Melissa Hepburn's AFS Adventure!

2010-10-07T08:21:00.001-07:00

Since my last entery, everything has changed. I feel like a different person. Ive finally found my place here. I have my routine, Im comfortable. Current activities: daily mate, school, walking, boliches ( clubs) and dancing. I have a wonderful circle of friends, and a really great host family. Ive been on the radio, I went on a trip to Valle de la luna, I celebrated día del estudiante (student day), and I went to a soccer game!

Valle de la luna, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischigualasto We spent three days there for orientation. It was great, because I was able to make friends with the new students.

Día del estudiante, my friends and I went to the dique,

and spent the day sunbathing, and talking. Fun fun.

the whole gang at Ischigualasto park!

Im planning on making the most of the time I have left, and taking advantage of every opportunity.

see you all soon!

2010-08-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

Che! Amigos, como andan? Tanto tiempo! A lot has happened since my last post. Let’s start with Mendoza. Mendoza is another provience here in La Republica. It’s right under San Juan, but waaay bigger. So, feeling bored my host sister, my friend Victoria, and I decided to take a bus there one Saturday. And we did just that. Friday night I went out to dinner with Laura, my friend from New Zealand, because I knew that it would be the last time I would see her before the terminal. So we went out for her last lomo ( amazingly deliciuos steak sandwich.) Then I took a bus to Laura(Austria)’s house to spend the night. (it being the last time that I would be able to see her again too.) Hours spent sleeping, 0. But it was worth it. Then came Saturday morning. My host dad came to pick me up at 6 a.m. and took me to the terminal. My sister, Victoria, the other Victoria(my friend), and I bought our tickets. 60 pesos there and back. (15 dollars) We then borded the huge collectivo(bus) and started our journey! (I spent the entire 2 ½ hour drive sleeping.)

When I woke up…..I was here! Mendoza!!!

We started out with the zoo. It happens to be the biggest zoo in South America!!!

And then we hit up the city!

And we had lunch

(host sis)

Victoria has an aunt in Mendoza. She picked us up and took us to the mountains!

So, that was my day spent in Mendoza. The day ater that, I spent in the terminal saying chau to my friends who were here for a semester. L

I don’t have any pics from the terminal, but I have one with Laura during our “last supper” haha

Laura, Karli, and I

Then, 2 days later I went to Zonda, a small town in the mountains for an asado with my friends from school to celebrate friendship day.

With my friends Paula and Pia. (I am just a little obsessed with that hat.)

That world famous Argentine beef

The tiny town that is Zonda

Ummm…….

And horses!

Then I went to the dique with my host family.

And of course I had to take my mate with me. And that thing in my hair is called a trenza.

The gang

We even went climbing

Host dad and host sister

Climbing in boots…..smart

Host bro, me, host sis, host sis, host cousin, friend

Now school has started again, and Ive been busy with studying……..

2010-06-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Since my last update, not too much has happened. But next week, the students for 1 month are coming. And San Juan is opening its first ever McDonalds haha. Tomorrow is fathers day, so I bought my host dad some of his favorite chocolates and nail stuff for my little sister Maggie because its also her birthday.

In other news, my exchange friends and I got our ears pierced! Heres a picture

my friend Laura and I. Check out my ear.

200 years

2010-05-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

200 years ago today, Argentina began its fight for independence. A fight they won 6 years later. So, last night, May 24th, I went with my friends to Plaza 25 de Mayo (haha the main plaza is named after this date) to sing the national anthem at midnight with the rest of the country. Because it was such an important celebration, I painted my face, wore my Argentina soccer shirt, and carried around a giant flag. Imagine my suprise when I looked around to see that I was the only one so decorated...... A lot of people took pictures of me, even the man from the newspaper! Also, a group of drummers and dancers were performing. A few hundred people gathered around to watch them. Deciding to have fun with my friends, I started dancing. They drummers invited me to dance in their circle in front of everyone. I did. It was a blast. I probably spent at least 30 minutes dancing. I danced with little kids and adorable old people. Afterwards, my friends (who were too embarassed to dance with me) and I went to watch the folklore dancing. My friend Pia taught me a few steps. When we all declared our hunger, we walked to Grido, the icecream shop. After eating and taking pictures, we went back to the plaza to sing. It was cool to be part of a large number of people singing the same song. Definately something I wont soon forget. I was pretty tired, so I tracked down my host fam and went home with them.
The only other new news, is that this Saturday, is a lunch for AFS. This means that there will be a talent show..... My friends and I are going to dance thriller. haha. Sunday Ill try to put the video on here, but for now here are some pictures from last night.

