As my wireless connection decided to take a vacation and I will have to depend on the university computers for a while, don´t expect too much. For one thing, I just can´t bring myself to spend an hour on this computer when someone else might be waiting to do legitimate research.
In other news which I just discovered ten minutes ago, Jason has a blog! This is great, except that I can´t access the comments. But you have a good blog, Jason, and the template is just fine.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Time
That was a nice long weekend and this will be a nice short week.
Just to give you an idea of some of the crazy hours we've been keeping...
Friday night was a Bible study that didn't go according to plan and we went to bed around 1 or 2 p.m., despite the fact that it was at our house.
Saturday we got up relatively early, that is, before noon. All afternoon Silvina and Emi were getting their hair done at the peloqueria and dressing and such, because there was a wedding in the church that night. They left around 7 p.m. Saturday. They came back around 6:30 a.m.
Sunday, after spending all night at the after-wedding party which was mostly a lot of dancing interspersed with a lot of food (that's what I gather from what they told me). I, of course, went to bed long before 7 a.m.
On Sunday the girls were waking up around 3 p.m. Around 5 p.m. we left to go to church. We
came back with friends and didn't go to bed till at least 2 a.m. for me, 3 a.m. for the others.
Monday was much more tranquil and I promise I was asleep before 1 a.m.
Monday was a holiday commemorating the death of one of the great liberators of South America - José de San Martín, commonly known (here) as El Libertador. The widest street in the world is la Avenida del Libertador in Buenos Aires. The actual anniversary of his death was last Thursday - 17 August - but they conveniently adjusted it for a long weekend. However, there was no mention of him the entire day. But then it's true I didn't get out much.
Just to give you an idea of some of the crazy hours we've been keeping...
Friday night was a Bible study that didn't go according to plan and we went to bed around 1 or 2 p.m., despite the fact that it was at our house.
Saturday we got up relatively early, that is, before noon. All afternoon Silvina and Emi were getting their hair done at the peloqueria and dressing and such, because there was a wedding in the church that night. They left around 7 p.m. Saturday. They came back around 6:30 a.m.
Sunday, after spending all night at the after-wedding party which was mostly a lot of dancing interspersed with a lot of food (that's what I gather from what they told me). I, of course, went to bed long before 7 a.m.
On Sunday the girls were waking up around 3 p.m. Around 5 p.m. we left to go to church. We
came back with friends and didn't go to bed till at least 2 a.m. for me, 3 a.m. for the others.
Monday was much more tranquil and I promise I was asleep before 1 a.m.
Monday was a holiday commemorating the death of one of the great liberators of South America - José de San Martín, commonly known (here) as El Libertador. The widest street in the world is la Avenida del Libertador in Buenos Aires. The actual anniversary of his death was last Thursday - 17 August - but they conveniently adjusted it for a long weekend. However, there was no mention of him the entire day. But then it's true I didn't get out much.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Friday...
Ah, what a beautiful lovely day. I only wore a jacket to the university!
Next week will bring Sharon's personal take on her Argentine classes.
Not much to say. Life is great, weekends are super and now I've spent enough English time on the Internet, time to get back to the Spanish world (too bad I save the blog for last, huh?).
Next week will bring Sharon's personal take on her Argentine classes.
Not much to say. Life is great, weekends are super and now I've spent enough English time on the Internet, time to get back to the Spanish world (too bad I save the blog for last, huh?).
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Miscellany
Today was the day planned for the London-U.S. flights.
As they love to say on NBC's Today, "on a much, much lighter note", today also marks the first full month in Argentina. Three more to go!
Instead of the French double-cheek kiss, the greeting here is a single, usually on the right side. This beso is used to saludar not just friends and family but almost anyone you talk to (except the locutorio worker and other business situations, of course...), and is given on meeting and on departing. Sunday is a good practice day, with a minimum of 20 or 30 people. Yesterday was too, since it was Silvina's birthday...
