Whoa! Where in the world is elise wyatt?

New York. I know, I know. New York? You may ask, "I thought you were going to Chicago? Wait. Are you in Argentina still? I thought you were in Miami? Did you live in Minneapolis or something?" Me too, No, Miami Ad School OF Minneapolis, and Yes. So now that that's all out in the open, I should quickly update you. The Office Max pitch ended up going quite well. Our team won the pitch and received a generous high-five. I've recently been informed that both the Mall of America and Jimmy Kimmel client work our team put together received awards at Miami Ad School. I might even say that deserves a hug.

Now onto what's happening in the job-hunt. To keep it short, I went to Chicago for agency tours, but I didn't seem to have much luck. No one seemed to be hiring and I was having crying breakdowns almost every day. I came to New York to visit Megan and suddenly something happen. I had two interviews in one week. And I was invited to the Planning-ness conference here in New York.

I started writing people and people were writing back with other things to say than, "Sorry, but we're not hiring anyone at the moment, but keep looking." After much debate and changing of flights [twice] I have given myself until Nov. 12 to find something.

"Looking for a job is a full-time job," is an overused phrase that I want to punch in the throat every time I hear it. But. It's true. If I didn't dedicate the time I have been to looking for jobs and networking I wouldn't be having the luck I'm having. Plus, this city loves me and I love it back, which helps. I'm falling lustfully in love with this city, making it hard for me to want to look into other cities. Even though I should be more open.

I'm going to follow the leads I currently have and I'm building a pretty good network for only have been here less than three weeks.This process can't last too long because I can see myself getting to the point where the thoughts trail to, alright let's get this shit over with already.

But the good thing is that people are willing to help out. And I mean really help out. Like give leads and drop names, email, meet for coffee, beer, whatever. They want to help. Maybe it's because people who have gotten jobs in New York know how hard it really is, but also how awesome it is to live here.

I'm excited. I'm eager. I'm broke. So, I say let's do this!

I have to give a huge shout out to my befri, Megan. Without her I couldn't be where I am today. Literally. I'm sleeping on her couch for free.

As far as what happens if I don't have a job by November 12. Well, we'll address that issue when/if we get there.

-E.

WEEK 9. HELL HATH NO FURY ON AD SCHOOL

It's all winding down. Or more, gliding down on a steep mountain side. I've had to set my Steromood to things like "soft" and "calm" and "breathe in deep" just so that I can feel some sense of balance and quiet.

I'm stressed. But [not] out of control. I haven't had to break down and start crying in the shower, at least not yet.

Office Max rough presentations are Wednesday with our instructors, with the real one to follow a week from that date. The school is closed for four days this weekend, it's apparently a holiday for the rest of the individuals in this country. So, instead of heading out to the Minnesota State Fair or basking in the 70 degree weather this weekend, I'll be sitting at a cafe in front of my computer. How exciting!

The reality is, I'm not sure if I'm more freaked out at the pressure to finish this f*ing portfolio or to look for a real job. I suppose the motions will be followed through regardless.

So my life until September 9th at 12pm will be my portfolio and the Office Max presentation. Any further concerns should be directed to my cell phone.

-E.

WEEK 7: Presentation throw-down

It's Friday night and I'm sitting in bed watching Anchorman and eating homemade peanut butter cookies. Life and times in Miami Ad School Minneapolis are getting tough. Clearly, since you haven't read a peep from me in over 10 days.

Things are going well. I'm not too stressed, just busy. Really busy. My planner partner and I are whippin' through our clients. Considering all I do six days a week is eat, breath and think school I just can't bring myself to continue a blog writing about it, too. And since I don't have much of a personal life these days, there really isn't much to talk about, is there?

I guess that I could share that things are coming together for my portfolio. In our portfolio class we had to choose a theme. My theme is giraffes. Yes, I know, big surprise, it's about animals. The connection I made between giraffes and account planning is quite clever, if I do say so myself. Lately, I'm only willing to spend my money on food and booze, so I clearly I won't be paying anyone to design the layout for my book. Psh. There's nothing a few grid lines on InDesign and a little confidence can't do. I'm getting my alumi money's worth from this Adobe Creative Suite I paid an arm and leg for after undergrad.