My lovely flag face.

My friend Vicky, some gauchos, and that crazy American girl....

Kind of dark, but this is the center of Plaza 25 de Mayo

More pics when I get a chance to upload them.

2010-05-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Im here for Bicentenario! Meaning that Im here for Argentina´s 200th birthday! Tomorrow, Im going to the plaza at midnight for a huge party, so pictures Tuesday!

2010-05-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

Hola! Since my last post, Ive started gymnastics! Its really fun, and an activity that I do with my exchange friends Laura(Austria) and Victoria(Germany). Monday, Victoria and I had ballet........... Im also thinking about hockey and maybe traditional dancing.

If you know me, you know that these are the types of things that I normally shy away from. Being here has taught me to make the most of every opportunity. I find myself enlightened. I now know 6 ballet positions, how to do cool gymnastics flips, and how to flip over a bar. I am also learning all about futbol, or should I say soccer. My 10 year old host cousin taught me a few tricks. Tricks I then flaunted at our AFS futbol game. It was awesome, and I scored a goal!!!

Here, everyone is going crazy over the Soccer World Cup. Every store in the center has Argentine flags in the windows. Also, it seems like every thing on TV has something to do with the World Cup too. Im really excited. (I even bought an Argentine flag!)

Pictures coming soon!! This week is 25 de Mayo so many pics will be taken.

2010-04-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Had my first swimming practice today! Woke up late, and ran to the libertador where I hailed a cab. Got there 2 minutes late. (still proud considering I woke up 20 mins before it started and its 40 minutes away.) Today was mainly swimming laps to practice the correct form. Left swimming at 10, home by 11, shower, nap, and lunch. Now its 1 and Im getting ready to leave for school.

2010-04-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

My morning started out normal enough. Woke up at 8:30 and got ready. 9:30 found me at the cathedral waiting to meet up with my friend Karli (New Zealand). She came and we began shopping. I bought 2 turtle necks, and some bobby pins. Then we went to the grocery store, telefonica, and the pharmacy. We decided to go there before we went out to eat. The line took forever, and I felt a bit dizzy. I shook it off and we went to pay. As Karli handed the money to the cashier, my vision went black, I couldnt hear, and I stumbled forward. A pair of arms caught me. I was taken to a soft bench were they sat me down (still blind). Trying not to freak out, I followed the instructions to put my head in between my knees. A woman then came and took my blood pressure. She didnt like the number (too low) so she called an ambulance and my host sister. She told me to relax, and next thing I knew I was being woken up by an ambulance driver. The 2 men escorted me to said ambulance and laid me down. They injected sugar into my system, and fed me crackers and soda. Next thing I knew, my host family was outside. Once, I assured the ambulance men that I felt better, I was driven home, put to bed, and instructed to sleep all day. (oh no! sleep all day, how difficult!) Woke up, ate, and showered. Now, Im writing this. But no need to worry folks, Im better now. (Really Mom) ttyl!!

2010-04-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Long time, no update.........sorry about that. Ive been super busy. Now that I have a few groups of friends, Im always doing something. Saturday, I spent the night at Laura´s house. We made a chocolate cookie and dulce de leche cake!!! Then, I came home and ate dulce de leche, went out with my friends and had cookies filled with dulce de leche......the stuff is too tasty to describe. Despite how much dulce de leche ive been eating, I lost 17 pounds!!! In other news, its cold outside :( Not a winter in Illinois cold, but cold.
Did I mention how popular the simpsons are here? Everyday, I meet someone new. The same quetions always follow an introduction. "Do you like San Juan?" "Do you like asado?" "Do you miss the U.S.A?" "How old are you?" "Where in the U.S. do you live?"
The answer to this question always accompanies a blank stare. Illinois is not known here. To get people to understand, I must tell them the capital.
"Like the simpsons?!?!?!"
"Yup, just like the simpsons...." lol

2010-04-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

Just writing to tell everyone that AFS was part of a parade! I was like 6 feet away from Gioja! And he said hi to me! We stood near the stage with our flags, and photos were taken. Then we watched the gauchos ride off to Caucete. It was cool. And the night before we watched the Tango and heard some folk music. Ay San Juan! After the parade Friday. Laura and I stayed in the centro and spent the afternoon eating, talking, shopping, and viewing San Juan form above!( the tower) Saturday I woke up and got ready to go to Caucete with AFS, and then........I threw up. :( and couldnt go. I spent the day sick in bed. I woke up feeling better today, so I went to Victoria´s house to study.....And then I got sick. Hope I can go to school tomorrow.

