first post!!

Hi y'all! (or hi Mom because you might be the only one reading...lol)

This is my first EVER blog post, and I'm pretty pumped, to understate.

I'm also a blog-noob, so approach with caution...

Last week, my dear friend Missy and I decided to title my blog "la vidorra." This is a Spanish word that means "the easy life," or "the life you're meant to live." This perfectly describes the excitement and anticipation I have for the 5-month long adventure I have FINALLY begun!!!

I'm especially looking forward to my trip because of the way I have spent my summer. For those of you who haven't heard about my summer in New Orleans, I have completed Tulane's Business Summer Minor Institute (BSMI). To summarize, you earn your entire business minor in ten weeks. In short, the struggle was real. Super thankful for this vast upgrade.

Anyway, I honestly am having a really hard time putting my ridiculous level of happiness into words. I have so many people to thank for this wonderful, special opportunity. You know who you are. I have been counting down the days til my arrival for a super long time and it is such an incredible feeling to finally be living this dream!

Today is Friday. Let's rewind a bit. On Monday I took two finals in accounting and legal studies. My mom came to help me pack up and celebrate my departure, then saw me off on Tuesday afternoon. After a long, sleepless flight (WAY too excited to sleep), I arrived in Buenos Aires on Wednesday morning. I was greeted by a man holding a sign with my name on it which obviously made me feel super important. I actually arrived a day late, so the driver dropped my luggage off at my new home and took me straight to orientation.. talk about hitting the ground running!

Orientation is located at "El Círculo Italiano" which is located in Recoleta, one of BA's largest neighborhoods. It's a really beautiful old building where we learn about the classes we can take, safety and many other exhilarating topics! It's really not so bad though because we have ample time in between sessions to explore BsAs. Even in a few short days, my friends and I have walked about, tasted the delicious coffee, mastered the subway/metro, improved our spanish skills, and most importantly, fallen in love head-over-heels with this place.

Buenos Aires is enormous. And gorgeous. And magical. And perfect. Did I mention I love it here? I was a little apprehensive about the people here, but as it turns out everyone has been extremely welcoming and warm to all of us Americans, or Estadounidenses en Español. The city itself looks rather European. There are lots of busy streets with little alleyways, shops and treasures tucked away. 

There's something about this place... even here at day three I am immediately reminded of my literary boyfriend (Ernest) who said, "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." I think that's exactly why they call Buenos Aires "the Paris of South America."

Now I want to brag a little bit on my home stay mom, Elena. She is the most wonderful, selfless, fun-loving, adorable woman I have met in a long time. Rebecca, my friend from Tulane, came to BA last year and lived with Elena, then set the two of us up. I don’t know how I got so lucky! Rebecca, can’t thank you enough for your constant support and help! Elena fixes me cornflakes and half a banana with some coffee each morning. (the coffee here is, for lack of a better word, dank bomb). I get dressed, she makes sure my outfit will keep me warm enough, and she sends me on my merry way. When I return, we sit together with Felice, another American (actually the smartest girl I’ve ever met) living with Elena. The two of them have been so lovely and patient with my slower-paced Spanish skills. Felice has lived in Argentina for 4 years; if she hadn’t told me she’s American, I would have assumed she was born here, aka a porteña. 

Elena and I are getting along famously. When I went out with my friends on Thursday night, I got home at 3:30am. Apparently that’s pretty early here! When I walked in, Elena was in the kitchen excitedly exclaiming, “COMO FUEEEE??” (or, HOW WAS ITTTT????) I feel very much at home already. Oh, and did I mention I befriended her cat, Mimí? For those of you who know me well enough, me thinks hell has frozen over… luckily I’m only allergic to orange cats, so Mimí likes to cozy up and sleep on my chest. Ain’t that the darndest thing?

I'm thrilled to be taking a stab at this blog so I can share my experience - el éxito, el miedo, la felicidad, todo. I'll do my best to add updates whenever I can! In the meantime, Cassidy and I are going to explore our adorable neighborhood, Belgrano.  CIAO!

Besos, Nelly (my inevitable Latin American name)