For our book, we select three of the seven client case studies/presentation that we've done in the quarter. I'll be putting our strategy for Jimmy Kimmel Live, which we hit a home run with in our social media campaign we presented. Possibly this next weeks client Patron (hey-oh!) or this past week's client Mall of America (hey-ho!). We're already get head nods for our final client I'd like to say that Office Max will be going in there as well. So, this should give me a nice well-rounded portfolio. Of course, what I'm most excited about is the "about me" page that I'm putting in at the end. Penny and Spencer (my dogs) will be making guest appearances.

As we crawl into Week 8, I'm getting restless. I'm ready to live somewhere and have it feel more permanent. Since 2004, I haven't lived in one place consistently for more than a year. It's becoming exhausting. I'm even having dreams about vomiting. Whatever that means.

On a final serious note, since I am trying to be all serious today anyway. I would just like to say that I'm learning a lot. And that's an understatement. I'm learning about the kind of work ethic I have and what I expect from others. I'm also learning a lot about this career I want to go into, and good news people, I love it!

Signing out.
E

y saludos a Diego! ;-)

holyyyy. Well, I'm alive. In case you were worried.

Elise

WEEK 4. The drama gets hot.

note: thoughts and explaintions in this blog are opinions. And also may come typed out incoherently.

The director of the school gave her notice on Monday that Friday (tomorrow) will be her last day. Although, the reason for quitting wasn't based on a problem she had with the school, but really just the problem with the proximity of her house and the location of the school. But, it really couldn't have come at a worse time.

The Duck, Duck, Goose class (the one with all the presentations...yeah that one) in effect was stepped in by corporate (aka: head office honchos in Miami) and evaluated and "re-instructed." Allow me to explain. Apparently, Miami Ad School of Minneapolis isn't running the Account Planning bootcamp the way "things are done in the real world." Annnndddd because this phrase is so well liked by people in the claimed "pre-real world" this speech went over really well by the creatives and planners. Allow me to further clarify. Miami Ad School of Minneapolis Account Planning Bootcamp should make everyone loose sleep and work their asses off until September 10 at graduation, meaning, all work must be fully executed (example: f you have a TV commercial idea for a campaign you have to actually shoot the commercial) and presented in a professional manner. Says the man wearing black socks and shower sandals. I was also told that I can sleep when the break is over. Oh, and, also, not to forget, this is advertising. So, have fun.

Don't get my wrong. This is a great idea. And over-all it is going to create a better portfolio for me and the creatives. I'm all for better work. High five, go team! And I love the account planner I'll be working with as well as the copywriter and art director. In fact. We're a pretty bad ass team. I have no doubt that they can do the work. But, it's the middle of the quarter and course expectations are drastically changed? Oh, Miami Ad School. You're the bomb. diggity.

For the end of the course final presentation the school brings in a real client for us to produce work for. Our client this year is Office Max. Some suits are flying in tomorrow to give us a briefing on the situation and expectations for a campaign. The work that will come out of this will be presented to Office Max at a corporate level, and if they like it, they're able to use our ideas and work. Fo realz. That's what I'm talking about.

Our client presentation next Wednesday will be for General Motors. This was the most difficult brand situation yet. The assignment was to decide how General Motors could re-enter the market as a brand. This was an interesting client, given the shitter GM is in with it's customers and the general public. I'm not much of a "emotional" car owner, but I'm finding out that a lot of people are. Some people freaking love their cars. And they love their brand of cars. While my fascination for this could go on, you're already disinterested, and probably stopped reading after the first sentence.

On a final closing note. I'm alive. I haven't killed anyone, yet. And I've been cooking a lot. My housemates and I have officially famed another Thursday Night Dinner tradition. Another noteworthy solid move: I took myself to a $5 matinee to see Inception, which totally blew my mind with amazingness. And, no, I haven't seen Matrix to compare the awesomeness with, sorry.
Oh, and I cut my bangs with paper scissors.

-E.

creative nonsense

Writing a blog while being in this program is proven to be more challenging than originally thought. This week has only had two days, but not having weekends means that the week really started...hmmm...three weeks ago? That's right, the bootcamp is already three weeks in the making.
I managed to keep my hands of Sharpie until this week, too. Since, I'm not a creative, I technically should never need to touch one. But in our Switching Sides class we put on the full right brained hat and step into the creative side's shoes. I particularly enjoy that class, especially since I've decided that my role in advertising stems from the fact that I am Smart Good Idea's biggest fan. There's nothing more I enjoy seeing than a few creatives getting together and putting ideas together. I mean some people get all excited about economics, love for German philosophers, animated superheros, or even sci-fi novels. Me? Really great ideas.