When I got back from class at 9:30 p.m., she was still at the birthday party with her family. Emi had returned around 9:00, and we both ate supper while watching one of our favorite novelas. I am pretending not to like it because it's mostly just a bunch of stupid relationships... however, much funnier now that I understand more. Soon Dardo (a friend from church) came over with a present for Silvina and stayed since we expected her back soon. When she did arrive, her mother and aunt and cousin came along with her to visit for a few minutes. Soon after they left, Ale (Emi's novio) showed up. The five of us chatted a while and then Dardo left. Silvina and I were about ready to go to bed when Noellia and Ramón (Noellia's novio), more good friends, dropped in for a visit. Some of us then hit the sack around 1 p.m. However, it didn't matter for me since I don't have classes today.
Tomorrow is my day to give a 15-minute presentation in Spanish class. My professor left the topic up to me, so I eventually decided to briefly describe the homeschooling movement in the States and our family's own experience.
I have exciting news. Well, it may not be exciting for you, but it is for me. My brain is treading water in the stream of Spanish comprehension!... now it's generally a minority of words, phrases, expressions that go underwater.
The great disappointment to counteract this occurred on Sunday afternoon, during a trip made to Carrefour in pursuit of the same cheap dark chocolate (Carrefour brand, 74%) that I found in France. Apparently the store here stopped carrying it recently because it was not popular enough.
What?! I could have kept up their sales with at least 6 bars a week. Why couldn't they have hung on a couple more months till I got here?
There's another brand here, but it's a little more expensive and only 60%.
Well, just so I don't end with the sad news, here's some more good news: next Monday is a holiday. That means no sticking it out 6 hours at the university and a no-guilt sleep-in!
Till the next time, thinking fondly of you all!
As they love to say on NBC's Today, "on a much, much lighter note", today also marks the first full month in Argentina. Three more to go!
Instead of the French double-cheek kiss, the greeting here is a single, usually on the right side. This beso is used to saludar not just friends and family but almost anyone you talk to (except the locutorio worker and other business situations, of course...), and is given on meeting and on departing. Sunday is a good practice day, with a minimum of 20 or 30 people. Yesterday was too, since it was Silvina's birthday...
When I got back from class at 9:30 p.m., she was still at the birthday party with her family. Emi had returned around 9:00, and we both ate supper while watching one of our favorite novelas. I am pretending not to like it because it's mostly just a bunch of stupid relationships... however, much funnier now that I understand more. Soon Dardo (a friend from church) came over with a present for Silvina and stayed since we expected her back soon. When she did arrive, her mother and aunt and cousin came along with her to visit for a few minutes. Soon after they left, Ale (Emi's novio) showed up. The five of us chatted a while and then Dardo left. Silvina and I were about ready to go to bed when Noellia and Ramón (Noellia's novio), more good friends, dropped in for a visit. Some of us then hit the sack around 1 p.m. However, it didn't matter for me since I don't have classes today.
Tomorrow is my day to give a 15-minute presentation in Spanish class. My professor left the topic up to me, so I eventually decided to briefly describe the homeschooling movement in the States and our family's own experience.
I have exciting news. Well, it may not be exciting for you, but it is for me. My brain is treading water in the stream of Spanish comprehension!... now it's generally a minority of words, phrases, expressions that go underwater.
The great disappointment to counteract this occurred on Sunday afternoon, during a trip made to Carrefour in pursuit of the same cheap dark chocolate (Carrefour brand, 74%) that I found in France. Apparently the store here stopped carrying it recently because it was not popular enough.
What?! I could have kept up their sales with at least 6 bars a week. Why couldn't they have hung on a couple more months till I got here?
There's another brand here, but it's a little more expensive and only 60%.
Well, just so I don't end with the sad news, here's some more good news: next Monday is a holiday. That means no sticking it out 6 hours at the university and a no-guilt sleep-in!
Till the next time, thinking fondly of you all!
Friday, August 11, 2006
Why not be optimistic?
"After all, let's remember that in the beginning was chaos. And if the crisis doesn't consume us first, the cosmos will impose itself sooner or later."
Isn't that amusing?
