Autumn has officially arrived

Sunset from our balcony here in Quilmes

So it is that time of year when a routine of work, exercise and play has begun to flow and you really start hanging out for your weekends to sleep in and enjoy the crisp coolness and warm sunshine that autumn brings.  Well this is us right now.

In the past couple of weeks we have had many long weekends here in Argentina. Our aussie friends and family can't quite comprehend how come we have so many long weekends- Argentina likes to respect and celebrate their special days of memorials, liberty and reconciliation and Easter... so the government and lady president 'Cristina' gives everyone an extra 1 or 2 days off so they can go away on a mini break. We ain't complaining here!

So what have we been up to? Well over March it was getting back into a flow of working. Chris has started his new position in the school as the prep school music teacher (primary school) and is truly loving it! It's awesome to see Chris in a roll of leadership and creativity again.
And I am spending lots of extra hours rehearsing with students for mamma mia, running choir ensembles, trying to squeeze in lesson planning, preparing kids or exams- busy busy busy little bees we are!
I have my days where it all gets a bit much and feeling out of balance (don't we all have those days?!) but when I have had time to rest like this Easter long weekend and I can catch up on much needed sleep and have some head space to think of other things rather than school and hang out with people I love and  just relax, I get to separate myself and I just feel so blessed in the opportunity we have here in Argentina! I really love my work- stressful most often yes- but character shaping and I love working with the kids and music and creating and taking responsibility for a department! It is fantastic.. and I have to hang onto how I feeling right now so I don't go completely nutters in the chaos that May is going to bring!! We have a big month ahead of us of musicals, exams, reports, rehearsals and on top of that preparing a Music Tour that I proposed last year and got accepted and now is officially happening in September.. phheewwww lots on my plate! hahaha

So there is the work download- sounding busy but positive I hope! haha

Chris and Mim!
Chilling out on our balcony drinking Mate and eating Alfajores

Some highlights over the last month- We had Chris' cousin Miriam come and stay with us for 2 nights here in Buenos Aires! She is such a gorgeous woman and a beautiful friend to us!! She had booked a tour for a month starting in BA and going over to Uruguay, up to Iguazu, along the south coast of Brazil to Rio de Janeiro and then flying over to finish up in Peru for Machu Picchu Inca Trek! She just landed back in Sydney today and can't wait to hear her adventures!! Especially because we will be doing the Inca Trek in 3 WEEKS!! WOOHOOOO

At La Bombanera

A very full and exciting stadium- La Boca!

We took Mim to local food markets here in Quilmes- some good asado feasting- markets in Capital and the highlight was La Bombanera. We saw a futbol game in THE stadium at Boca! Watching Boca vs Independiente! We were in the visitors seats (Independiente) right up the top and was right in there with the away fans! and the away team won and I can't even describe how amazing the whole night was!!!!! It was one of the craziest and coolest experiences ever!!! being squashed and hug by crazy happy fans and the colourful language that was being used to put down the opposite team and the huge flag coming over us and the game was one of the best most intense futbol games ever!!! it was fantastic and the photos just don't do it justice!! It was amazing Mim got that experience!! and it was my first time seeing a game in La Bombanera!! EPIC is the word to use for this experience!

EPIC!

So Mim left us on a huge high note and started her adventure, and we continued as normal, working and weekending.
We also booked flights for Brazil! We will be spending 3 weeks in July this year starting up North in Natal and cruising down the coast to Salvador and then flying to Rio de Janeiro where we will meet up with Chris' parents!! (sooooo excited!!)
So now we are saving our pennies so we can book our huge summer vacation to NYC, New Orleans, Orlando (disney land and universal studios), Miami and 3 weeks in Mexico! this is the idea, but saving saving saving!!!

Easter Chicken?! No I think it is a Guinea Fowl? 

So Easter, today is Easter Monday- we had 5 days off over the weekend and we didn't go anywhere, we haven't even been into Capital (saving pennies)... we slept in, watched movies, cooked good food, hung out with friends, had picnics, relaxed and feeling really good!! was such a recharging weekend!! pumped to knock over the next 3 weeks and then head to Peru!

At Zoo Lujan- Very beautiful tigers!

