#CULTURE: Buenos Aires + Top 20 Moments Before Midyear (1-5)

The second of half of 2016 is here! Commencing with this weekend, time to get ready for numerous holidays, numerous get-togethers, new ideas, new developments, and tons of more newness. Personally, the first half of 2016 was one filled with much joy, happiness, growth, and achievement.

In the next few days, I’m excited to share insights & inspirations from the first half of my 2016. From reconnecting with great friends, making new friends, moving to and living in another Argentina, graduating, and travelling the west coast, my Top 20 Moments Before Midyear are a testament to our capabilities and opportunities to thrive in life! Explore my first five moments, below:

1. San Francisco & Reconnecting with Brother from College: After returning from Shanghai, I opened up the year by visiting San Francisco a few days before departing for Buenos Aires. What was so special about this trip was reconnecting with my brother from college who I had not seen for three years.

Not only did this moment show me that I’m getting older (not seeing friends for years at a time, gosh), but it showed me that time can be the ultimate test of authenticity and sincerity.

2. The “Infamous” Flight to Buenos Aires Mishap: Before departing for Buenos Aires, I arrived in Los Angeles a couple days before departing for South America.

Little did I know, upon awaking from a nap on the evening of my arrival day to Los Angeles, I realized I needed to depart for the airport in less than 12 hours (whilst needing a haircut & needing other essentials). Definitely a lessened learned: get all of your necessities for trips 48 hours prior to departure. However, I made it!

3. My First Weekend in Buenos Aires: After 14 hours of air flight time, I arrived in Buenos Aires encountering my first experience of homesickness. The heat coupled with humidity coupled with Wifi complications took a toll on my emotions.

Nevertheless, it is important to surround  yourself with people (such as my homestay mother below) and places that enrich your RIGHT NOW during such emotions.

4. Living in Belgrano & My Daily Commute to School: As I was living in Buenos Aires, I initially walked to my  university facilities everyday (approximately 1 mile each way).

Throughout my commutes over the three months, I fell in love with the idea of commuting to nearby places by way of walking. Living in Belgrano, a a residential and commercial “barrio” in Buenos Aires, I had the opportunity to see families engage in tasks, dogs doing certain “tasks”, me stepping in certain dog tasks, and also finding a Walmart (Ha).

Commuting throughout the city really awakened the notion in me to: Open your eyes, see the city, see your surroundings, and see your culture!

The New Laundry System: This may not be significant in others world, but I initially had THEE HARDEST time finding a washing service. Nevertheless, I finally found a cleaners and eventually (and unfortunately) SPENT OVER $100.00 on cleaning my clothes over 3 months. Excessive for me, but necessary. Lesson learned: Never be afraid to seek insight on the necessary elements of your life when transitioning to a new place in a city or even in life.

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Five Insights & Motivations for the Second Half of Your Year:

1. Time can be the ultimate test of authenticity and sincerity
2. Get all of your necessities for trips 48 hours prior to departure
3. Surround  yourself with people (such as my homestay mother below) and places that enrich your RIGHT NOW during such emotions.
4. Open your eyes, see the city, see your surroundings, and see your culture!
5. Never be afraid to seek insight on the necessary elements of your life when transitioning to a new place in a city or even in life.