Imagine that you are a little spanish baby.

Today has been such an exhausting day!!! I am ready to hit the sack and it is only 9:30 here.

This morning was the dreaded placement exam. I walked to University of Belgrano (which is about three or four blocks from my house) and they herded all of us American students into the room where we could sit in fear. Unfortunately, the exam was not at all what I expected it to be. The format kind of confused me and I didn't really understand what we were supposed to be doing, but I guess that is why it is merely a placement test. I got put into Intermediate I for the first month and then will go into Intermediate II for next month...I thought I might place a little higher than that, however, I know that I haven't really used my Spanish since January AND that test threw me through a loop. We will see how classes go...either way just being here and taking classes and everything I've been doing will teach me so much more about the language than I ever thought I would know.

After we received our results a few of us went out to lunch and went shopping. I am still on the hunt for the riding boot things everyone is wearing...I've seen a few but they were about 100 American dollars...and we know how I am a bargain hunter. I'm sure I will find some in a few days if I keep looking hard enough. Lunch was at some little tex mex place...it was just okay. As an American, I find myself getting frustrated with the slow pace at restaurants...we were there for two hours!!! Also, the waitress doesn't come to the table...you have to summon her in order to place orders or receive the bill. I look forward to trying other places for lunch in the future. None of us really bought anything while out shopping, although I can't wait to find all the bargain outlets and trendy things that Buenos Aires has to offer.

I am starting to understand my part of the city very well. I am the only one in my program who lives on this side of the Belgrano, but I am a quick learner of directions. Sometimes, I get frustrated with kids in groups because they think they know where they are going, but they really don't...however, don't tell them that because they know everything. I've found it's best to just follow aimlessly and let them figure it out on their own. At least I know that I can handle finding my way.

Today's great adventure was the subte. We learned that most of our classes were not going to be at the University Belgrano tower, but at the business center which is all the way across the city. Needless to say, I am not happy that my five minute trek to class turned into a 35 minute journey through practically all of Buenos Aires. However, this means that I get to become an avid subway user. Today, we all took a field trip to the subway station where we boarded the machine and road to where the other campus is. Then, we got off walked to the campus and rode the subway back. During rush hour. It was hot and sweaty and filthy...people were literally crammed like sardines...and of course, there were pick pockets. This one kid tried to pick pocket at least 4 of us!!! Fortunately, I was too smart for them today...and I will have to be very watchful while on the subway.

I had a nice stroll back to my apartment...I walked down some sidestreets and saw the Pakistani embassy, the embassy of Turkey, the Australian embassy, the embassy of Thailand, and the embassy of Brazil. I love to creep on them!!!! They are all very extravagant buildings with very high walls. Also, many of them have security guards out front along with a pile of trash that gets collected at night...I like to make it an adventure to find a new embassy every day. There are a lot in the Belgrano district. I also stopped at Farmacity and bought a straightener as mine will melt if I use it with their electric outlets.

My house father, Jorge gave me a phone that they used to use, but I need to recharge it with minutes. I bought the card, but for some reason it is not working. Jorge is so precious that he walked down to the kiosko to ask the lady why the card wasn't working...at this time it still remains unclear. Tomorrow I will go to the Movistar store and see what they can do for me...but at least for now I have an alarm clock!!! I will say that it is hard to totally sleep at night knowing that you have to be your own alarm clock...I wake up every 2 hours freaking out that I overslept! Haha! I am also still getting used to sleeping with all the noise of the city...I chose a room with a window to the street because I wanted to be able to look out, but I didn't realize that the traffic would be so loud! I think I will get used to it and even miss it after two months, though.

Mercedes made some sort of tuna pot pie-esque dish for dinner. It was actually quite delicious. She is a very good cook. We had a special treat for dessert called batatas, which is like sweet potato gelatin. Sounds freaky, but after a few bites I found it irresistible. Jorge's favorite flavor is pumpkin, which has a different name. I am getting better at talking with my family...we are starting to get past the awkward I-don't-know-you stage into the laughing and chit chatting more stage. I really enjoyed our time together at dinner tonight.

Tomorrow is Day number one of class!!! We will be in class for 5 hours every day of the week...from 10 am to 3 pm. It will be quite a lot of studying! Our director today said, "Imagine that you are a little spanish baby. When babies make mistakes, like you spanish students will, everyone thinks it is cute and we laugh at you and teach you what is right. And then you grow up to become an adult." Can't wait to move from Spanish baby to Spanish grown up!!!

Headed to the shower and then to bed...have a great Tuesday and day back to work everyone! :)