2011

So as I sit here, air-con on, fan on and still hot...I am going to update you about my Christmas and New Year Festivities.

I felt like I had been looking forward to Helen and Kate being here for such a long time and it was as fabulous as I hoped it would be...I just wish it could have lasted longer.
My friend Kate arrived just before Christmas. I decided that the local bus would be the best route (aka the cheapest) to go and pick her up so 3 hours after leaving my house I arrive in time to see my beautiful friend walking through arrivals! yeay! We spent a few days in BA, exploring and catching up. A couple days later Hel arrived and we explored some more and before we knew it, it was Christmas eve...

CHRISTMAS EVE: Is the main christmas celebration here and with the temperature over 30, we spent the day walking around my area, purchased a little paddling pool and then headed home for an 'asado' (Barbeque). Claudio was in charge of that part, while we enjoyed the good weather and good wine. Dinner was beautiful and we laughed a lot, and returned indoors after a few sightings of some cockroaches (Hel and Kate were not accostumed to this yet). We had our gift exchange, all very happy. CHRISTMAS DAY: Early morning rise...we were going to Uruguay. Very happy that we now had new stamps in our passports, we set sail and spent the day in Colonia, a beautiful little town in Uruguay. Later that day we took the bus to Montevideo.

MONTEVIDEO: Spent a couple days here with the ladies and Claudio, was good fun but because of the company. I didnt really like Montevideo although I did love how friendly the people were and spending time with my peeps!PUNTA DEL ESTE: Clau had to return to BA for work :-( We went on to Punta del este. We werent in the main part of Punta Del Este and I liked it, the beaches were beautiful and it was perfect for spending a few days with the girls, enjoying the good weather and good food! If I forget about the expense and the drunk guy staying in our room the last night, it was fabulous!

We return to BA and the very next day Kate left us :-( Helen and I continued onwards to the South of Argentina...

EL CALAFATE: Beautiful. Glacier. Ice trekking. Expensive. Lack of working Cash points.

EL CHALTEN: Beautiful. Expensive. Walking. Lack of working cash points. No signal. Crap Wifi
I had the most wonderful time with the girls being here. I miss friends and family so much and at this time of year it is definately harder. The girls being here was the best Christmas present and I loved the opportunity to show them more of my life here and to explore. Thank you, thank you, thank you ladies!!! You are awesome!

Since then, with a lot of friends in the states and no motivation to do any work... I have spent most of my time sleeping, reading, walking, cleaning and waiting for opportunities to see people. Good news though, I did some work yesterday and Saturday I go to Bolivia for two weeks with Claudio...I will send a new update about that sometime soon!

Love you all, hope you all had a good Christmas.
Miss you x

Summer Thoughts...

Summer is fast approaching here and I love it.

I take a deep breath and hold back the tears as I tell you that I have decided to stay another year. This decision was so tough and for all involved in listening to my irrational rants and praying for me, I am truly grateful. For nearly a year, I was absoultely sure that I could and would only live here for two years and then life happens...I still miss home so much that I question why I am here but I also have fallen in love with this country. With the beauty, the language (!), the people and the customs. Life here on earth is short and for the time, I need and want to be here.

The hardest part of me being here is missing the people who are not here. It would seem that the birthdays, weddings and babies are just some of the events that I have to accept I will not be part of (at least not in person). So this week as my oldest friend (not in age but in length of friendship) gave birth to her second baby boy, highlighting the reality and magnitude of my decision to be away from England...I just wish I could have my cake and eat it. To live life here and there. And on that note, i have just four words...Thank God for Facebook.

Above is a pic of the gorgeous little Oliver!

Christmas is coming...I have my flip flops and suncream ready! As I said in my last post, Kate and Hel are going to be here for a couple weeks and we are gonna have an awesome time!
'Feliz Cumple Kate' - We will celebrate Argentinian style in a couple weeks!!
There will be a long blog update post visit...just you wait.

Thats it for now, keep safe and wrap up warm!! haha.
Besos, Donna

P.S Went away to a small town on outskirts of BA and a few times was reminded of the beautiful homeland...here is one of those moments...