I was very close to this tiger!

 On Saturday we went to a zoo about an hour North of Capital- 'Zoo Lujan' I took some awesome photos  of some of these animals- It was sad, these lions looks sedated so tourists could stand with them and have their photo taken, the beautiful tigers we in cages way to small... but they are hand raised and amongst domestic dogs from birth...

But we went with our friends and had an awesome picnic with their family and just walked around all afternoon in the perfect weather experiencing a different kind of zoo... the animals weren't mistreated.. but they weren't respected or looked after well either... It was sad to see, but we just enjoyed the company of our friends and I went a bit snap happy with the camera.

Old farmyard car

Just want to send a big Happy Easter love to my family and friends and will be updating soon with news after Machu Picchu!!!!


All my love xoxox
~ Miki

Welcome to the Adventures for 2012!

Well it has been a very long time since updating the blog- we have been on some serious holidays and also so readjusting to the routine of starting work again after such awesome adventures back to our Australian home and exploring of Southern Argentina and Chile!

All day beach lounging in Byron Bay- 'Watagos Beach'

Where to begin?!
So, since the final blog post for 2011, we have just had a super 8-10 weeks of summer vacation! Teaching is an incredible fulfilling profession with the huge perk of amazing recoup/rest period with the opportunity to explore the world. This is our goal over the next couple of years and Chris and I are so so keen to take full advantage of that this year! What an opportunity we have to travel travel travel during the holidays we get!
As my awesome mother in law would say, we are "tick tick ticking" the many wonderful countries and things to do off our list- it's just fabulous!

My Mini Message:
Young people out there- don't settle down just yet- there is a world of opportunities, work options, skills to develop and harness, amazing cultures and people to meet and learn from and love, nature of extreme beauty and craftsmanship to behold and a restlessness that will be quenched- get out of our comfy bubbles and see this world.

Scuba Diva

So the story of holiday adventures begins with heading to Australia for the wedding of my brother in law. A VERY beautiful, natural and genuine event of love, family community, Jesus and festivities by the sea- truly lovely!
We then had christmas with our families and also a day to ourselves (chris and I had alone time) with just our own families- only the Prouts altogether (my mum, dad, my sister and I) and Chris went off to have his big extended family annual christmas event. This was a very special day for me and I don't think we will have a day like this again for a long time. Just the four of us, mum & dad with their two girls- the day was scuba diving and a picnic by the sea, ending with a home cooked meal and a honest and open chat over dinner- just the four of us. I won't forget this fantastic day with my wonderful parents and my gorgeous sister!

I'm so blessed to be born into this family!

Sydney Harbour- my 25th Birthday!

New Years Eve was next which was an event also to never forget- mum and dad had booked a room with a view of the Sydney Opera House and Bridge... absolutely rare and once in a life time and it was a blast!! late night dinner with a bang! Always the fireworks are such a show and to be in that place at that moment was just insane... how spoilt are we!! I don't know how quite to feel about it- but the wealth and blessing of this just makes me not sure how to write it out right without feeling like a spoilt kid... it was a magical night!

Chris and I then spent a week in our favourite place in Australia- Byron Bay. How can I package the experience we had:

Byron Bay- Paradise

Paradise beaches, relaxing, amazing japanese sushi train, chai, surfing, all day beach layabout, walks to the lighthouse, food, gelato, healthy lifestyle, roadtrip, driving the Hilux (thanks dad), hammocks, red dragon ginger beer, BBQ, longtime friends, nature, dolphins, afternoon beach walks, sleep ins, freedom, love, sunshine, swimming, peace, blessed, new camera crazy, exploring, sleeping, jogs, refreshing.....

To end the trip, I turned 25- and had a hoot of a party with family and close friends. We ate sooo much amazing fresh seafood with my brothers and sister- cooking and eating all day long. I think celebrated with Chris' family and my friends from the coast doing a 'master chef' themed party- with mystery bags of ingredients and a crazy frantic fun cook up and eating festival- the food monster in me was clearly easy to see at this party- thanks everyone for making my bday such a memory of fun and food!! what a blast!