Tomorrow we present our creative for the Hennepin Central Library. My excitement for this can be expressed through the out pour of sarcasm in every one of these letters I've just typed. I never want to advertise a library ever again. And clearly neither does anyone else at Miami Ad School.

It looks like the APU did get a voice heard. The program director sent out a more thorough itinerary of the program today. Which is great, because I wasn't feeling stressed enough without further enforcement of how quickly things are going to go. But it does look like the school will be closed for the three days before our portfolio books are due. So, isn't that wonderful news?

In non-Miami Ad School related news, yes this is possible, the weather is absolutely lovely. Why can't Texas get it together. Highs in the mid-80s and over-night lows in the mid-60s. But I have heard that 'warm' spring temperatures are 32, 33 degrees. Fahrenheit. what. the. what?!

We'll see about all that non-sense.

-E.

APU is for you.

So apparently the Account Planners at Miami Ad School have taken upon themselves to organize and elect a president for a "Account Planner Union." I myself have never been a huge fan of the organized union. But I do however support free speech. I suppose in the long run I'm too positive and passive (if that combination ever sounded so imperfect?) to really organize complaints about anything. Except maybe if they decided to stop selling cheese and wine. There's a cause to fight for.

I pulled the famous "I'm a single woman" move today and bought myself a beautiful bouquet of flowers today at the Minneapolis Farmers Market that is held every Thursday downtown. Also, a friend of mine who works at the zoo took me for a free look around at what Minneapolis animal kingdom has to offer. There was four inches of glass between me and a 300lb swimming grizzly bear. And I realized that I could spend hours watching turtles swim. They're just so cool looking.

Our first presentation was last night. Our team, appropriately team named Gryffindor, presented a campaign for Dunkin Donuts. After a few slides of superman and the statue of liberty and the creative giving their speech it was over. Quick and dirty. That's how I love presentations. especially when they are sin powerpoint. I'm feeling a little rough with presentations and getting back into the game. I just need to push myself into it.

So I'm currently too exhausted to constructively talk about anything else.

Goodnight.

Dipping in.

Dueling pianos with only 80s numbers. That's where the cheap drinks are in downtown Minneapolis on a Wednesday night. Introduction into Miami Ad School apparently includes a Pop-Rock shot courtesy of some seasoned art directors in the program. There shouldn't be too many questions why this field is so exciting.

Classes are kicking off well. The structure of the program is completely new to me. The classes are taught by professionals in the ad industry. So, it was first time since my freshman year philosophy class that I'd heard a teacher curse in class and have them call you by their first name. It feels good to be in a learning environment again, especially a more creative one.

Classes carry on throughout the weekend, so my only true 'day off' so to speak is Thursdays. Which will be a self proclaimed "laundry-food shopping" day.

I scored myself a free bike for a few months while I'm here. The people I'm living with are well connected, so it seems. The ride to school is about 3.2 miles through the nice and lovely industrial warehouse strip along the clap filled Mississippi river. Although, the summer heat isn't nearly as intense at Texas, but biking at least six-and-a-half miles each day is going to have me looking real hot. and sweaty. So I'll be keeping a dark chocolate bar and bottle of wine at my hands for nightly tuck-in. that or a cold beer.

I've decided that I'll probably end up explaining to people for the rest of my life exactly what it is that I do. I work in advertising. Then I suppose people can make there assumptions from there. Because when I start to explain account planning people automatically think numbers. And let's all be honest, I like to claim my fame to a lot of things, but numbers is a the bottom of that list.

So I'm not sure how much I will actually be blogging. Considering I've attempted to start writing an entry for almost a week now, I'm guessing not much. But maybe every once and a while you'll get a sentence. Statement and verification of my livelihood. maybe.

Alright folks.

E.

packed. de nuevo.

Packing for three months is much easier than packing for a year. Especially when the hemisphere is the same. I'm excited. I'm starting something amazing and new and from here on out it's the talent and passion I have that will drive me. Of course, the recession will be right there to remind me of reality when I'm looking a for a job in three months. Until then I will sharpen my pencils and take notes diligently. 'Cause I'm back in school. And in an entirely new territory. I dig it. bring it.

Ohhhh, I hope I can watch Fargo on my netflix online.

Elise

Moving On. Again.

The American soil has seeped back into the soles of my shoes. The sweltering Texas heat has broken my sweat. The wonders of the English language have re-filled in my brain. I'm adjusting back to this american life. The first few days were like walking through a sand box with your eyes closed. Then, I opened up my eyes and started laughing again. And driving like the irresponsible driver I am. Sometimes a wave will come over me. Thinking about those delicious empanadas, you ask? oh you know it. Especially that fugazetta. Besides food, there are certain things, even things I love, I'll have to leave behind. And time will make that easier. that is just life, isn't it?

