It’s hard to believe we had midterms this week, it seems like we just started classes! We really did just start classes, but since we’re not here for very long I guess this makes sense. I was a lot more worried about my politics exam than my econ one, because I’ve already taken a lot of econ classes at home. We all got together and had study groups the night before each test, which made me feel better about the politics exam. They turned out to be not too bad, I’m pretty sure I did well. We’ll see!

After a three mile walk, a quick cab ride and a bit of Ireland’s signature chilly wind along the way, there it was.  21 Sullivan Street.  A small, picturesque house tucked into the corner of the street beside a wall.

The Recoleta Cemetery is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Buenos Aires. Being vehemently opposed to typical tourist attractions (I always stick to the rule: don’t take a picture you can google)I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed by the cemetery. None of the photos I had seen of the place had done it justice – in person it is truly breathtaking. Situated right next to the Recoleta mall, between a beautiful old church and the Recoleta Cultural Center, the cemetery is a gorgeous labyrinth of statues and vaults.

1. Wake up with sun beams dancing on the white walls of your room.
2. Walk into the kitchen to a big pot of hot black tea and a piece of rhubarb cake for breakfast.
3. Put on an emerald green (your favorite color) dress.
4. Bike past a waterfall in Kreuzberg on the way to school.
5. Drink a cup of white hot chocolate during a 15 minute Pause in German class.
6. Walk to IES to check mail. Pick up birthday cards from around the world (thank you, friends!).
7. Bike to a bookstore on Friedrichstrasse.

Dear readers,

My glorious summer in Siena is right around the corner! As I finish my packing with only two days left, I can’t help but think of all the wonderful things I am about to experience in Italy! The top five things that I am excited for are:

1. The delicious food: pizza, pasta, gelato, prosciutto, tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar….the list could go on forever

2. The Palio on July 2nd

3. Warm and relaxing nights sitting with friends

Well, we’ve been here a week, and that week has felt like a month.  The summer program here is advertised as being intensive, but I think that is an understatement.  We have nearly every minute of the day scheduled but have to do homework at some point.  Sleep has gone by the wayside.

Some random facts about Rabat:

Chilenismos, ¿cachai?
Recently a new wave of summer IES students arrived in Santiago for their summer program. My host family received a new student, so now there are two of us gringas in the house. Since she has arrived, I’ve tried to help her out in adjusting to Chile as well as adjusting to the norms of our host family. I’ve realized the conversations I’ve had with her have very much been a form of reflection for me.

There was a hanging light in my homestay bedroom.

We called it “La Loca Luz” because it had a mind of its own. It functioned, but it ignored whether the switch was flipped up or down. It didn’t help that my roommate and I are each about 6 feet tall and constantly hit it with our heads, but sometimes it would come on. Perhaps in the middle of the night. If we were lucky, it would come on when we were doing homework. But most of the time, it wouldn’t come on at all.

This past weekend I went to watch the All Blacks take on France in an intense rugby match at Eden Park. The All Blacks are New Zealand’s premiere national rugby team- definitely the most largely supported sport in New Zealand.