Oh... so you mean I have to study too?

The past week was one with lots of schoolwork, but it feels good to have gotten it over with. I guess it was bound to come eventually... haha

On Tuesday, I was able to Skype with Ben, which was the highlight of the week, it is so nice to see his face and we finalized the date when I will get to see him again…. May 6th.. I can handle that! Tuesday night, we had cooking class at school and learned how to make Arepas—Yum!

Wednesdays are always long but that night two of my Venezuelan friends stopped by to give me a little break from studying, which was nice and much needed.

Thursday was el dia de liberacion ☺… for me at least! I took care of a presentation and test and then went on a little exploration with my friend Megan. We went to el centro to finalize our ziplining plans, had lunch together at an adorable café, and went to Mercado Principal… TWICE! I got some gifts for my cousins, more incense, a t-shirt, and really fun hippie pants that will be great for Margarita Island! That night we continued the liberation…. And WENT OUT! We started at my friend Albertos house with some wine and guitar hero. Then went to Birosca and Poco Loco. Got home at 4 am… EXHAUSTION but very worth it.

Friday… our good friends Luis and Alexi took me and Brittany to this little mountain town called El Valle. We had a really yummy lunch, a peaceful day on a cliff, took fun pictures and just relaxed. That night, we hit the bed at 10…. Much needed.

Saturday was a very productive day. I worked out in the park, got some homework done, and then WENT ZIPLINING! It was a blast! Minus the bugs…. My legs are BITTEN UP and so so itchy ☹! Also, my camera doesn’t have the string to attach to my wrist so I didn’t get very many pictures but my friend Megan got some GREAT ones and videos too! So I will certainly be sharing those as soon as she puts them up. That night I just had a chill night with a few of my Venezuelan friends and was home by midnight.

Today, Sunday, I am going to work on some more homework and then go to my friend Andres’s soccer game at 330! He is really good so I am really excited to take a break from schoolwork, sit in the sun, and watch his mad skills!

MARGARITA ISLAND—SIX DAYS!
HOME- SIX WEEKS! >>bitter sweet.

...a miserable yet still memorable experience...

Destination Lago (lake) Coromoto- 9 KM, aprox. 3 hours

5 hours later (90% uphill)..... still no lago coromoto
sun setting, intermittent heavy rain, hungry, tired, sore, wet, cold, and pessimistic to say the least....

attempt to take the other route from the fork in the road>> still no lago coromoto
30 minutes left of sunlight
one last attempt at a different route...
NO LAGO COROMOTO. but a nice platform and beautiful view. consider it done.
Set up camp just in time for a nice DOWN POUR :)
Difficulty making a fire with wet wood... so I volunteer my sweatpants to start the fire... SUCCESS.
Nasty chicken hot dogs, veggies, cheez wiz, crackers, and tortillas.....

Thank goodness for the rum, coke, good people, and good music! :)

Day turns to night. Clouds turn to a million stars. Frustration turns to laughter. Cold turns to colder. and Misery turns to fun.
and I SAW MY FIRST SHOOTING STAR :)

Surprisingly slept till almost 10 in our tents.... took off for the hike home-->
a simple hour and a half downhill.

Only in Venezuela can getting lost in the Andes Mountains build character and create memories.

This week: 1 test, 1 paper, 2 presentations. Wish me luck! :)

"you're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back, you're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast"

Monday- got a refund for the unfortunately cancelled concert, bought cute/cheap shoes, lame day, went to bed at 9 PM. much needed!

Tuesday- nice run in the morning to start the day off right! hung out with my venezuelan friend at night, homework help, lots of studying!

Wednesday- LONG DAY! History test. and a necessary trip to mojitos! :)

Thursday- BRITTANY LEFT FOR ECUADOR! :(, yoga, laundry, 94% on my politics exam, feeling a little homesick- skyped with mom, watched some sex and the city, took a long nap then received good news of a bonus from camp and that my best friend PEKO will be returning to camp so the day turned around very quickly.... then to my friends apartment and out to POCO LOCO! always a blast! and skyped with KARI GREEN till 4:30 in the morning! whooops.