Reality

So I realised that I have not blogged for nearly three months and although for some of you that is a blessing, I know that for some of you this entry will help brighten your day. The truth is, as with the majority of my blog entries, life goes on as normal and there is not much news to tell however I am going to try and think back and have decided to shake things up and write my entry as 'a likes list'. This will give you an idea of the things that are going on but also the things that are making me happy.
1) My kids in my class. I only have 5 so we are like a little family. My day consists of constant repition, which for all you teachers and parents is not surprising news however when you are having to repeat things like 'put on the table', 'paper' as well as teaching a year 1 curriculum...it is not easy but as always...entertaining.
2) Days off - now don't get me wrong, i love my job but I love days off and this half of the year is particularly nice for that. I haven't done any travelling (see point 3) but is fun anyway. Yday and today were days off for the census...I love Argentina!
3) Kate and Hel are coming in 8 weeks!!! I have not travelled much as am saving my pennies but I cannot wait - this time is going so many things that I love...Hel, Kate, talking, sun, hugs, wine, food and travel. We are going to Uruguay for a few days and going to El Calafate to see the glaciers. Again, I cannot wait.
4) Spring - is seriously the best season here, weather is nice, flowers everywhere...just happy times and we are at the beginning of it now. This makes me happy.
5) My boyfriend - yes, i did just write that. He definatley makes the 'things that make me happy list'.
6) Friends - now this goes without saying really as for all of you that know me, you know that my friends mean the world to me. However, I have started to make new friends here, Harryet (a friend from England) is here which just helps bring a bit of home here, the girls at the house and I am also thankful for you guys that help me feel connected and loved even though I am thousands of miles away.
7) The children's home I go to...oh my gosh. I love this place. The kids are so happy to see us and all we do is go play games, celebrate birthdays and, with the school, help buy them things they need. To be surrounded by children who have been abandoned for whatever reason is extremely humbling when I spend all week with children who have 'everything' and coming from my childhood and culture. These children are amazing, they never fail to make me laugh. I love them and I love the heart of the people who run the home and help at it. Is the best part of my week. Check out www.illuminatehope.org.

Right, I am going to add some extras. I still need prayer for my spanish...it is improving but slowly, i am enjoying it more. I have been ill this week with a throat infection and now a gum infection and am getting migraines again so not only is this expensive (i have to pay for dental and prescriptions) but also just makes me feel crap...when I would like to feel happy.

Apart from that, I have to decide if I want to stay another year by December. I love it here and feel at home but yet it is not home and I miss England and everything that means for me (mainly you all) so much...

Besos, Donna

P.S I will add some pics soon but no time now.

2nd Year!!

Can you believe it has been a whole year since I first moved to Argentina! Feels crazy. So last year was really tough, transitioning from life in London to life in BA was fantastic and difficult at the same time! I am really excited about this year though and am looking forward to travelling more, a new year at school and just new experiences generally.

The last few weeks have been busy...I spent two weeks in Memphis at a conference hosted by the organisation that my school is part of. This conference really gave me a fresh perspective on serving abroad and loving my time in Argentina. I also got to meet the new teachers who joined us this year, including the three lovely ladies who have move in to my house. Joanna, Joy and Clare (old housemates) broke my heart and left at the end of last year...I can't say anything else about it as I am still hoping they will return! ha. However the new ladies are lovely (in that American way) and looking forward to spending more time with them.

I then spent three weeks in London...loved it, loved it, loved it. When I flew in over the motherland I already felt like I was home and just really enjoyed being in familiar places with the people I love. Was fabulous to go back to St.Mary's and see all the kids and staff, I really love you guys! I loved seeing friends and family all over the place so thank you for making my time so enjoyable. It was weird to be back, I felt like everything was familiar and comfortable yet there was something that didnt quite fit...confirming my feelings that I am suppose to be in Argentina at the moment. Although I have days where I just want to grab a pint at the goose (!), have tea and cheesecake at the gardens, grab a mcflurry after a meal, go for a dance with the plymouth girls, have lunch on the barbican, have a takeout at home...for now, Argentina fits and I am happy.

and then I returned...to the cold. And I mean cold. School started on Wednesday, I only have 6 children at the moment but am loving personalised planning and having some of the children I had last year. My school BAICA is amazing...the students and staff - I love working there, challenges included! ha.

So what now? Well, Spanish starts again on Tuesday so am hoping this is my year for learning the language...hopefully. Am also helping at an orphanage which I love...www.illuminatehope.org. I am also very excited (already) about Kate and Hel coming to visit at Christmas and hopefully seeing Julia in January. Finally, so when I left England people joked 'You will find a latin man but just make sure you come back'...well step one is done, ha. I have found a latin guy but don't worry I am still planning on coming back...I love England, I love you guys! xx

I RAN a half marathon!

