Learning, exploring, living

An enormous tapestry at the museum, stunning details!

So after making it through class this week, I feel like I can conquer anything. It's pathetic actually to reflect on how hard it was for me to get through 6 straight hours of class each day this week- it shouldn't be that difficult! But after being spoiled with the college class schedule that typically doesn't give me more than 3 hours of class in a row, I've determined that my long-term attention span desperately needs some work. Luckily my teacher is extremely patient (although she should probably grow more of a backbone, considering how much nonsense our class puts her through) and does her best to keep our attention.

Hilary and I in front of the flower :)

I felt a little crappy all week, because with Valentine's Day and all, naturally we were all inhaling terrible food like chocolate, ice cream, brownies, etc. etc. After downing waaay too many sweets in the beginning of the week my body went into shock and I just didn't feel like I recovered.. until yesterday! By the end of the run, I think I finally sweat out all of the junk that I had digested. I wasn't initially planning on running that much, because I've been having some issues with shin splints. I wish I wasn't so susceptible to them!! On another note, as Becca, Adam and I were running around the pond at a nearby park, Becca sprained her ankle pretty badly on the root of a tree. It was pretty gross actually, it didn't swell up right away but both Adam and I heard it crack... terrible timing if I've ever heard of it, because she had originally planned on taking a trip this morning to go celebrate Carnaval with a bunch of other students! She couldn't walk on it and none of us had money to get her home, so I ran home, got money, and ran back so I could take her home. After that I was pretty pooped, but I felt really good about the fact that I'm in good enough shape to be able to run home and back without it being a big deal. I love being able to depend on my body like that, and in that situation, I wasn't the only one depending on my body working. It was pretty empowering actually. I really want to register for a race down here, I'm thinking a 10k is definitely a feasible goal. I'm not the type of person who will ever be able to run a marathon, which I'm fine with, but I think a half marathon is on my life-long bucket list. I have a feeling I'll be able to convince my sis/dad to do it with me...... :)

Cool bridge!

Anyhoo, I went to bed early last night because I was pretty pooped, and woke up around 10 this morning feeling all sorts of rejuvenated. After drinking some mate and catching up on some reading this morning, I met up with some people at CBC- California Burrito Company. While they don't have this chain in California, (odd) it is pretty much the same thing as Chipotle-- SCORE! The food was sooo good, and let me tell you, I plan on making this a weekly excursion. After grabbing lunch, Hilary and I went to the Museo de Bellas Artes for free! I'm so glad we went, because I keep kicking myself for not seeing enough of the art here in B.A. Only one floor was open because the upper floor is going through renovation, but there was some really incredible artwork there. Funny enough, most of the work was by European artists, but I didn't mind.. the setup of the museum itself was really gorgeous, even down to the rich color of the walls that changed in every room. Our friend Coleman met up with us and then we walked around to the mechanical flower, which is a landmark in the city. It's this HUGE silver flower that operates like a normal one-- in the morning it blooms, and at sunset it closes up for the night. It's pretty incredible and I've never seen any type of art like it. I think it's broken right now though so it just stays open... but the concept itself is pretty great. We continued meandering over to the Recoletta markets, and got ourselves some fruit salad with orange juice in it.. yum! Around 5 we decided to head home, as I am currently laying in my bed, enjoying the breeze brushing my face every few minutes. It was pretty damn hot today, around 93, so whenever there's a breeze I can't help but be extremely grateful. I have an entirely new appreciation for air conditioning, not to mention the central air in my house! Ever since I got here I'm pretty sure there's been a thin layer of sweat on me... one of the reasons I'm jumping for joy to get down to Patagonia for spring break. It'll be in the low 50's-60's, and it'll be really cool at night while camping, not to mention when we go see the glaciers! God, it blows my mind that while I'm sweating up here, there are glaciers only hours away. How bazaar.

More local graffiti

This weekend is Carnaval- I'll be attending as many parades, mask parties and other festivities as I can! Expect pics and more updates in a few days!