Small talk = blah

"If we are so impoverished that we have have nothing to reveal but `small talk`whenever we meet, then we need to struggle for more richness of the soul."
-Frank C. Laubach-

In my time here in Argentina I have met a large amount of people from all different areas of the world, with different lifestyles, and very different ways of percieving the world. I have spent anywhere from 5 minutes with these people to a handfull of months.

I have realized that I have never really understood the majority of these people fully. Conversations always seem to be full of this thing we call "small talk." Sometimes because of time restraints this is all we can to talk about.
i.e. whats your name? where are you from? what do you do? the weather, current events, common interests etc. etc.

I find myself constantly repeating these conversations, or really just elaborating on these subjects the next time I spend time with the people I come in contact with again. Why is it that we are afraid to talk about things that matter. Granted I have met people that are open about talking about their beliefs, religion, world views, and inner thoughts, but it is hard to come by. Sometimes it is hard to do this also with my difficulties with the language, or theirs.

One thing I intend to start doing is initiating conversations that are directed to things that matter more. I understand that my belief in God and Jesus Christ does not interest a lot of the world, but this is my life and who I am. Should I not share this just because I do not want to "bore" the other party? Am I denying my faith in Jesus Christ by keeping it to myself, or am I detaining an opportunity for someone else to experience the Glory of God as I have in my life?
Just something that I have been thinking on recently.

"It is not the fashion to tell your inner-most thoughts, but there are many wrong fashions, and concealment of the best in us is wrong. I disaprove of the usual practice of `small talk` whenever we meet, and holding a veil over our souls."
-Frank C. Laubach-

el desierto negro?

Just saw this movie. Not too sure what I think of it yet. Not too much dialogue which was what I wanted in order to practice my castellano. It was in black and white, so the movie poster serves its purpose.

Been workin on my 2 final papers that I have due next week, one on La pasión de Argentina and El populismo: Getulio Vargas y Juan Domingo Perón. I always seem to procrastinate and kill myself with work for a good week. I guess that is just how I am.

I will be attending my first foriegn concert. The artist is Jorge Drexler. Check him out, he is pretty good. I dig the guitar in his songs, or the songs I have heard thus far. Im sure my next post will be about the concert, hopefully with some fotos.

ooooo...and mi familia got a router so I have some legit wireless connection now!!!

Días difíciles

I have added 2 new things to my way of life, juggling and running.
Juggling is really self entertaining for me. I enjoy it...a lot.
There is a real legit plaza, or 2, close to my house here in BA that I run around now, and the last time I went i realized that it is marked with distances. I know, really convenient.

God has been working in my life. I feel like sometimes people believe that everything will be perfect and easier once your relationship with Christ is flourishing. Atleast I used to think of it that way. I have been learning that I am privileged to be able to have a relationship with God, I do not pursue a relationship with God to benefit myself. I strive to love Him and follow Him in my life so that He is glorified. The Glory of God is the only thing that matters to Him. This is so much easier to type. Living to help spread the Glory of God is crazy hard sometimes. These difficult days cannot defeat me though.

La semana de parciales.

This week I have had a majority of my midterms. I had one Monday, one in 2 and a half hours, then one thursday.
Hopefully friday I will begin my visa processes for Bolivia and Brasil. Such a pain in the butt, but I guess it is not easy for them to get one for the United States.
A good movie for you all to watch pertaining to the previous sentence would be
AMERICAN VISA. It is a Bolivian movie and I think it may have won an Academy Award for foreign film or something like that.
Not too much to blog on today, hopefully the next one will be more exciting.

Ciudad de Humo

So I guess the agricultural process of choice in Argentina is still the slash and burn method. My bus ride/walk home the other night ended with me smelling like a camp fire.
I would have usually enjoyed this smell if I had spent my night hanging with friends around a campfire, but I did not. Buenos Aires is being attacked by smoke from the North. Roads are closed.
Tonight I went to an English Club to help teach. It was fun, and even better I was able to speak mucho Spanish despues.

I also have an opportunity to volunteer with a group called Fundacion TEMAS. Some of the times conflict with school, but it should be manageable. It is nice to be in contact with some type of organization, I have attempted a couple times before. I also had an interview with an English Institute for a job the other day. They did not have any openings for me as of now, they need some more advanced students that just need conversation classes and practice with a native speaker before the need me. Atleast I am on their list though.

Met a Peruvian, Columbian, and two Misioneras (girls from la Provincia Misiones) tonight at a Campus Crusade thing. It was very cool. This was after the English Club. I will be attending this ever friday night.

Hasta pronto, chau...

¡Feriado!

Yes, today is a holiday.
I just figured out my password again so i can continue to blog.
today is Día del Veterano de Guerra y los caídos en Malvinas
There is not too much celebration because it is in rememberance of the decietful and devestating war against England over the Falkland Islands.
I am going to try and check out the memorial today to see if there are any ceremonies.
2 weeks of school have passed. Not too bad, just a lot of reading. My newest class Traditions and Cultures is going to be my favorite.
We are currently discussing the Mapuche people, which are an indigenous tribe here in argentina. more to come.

-Paul-

First week of actual class

Started classes this week.
I have to be in class by 8am on monday and wednesday.
I guess i do not remember looking at the times while signing up.
I have a lot of reading to do.
A little overwhelmed.
Glad to be starting though.
More exciting news to come.
Oh, i supposedly missed Mos Def in concert last night, not to happy about that.
And i also met an argentine last night named Guillermo whos favorite bands are Kings of Leon and The Strokes, very cool.

Things I miss the most so far...

1. Not being able to call or see family/frieds whenever i want.
2. Mexican food
3. Hot wings with ranch
4. Fabric Softener
5. Arizona Green Tea