So Sunday 30th May 2010 marks the date that I actually ran a half marathon. The journey has been long...have been training for months and was definately unsure if I could complete it before the race however I made the dream happen! lol.

quick story of the day...Joanna and I arrived at the start at 8am and started running (obviously). Joanna decided we would count all the little 'miracles' of the race so we did, the first was that it wasn't raining. The second was the water at 5km. The 1km marks were a killer, I was pretty tired after 8km so knowing I had another 13 to go was not a great thought and I could also feel a blister forming, bad times! At 11km a few friends were on the sidelines cheering us on and that was fabulous and also a little booster (our third little miracle). The sun now came out so that was our forth little miracle and helped us to smile through the pain. The next 1o km were a blur of 'you can do this' talking to myself, numb legs, 2 quick stretch breaks and a gatorade stop (miracle 5). At 18 km Joanna and I showed our joy with a 'woop' and high five, some guys tried to tell us it was only 2km left...outrageous! 2km later, we obviously still had 1km left...grrr. Ran through the pain and made it through the finish line 2.11 hours later (miracle 6)...very happy! Received the goodies and medal, examined my blister and went for a well deserved beer and lunch.

Fun times...hmmm...the dream continues with a full 42km marathon in October, hopefully!! Maybe not!

love ya all x

May happenings

So it would seem that I am an infrequent blogger however I think once a month is sufficient...most of the time there is really not much to say. May - the weather has changed :-( It is now much cooler which makes me sad however it does mean hat season is well on its way so there is always the silver lining!

May is also my Bday month, thanks so much for all the messgaes, calls, cards etc...I had a great day. Had to work but spent the evening with my buddies so that was fun. Was actually a lot harder being here than I expected...I think I just missed the excessive excitement I normally receive from Emma and the Chesterfield Gardens Birthday Breakfast!! Was sad to be away but was fine!

Some friends and I went Rock climbing last week, I found it easier than I expected but we did just climb and not by a route! Brittny and I are considering taking a course next semester which would be cool....maybe!

So the excitement about coming home literally grows everyday....it is now only 35 days until I land in the beautiful country I like to call home! I already feel like I have so little time and so many people to see...I will be trying my very best to see you all. At the moment the plan is to be in London from 3rd July-8th and then again from the 23rd until I leave again on the 26th. The rest of the time will be in Plymouth although I may be making some trips to see peeps if poss! (For St.Mary crew I am going to visit school and hang out in eve on Mon 5th and Fri 23rd - I am looking forward to it so make sure you are free!!). The rest of you, let me know when free and we can arrange something! exciting!!!!

Nothing else really, spanish continues to be one of the greatest annoyances in my life (however I have started one on one tuition and have found a Spanish speaking friend to help me along the way, hopefully!) and I am still running...I actually run my first half marathon tomorrow so hopefully that will be a success story...ha.

Love you all and miss you as always,
Donna xx

Natalie comes to Argentina!!

So the past few weeks have been manic...the long awaited visit from my sister came and went in a flash but was fabulous! Was great to hang out with Natalie and for her to have a taster of my life here. I also particularly enjoyed her suitcase of goodies for me!! She got to explore the city with my friends before we went to Tandil for the weekend. Tandil was lovely, we stayed at a gorgeous little boutique hotel and walked, chilled, saw the sights...was beautiful.

Straight after this Natalie and I went to San Nicolas (about 3 hours away) to help serve at an orphanage for the week. At BAICA, the high school students all do a week of 'community service' and so I went with a group to the orphanage I went to for Christmas. It is really difficult to put into words how fabulous, sad, honoured...I felt. Our young people helped paint and clean and worked really hard as well as just making friends and hanging out. The orphanage has a lot of young guys and we took 9 young guys so they really loved hanging out together. Our students definately saw a new world, coming from rich, priviledged homes and experiencing the lives of the children at the orphanage was definately life changing for a lot of them. There is an album on my facebook titled 'Week without Walls' where you can see all the pics as Blogspot is really slow for uploading pics!

After that exhausting week which included a few cases of food poisoning (including a mild case for Natalie!) Natalie and I explored the city a bit. Natalie particularly liked Recoleta, which has a cemetry where she took a lot of pics and we saw where is Evita is 'buried'. We also spent some time shopping at the Feria and just enjoying being in the city! I love this city!

My time in Argentina so far has definately highlighted my ever-growing passion for wanting to help families in need. I am not sure how or where I can help, now or in the future but I am praying a lot for God's guidance and wisdom about how I can serve best in this area. A couple of friends of mine have a similar passion and have set up a website aimed at trying to help a local orphange near us...please check it out and if you are able to help please do, www.illuminatehope.org.

and that was it...2 weeks gone and I am left feeling great that I saw her but so sad at the same time. am so grateful that I am coming home in the summer for a bit...I miss so many of you so much...am so excited.

will update again soon...Besos xx