This is how we roll in Byron Bay

And then after a month of Australia it was heading home to Argentina- and in a way, we both felt ready for this. Ready to be back in the home we had made over here- our space with our friends here in Quilmes. But over the last month being back I have felt a real pull in my heart for my family and my beaches and my sunny Australia. I haven't missed being away from there this much ever... I am hoping the busyness of work now will keep me occupied.

I know this blog update is long- but wait.. there is more- the adventures continued!

El Chalten- Patagonia- Argentina (View from our tent)

We arrived back to Argentina mid January and had a week to fight the jet lag and chill out in Buenos Aires (which was sooo stinking hot!! oh my goodness- if you are thinking of travelling BA in summer- forget it!! the hot humid unrelenting heat is a killer)!
We had book flights and planned a backpacking trip down to Southern Argentina- Patagonia!
We escaped the heat and switched from swimwear and thongs (flip flops) to beanies, scarves, fleece jackets and hiking boots.

Amazing Ice formations on our Ice Trek of the Glacier

El Calafate in Patagonia was the first hotspot on our 10 day trip, where we hiked on the famous glacier Perito Moreno. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! and was just such a natural wonder I don't know how to quite explain all the sensations and experience. It was just completely awesome and natural and a marvel! You could hear it cracking and see the large chunks falling and crashing into the aqua blue water. The colour of the ice reflected this eery amazing blue colour and it was just fascinating!!
Moving on from that- we ate some of the most amazing lamb I have ever had! slow cooked over hot coals for hours, it was crispy crackly melt in your mouth amazingness! Go for the lamb!

Ice Trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier- Unreal Experience!

We then caught a bus and camped in our awesome yellow tent for 3 nights in El Chalten which had Mount Fitz Roy and the Andean range. This was truly a highlight of the trip! We went horse riding through the most beautiful terrain with the snow capped mountains above us and the rocky mountain river and just superb!! The next day we walked approx 25-30kms right up and up to see Mount Fitz Roy and the glaciers... this was such an adventure and just completely awesome! When we got up the top of the climb, it started snowing and we couldn't see a thing- it was quite scary actually and I was freaking out about how we were going to get down again and find our way... we waited up there and just as we were turning to leave the snow stopped, the sun came out and like a magic show, everything began to appear: first the emerald green glacial lake and then the HUGE mountains magical looming over us- yes we went snap happy and felt like children in a candy store! I have actual never seen someone marvel and be completely in awe as Chris was this day- it was a beautiful moment to be a part of! and a big big highlight! the long walk back was nothing for us- but I tell you what, our poor bodies were sure feeling it the next day! ouchy muscles and poor achy feet and legs! haha

Horse Riding in El Chalten- Superb and breath taking!

View from our Tent- Torres Del Paine, Chile

We also caught a bus south of El Calafate to Chile's national park 'Torres del Paine' and camped there for 2 nights. We walked a good full day hike up to the top where the 3 huge rock towers and glacier were, it was so beautiful and the camping was just so natural and wonderful!!! Usually people stay 7 days and hike the whole national park, but we didn't have the time or the want to do that and just loved how we spent our time over this whole trip.
Our final destination was Rio Gallegos, which we caught a bus to and stayed with a very special and generous family connected with our school. The invited to stay with them last year and we took them up on their offer. It was a very big honour to be invited and to be shown such amazing hospitality. These beautiful people allowed us to see what their life was like on their estancia (Argentina Farm) of sheep and we enjoyed every minute with these wonderful people. We made new friends and just feel so blessed to have been able to experience the end of our trip in Patagonia this way.

The Towers- Torres Del Paine, Chile

Well the photos just don't do it justice, and I feel I just can't explain things the way I would like- maybe because it is now going on 4:30am and I really should be dreaming happy things...

Chris and I now have the travel bug like never before- we have been hunting down flights to Brazil and are planning to reserve them tomorrow, paying for them on Monday! ooo I will share these travel ideas soon!!
We also have Machu Picchu coming up in 2 months!!! all signed, sealed, delivered, it is just a matter of getting on that plane in April and a way we go on the Inca Trek!!

