Missed class and fingerprints scanned

4-13-10
I overslept due to my phone's alarm being on vibrate. I totally forgot to change it. This resulted me missing class. Luckily it is the first one I have missed of this particular class so I have a grace. I met up with friends for lunch after fighting the rain. After, we headed down to the center of town to do the first step of the visa process. It was a relatively easy first step. We got our numbers, paid the cashier, then went to our passport info put into the database along with our fingerprints scanned. I headed home after.

At home, I did homework as well watching some shows. I talked to Abbey, as well as talked to a woman from Corbis about potentially working with them over the summer. Our convo didn't last too long due to her having trouble hearing me but we are in email contact so we will see what happens. I need to explore various options still. Most of the evening involved relaxing. I also ate dinner before watching "The Last of the Mohicans."

In some cool news, Bill Clinton will be among the speakers of Bryan Series. I will definitely be trying to get my hand on a ticket to that one if not for more.

Viva la Revolución!

4-12-10
I woke up and did my Spanish homework. I relaxed and uploaded photos the rest of the morning. I then grabbed some lunch. After my quick bite to eat, I headed to class. In class, I and others led the discussion of the Mexican Revolution for my class. My teacher helped us out by filling in some of the missing details as well talking about Subcomandante Marcos. I love Latin America's history, that is why I hope to take Modern Latin American history in the Spring if I can. I then relaxed and talked to friends after class. Then in Spanish, we discussed immigration and other topics in my class.

After class, I headed home with some friends. I hung out for a while, talked to Abbey and continued to upload photos. I ate dinner and talked to Abbey. Then I ate some ice cream and chilled. I plan to go to bed soon.

Photo Update
Horse pictures are uploaded here.
Zoo Pictures are almost done.

Por El Amor de Che

4-5-10
I woke up in time for breakfast which made me happy though I did miss out on the fabulous orange juice. I talked to some people before heading out in search of the place my doctor told me about to get my blood drawn. This was a failed mission. Even when I asked an officer where the suggested place was, he had no idea. Guess there was some miss-communication but I am seeing my doctor tomorrow so I will get it all figured out. I came back in time to have lunch at the residencia. After, I headed to school.

I found out my History class was canceled when I showed up for class. It has yet to be postponed till a date yet to be decided. I hung in the cafeteria and talked to friends in the time since there was no point to going home. I eventually headed to Spanish class. We talked about our Semana Santas, the love of Che here, and other stuff like that. Back at home, I tried to work on my schedule for the fall. I talked to friends and read. Then I grabbed dinner. I came back, talked to Abbey about her visit to Seattle among other things. After she went to bed, I signed up for classes. Granted they could be some changes but it looks likes this at the moment.

Monday/Wednesday
8:30-9:45 - Art History Survey
10:00-11:15 - Colonial Latin America
6:30-8:00 - Guilfordian meeting (only on Mondays)
Tuesday/Thursday
1:00-2:50 - 2D Design
4:00-5:15 - Senior English
7:30 - Photo Club (On Tuesdays)

Now to rest before sleep since I have class at 10... Adios.

"I've been through the desert on a horse with no name"

2-21-10
I woke up just a little too late to miss breakfast. I sat and talked with some people. I then showered and got ready for the day. I headed to the bus station to buy my ticket back to Buenos Aires. I enjoyed the walk, though still going through withdrawl of my camera. After I got back, I relaxed for a while. Then I decided to go out and grab food. I read in the city which was pleasant. I then had a nice skype date with Abbey. After I got back and relaxed some more. Then met some people I would be riding with.

We got in the van. The ride took 30 minutes, and then some time in the desert, where it looked like they were going to leave us out there to survive. But eventually, we reached the horses. They were beautiful creatures. Yes I knew this before but it was nice to be reminded. I got on mine which was one of the biggests if not the biggest. As we headed out, mine stayed near the front of the pack most of the way. It had some issues with the other horses but I managed. It was gorgeous going through the countryside (kinda deserty) by horseback. I hope to do it again one day. Unfortunately there was not much of a sunset. But the night sky with all the stars made up for that. Eventually, we reached full circle and got back to our starting place. There we had a delicious BBQ and wine. Argentine steak is really hard to beat. A bunch of us talked about various things. We finally left around midnight and got back around 12:35. Now time to sleep.

"Have you been to Greece?"

I am currenty doing this at an internet cafe with a working keyboard.
So back to day 5
Since I posted about that, I took pictures and videos of people dancing. I then headed to bed but felt relatively lame doing so since everyone in the hostal seemed to be going out but I was tired and had an early morning in front of me. The Floridian girls who I met turned out to be just as lame as I was becaue they had to catch a bus in the morning. I struggled to sleep but finally did.