Update:
As you may have noticed I changed up the format. The content will be changing, as well. I'm currently in San Antonio, after a weekend of visiting old friends in Denton and Fort Worth, but only for two more weeks. I take off for Miami Ad School....which let's all remember the misleading confusion that it is actually in Minneapolis. Either way, I get to say chau to 100-degree summer days here in Texas and give the north a chance to show me it 'warm' side.

My blog will document my adventure through this Account Planning Bootcamp, running from July 6- September 20. After the program is over I will be taking a short trip to Chicago and New York to visit agencies and friends. Once this course is over I think I'll be ready to pack up my suitcases for a while. Where? Quien sabe?

Warning: These entries will not contain as much adventuresome stories as the past year in Argentina, but I will do my best to hide great cynicism.

Don't cry for me, Argentina.

We've come full circle. One year later. I've got all kinds of emotions running through my body so I should not write an elaborate entry right now. But, I am home. I am missing certain people. Certain things. Nothing that I could put in my suitcase, though. So, I'll take a deep breath and look at the fancy things I just found today at Super Target.

I just need to settle my brain. my body. I'm in Texas. I'm in Texas.

That's all.

Elise

Bebé de comida

I just ate my weight in Argentine beef. and it was so deli(cious). My housemates and I went to a tenedor libre, which literally means "open fork," but what it really is a wonderful all-you-can-eat meat heaven. There was a nice salad bar with fresh beats and all, then you get to choose which and however much of the meat as you want. Of course, you have to start with the steak then work your way down. By the time I got to the sausage I was meated out, with a food baby named carne. Don't worry I topped all that off with some helado (ice cream).

I could give you a play-by-play of what I've been doing since Sunday, but really it would just be descriptions of the different food I've been eating, and good company as a side order. My mind doesn't really go around thinking, this is the last time you'll be able to do this, but apparently my stomach has caught on to the fact that I'm leaving and it's taking me for a ride.

I'm going to miss so many things about this city, but one of the things I have to most shame to admit that I'm going to miss is the dirty old men that stare at you on the street. Men are trained from a young age to stare and whistle at woman, and most of the time it's harmless. About 90% of the time it just makes me laugh at how ridiculous they are about it, and obvious. Today this old man stopped me in the street to ask me something and when I couldn't make out the first time what he had said, upon his repetition of his question I could only make out one word between his slurs with four teeth, "beso." and I kept on walking.

This time next week I will have gone from Fall to Summer, moved back two hours, eaten Tex-Mex and possibly driven a car for the first time in a year. que raro.

-E.

-E.

Mi última semana.

So my favorite bus let me down tonight. The 59. It's given me so many great memories and I swear when that bus driver looked at me tonight as I was running toward the stop in a breathless manner, he smirked at me as he hit the gas. Smirked. at me. Well. I'll show him. Yeah. I waited 25 minutes for the next one.

Tonight was my last class with the family I've been teaching English to on weekends since August. They made me a cake that said "Bye, Bye" on it and called it my Bye Bye Cake. There were even little white hearts written in icing on it. I was very touched. Then i started making jokes and singing "Bye, Bye, Bye" from NSYNC, including hand gestures. I'm always in for a laugh.

We're on the home stretch. Literally. I've had so many emotions since arriving here, and now I really can't feel any of the ones that see fit. All I'm feeling is the my life moving and the way I feel about being in it. The only things I want to plan for this week are eating and drinking. And a little snuggle time, since the weather is getting cold.

I'm going to be annoying and try and write a play-by-play of my last days. Well, see how many days go by before I realize I'm sitting in my bed in Texas connected to the internet and no longer able to walk across the street and buy bread and milk. Hmm. Strange.

-E.

montage

I've decided that banana-chocolate chip pancakes and Jamie Lidell are a wonderful way to begin your Friday morning slash afternoon. Especially when you have nothing but a care in the world. I realize that my extreme happiness in this world is probably stabbing you with a spoon. I also realize I'm a much better writer when I'm bitter and cynical, but I tried those emotions and they just don't work right now. Maybe it's the company I keep. Just so damn wonderful. This happiness has become so infectious that I've begun singing on the street and slightly skipping to the beat under my headphones.