What fun to find that at the end of some dry sociological study after 11 p.m.!
The writer of the (non-included-above) article just got done explaining how Argentinians have some hope that their protest marches with saucepans will call attention to current employment difficulties. Right before the above quote he says, "The savage (and ephemerous?) music of the saucepans sometimes becomes chaotic and out of tune." (to explain the "chaos" bit)
By the way, I'm not really sure what he's talking about. I haven't seen anybody with saucepans. (or "casseroles" for that matter.) I assume the idea was 'no jobs, no food.'
In case you want to check the original Spanish:
La música salvaje (y efímera?) de las cacerolas resulta a veces caótica y desafinada. Pero recordemos que en el principio fue el caos. Y que si la crisis no nos consume antes, el cosmos se impondrá tarde o temprano.
(Notice the Spanish version of "sooner or later" is actually "later or sooner". Interesting, huh?)
Isn't that amusing?
What fun to find that at the end of some dry sociological study after 11 p.m.!
The writer of the (non-included-above) article just got done explaining how Argentinians have some hope that their protest marches with saucepans will call attention to current employment difficulties. Right before the above quote he says, "The savage (and ephemerous?) music of the saucepans sometimes becomes chaotic and out of tune." (to explain the "chaos" bit)
By the way, I'm not really sure what he's talking about. I haven't seen anybody with saucepans. (or "casseroles" for that matter.) I assume the idea was 'no jobs, no food.'
In case you want to check the original Spanish:
La música salvaje (y efímera?) de las cacerolas resulta a veces caótica y desafinada. Pero recordemos que en el principio fue el caos. Y que si la crisis no nos consume antes, el cosmos se impondrá tarde o temprano.
(Notice the Spanish version of "sooner or later" is actually "later or sooner". Interesting, huh?)
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Weather
Before I left, they told me that Buenos Aires winters were cold and humid, but with lots of rain, not snow... rain that goes right through any Argentian umbrellas. So I packed my little cheap American umbrella that somehow made it through the spring rains of Dijon, plus the recommended layers. It was funny to carry a coat to the Des Moines airport in the middle of July.
Whether it's Delta or the Boeing 767, the plane from Atlanta to Santiago had screens that periodically informed us what was the speed of the wind or what was the current degree of longitude and latitude, and other interesting information obscure enough that I can't recall it right now. One thing I did understand was the exterior temperature, so low you don't even want to think about it. Planes tend to be cool so the coat came in handy before we even hit the right latitude.
The first week in Buenos Aires was similar to pleasant fall days in Iowa. Then the temperature dropped the weekend before classes started. Three layers plus a light coat and a good scarf and maybe a hat is about right. Even the buildings are rather cool.
However, in the last couple days we've had rain and somewhat warmer temperatures. I hear that tomorrow it might be getting up to 14 degrees Celsius. Judging by experience in France, this could be exciting... we might be passing the threshold from cold to cool! But then even cool tends to feel cold when it's humid, at least it has a way of burrowing down to the bone.
There's nothing like central heating in our house. Instead there are gas heaters in the two main rooms plus a couple regular (plugged-in) heaters, including one in mine which keeps it plenty toasty at night. But we can't leave the gas heaters on overnight or when we are gone, so the house keeps moving from cold to warm to cool, not to mention every room is a different temperature...
Gas heaters and gas ovens and stoves are fun to light. If it weren't for the lighter that Silvina bought to replace the old one that wasn't working, I would already have used more matches than I ever have at home, even burning trash those couple months that Daddy and Mommy were at Mayo. There's a neat long stick that can be used to transfer the flame from one gas burner to another, or can be lit with a match to start the heaters or the oven. The trick for these latter is keeping up the gas long enough for it to 'catch'. (Don't worry. So far I haven't burned the house down.)
Speaking of weather, we're thankful that the hail didn't break our roof like it did many other roofs in the same departamento. All you can see from inside the patio are nice choppy undulations with the paint knocked off.