Day 6 (1/16/10)
I kept waking up during the course of the night, from people coming in from a wild night or the person in the bunk next to mine having the worse snore EVER!!!!!!! I woke up a bit earlier than I had to in hopes that Abbey would be online but she wasn´t but I took care of sme emails. I got my stuff together and a bottle of water before the cab picked me up.

I got to the airport with no problem at all. Checked in and got through the security. Stopped in a store to buy some postcards. They had a lot of books in English I considered but I resisted. They also had a Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and a Ruby Tuesday in the airport. Legit. I went to my gate and wrote my postcards that I plan to send tomorrow. I then boarded and then fell asleep for most of the flight despite a movie that I wanted to see was showing. I woke up and read and filled out the forms. I got through passport control no problem because I didn´t have to pay an entrance fee (though I will prob have to pay an exit fee from what I hear). I exchanged some money and grabbed my ba. I met up with the driver I orgainzed through my hostel.

The city reminds me a lot of California. It is right on the coast. I can´t wait to explore it. The hostel is in a neighborhood called Miraflores which isn´t the center but I don´t mind. I plan to go there on Monday. The hostal is a pretty cool building with lots of rooms and games and movies. I talked to some people. I relaxed and went on the computer in the lobby. Turns out the keyboard is broken so I have to point and click every key which is better than nothing but still a pain. Luckily Abbey was online when I was. We skyped voice to voice because they have a headset for it.

After we chatted for a while, I walked to the beach. There I met two Canadian couples. They were very nice and I explained my journey and its possibilities. They said Bolivia, if you are smart, isn´t that bad. So that is a possibility but I will touch on that later. I took some pictures (will upload some to Facebook sometime, though they will be better if I can play with them on photoshop first, if you can wait). I then walked around and bought a water bottle and walked to my hostel. I met an Australian, some Greeks (who asked everyone if they had been to Greece, it was a running joke by the end of the night) and a man from near Rome. We talked about our respected journeys and shared advice. I then read my book.

After reading I napped for a bit. I got up and ran into an American couple, a Canadian and a half American half Peruvian boy and we all went to dinner. It was a lot of fun. I got a frozen lemonade and streak and rice and vegetables. I love South American food. We headed to the hostel but made a stop to buy some beer. We hung out with most of the people in the hostel, playing games, taking photos, talking about our trips, singing to the radio playing random American music. Then I headed to bed.

Day 7 (1/17/10)
I woke up at various times this morning but pretty much slept till ten which was amazing. I got up and talked to the Australian and Italian guys. I then hopped online and so did Abbey we had a great Skype date where we talked about her wild night (wish I could have been there, though I had fun). My mom called me for all of five seconds but then she got on Skype. After Abbey and I said bye. I talked to my mom about things. We tried to figure out what to do with my month of whatever. We discussed some volunteer work and we looked at places. I found one in Cusco I liked and would enjoy. It would be working with children which I love. I emailed them seeing if I could volunteer for 2 weeks from like the 25th to the 7th. Then I can get to Mendoza and get back to Buenos Aires from there. It would eat up 2 weeks which would be nice and I could help and play with kids. So I hope I can do it.

I then said bye to my mom and heading into the Miraflores area. I bought an orange from a nice lady but she turned me down when I asked if I could take a photo of her. :(. It would have been a good one but I had to respect her wishes. This will be difficult. I continued to walk around and take some photos on both my D80 and my Holga. I walked through a park and then stopped in an internet cafe to type this. Now to continue walking and get some food. Post sometime soon.
Paz

Still lack of keyboard

The title pretty much explains it all so I won't write much. Still got way too much time on my hands. I just wish I could kill time by visiting Abbey in London. This sucks.

The End of the Beginning

Today, I woke and relaxed a bit before having breakfast. Then I packed some before I had to go out and pick up some photos as well as buy some boxers. When I got back, I grabbed some lunch and watched the football games. I am rooting for the Cardinals because they are exciting especially Larry Fitzgerald. Then I worked on packing which took some time since I had numerous things to pack. But I worked at it slowly. I also got to have a Skype date with Ms. Abbey Dean which was pleasant as always. I helped her figure out things to do in London. My mom joined in for a bit. After Abbey went to bed, I went back to packing. This took most of the evening but I got it done eventually. I grabbed dinner, talked to my dad and watched a special on the Simpsons. I can almost say that the Simpsons and I are one in age. After, I watched Ridley Scott's American Gangster while I finished packing. I also had to fix a minor mix up with my flight to Peru but I got it done. Then I headed to bed for an long day in front of me.