We also have our beautiful cousin Miriam coming to stay with us this week. Our first visit from a young family and special friend! Sooo looking forward to showing her our town and giving her a taste of the fun Buenos Aires has to offer!

It is really good being back- There is a super full year ahead- I can't believe a year of living abroad here in Argentina is down! How quick did that time fly?!

My man at Perito Moreno Glacier- Captivated

I also just want to send my love and hugs to Mama and Gidhi (my beautiful grandparents) I have been meaning to call so many times and will do soon!! But I want to say how much I love you both and how lucky I am to have such caring people who have shaped who I am and the way I see the world. Thank you for loving me Mama and Gidhi!

And this little message goes out to my super hip Nanna and Grandy who I know are reading from their computer and are now so with-it using skype and everything!! Thankyou for my super generous birthday present- It made out holiday in Patagonia so amazing!! It gave us the gift of Ice Trekking on that incredible glacier you can see in the photos!!! I love love love you Nanna and will call soon, I promise!

So here is to hopefully getting back into recent blog updating because life here is very different to just the grind and comfort of being home.
I love that our weekends at the moment have been just lounging at home, or riding our bikes to the park with mate (mah-teh) with our spanish study books or at the pool or spending time catching up with our beautiful friends.

love love everyone and happy new year- get out there and meet people around your and embrace the skills your have to make a difference, help people who need it, love those who you struggle to love and be blessed because you were created for more.

~ Miki

Final update for 2011!

So this is it people, our first year spent in Argentina! In 3 hours we will be heading to the Buenos Aires international airport to fly back to Australia for a 1 month holiday of parties, weddings, surfing, feasts, beach bumming, birthdays and friends. We then return in mid January and are off on our next edition of Argentine adventures. We have already booked our next travel destination to El Calafate in January and will definitely be starting 2012 with some great photos of the glaciers and mountains in Patagonia!

So how can I sum up the year here in Argentina- our first year living and working abroad. What words can I use? It has been challenging and amazing and fulfilling! I am looking forward to flying back to our home here and start the next year fresh and full of energy!

My happy place has always been the beach and my family, but without these things here in Argentina close by, it has been my home and happy place to be together with my Chris. Our home is each other together and wherever we are in the world we have our home. I couldn't have done this year without him- I have been so encouraged and supported and loved.
I have an amazing best friend who loves me completely and I LOVE the adventures and experiences we are sharing together. We are so completely blessed, thank you Lord Jesus for my amazing man and the amazing life I get to have- words can't describe why I get to have such a beautiful life- I'm just so thankful! Overwhelmed with the love and goodness we have, I hope I can share this fullness and bring glory to my King.

I write this blog post as the sun is setting here in Quilmes on my little sofa, drinking mate with a big excited smile for the summer holidays ahead. I can't wait for hugs from my mum and dad and sister! Of course I'm looking forward to food fun and my beaches/scuba diving, but just the touching back in my homeland will be something very special!!

Thanks for reading if you have been following and will be updating again in January.

Besos y abrazos mis amigos!
Hasta luego

~ Miki

2 weeks to go and flying back to Australia!

This thought is mostly occupying my mind at the moment: home to Aus in two weeks for a 1 month holiday with family and friends and beaches and asian food and byron bay and 25th birthday and brother's wedding and family and beaches and food!
okay I could make this list long but it would get repetitive I think! haha

It feels like the first time all year I have some head space and I'm just letting everything go! work is coming to a quick end and I'm so ready to be on the plane flying back to hugs from mum & dad and mama & papa K!! so dang excited!!

Pinamar Beach!

In Carilo- gorgeous

Weekends have remained sunny and last weekend we took off on a coach down the coast for the long weekend. We spent 3 nights in Pinamar which was awesome!! it is about 4 hours South of BA city and we just had such a refreshing time! We also discovered Carilo which is a tiny expensive built town in the wood forest of pine trees.. it's quite magical!! we will be back for rest and recoup next year definately!
But our weekend consisted of lying on the beach, swimming, drinking mate, nice meals out, a little shopping, siestas, more lying on the beach, a 8km walk from Pinamar to Carilo along the beach (didn't think it was that long when we started... but 2 hours later we made it haha...)
We stayed in a great little hotel 100 metres from the beach and just loved every minute!
We got back on the 'micro' (coach) back to Capital in the afternoon feeling very relaxed and couldn't believe in our heads that it was only 3 weeks till being on our Aussie beaches!!