Well, spring should be coming along in September. In the summer we get to open the roof on the patio / dining room. Kind of cool in that room in winter, especially in the morning when the heater hasn't been on all night - but then it's nearly perfect for judging the outdoor temperature (adjusting for wind and rain). Besides, there's nothing like stepping out of your cosy little heated room into a big cold one to wake you up in the morning. Better'n coffee!
Whether it's Delta or the Boeing 767, the plane from Atlanta to Santiago had screens that periodically informed us what was the speed of the wind or what was the current degree of longitude and latitude, and other interesting information obscure enough that I can't recall it right now. One thing I did understand was the exterior temperature, so low you don't even want to think about it. Planes tend to be cool so the coat came in handy before we even hit the right latitude.
The first week in Buenos Aires was similar to pleasant fall days in Iowa. Then the temperature dropped the weekend before classes started. Three layers plus a light coat and a good scarf and maybe a hat is about right. Even the buildings are rather cool.
However, in the last couple days we've had rain and somewhat warmer temperatures. I hear that tomorrow it might be getting up to 14 degrees Celsius. Judging by experience in France, this could be exciting... we might be passing the threshold from cold to cool! But then even cool tends to feel cold when it's humid, at least it has a way of burrowing down to the bone.
There's nothing like central heating in our house. Instead there are gas heaters in the two main rooms plus a couple regular (plugged-in) heaters, including one in mine which keeps it plenty toasty at night. But we can't leave the gas heaters on overnight or when we are gone, so the house keeps moving from cold to warm to cool, not to mention every room is a different temperature...
Gas heaters and gas ovens and stoves are fun to light. If it weren't for the lighter that Silvina bought to replace the old one that wasn't working, I would already have used more matches than I ever have at home, even burning trash those couple months that Daddy and Mommy were at Mayo. There's a neat long stick that can be used to transfer the flame from one gas burner to another, or can be lit with a match to start the heaters or the oven. The trick for these latter is keeping up the gas long enough for it to 'catch'. (Don't worry. So far I haven't burned the house down.)
Speaking of weather, we're thankful that the hail didn't break our roof like it did many other roofs in the same departamento. All you can see from inside the patio are nice choppy undulations with the paint knocked off.
Well, spring should be coming along in September. In the summer we get to open the roof on the patio / dining room. Kind of cool in that room in winter, especially in the morning when the heater hasn't been on all night - but then it's nearly perfect for judging the outdoor temperature (adjusting for wind and rain). Besides, there's nothing like stepping out of your cosy little heated room into a big cold one to wake you up in the morning. Better'n coffee!
Monday, August 07, 2006
This won't be long
First: Derek's heart is back to a normal sinus rhythm. Praise the Lord who answered our prayers.
As the subject line announces, this won't be long because, for some reason, I did not get anything typed up for you over the weekend! What happened?
Friday: I went to a museum as homework (that was a real annoyance). In the evening two friends of Silvina and Emi came over for supper and TV and canasta and conversation, till about 1 a.m.
Saturday: I got up relatively earlier to hit the school's WiFi before 2 p.m., when the building closes. For the rest of the afternoon and evening we watched two movies, spent time with friends, and I made cookies for
Sunday:, when we got up to go work on the bathroom of a friend from church. Did some minor painting and some prepping of the walls and ceiling for more. Nice to keep in practice and help someone out. We got back home in time to get ready for church that evening.
Now I'd better go study before my 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. class, since a friend may be coming over to visit this evening. Everyone stay out of trouble and enjoy your August heat!
As the subject line announces, this won't be long because, for some reason, I did not get anything typed up for you over the weekend! What happened?
Friday: I went to a museum as homework (that was a real annoyance). In the evening two friends of Silvina and Emi came over for supper and TV and canasta and conversation, till about 1 a.m.
Saturday: I got up relatively earlier to hit the school's WiFi before 2 p.m., when the building closes. For the rest of the afternoon and evening we watched two movies, spent time with friends, and I made cookies for
Sunday:, when we got up to go work on the bathroom of a friend from church. Did some minor painting and some prepping of the walls and ceiling for more. Nice to keep in practice and help someone out. We got back home in time to get ready for church that evening.
