Hola! Here's a quick update :D

          I have been living here for two months now and it's kind of hard to believe. It feels like I just got here yesterday, but it also feels like I live here now... I feel fully settled in my new environment :) The change of meal times, school tell 1pm, 6-7 hours of sleep every night, swimming for 2 hours strait, taking the city bus, and going out with friends on the weekends until 5 or 6am, all of this feels normal and most importantly i'm not so tired anymore. Salta is one os the most tourist filled cities in Argentina besides Buenos Aires. I proved how well acquainted I am with Salta when I was able to answer their questions in Spanish. One of the things I really enjoy (and I didn't think I would at first), is taking the bus and walking everywhere. I feel very independent and grown up as I take the bus to and from swim practice, home from school, or to a friends house. One of the many reasons why I love Satla is because you can go anywhere walking or on the bus, and I find something about that to be highly rewarding.

          So... my Spanish is A LOT better. I understand pretty much everything, and I have even started to understand the actual Spanish, by that I mean, I don't have to translate what they're saying into English, I just think about it in Spanish. This is happening more and more which is definitely a good sign :) I even understand stuff in school now and can actually do most of my classwork.. YAY! And if I can't do the work, I've found a way to write it in English and then translate is verbally to my teacher. It's a lot easier to speak then it is to write so I do that when it's a really big assignment or when it needs to get done fast. Won't be like that for long so I'm trying to enjoy it. My grammar has greatly improved and gets better everyday ( the hardest thing about Spanish = Verbs). My host father says I need two more months and I will be speaking close to perfect Spanish. I can't wait! My brain still can't comprehend that I will be fluent in Spanish by the end of the experience. I'm not sure why I can't believe it, but all I know is it better work! :D

          I'm really exited to spend holidays here. I think it is SOOOO cool that I get to experience a different Christmas, New Years, or Easter tradition and I also can't wait for that. HAHA I'm exited for a lot of things! The other day I got to chat with my bestie Becca. She is spending the year in France on AFS. Her Blog! I can't even explain how great it is to have your best friend with you every step of the way sharing a similar experience.  I love talking to someone who knows exactly how I'm feeling cause she's going through a similar thing. I am very lucky to have her during this experience and especially when we get back in a year. We both agree being abroad only makes you more exited and anxious for your future. A lot of things will have changes once we get back, I mean we will be seniors for crying out loud, and thats what makes it so fun and interesting. We will be able to speak a different language! Yea! I can't think about it... I just get to exited. HAHA (Mom and Dad no worries, you are not forgotten! You are my other shoulders to lean on for support. Thankfully you have been through this to so you know what its like and you know just how to support me! :)

          So.... two months down and nine to go and I am going to cherish every moment because time really does go by fast. I love how this experience challenges me, how much I am learning, the people I am meeting, and the bond I am building with my new family that gets stronger and stronger every day. I feel I have grown a lot in these past two months and I can't imagine what it will be like after a YEAR. Nine months left, I sure I can handle that :D Chau for now!

Ah :) Just another day in Argentina paradise!

(Drinking Mate, Andes Mountains in the background)

Livin' the life? Why yes.. yes I sure am!