watching the fisherman at the end of the windy peer in Pinamar

We are happy! haha

Watching the southerly come over- drinking mate

Together at Pinamar- great weekend! refreshed

Sunsetting on the coach back to BA

The past week has been busy wrapping up classes, hosting a music event in the theatre (Music Interhouse Competition), late night Salsa dancing on Thursday with friends and Friday night was a big big Graduation fiesta for the students finishing school... honestly it was like a $60,000 dollar wedding set up... I have never seen anything like it!! incredible. these kids come from very very VERY well off homes, and this party showed all that splendour off. Anyway, it was a lot of fun! It started at 9pm Friday night with crazy canapes everywhere, platters, sushi and pasta stations and drinks.... and then at about 12:30am dinner was served and then about 2am dessert was served and we ended up leaving about 3am- the party was warming up and would kick on to 5 or 6am! crazy!
it was a big sleep in the next day for us! haha

So after getting all my reports done I really don't have much left except a afternoon outdoor concert at school called 'Woodstock' which runs for about 2 hours and allows the students to get up and play songs in front of everyone on the grass while they watch a futbol (teachers vs students) match. It will be the last day of school before speech day on Wednesday. and then Thursday and Friday are public holidays! and we will be packing and getting ready for Australia!! woooohoooo

Well I'm off to keep cleaning the house up a bit.. it gets so bombarded during the week with papers and books and clothes everywhere and washing everywhere... I actually like cleaning up my space (remember we have a 1 bedroom apartment.. so not a large space to tidy.. easy work)- it feels fulfilling.. haha

off to the pool today for a swim and lay about studying my spanish and drinking mate. Chris has his final futbol game today with the Odd Socks team. they are having a big asado to finish the year off with the team. We have been at so many 'end of year' asados this past week and more to come this week... won't be hanging out for an aussie steak when we get home.. we are probably getting the best kind of steaks in the world! haha! sooo much meat! SEAFOOD PLEASE! GIVE ME A PRAWN SOMEONE! IT'S BEEN A YEAR! HAHAHA!
okay i'm a little bet mental.. but hanging out for aussie freshness

so to end my obsessed aussie sounds blog. We are so content living here- I haven't felt restless all your. Sure I have felt tired and stressed and missing home at times. But so fulfilled, for the first time I don't feel like I should be anywhere else. It is incredible. Excited for what could be after our time here! who knows where we will go or be? or how we will feel at the end of our final year in this contract?! amazing

chau chau y besitos mis amigos
xoxo
~Miki

Look at the blue sky! Perfect spring weekend!

It has been a fantastic sunny weekend here in Buenos Aires! the birds are singing and I catch the smell of salty sea air in the evenings from the river plate which is so so nice! Oh it makes me eager for my home on the coast in Australia! I miss it so much.
And just as I'm writing this a car with some very loud speakers pumping out cumbia is driving past and bringing me back to the reality of where I live.. in another country.. Argentina. It's an amazing experience!

I guess I wanted to say how blessed I am to have such lovely friends here in Quilmes! Nati is my favourite (not that I have favourites, but she is a super special and beautiful person! I love her a lot!)
Here is  a photo of us near her house in the park demonstrating how to play on one of the homemade park additions! haha- very fun times!
We have been meeting every Wednesday after work at my house or her's and we practice our spanish and english. Her family is beautiful, they are good people and it is an honour to be welcomed so warmly- our family away from home. xo

The pool is back open at school which is pretty special- We can walk down anytime from 2pm to 6pm for swims. Beautiful temperature and getting a little sun kissed is nice.
We also booked flights down to El Calafate (Patagonia) for when we return in January. Gonna be doing some camping and trekking down in the national parks and seeing the amazingness of nature Argentina has to offer- from glaciers to the Andes mountains to natural lakes and springs! exciting!!
We are being very organised with our travel plans!! I am already looking into options for July!