Now I'd better go study before my 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. class, since a friend may be coming over to visit this evening. Everyone stay out of trouble and enjoy your August heat!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Let the weekend begin
First the numbers.
Argentina: 38 million people
Buenos Aires: 2 million
Let's see, that would make 5% of the population!
As for Belgrano University, it has several buildings in the neighborhood of its main one, which is 19 stories tall. My Contemporary Argentinian Art class is on the 19th floor. What do you think, will I be able to take the stairs by the end of the semester? I remember how exciting it was for us kids that the Iowa City Hospital had 8 floors and Daddy was on the 8th. Or maybe it was the seventh. Anyway, both buildings need elevators. The elevators here (at least the ones we students are allowed to use) only stop at about 5 or 6 different floors, so you do have to use the stairs sometimes.
As it happens, this is Thursday around 11:40 a.m. I didn't get around to typing last night. First I had a little bit of homework, just reading a basic review of Spanish verbs. Then I finished catch-up reading for our small group on Friday night. Then Alejandro came over, we ate and the four of us played Phase 10 and watched a Spanish TV show. Ale won. However, I was just glad to make it to the last phase after being stuck on a run of 8 for four rounds. Funny how you can enjoy a game yet have the worst luck in it.
This afternoon I have two classes, from 1 to 5 p.m. This evening will be a lot of fun because we are renting a movie to watch with some friends from church. Sometimes friends come over to Silvina's house to watch movies because she has a VCR player. 36 Quai des Orfèvres is a police film starring Gérard Depardieu. We're going to watch it as El Muelle with Spanish subtitles, but still the original French. I can't wait!
We won't be staying up too terribly late since Silvina and Emi work tomorrow, but that's okay... maybe I'll get an early start on the weekend for a change. No classes tomorrow!
Argentina: 38 million people
Buenos Aires: 2 million
Let's see, that would make 5% of the population!
As for Belgrano University, it has several buildings in the neighborhood of its main one, which is 19 stories tall. My Contemporary Argentinian Art class is on the 19th floor. What do you think, will I be able to take the stairs by the end of the semester? I remember how exciting it was for us kids that the Iowa City Hospital had 8 floors and Daddy was on the 8th. Or maybe it was the seventh. Anyway, both buildings need elevators. The elevators here (at least the ones we students are allowed to use) only stop at about 5 or 6 different floors, so you do have to use the stairs sometimes.
As it happens, this is Thursday around 11:40 a.m. I didn't get around to typing last night. First I had a little bit of homework, just reading a basic review of Spanish verbs. Then I finished catch-up reading for our small group on Friday night. Then Alejandro came over, we ate and the four of us played Phase 10 and watched a Spanish TV show. Ale won. However, I was just glad to make it to the last phase after being stuck on a run of 8 for four rounds. Funny how you can enjoy a game yet have the worst luck in it.
This afternoon I have two classes, from 1 to 5 p.m. This evening will be a lot of fun because we are renting a movie to watch with some friends from church. Sometimes friends come over to Silvina's house to watch movies because she has a VCR player. 36 Quai des Orfèvres is a police film starring Gérard Depardieu. We're going to watch it as El Muelle with Spanish subtitles, but still the original French. I can't wait!
We won't be staying up too terribly late since Silvina and Emi work tomorrow, but that's okay... maybe I'll get an early start on the weekend for a change. No classes tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Mid-week break
I'll post tomorrow. No classes today, so I'll type something out tonight. Last night I had class up till 9.m.
If there's something you want to hear about or ask about, please do. Then you aren't stuck with Sharon's boring entries.
In the meantime, you can guess some numbers: how many millions of people live in Argentina, how many of them live in Buenos Aires, and how many floors the University of Belgrano has.
If there's something you want to hear about or ask about, please do. Then you aren't stuck with Sharon's boring entries.
In the meantime, you can guess some numbers: how many millions of people live in Argentina, how many of them live in Buenos Aires, and how many floors the University of Belgrano has.
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