Jasmine's 21st

This past weekend was fun. Jasmine became legal in America in Latin American style.

The Premios de Graffiti were interesting. Let's just say that Spanish and rock do not mix. It was still interesting to hear some of their bands though. Half of them sang in English. Miguel, my boss, picked me up, and I think Maria freaked out when she saw him and didn't know he was my boss. Ha ha. The next day she warned me about old men. At the awards i met Florencia's (my coworker) boyfriend and sat with them. I got home at about 1 or so.

Friday was our last day of Spanish classes. It was kind of sad. I am going to miss playing Situacion Limite with Laticia. I won't miss studying subjunctive with Juan, but I will miss him too. Paula (secretary) put together a kind-of party for us during our last class. They had chips and drinks for us and we took tons of pictures. The Germans are leaving soon, which is sad. They were totally crazy and were always drinking beer or something and going out. Karin is leaving tomorrow to for Colonia and then Argentina. I can't believe the past 3 weeks are already over.

Friday night was crazy. They had a going-away dinner for us. Norma cooked Chavizo, which is basically a burger with cut up ham and cheese, mayonaese (of course, they're obsessed with it,) and random grilled vegetables. Jasmine had a lot to drink. I left for about 30 minutes to talk to my family and by the time I got back everyone was a bit gone. It was funny.

We left the school at about midnight to go out in Ciudad Vieja. I had to go get some money out and by the time I got to the Peoni where everyone else was Jasmine wasn't feeling well. We ended up going back home really soon. Ryan carried Jasmine to the cab and he, Kendall, Ian and I took her home. They were so nice and helped me make sure she was okay. Everyone was worried, but she was fine.

Yesterday Jasmine wanted to just lie around since it was cold outside. We went out to eat in Ciudad Vieja at the restaurant where Bush ate when he visited a couple months ago. It was really good. I can say right now that I am going to miss dulce de leche. After dinner Kendall and Ryan went home and I went with Jasmine to Baar Fun Fun to meet up with Jo, Karin and Stephen. There were several singers who sang tango music. After being there for a few hours Jo, Karin, Jasmine and I headed to the Cite bar. The line was way to long so we went to the place across the way and stayed for a couple hours.

Karin talked to the cab driver on the way home and it costed twice as much as usual. We have learned the hard way not to talk to the drivers so they don't know you're a foreigner. It's really frustrating. We got home around 5 a.m.

Today Jasmine and I walked around the Sunday feria at Parque Rodo, which is just a few minutes away from us. I got about 5 turtlenecks and a jacket for under $50. They were turtlenecks here a lot and I am glad to finally have some to layer with and for work. I am set now. Now I have to do some research on going to Buenos Aires. Next weekend we may go with the tango place that we usually go to on Thursday to Colonia. We will see. We only have 4 weekends left so we have to plan it out soon!

Rock

As I have mentioned before, my Spanish is most certainly not the best in the world. I am still very much an intermediate from not having studied Spanish for at least two years before coming to Montevideo.

When I met my boss the other day, he said something about Thursday, but he only said a couple sentences and he speaks so quickly that I couldn't tell what he was saying. Today I received a call from him here at the school while I was in class. After some time on the phone I figured out that I am going to "Graffiti" tonight. I had no idea what that was when I hung up the phone. All I knew was that I was not going to be able to go with the huge group that is going tonight to dance and the place we went to last week. I was totally bummed.

Then I looked up the information on "Graffiti" online. It is the national Uruguayan rock awards!! So I am definetely not as bummed as I was at all. I get to go to an invitation-only event with my work. Not only that, but I get to hear some Uruguayan rock bands. (That has GOT to be interesting.) I am really excited! They pick me up outside of my house at 9 p.m. Wish me luck.

Other than that, only the Adelante stuff is going on. They have not tried to appease us except to change a couple wordings in their information (unsatisfactorily I might add) and add one more activity to the one activity that we were given (to make it plural like the contract says I suppose.) Some say we could press suit for all the lies and breach of contract that have taken place, but I wish they would just be more professional about the situation.

Tomorrow is our last day at the school...it is hard to believe that it has been three weeks already. Well, maybe it's not THAT hard to believe. The teachers here at the school are amazing and I hope they continue to receive more students. We have a farewell dinner tomorrow night. We will probably go out tomorrow night for Jasmine's 21st birthday too. She has us planning it all, so hopefully I can do okay with that. I know she likes TGI Friday's and I think there is one in the Montevideo Shopping Mall...