Tomorrow (or I guess today) I leave the country for five months and ten days to be back June 21st. So weird. This is hard. For a person who is so used to leaving, the last two times I have left the country (including this one), are getting harder and harder. I have found a good fit here in the U.S after many doubts about it before. I have found wonder in the ways of friends who I love with all my life. I shall miss everyone who has touched me in a sincere way but I am excited for the adventure in front of me. I will miss Guilford and the life it has given me but I know I will be back in August. I will miss the laughters and smiles of all your faces but I will keep where no one can ever steal them away from me, in the heart. I shall see you all again soon. I know it. Know that I love you and you will be on my mind always.

This Boy Can Dream

Yesterday after waking up from a pleasant sleep, I got up and grabbed breakfast. Around midday, I headed into the city to see if I could find a cheap decent flash for my D-80. After getting some good advice from the people at the store, I know what I am looking for, an SB-600 or 800. Unfortunately could not find one cheaply, I have decided to try later, maybe even in Buenos Aires, where the exchange rate works in favor. I then proceeded around downtown to do some minor looks at stores. I considered getting black nice pants but I can do that down in BA. I also did a look in Borders for a book that I had some difficulty finding. I typed it into the search box with a result of "likely in store." I dashed over to the Metaphysical section, where I FOUND IT! Great Success. I had not found this but one store. Despite not getting other things I wanted, I got one thing I had been searching for without ordering it! I then headed home. There I had lunch, read and relaxed. I got to talk to Abbey and others via Skype.

My friend from Julia, who lives in Seattle as well, texted me and asked what I was up to for the night. I said no plans. So she told me to come to a friend's house where they were chilling. But first I went to my aunt and uncle's house. This turned into a hilarious episode where my grandparents wanted to go a Japanese restaurant, but the other adults knew it was bad but didn't want to the bubble. Eventually they let up and confessed that it sucked. So we decided to order Chinese food. While we waited, my cousin and I watched Jersey Shore. That show is ridiculous. Then we ate and chatted. After we all parted ways. I stopped at a market and grabbed a six pack to contribute. Eventually after getting a bit lost, including by accidentally turning into a cemetery, I found my way and showed up just in time to catch the tail end of Inglorious Bastards. Wonderful movie I must say. There, was my friend Julia, a Guilford student named Aaron who I have shared a class, there was Guilford alum, Dan Miller, who was my predecessor as Photo Editor for the Guilfordian as well as two of Julia's friends, Josh and Anna.

We then headed to a restaurant, where some people got food and others beer. Our waitress was convinced Anna looked like one of her good friends and tried to prove it to us via Facebook on a blackberry but it wouldn't work. It was a pretty hilarious episode considering it kept getting worse and worse. She pretty much dug herself six feet deep. Dan and Josh, who is also a photographer, and I talked camera stuff which was cool. I am def jealous of Dan's gear. From the restaurant, Anna and Dan left and Aaron, Josh and Julia and I went to Julia's house where we drank and watched Fired Up! This movie looked sooooooooooo stupid when I saw the trailer but we all could not stop laughing. It was a pleasant surprise. It was a lot of fun. Then I headed home where I went to bed.

"Those are bad guys"

Today, I woke up at around 9ish where I hung out and started a new book, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. I had breakfast and chilled. Then around midday, my mom and I headed into the main part of Mercer Island to get pictures that she had printed of mine and frame them to put in her house. After we went to Walgreens to get stuff for my medicine kit for while I am abroad. Then I grabbed lunch with my grandfather. We both got B.L.T.A's and talked about travels and what to do and what to watch out for. It was a pleasant lunch.

After, I was able to quickly talk to Abbey for like 10-15 minutes which was nice. Then I headed into downtown Seattle. There I went to Halfprice Books where I sold a book for 3 bucks and bought one for a dollar more. Then I headed to REI, where my mom and I got more stuff for my travels. I was in desperate need for gas, and finding gas stations in downtown Seattle can be quite difficult. After finally reaching some success, I headed to the travel clinic for the second time in three days. There I got my yellow immunization book actually filled up and signed. After, I headed to try to find Glazers, a camera store but no real luck. I will go looking for it tomorrow or another one. Then I headed home where I have read, ate dinner and desert and watched the BCS Championship Game.


On an unrelated note: This Gilbert Arenas/Javaris Crittenton story gets crazier and crazier. I am really interested in seeing what actually unfolded.