I don't have departure on my mind. I've come to the conclusion that it's better to leave all that emotional baggage for the taxi driver to the airport. What a wonderful experience for him that will be. But my housemate was telling me that they don't let crazies on planes, so I'll have to compose myself before take off.

I'm officially finished teaching English. Thank god. I wasn't doing a disservice to this world or anything, it's not like I was shaping young minds, but I was simply dissolving in boredom. Now, in just a few months I will enter into a career that I couldn't be more excited about. I love chemicals that make your water taste like orange drink, and I want to sell it to you for breakfast. Mmm. Drink it up.

Lots of besos.

-E.

Me encantan tus ojos, mi amor!

It's been a few weeks since my last update, but really what been going on isn't very interesting. Just a few lessons on latin love juggling, empanada eating, a substantial collection of payment for "transportation coverage" from my internship, the cooking of: chocolate chip cookies, veggie stir fry with asain fried rice, chili, potato-spinach tarta, apple pie and chocolate banana pancakes; the turning on of heaters, a few free concerts in the park, one new pair of funky purple boots and, last but not least, one circus act complete with people propelling from 20 story buildings and 1.5 tons of feathers released into the crowd. Other than that, really not a lot going on. Just a few thoughts on leaving and a few thoughts on returning.

Things never turn out how you expect them to. Like that apple pie I made yesterday. Deeelicious, and even looks like it's from out of a magazine. Didn't expect that. But lately I've felt the need to fill my life with only things that make me happy, and eliminate those things that require too much effort. So this past week, when I didn't feel like teaching, I played "sick," but of course Karma came and bit me in the ass for that, I fell ill a few days after that. No worries, there's nothing like a strong antibiotic to cure anything. I must be careful with my words. With only a few fingers and toes left to count down the days I really have nothing to loose. As we get older we have to realize that choices we make are how to keep ourselves happy. and how to react to those things that which we can not control is how we keep our sanity.

Buenos Aires, I'm starting to feel like this is goodbye. and I'm not quite sure how to feel.

accepted.

I just got accepted into the Miami Ad School Account Planning Bootcamp. I'll toast to that. even eat a damn empanada.
So, if anyone knows anything about Minneapolis, MN feel free to tell me.

-E.

fall.

So, by Tuesday I had already eaten empandas for two meals. in one day. I also threw some fugazetta and cured ham in there. Gave it a full on bad-eating week. I've got things on my mind. Mostly unimportant things that will weave themselves out of my life sooner than later. Some which will and cannot weave, nor would I ever dream it. And then sometimes I just think about things like not having to put my mattress on the floor anymore so I don't wake up with paralyzing back pain. Or never having my coffee taste just right because I'm forced to by pre-ground beans and strain my coffee by hand through a filter. Then there's the unmistakable news from Miami Ad School. Still waiting.
But the good news is, my coffee cup has resurfaced. yes. victory.

Really I'm just killing time because as odds have it I've been spending too much time around my inbox. But now I must go and earn an embarrassingly low amount of salary teaching adults English. Or rather, pretending to give a shit for an hour about something other than my personal life.

-E.

playing the field.

Little things in our apartment keep disappearing. Not things that are mine, but things I like to use. When I drink my coffee in the morning I like to use a certain coffee cup. Not only does it help me feel grounded in my morning injection of caffeine but it's slightly bigger than all the other mugs. And a few ago it just disappeared. I have a theory that P-diddy (fourth wheel roommate) confiscated it and put it on a fancy shelf in his Palermo apartment of a bedroom...along with the griller that I loved to cook my meat on. He's a mystery, that one. Although, he did give me a chance to hold over 10,000 pesos in my bare hands. my bear hands.

Tonight, I treated myself to some alone time. An activity, I realized, that I haven't participated much in lately, except the time I spend on Fugi, which isn't really alone time. One of the museums was featuring silent films accompanied with live music. El gabinete del Dr. Caligari (1920). It was really interesting, even though I had to read the script in Spanish for an hour. I may or may not have shut my eyes for an extended period of time lasting more than 2 minutes. The music was telling the story for me anyways, so I didn't miss much.

This week I'm going to try and not eat as many damn empanadas as I did last week. Maybe just two meals out of the week instead of four. But it's not my fault everyone loves to make them. and that our [h]oven was fixed in our apartment and I wanted an excuse to use it. and that there was a concert in Recoleta, and everyone knows you can't go to Recoleta without eating empanadas at Sanjaunino. that's just a crime. Those blue cheese empanadas have nuts in them, and the guy at the counter always gives me extra and tells me things like, "well, for you we have that kinda today." but in Spanish, so it's sexier. obviously.

