College Life

It's nice to finally be back into the full swing of college life again. Homework, tests, socials, and trips. This month's fun things on the calendar: RUF Swing Dance Night (tomorrow!), RUF Conference (great worship, great fun), Homecoming, and a trip to Charleston, SC. College days don't last forever. I was talking with a friend of mine, and we wish we could spend all our time just being involved on campus without the responsibility of classes. That doesn't really work though. This year has already been a huge blessing living with five other girls in a house. We love it. Its great to have the fellowship of others as well as working together to reach out to our campus. We've already enjoyed the conveniences of the house to host several girls' nights and just spend time together.

Until later,
Kristen

Back to School

Its hard to believe I'm already back at school. It feels like summer passed quickly, yet it feels so long ago that I was moving out. Its funny how life seems so fast in one sense and in another so slow.

Well this year "college life" feels a little different than last. Mostly because there isn't all that first year nervousness and uncertainty. Also because I'm living in a little house with some friends. Its kind of like home but not really because it isn't really home. Things have already been interesting. For example, the air conditioning doesn't really work well - of course on one of the hottest days of the year.

I'm actually helping with orientation, so I'm here more than a week before classes start. I guess it gives time to get things organized and prepared.

Until later,
Kristen

Finally Home

After my exciting adventure in Lima, Peru, I finally arrived home. I think I calculated that the trip from start to finish took over 50 hours, but it was worth it. I met some neat people and saw a culture totally different from Argentina. It seemed like there was much more poverty and danger in Lima than in the places I went in Argentina. According to one website I found,

"Ever since Pizarro tricked the Inca, Atahualpa, into capture, slaughtered him, and looted the City of Cuzco, this Andean country has become synonymous with robbery. Unlike Brazil, a gun is rarely used; the Peruvians are too professional. Their art is well crafted, and the sneak thieves are very nimble. If you give them the slightest opportunity, they will relieve you of your possessions quicker than an armed mugger could even produce a weapon."

The airline put us up in a very nice hotel that served all sorts of cultural cuisine and treated us wonderfully. Overall, it was a wonderful trip. But it is so good to finally be with my family again.

This week has been back to American stress and work again. Its so fast paced. I think that the Latin American culture is much more relaxed than here. I miss it, yet it has been good to be back. Sunday, worshipping in English felt so wonderful. I understood every single thing!

Back on American soil,
Kristen

Surprise trip - Lima, Peru!

I am spending the day in Lima, Peru. What an unexpected and cool experience! I was trying to go home and, well... do I have some stories to tell! Basically, in a nutshell, after waiting 11 hours in Santiago, my flight was delayed and missed my connecting flight. So I found myself with a German, an Australian, and a Californian at 3am in the Lima airport - no luggage and no flight. No problem really - my trip has taught be how to be FLEXIBLE! Thank goodness, the Californian girl and I speak Spanish, or we´d be sunk. We stayed in a very nice hotel here in Lima. The Australian woman and Californian girl and I have been walking all over Lima most of the day. Its very different from Argentina - so cool. Oh the stories to tell...

Hoping to arrive home sometime in the near future,

Kristen

Final Days

Its hard to believe that my two month trip is almost over. It seems like its just flown by. Yesterday, we had snow on the ground and enjoyed spending my last few days with the kids down the street. I had intended on taking them downtown for the independence day parade, but it was just too cold. Here are some pictures of the snow. We had some major snowball fights!Last night, we had Ayalen and Nahir over to watch a movie and eat Locro, the Argentine stew. Our last special time together. Its hard to say good-bye.

Today, I am spending just gathering my things and doing the last minute errands. The trip home will be long but worth it.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again,
Kristen

It's snowing!

This morning we woke up to very cold weather and snow! It's only little flurries, but they have been falling all day long. It's freezing cold outside!