2010-04-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the wait everyone. Ive been pretty busy. Lately Ive been going to school, hanging out with my friends, and climbing mountains. Well, only one. haha. It was the first and last time I will ever climb the Sierras Azules. I also went to Rodeo. Its a small town in my province up in the mountians. Quite fun. It was with AFS so I got to spend more time with my exchange friends. I had English class today. It was fun! We learned how to describe people. Hardworking, Shy, and friendly were our vocab words. Im predicting a 10 in that class. haha.

Some pictures....

The AFS gang in Rodeo

My school friends (Paula, Pea, Victoria, and Victoria) and I at Victoria´s house. It was her Birthday.

My friend Erin and I at orientation.

Rodeo

more Rodeo

Nuntita(Thailand) and I in Rodeo

Victoria(Germany) and I in Rodeo

Laura(Austria) y yo en Rodeo

Me being weird........

Laura(NZ) in her awesome shades. (I wonder if shes wearing jandals...)

Karli (NZ) with her host sister the day we came.

2010-03-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the wait. Ive started school, and love it! I have really nice classmates. There are not subs here so when a teacher dosent come, we get a free hour. Friday, 2 teachers didnt show so they let us leave early. I went with a few girls to a bakery. Also Friday, I went out with the other AFS new girls for pizza. My sister Erica came too. It was quite fun. Saturday, I went to Victoria´s house. She taught me how to do chemisty in English which is a tad easier than in Spanish. jaja. I don´t have school this week so I´m going to go and ask about the hours for Portuguese classes. I am also considering cooking classes. Sorry fo the shot post but I´m going to the park with my sisters now, so Bye!

2010-03-06T11:12:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!! School still hasnt started but I am registered. I will be in afternoon school!!! That means that I can sleep until lunch every day,like I have been. Then at 2 I go to school!!! Here we cant pick every class like we can in the states, we choose either science, social studies, or economics. I choose.....Social Studies!!! Which includes French. Also I might start Portuguese in a few months. Since my last post not much has happened. I met some other afs people and we went out for coca. Coke in the states. or sometimes sprite. It is obnoxiously hot here. I have yet to learn the metric way of doing things so im gonna guess that its 1000 degrees farenheit here..... I just looked it up. Its 97 degrees. With no nubes or trees to block the unforgiving sun. I think ill have to take a cold shower today. Yesterday, I had icecream!!! They give you 3 flavors here. I had dulce de leche, manzana verde, y anana, or in English, carmel, green apple, and pineapple. Yum!Last night I was hanging out with my sisters, and we decided to change out names so that they had Ñ´s in them. Our favorite letter.lol. I am now Meliña, Erica is Ericiña, Andrea is Shanniniña, and Barbara is Barbiña.lol I guess you could call us Ñoñas jaja. Its Spanish for nerds.

2010-03-01T17:54:00.000-08:00

The 14 hour bus ride....not 10 lol.... was amazing!!! We sat in first class!!! They gave us candy and the seats went all the way down, with foot rests! Then, in the morning we arrived!!! My family made a sign with my name on it! I met some cool people, and then went home. We made empanadas, and I was quite bad at it lol!! I could fold it but I could not make the cool squiggle things. Ah well, I have all year to learn. They tasted great though.I also tried mate! It was pretty good but I think its an aquired taste. lol. The family is really great. They are sooo nice. I am sharing a room with 2 of my sisters. Its nice. I dont have siblings back in the states. Tomorrow I am going to my school....not to study though. I dont start until the 10th. Then shopping! I cant wait. These pesos are burning a hole in my wallet. lol. Later amigos

I'm here!!!