Tango band in the markets

Today was a lovely day with my friend Tara who is a fellow teacher at school. We went on a mission into Capital to lazily walk around the markets in Caminito and in San Telmo. Talk about a busy Sunday of people and tourists- but the weather was perfect and the girly company fantastic. We met up for lunch with more friends and then continued to stroll the cobble stoned street.
Let me tell you- November is indeed the month to travel Buenos Aires!!! It is fantastic weather and really green and pretty!! I love it! All the jacaranda trees are just blooming, but the end of the week, there will be purple carpets of flowers all around the place!! I have one growing right outside my office and the music department- so pretty!

So thank you Tara for the fun adventure! The next few weekends hold some events- we are planning to repaint our bedroom from the medical green colour to white.. (this is a plan people..)
and in 2 weeks will be spending yet another long weekend (there are many long weekends here in Arg) down in Pinamar for the first time in a long time of some ocean goodness!!

Beautiful old church surrounded by the markets in San Telmo

It is all winding down now so fast to the holidays! and in between then and now there is lots going on at school with a big Music Interhouse competition (students representing their house by singing or playing an instrument or being in a band to get points for their house), Woodstock (a student stage/performing opportunity in front of the other students), reports (we all know what those are.. dang), and wrapping up the year!

5 weeks to go!

Besos,
love miki

Decent summer weather.. at last!

And summer is properly speaking out loud now! it is excellent waking up and a blue sky is above and the warm morning air pours in. Or the fact that I am walking to school in the sunlight and it is warm and fresh and summery!! I am hearing the same kind of comments from my family and friends in Australia too- It is nice to know we share our weather! I love that.

So today it is 6 weeks exactly- even to the time right now that Chris and I will be touching down in Oz for a month of Australian goodness. Friends, family, surfing, beach bumming, xmas, birthday, weddings, scuba diving, New years celebrations, BYRON BAY, asian food, the beach.. okay I'm starting to repeat myself now...
Just super dooper looking forward to it! Time is going to fly now!

Our garden on the balcony is growing thanks to Peggy upstairs- our friend and fellow teacher who is finishing her life here in Argentina and heading back to England.. She will be missed!!!!! But she gave us some of her awesome plants! THANKS PEGS!

So an update on life here at the moment.. I find that my blog posts have been a little bit rambling of late.. We haven't really adventured anywhere new and grand since our super holiday to Salta and Jujuy... ohhh but we are planning some big ones ahead!
I can't remember if I have said it (I have probably repeated myself 6 times already as I usually tend to do), but Chris and I are booked in for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail this coming April- CAN'T WAIT!
gonna be amazing!

This week I has some decent adventures on my own however. I got the opportunity to be a student in the Buenos Aires Jazz Festival Vocal Workshop! For 3 evenings this week (Wed, Thurs & Fri) I left school early for some awesome professional development and Musical training! The workshops were taught by an amazing jazz vocal educator, performer and professional- Dominique Eade, who is a lady from Boston, USA. The was AMAZING! wow- it showed me how much more I can learn vocally!! I forgot.. Since teaching fulltime for the past 3 years I haven't had the opportunity to do any training vocally... I am SO KEEN to be learning again! or be apart of a choir or vocal something for me- it was so good! The workshops were in English and had a spanish translator for everyone.
A very cool thing for me was when she was asking for volunteers to sing something and so she could work with as an example of jazz vocal exercises I put my hand up.. So there I am in this beautiful grand Argentinian master class theatre room with its arched high ceiling and led lighter windows, in front of 200 class members and Dominique Eade (The female version of Kurt Elling), singing 'Fly Me To The Moon' the best way I knew how. It was great! so much fun!
Dominique then worked with me in front of everyone for about 20 mins, getting me to sing the song difference ways- focusing on the language (words) and rhythm rather than the melody. It ended up me singing the piece is rebato to really syncopated lento to every note being sung staccato.. It was so challenging and it got to a point where I couldn't remember the melody because the focus was so different.. which was the whole point- getting lost in jazz!! LOVED IT! awesome opportunity! As put a real earnestness in me to do some proper vocal study in the future!