So many things are just sexier when they're said in Spanish.

I find out this week if I'm accepted into the Miami Ad School program. I haven't decided if I'm going to obsessively check my emails or if I'll make every excuse not to be around computers this week. I'm predicting that the former is much more likely to occur than the later. I just hope I'm not rejected over that one tiny little spelling error in my video that was pointed out by my non-native English speaking friend and overlooked by all the other natives that watched it. including myself. oh god.

-E.

reading material.

It was a strange Sunday on the subte. First, there was a man was dancing barefoot on a cardboard box while balancing a suitcase full of clothes on his head. Later there was a dude with a crazy make-shift boom-box who wore old rags and mesh bags on his head while break dancing and doign head spins. Not to mention, the woman selling dual flash light/lighter contraptions. It was a shame that I was alone in all of these happenings, all I wanted to do was snicker and make some comment about these crazy dudes. And even if I had something clever today it wouldn't come out the same in Spanish. sigh. general language barrier frustrations.

Sietske (roommate) and I have been parading the city buying shit this weekend. She's good though, she won't let me buy any purses, but she has no restrictions for the amount of hair crap I want buy. Since my shoe size is impossible to find in any of the stores, I drool and support her in her purchases of gorgeous boots. But, I have an amazing pair of boots on the way that I had an artisan custom make for me. And in return for me using Sietske for her Spanish skills she uses me for my room/closet with a door. That's what roommates are for. That's what friends are for, too.

With only five weeks left I've been mentally preparing for my return home. My mind takes a few minutes to wrap itself around the idea. I haven't been living on Mars or gone for 20 years, but I have made a few self-changes and discoveries. Like now I know how to live without a microwave and brew coffee without a machine. Some of these I know will fit into my life at home perfectly and others will need some adjustments. Like driving a car a distance that I normally would just walk in the city. Then there are just things I miss. Like my tiger and lion necklaces, bunny earrings, and my other large obnoxious accessories I used to wear. My Saturday's revolt of going out and purchasing red nail polish is just my body's way of saying...we know you want to put on some new clothes, but you're going to have to wait a few weeks to leave the land of crap materials. But now my finger nails are all pretty and I have a pink flower for my hair. and a yellow/orange one. and a black one. and maroon one. Life is good.

-E.

Tax Day.

It's Tax Day in the US. But when I woke up this morning it was April 15, 2010, raining and cold in Argentina. And I thought, tax day was April 16. Of course I hadn't filed my taxes yet, I'm in Argentina I get an excuse to be lazy and late for everything. But lucky for me I have one fantastic Mom who knows how to use a scanner. So I thought I could escape taxes...but technology always finds you way to do something, doesn't it? And next year I'm sure the IRS would love for me to explain the year gap in my employment as "working illegally in Buenos Aires." How do you claim sketchy Western Union errands I make for my roommate, where I get to hold 10 thousand pesos in mis manos for about 2 minutes? I'm sure that's non-taxable.

Miami Ad School has informed me that they have all of my application information. Well. This is it people. Now we wait. Until this I must twiddle my thumbs. toes. legs. anything that moves and displays my sever anticipation to know. Then I must figure out one thing. How the hell am I going to pay for this? And what the hell is in Minnesota?

So today I didn't prepare for my classes. Surprise surprise. But the thing is my institute just added three new students to an existing student I already had. Which is already quite awkward since we had already built a nice one:one classroom environment. Let's be honest, with one student I can pretend to teach, I've gotten away with it for almost a year now and it seems to be working out quite well. But four students? You can't hide bad teaching skills with friendly conversation. There just 'aint no where to go. So what do I do? Pretend to have a thought out lesson plan and somehow get my students talking about foreign immigrants from Peru and Bolivia in Argentina that are taking all of their "dirty jobs." Obviously.

My goal lately has been to see how awkward I can make a situation before some shuts it down. Or someone just ends it by kissing someone else. now, that's what I call locking it up.

Tomorrow I joyfully get to go to my internship where everyone is generously spreading a cold around the office. In a one roomed office of 10 people you would think someone would say, "Mira, tienes que ir a tu casa." But, no. This Argentina and everyone shares everything. Even there mate when they're sick. Dudes. You wonder why Gripe A [swine flu] is so out of control in winter. Exhibit A. Next, we'll tackle hand washing.


-E.