2010-02-25T15:31:00.000-08:00

ARRIVAL

On Wednesday February 24th, I met 18 other Americans in Miami. I was feeling a bit nervous. I said goodbye to my mom, Jim, and Patty, and entered a room full of exchange students. We had the biggest group. There were 3 kids going to Brazil and about 9 going to Chile. We hung out for a little bit and the split up. As for the Argentina kids, we spent a few hours together and they all took off. All but Erin and me. We had a later flight and didn’t leave until 11 p.m. At said time we got on the plane and luckly we were seated together. I watched one episode of the office and couples retreat. I didn’t sleep much, but I did manage a few hours of “rest” After 10 hours on Thursday we arrived in Buenos Aires. We had a little trouble with customs, but we made it. After we met up with the voulenteers we changed currency. I exchanged 120 U.S. dollars for 400 pesos. We then had a taxi pick us up. It was craaaazy. Driving here is crazy. We had to run with our 3 bags each. 1 backpack, 1 carry-on, and 1 large suitcase. After being rushed and honked at, we stopped at a gas station. We both bought a soda. “Ser” was the name of it. Mine was lemon lime. We got back into the car to begin an hour long drive to our orientation camp. At first, I was like a child in a candy shop ogling the signs and shops. But my lack of sleep soon caught up with me and I fell asleep. We arrived at the camp to be showed our rooms and then for lunch. Lunch was interesting. Erin and I sat with 4 girls from Thailand. We chatted with them and nibbled on egg salad and some kind of meatloaf. After, our orientation began. We talked about stereotypes and values. Its really hot here. I only know of one girl going to San Juan and she is from Thailand. Ping, Pin, View, and Wow pointed her out to us. Another girl Audrey, is going to La Reoja, which is close to San Juan. I got reassigned to a new camp because I am taking a bus to San Juan, so I will be with her, a few other Americans, and some Europeans. The bus ride should be about 10 hours. Later!

Packing!

2010-02-10T01:14:00.000-08:00

Packing! Oh boy, I just packed (more than the stuff in the pics) and I can barely close my suitcase! I packed:
14 pairs of underwear
8 tank tops/ layers
4 capris
2 shorts
4 js
15 socks
3 tees for sleeping
7 shirts
1 dress
8 bras
2 pairs of pajamas and 2 pajama pants to go with the tees
3 hoodies
hair dryer
flat iron
lap top
ipod
camera
2 HUGE containers of shaampoo and conditioner ( black girl hair, so I need my product ;)
toiletries and meds
a book Twilight! (en espanol)
and a dictionary

2010-02-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

Hello! Not in Argentina yet, 15 days!!! I'm starting to get my things together in order to pack, and I'm feeling a bit nervous. I havent been doing much lately, just chillin in Flordia with the family, cramming as much Spanish into my head as possible, listening to music (en espanol, por supuesto), and waiting for my exchange to start. At the moment I have a mild obsession with the songs: "Te Doy Mi Amor" "Bonita" "Si Yo Fuera un Chico" y "Dimelo." Visas are a pain!! (but worth it :) ) I bought a book for the plane, but I got bored and read it. :p Maybe I'll take Twilight (crepusculo)
I have 4 followers!!! Somebody reads this! I promise that the posts will get better when I actually have something to talk about. (15 days!) Until then,
melissa :)

I have a Host Family!

2009-12-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

So I have decided only to blog when I have big news before I leave. When I get to Argentina, I will probably update 1 time a week. About the family. I have a host mom and 3 sisters that live in San Juan. Eek! I'm sooooo excited. I sent an email and am waiting to hear back. Cross your fingers.

I've been accepted!

2009-10-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! My name is Melissa Hepburn and I am writing this blog to document my foreign exchange to Argentina. I decided to start it now because I just got an email saying I've been accepted by AFS Argentina. I want to go abroad with AFS because exchange has been a dream of mine for a long time, and this program just seemed right ya know? I want to experience life in another culture, and hopefully gain another perspective. All while learning a foreign language! From this experince I hope to gain lasting friendships and life skills. In return, I would like to represent my country well and dispel any negative stereotypes.
My mom is very supportive of this, as are most of my friends. Many people don't understand why I would want to go. When they find out that I'm going on exchange, the first question they ask is " How is your mother going to get through 11 months without you?" That question strikes a nerve. I feel a bit nervous leaving my mom home alone for almost a year, but the internet will prove to be a useful communicaton tool.
I think the hardest part of becoming an AFSer was the paperwork! I am very grateful to my scholarship sponsor. Without him/her I would not have been able to do this at all.
To earn the rest of the money needed, I am going to sell Candy bars, I currently have a sweets booth at the Freight House Farmers Market (stop by! Saturday Mornings), and I am going to sell Community Day coupons.
Thanks for reading, more to come soon! I hope to update whenever there is news.