The other cool thing about the three evenings in north Capital was the fact that I had to get myself there- all by myself. I now can navigate well on the public transport and it is awesome! I caught a bus at 3:30 from Quilmes to 'coreo central' and straight off the bus down into the Subte (subway) onto the 'B Line' and 25mins on the Subte to the last stop and then a 10 mins walk to the theatre. It was great! I studied spanish the whole time on the Subte, writing down my verbs (past and present) practicing irregular verbs.. I loved it and feel boosted in my spanish!! I must keep practicing!
I know mum and dad at home in Australia were freaking out thinking I would get taken travelling around Capital by myself. But I was surrounded by lots of people- it was busy- and I was safe! It was very cool!
I wasn't walking around in the dark by myself (just so mum and dad knows! haha)

So that whole experience was fantastic and challenging and has given me an eager desire to properly study some serious jazz vocals! I have the classical training and technique behind me (I should be practicing it more.. as we all should be practicing this skills we love).. but the freedom and technique and exactness that jazz brings is so foreign to me- I'm really just guessing when it comes to jazz and relying on my lucky ear! haha

So back to Quilmes with her smokey morning smells, green trees, many apartment buildings, loud sirens, barking dogs, crazy futbol fans and lazy Sundays- we like living here!

Oh and my bike is still broken! We haven't been able to find the repair shop that we were told about.. So I am walking a lot more everywhere!

There it is.. a hair trim

I also got a hair cut yesterday by a beautiful friend. My hair was long right- I thought I would not cut it all year and rock up to Australia with my hair down to my bottom (which it was!) But I found myself always complaining about it, I was using a TON of hair conditioner to get the nots out and my hair elastics just weren't holding it up anymore.. too much hair! So it got a good trim and now it is bouncy light. I think it is very short- but I know my friend Kat would call me crazy and say it is still so long.
Feeling fresh ready for summer.

So now to get ready for the week- The clothes are washing, the dishes are getting washed, airing out the house and doing a bit of chilling on the couch.
Off to have lunch at our friend's house and then hanging out with my beautiful friend Natalia this afternoon, drinking Mate (strong tea drunk out of a gourd through a metal straw filter thing) all afternoon while walking and practicing our Spanish and English. She is the best!

Lots of love y besitos,
~ Miki

Seriously...futbol in Argentina!

At the beginning of our time in Argentina I (Chris) promised to report on two things:

1) Music
2) Soccer

You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned the music much...and there is a reason for this. Don't get me wrong, the music in Arg is great. So many opportunities to see international artists on the cheap in big stadiums, great jazz and a vibing rock scene. We have been to a few gigs here or there, but we just haven't been that pumped to dig right into it...yet. This has been due to the fact that we are busy doing so many music things at the school, but also because there is a major obstacle in the way for me! And, it starts with F.............Futbol.

It's not only the culturally ingrained madness that comes with the sport that surrounds us (such as 'las inchas' (crazy fans) that pack the streets and let off firecrackers right next to our apartment block every weekend), but also the fact that for the first time in my life I am living only a few hours West of Europe. This means that yesterday, for example, (if I wanted too *clears throat*) I could have woken up and watched live European football from 8am to 6pm, uninterrupted. Ok, that's exactly what I did. I have never had that opportunity before and it was fun! Mika and I needed a day of nothing-ness yesterday, so we blobbed in front of the TV, planned some travel, enjoyed being nerds and had the football on in the background.

Also, I am loving playing football again! Since giving it away a few years ago to focus on music stuff, I have been playing every weekend and often during the week also and am loving it. Our weekend team is playing great and we have won our last 6 games convincingly. I've chucked in a couple of photos 'de la cancha para Uds. ver'. You will also notice some evidence of the TV watching antics in Mikaela's blog below.

Also, my brother Pete sent me a link of a news program in Australia that profiled the football hooliganism in Quilmes, Argentina. In my opinion it is quite inaccurate in a number of ways, but it was kind of bizarre to see an Australian show talking about Quilmes! Click here if you wanna watch: Football hooliganism in Quilmes
P.S. I am loving learning Spanish at the moment...practicing lots at the expense uni study. I've got to finish two essays by mid-Nov for my masters. Nearly one year done which is cool!

Chau,

Chris