Argentina, Beforehand

So, I recently realized that maybe there are still some of my friends who don't know I'm leaving the country in just a couple short days. I realized this when a friend said "going where? packing for what?" Therefore, here is an informational note for all those who may or may not be remotely interested in why I am leaving the country.

It all started freshman year when Thomas Mosley and I had to do a cultural report over some Spanish speaking country in our Spanish III class, Thomas just HAD to do Argentina because he had some weird fascination with the place. So we did the project and from that stemmed the interest for me!

Last year, Thomas found this program called Expanish (if you're that interested, [which, really, why would you be? but why not, right?] you can check it out at Expanish.com). He discovered that they do study programs in none other but the beloved Buenos Aires, Argentina. He then decided he was going. Period. And I thought, "Well hey, I'm a Spanish minor, why the heck not go?" (Or something like that thought crossed my mind).

And here we are, a year later, about to take the trip of a life time, along with our friend Adam Ray!

Wait, what are we going to do there?! Good question.

For starters (and the main parental approval point) we will be taking classes, three of them. Spanish Conversation, Latin American Culture, and Latin American Government and Economy. As I always say, I don't understand government in English, what am I going to do in an Argentinian Government class?!?!? Well, hopefully I'll learn something. These three classes will be giving us 9 credit hours, which is ultimately what made me decide to be a Spanish major, seeing as I can graduate on time now with both Spanish and Communication majors because of this trip! Yay for making parents happy, right? right?! =)

Other little tidbits of wonderfulness for you to know:

- I will be staying with a host family. And no, I have NO idea about who they are, if they have kids or grandkids, what their lifestyle is like, if they're active in church, etc. etc....oh the mystery of it all!

-There are actually only 5 students taking the same program Thomas, Adam, and I... meaning there are only two students I won't know in my classes. However, there will be eleven students doing something with the Expanish program from who knows where.

-Other than study, the program offers weekly activities such as futbol (ahem, soccer for those of you who refuse to accept the true meaning of the word football) games, watching tango!, touring the historical-ness of the city, taking a weekend trip to the wonderful Iguazu Falls (please go image search it in Google...you'll be even more jealous than you already are!), and a trip to Cordoba, Uruguay!

When will I be back? Well, according to a lovely older lady I work with, I will not be coming back if I meet an attractive Argentine male who will lure me into loving him with his wonderful hotness...

But, let's assume that won't happen. My plane arrives back on Oklahoma soil on August 9, I'm not expecting a huge "welcome back!" sign in the airport...but you know...*cough cough*

Oh, and since I haven't mentioned it, I leave Tuesday. My flight from Oklahoma leaves at 4:25pm and goes to Houston. We then leave Houston at 9pm and arrives in the lovely wonderful magical world of Buenos Aires, AR at 9:49am (that's 7:49am to those of you who will be left in the Central Time Zone).

Will I be able to contact you? Good question again! My main form of communication will be internet. I will not be on often, but I'll send out the occasional "holla" when I can. I will try and update notes and what not for those of you who care enough to read (and if you are still reading this, then I mean you!) I will be given a cell phone there that can be called from the states...I mean, my parents are buying a phone card, I don't expect you to do the same. And I can call from land lines with my calling card...but like I said, emails, facebook, etc. will be the most obvious and best way to get in contact with me.

Wow, this was longer than expected, but if you know me, it was probably shorter than YOU expected, and Jackie Dallas, if you are still reading I will buy you ice cream. =P

I love you all and cannot wait to tell all of the fabulous stories I will have when I come back. Please pray for me, Thomas, and Adam as we go through this experience!!!