Why have I not written here in ages?

Because it will somehow force me to face the fact that I’m leaving very very soon and decide how I feel about that.  I don’t want to.  So there.  It’s like an essay I have to write for class or something and I just don’t wanna do it.

I’ve had a headache for like three days straight and I know it’s because I don’t want to think.  All those thoughts are buzzing around and breeding more thoughts and more thoughts and they want attention.  When I refuse to give it to them they bite me.  It’s quite vicious.  I’m only trying to protect myself from feeling.  Not fair.  Anyhow, I’m still planning on ignoring them for a while. So instead of writing my typical novel of a blog, I’m going to make Autumn-of-the-past write this blog and share a silly little questionnaire I filled out before leaving the United States of America for the very first (and only) time.  Sort of nerdy but very interesting to look back at 🙂 Then I’ll pick a picture from each month (July through July) to share with you all.  So, without further ado:  Oh and don’t forget to listen to the song below while you’re reading/looking at pictures so that you get the full nostalgia intended:

What are the five things that you are most looking forward to about studying abroad?

1. I want the newness and the excitement of seeing a different culture—fun and something different!
2. Traveling, since I’ve never been out of the US I wanna get cool stories about visiting other places and pictures!
3. Friends—making some awesome new Argentinean and international friends, starting over with a fresh slate
4. Dancing and going out.  The night life.
5. Learning Spanish super well—duh.

What are the five things that currently worry you most about going overseas?

1.  For some reason this list seems easier to make 😦 Missing my friends and family
2.  The seeming superficialness of the country and being perceived as fat ugly and gross J
3.  Money
4. Money
5. K that last one was cheap so I’ll write six but personal safety when I’m traveling perhaps over the summer
6. Being able to keep up with classes

 What are the five things you believe you will miss most from home when you are abroad?

1. My mommy
2. Family and Friends
3. Sanchez and Dio
4. Having my own living space—living with a host family is gonna be a big change…
5. Internet Connection speeds here
6. My stuff lol like I’ve accumulated things I really like and enjoy that make me happy that I can’t take with me.
7. The mountains and dry climate
8. Maybe I’ll learn how to count in Argentina too…

What are the five things (people, places, activities, etc.) you believe you will miss least  from home when you are abroad?

1. High prices! (lol I hope)
2. Drinking laws
3. Time scheduling shit—the “mañana syndrome” as the culture book called it I think I will like that better actually
4. My evil Spanish professor and having a history.  It’s gonna be nice to start fresh (sorta)
5. My smartphone:?  This could go either way…I am gonna miss it but will it be a good thing to not have such a sturdy leash?  Yeah 🙂  I hope that I’m gonna gain a lot of independence through this trip.

My greatest single challenge overseas will be:

I think it’ll be missing my family and friends—my support network.  I’ve always had a problem with missing out on stuff and I’m really worried about that.  I think it will probably be the hardest thing I go through.  I’m comfortable with Spanish, making new friends, being open-minded, etc but not with not being able to see people.

And there you have it.  That was how I felt about a week before leaving the US.  Not really earth shatteringly different than the truth of the situation but it will provide some healthy reflection for me whenever I decide to actually acknowledge the fact that a year has passed and this wasn’t a dream.  I shall follow with pictures:
July 2012:

Dork, you’re wearing snow boots…

August 2012:

September 2012:

Argentines are weird…

October 2012:

–At Ciudad Universitaria, Universidad de Buenos Aires

November 2012:

December 2012:

Move.  NO don’t move.  No, move!

January 2013:

With Cicada in Coroico, Bolivia

February 2013:

Still always going to be my favorite picture from carnaval

March 2013:

April 2013:

Yes, this is a photoshopped picture for my journalism class, but both of the pictures are mine.  Taken in Iruya, Argentina.

May 2013:

With Nacho in Pinamar, Argentina

June 2013:

July 2013:

Sorry I know it’s a crappy phone picture, but I love it 🙂

Till next time, y’all 🙂
Autumn