Friday- a very humorous trip to el centro with megan and marissa...... rented sleeping bags to go camping Saturday night! :o, saw a man carrying a legitimate COW LEG through the street, yummy lunch, almost stepped on a homeless dog, lots of unwanted attention from weird men, and silly moods with good friends! ALSO, me and megan signed up to go zip-lining through the mountains next Saturday... DONT WORRY MOM! ;)

Also, very excited that my Minnesota BESTIES will most likely be coming to omaha for my birfday! What could be better than spending my birthday with the entire family AND my best friends!? PLUS the sex and the city SEQUEL!! Andddd found out that I am going to be seeing Ben AS SOON AS I get home! YAY! anddd possibly going to KC for my favorite cousins birthday May 15th! :)

Very tired and need to work on some homework.....

Stories from camping coming sooooon...... :)

una simple fantasia

This weekend was probably one of the best of the entire semester..... There was seriously not a dull moment!

Friday- dominated my linguistics test, went for a run, got my nails done, went to mercado principal AGAIN- bought an artsy mirror, incense, a gift for ben, and got FREE fruit from the farmers, then Britt and I got some dinner and wine and went out! We went to our friend Andres house and then to a club called Gradas. It was sooo fun! Lots of people, lots of dancing, and lots of partying. We got home at 330 AM. But SO worth it.

Saturday- our late night didn't stop us! We woke up at 9:30 and headed for a hike through the mountains! It was a great work out but still relaxing and enjoyable. Sometimes I think it is really nice to get away from the city and just be in touch with nature and natural silence. Plus, it felt good to exercise. That night we went bowling for our Venezuelan friends birthday. Britt was feeling tired so she went home and I went out by myself with ALL Venezuelans! It was really fun. We just kind of hung out at this boys house and then hung out in the street dancing to salsa music out of my friends car.... I GOT HOME AT 6 AM!! But again, SO worth it.

Today, Sunday- Pizza with our favorite family finally worked out! :) We spent the ENTIRE day at their house and it is so cute. We made DELICIOUS homemade pizza and cookies, played soccer in the street, and just enjoyed each other's company. The parents are the nicest people ever and the kids are absolutely adorable. It was probably one of the best days ever. Except that my baby toenail completely ripped off... that was no bueno.

Now I am pooped from my late nights and lots of fun! But this week should be pretty chill. I have a test on Wednesday and that's about it. Britt leaves for Ecuador on Thursday so I will be kind of lonely but I am sure I will still make the most of the weekend and have a blast with other people, it might be good for me to spend time with other people!

Starting to feel kind of sad that it is already MARCH! I am really making a life for myself here and it will be really weird to leave for good..... but at least I have a fun summer to look forward to! :)

a week to remember

Monday- Venezuelan cooking night! Postre Melocoton- a good night with good people! Especially the family of the cafeteria. They definitely win the cutest, nicest family award :)

Tuesday- Yoga in the morning and Fiesta de Tambores at night!- a fun night learning a new style of dancing with a live band! Then we took the party to our two favorite bars: Mojitos and Poco Loco! Also, I was able to skype with Ben this day! It made my day :)

Wednesday- Since there are professors and advisors from the states visiting the school, our teachers went on a field trip with them and therefore we didn't have classes! I couldn't think of a more perfect day not to have classes because Wednesdays already stinkkk and then I had one less test this week!! Instead we went to Mercado Principal and the pool. I got way burnt but it was very relaxing and very worth it. That night I grabbed a beer over some dominoes with a few friends.

Thursday- Yoga in the morning then Politics test :/ In the evening VENUSA hosted a sangria making contest (MY TEAM WON and got t-shirts for a prize!), karaoke, salsa dancing, and hot dogs. Then we went to Mojitos with our friends Ray and Marey. They are so nice and the cutest couple EVER! It was a nice evening but it ended early because I have another test tomorrow.

Unfortunately the day trip for VENUSA was postponed AND the Wisin and Yandel concert was cancelled.... therefore my Friday will consist of my Linguistics test and then who knows! We are hoping to go out with Marey and Ray again. A hike on Saturday. and to the family's house from the cafeteria on Sunday to make pizza. But as you can tell.... nothing ever goes as planned! So stay tuned :)