There are the best of times, and the worst (more like not so great) of times...

            I realized that I have made my time in Argentina sounds a little TOO perfect and I feel the need to correct myself. I am having a wonderful time here, but nothing is perfect. An experience like this is HARD. When you are far away from friends and family, you can't help but feel alone at times. A major barrier is the language. Right now, I understand a lot of Spanish and speak enough to get my point across, but again, nothing's perfect. There are times when someone might ask me a question, and I am tired or couldn't hear them very well, so I ask them to repeat it. But even then, I still might not understand he question. The time I feel most alone is when my friends are talking (and talking really fast) and I have absolutely no clue what they are saying. Plus, sometimes my friends feel it's too long or complicated to explain... so I go on, not understanding what there talking about. This only happens when I don't know the context of what they're talking about and/or they're talking really fast. So, it isn't all the time...
            You might be wondering right now... OMG why is she saying this on her blog!!? But, I want to share the truth of my experience and not just the part that's sugar coated and topped off with dulce de leche. Some of you might even ask... OMG why do you want to go through this and why did you want to go to Argentina in the first place!!? So I took this question into account and made a list.
         
So here it is, the "Why the hell am I here" List.

1. To learn a new language, not just Spanish, but also one of body language.
2. To learn more about myself and discover who I am... which is a lot easier to do when you are far away from the people you rely on the most.
3. To learn and accept a different culture and way of life.
4. To grow(while eating asado) ... (part of #2)
5. To do something different, something that makes me unique.
6. To build a bond with my new family and friends that will last a life time.
7. To strengthen my independence.
8. To help prepare me for my future.
9. To do things I've never done before.
10. And for an amazing experience that I will cherish for a life time.

So there you have it!!! The ten reasons why I'm a foreign exchange student. I really hope I have to answer this question less and less because I think everyone should know the benefits of studying abroad for a year! :D

THE TRUTH:

This IS a challenge, but I WILL pull through. I knew way before I signed up for this that if I wanted to experience the best of times, I also have to experience the hard times. And when I return to the States, I will be a different person... in a good way I promise :)

Thank you for reading, and thank you for your constant support :) It helps knowing I have people who are interested in what I and doing here in Argentina. People interested in the fun and great stuff!!!! :D AND the not so fun but highly important STUFF. 

Besos!!! Chau!!!