My Best Bits

I’ve been here about 8 weeks now and already it feels like I’ve been here for an aaageee! Although not in a bad way I might add, just feels very normal to be here with Noly. Other things don’t feel so normal yet but I am getting more used to being here and the cultural differences etc.

I’ve had some definite ups and downs but when I started this blog post (a few weeks ago) I’d had quite a hard week (in terms of adjusting) so I thought I should write a list of my best bits thus far to remind myself of all the really fab things that have happened whilst I’ve been here for these last 8 weeks. I will probably have mentioned most of these but heyho! Here goes…

One day in June Noly decided to surprise me! Well, kind of. He told me a surprise was coming but I didn’t know what it was. I returned back from work and then soon there was a knock (technically a ring on the doorbell) on the door and Noly turns up, gliding into the room proclaiming ‘DINNER IS ON ITS WAY’ and proceeds to set up an indoor cinema date night. So cute!
I was super brave one day with speaking about my feelings and in Spanish too. Both of these things I find difficult to do! It was when I found myself on a girls shopping trip with Luci, Moni and Vivi (Lucis mum) and Vivi asked me how I was settling in, asking me how are you reeaallyy. It was the first time I felt someone had really asked me how I was doing and so I told her that I was feeling a bit lonely and she suggested a few things I could do that might help me.
Cuckina’s birthday party! This was such a good night, one of my favourite ones I’ve had here thus far. I managed to speak to Luci and also Noly’s cousin Facu who up until now I hadn’t really been able to speak to much as I had struggled to understand him. I also managed to get to the funny part of what I was trying to say and conveyed it in Spanish 💪 and was complemented on my improvement in Spanish. I was really able to roll my rrs too! Although this has since faded. I think, in truth, this was perhaps helped by my having drunk a glass of wine 😂 loosened up the tongue nicely 😂
In a time when I was feeling a bit down about not being able to communicate as much as I would like to with Noly’s family and people here, every member of Noly’s direct family and a few further afield seperately said something encouraging about my Spanish getting better, complimented me or said something sweet to me.
I’ve started 1:1 classes with a student and I really enjoy them! From what he’s said to other people he really enjoys them too. In fact, in the winter break he suggested we meet up and have a class and he’d pay for me to have something at a cafe as well as paying for the lesson. He also got me some chocolate. What a star.
If you follow me on my lettering Instagram (cheeky little bit of self promo I love it, @joyfulventures check it out!) you may have seen that I’ve really been reflecting on my identity whilst I’ve been here. It’s so easy to think about all the things I’m not and compare myself to other people and forget that my identity is primarily as a daughter of God. After having a conversation with my very wise sister about it that helped, this was reinforced by a card that was written to me by my Auntie. She wrote it before I came and said for me to open it on a random day when I felt like getting some post. Her words reflected exactly what I’d been doubting about myself and reinforced the message that I am a child of God and that’s my primary identifying factor.
Making cabsha with Vale & Sofi! This was just such a lovely evening – the perfect mix of girl time, chatting and cake. This was one of the first times I did something without Noly as well (#missindependent), which if I was in England, I would have no problem doing but here it’s harder when I don’t have him to rely on to supply my words for me if I can’t find them in Spanish and don’t always know the cultural/social expectations of me. But I was brave, I did it and it was really fun! I’ve since been doing more things without him too so go me
After having mentioned to Moni one day that I would like to buy a medium layer coat, a few days later I found myself shopping for one at some second hand stalls with various members of Noly’s family. Noly himself, Moni, Javier & Marta. I found this so sweet! All of us just searching for the perfect coat for me and offering suggestions. Made me super happy. Plus I got a new coat so win win.
Surprisingly, something I really enjoyed was budget planning with Noly. What a bore I have become. Who ENJOYS budgeting? Me, apparently. Argentina has changed me. I’m not even sure quite why. I think maybe because it just made me feel a bit more like I have a plan (albeit a very vague one) with my finances and gave me more of an action plan rather than just being unsure all the time about how much I should spend etc.
Weekends generally! Each weekend thus far I have spent at the Matus’ and that’s been really nice to get a change of scene and also to see Noly for more than just a couple of hours.
So far we’ve only been to one, but going to the art class with Sofi a few Thursdays ago was really fun! Not just the art class itself but getting to know Sofi some more plus she helped me with all the logistical things of getting there etc, as I would have had no idea what bus to take etc.
Being able to work the gas hob for the first time in my life! And also cooking with LENTILS! Also for the first time! (Although this was a bit of a cheat as all I had to do was reheat them but shh)
I’m not sure if I will be able to convey the hilarity of this last one, but I shall try. One day I saw Moni wearing some rather fetching leopard trousers. I complimented her on them as she really suited them and a while later, she produced a matching pair. For me! Well, up until this point in my life I had never thought of myself as a leopard print trousers kinda girl but they’re super comfy and y’know, sometimes you have to try new things so there you are. About a week later, Noly told me his Auntie had bought a present for me. We arrive to meet her and lowe and behold! A leopard print cardigan. Apparently, I had complimented her on one that she had (must have been a closet leopard print fan) and she had promised to buy me one too. And what comes next in this thrilling tale I hear you cry? Well, it was the day after Marta came back from Spain. I’m in my room. She turns to me… Look! Here are some trousers I never use but are lovely. Would you like them? Well, at this point who am I to say no? Once again, super comfy and leopard print! Who knew I liked leopard print this much? Certainly not me! Now I am just waiting for a t-shirt, perhaps a hat and some socks and I’ll have the full set…!