a series and the next one will be held in la plata so i hope i can go!

Other than that I have been strapped down with homework and studying. This is the last day of midterms and my life has been stressful. For my theater class (which is tonight) I had to write a 6-7 page paper in spanish about any topic we wanted that related with what we have done in class. Sounds easy but it was NOT. The directions were unclear and I struggled. I finally just wrote something and I hope its ok. My teacher also grades on grammar in our THEATER class and I got a B-/C+ on the last paper I wrote and that was probably better than this one. haha. But my host mom edited this one with me so I'm hoping that I get a better grade bc the last one was all for grammer. LAME. My two tests werent too bad though. Spanish was decent and human rights was cake. :)

And along with stress from school my right back wisdom tooth has decided to act up. Basically for this past week I have had a puffy check, extreme pain in my tooth, and I'd bite my mouth when I talked, laughed, or ate. So that has been great. On monday night an "emergency" dentist came to my house at like 3 in the morning to look at my tooth. I know I sound like a baby but it HURT. It was painful to just swallow. So he gave me a perscription for antibiotics and toldme to see a dentist. I was going to wait till I got back from my vacation (i'm leaving to travel TONIGHT for 10 days!) but I was able to get an appt for this morning. The dentist told me I should probably get my tooth pulled. He did something to my mouth to help it hurt less while I am gone and said to come back after my vacation. While this may sound horrible it might actually be great. It only costs like $50 AND I'll get to miss class to watch tv. I think I'm a winner here. :)

On a more positive note I AM THE NEW CORRESPONDING SECRETARY FOR THE DORIAN SORORITY OF HOPE COLLEGE! yay. I'm super excited. That means I am on the executive board with the pres, vice pres, other secretary, and treasurer. I had to give my speech over skype to the girls in their meeting and it was great to see them all!

I also interviewed to be a tour guide for admissions next semester. I dont know if i got it yet but I really hope I do! I think it would be such a fun job!

So yeah, tonight I have to go to my theater class and then I leave for Chile at 8:30. I'll be in Valparaiso for a couple days, Santiago for one, and then going to Bariloche (which is in Argentina) for some adventure tourism (more canopying, rafting, paragliding????, and more!). I'll let you know how it goes when I get back in 10 days!

~Lizzie

The Beach :)

I went to the beach last weekend! It was amazing. I got to lay around all day friday and saturday and get tan! Doesnt get much better. Now its starting to get colder which is nooo fun, especially for traveling.

It was a group of 7 girls and 1 guy. haha. We had a "departamento" which is a hotel suite for 5 but we squeezed in 8. There were 3 twin beds and a king and no worries dad-i shared with one of the girls!

There were venders at the beach that sold "chocolo" which is corn on the cob! It was amazing. They lathered it in butter and salted it up for a delicious treat.

Easter was a bummer though. I put on a my cute white dress for the occasion. But all I did was eat lunch with my host mom. Her daugthers didnt even come over to eat which was disapointing. And we didnt eat anything special. I didnt go to church either. It seems like easter isnt a big deal around here.

This weekend there is a Vida Retreat on sharing your faith. I'm really excited b/c another group from one of the provinces is coming up so I'll get to meet more Argentines and Americans! We were originally supposed to go to them but they just changed the plan. I dont know if there will be sleepovers involved but I hope so!

Miss you all! I'll be home in 88 days!
~Lizzie