-My home. The one I have in Pennsylvania and the one I have here. After a day of classes or time away both feel like a refuge and are full of love.
-My family. Those in the US and mi mama and mi abuela here. They are all so loving, caring, and supportive and without them I would be lost.
-My friends. The ones from home who send me emails, skype me, and message me just to check in and send their love. I am so grateful for true friendships that are not changed by distance or time apart. My friends from here have been amazing as well. I am so thankful for these words "...en mi tenes una amiga/hermana. Entiendo lo dificil que es estar lejos de tu familia y amigos...podes confiar en mi." Or in English, "In me you have a friend/sister. I understand how difficult it is to be far away from family and friends. You can always count on me." I've been here two months and have already formed a friendship that I know will last forever...how lucky am I?
-Tea time. It warms my heart when I walk in my house from a long day of classes and mi abuela says "hola, como estas? Queres un te?" Or in English, "Hi, how are you, would you like some tea?" I of course say yes, and I can tell she gets excited to be able to sit and have tea with me. It doesn't matter how much homework I have to do, or if I'm not really even in the mood to drink tea, I will always say yes to her. We sip our teas and talk about everything. I tell her about my day, she tells me about her's and the conversation continues. Everyone in the world should sit and have tea with mi abuela. It will change you for the better.
-This city. I am grateful for a city full of history, a city where on the weekends many shops are closed because here most people work to live...living to work is frowned upon. A city in which the smells of panaderias permeate through the streets and kioskos tempt you with endless selections of delicious chocolate. Minus the fact that robberies are common, this city is great.
-Spanish. I am so far from perfect at it, but I am grateful for the fact that while I sit here and write this blog post, both Spanish and English come to mind. I'm grateful for slow and steady improvements and for moments where the right complex verb tense comes to mind without much thought. I love little victories and definitely celebrate them. I am also grateful for this language in which love can be expressed using an array of different words, and for the beauty of this distinct Cordobes dialect.
-Culture. I am grateful for kisses on the cheek and drinking mate. For breakfasts of bread and late night dinners. For taking buses everywhere and walking to the grocery store. For surprise visits and no schedules. For boliches and cheap, amazing tasting wine made in the province next store to Cordoba. For endless hours spent talking with friends, without tv, without cell phones, without distractions, just real, genuine, intimate time spent building relationships. For dulce de leche and empanadas and anything else mi abuela whips up. For love between strangers and acceptance amongst all.
-What I find important. Grades have their place, as do personal goals, but relationships are always more important. My relationship with God, with my family, and with my friends should and hopefully from now on will always be more important than anything else. Argentina has truly taught be the importance of being a relationally-driven person and from now on I hope that I will always stop to talk to someone, put homework aside to help a friend, be a better listener, and always make a point to be supportive, loving, and present.
-My barrio (neighborhood). Despite being robbed on my front porch, I love this neighborhood. I love that everyone walks everywhere, that it is very close to the center of the city, and that there is a little park that I can safely go for runs at around the corner from my house. I am grateful for the little old lady who sells vegetables and fruits right out of her home, and for the kiosko where I can go to buy anything I need. I am also so thankful that I am no longer afraid of here, of walking alone, and of motorcycles. I am careful, but I am no longer living in fear because this feels so much like home and I don't think that one can be truly afraid of their home.
I am officially two months in and already thinking about how sad I will be to leave. I miss home, but when I go home, I will miss it here. At least I know that I will always have a place and people to come back here to...people who will be ready with open arms to lovingly welcome me at anytime. I am feeling so blessed being able to call home two different places and I hope the next 3 months and couple weeks go slowly, are intentional, and that I continue to learn and grow.
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