smiles are contagious

So this morning I was thinking about this verse: ‎"He said to them, "Go intoall the world and preach the Gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15. Then I began to think about Argentina and how cool it is that our
God is in every single country and on every single continent in this world! I decided that today, whether or not I talked to someone, I wanted to show them the love of Jesus, even if it is a smile. Here in Argentina, the culture is very different, as you might expect. The people are friendly, but can be a little rigid and abrupt. When I smiled at some people today, they kind of gave me a look like...whatss up with the forgien girl? I was like "Dontcha know smiles are con

tagious?"

Since today is saturday, I do not work at the hospital. Today for lunch, Alicia was cooking and I looked into the pot on the stove and saw this! (check the photo) I put on bravest face and asked her...um que estas cocinando mama? She said that it was chicken of course and she asked me which part I wanted. I said, "Well what are the parts here that I can choose from?" She said some spanish words that I didn't know but I deffs knew what she was saying "el corazon o el estomago" The only thoughts that were running through my mind were "oh my freaking goodness, come again?" I love trying new things but somethings when it comes to food I'm a little chicken. #cheesypun

One of Alicia's daughters, Caroline, took me on a tour of Cordoba. She knows a lot of hi

story and was able to show me lots of the churches and there was this building dedicated to the invisible children. I know this might be a stretch, but if anyone has ever seen The Official Story, a movie, then you know what I am talking about. All of this occurred during Argentina's Dirty War in the 1970's. This is when there was a lot of unrest in the country and political problems. Many of the children were disappearing and were called "desparecidos." Many people were tortured and taken right off of the streets of the city and never seen again. The picture was taken in front of the building that honors the "desparecidos" and it has their names written all over the walls. Such an sad part of the country's history.

So tonight is one of the biggest holidays in Argentina: NEW YEARS!!! I am so excited that I get to spend this time here. I am going with Alicia's kids to their dad's house to celebrate. Tomorrow we are going to the country and mountains and I can't wait!

the grand ol' USA (well here...not so much)

Last night I went to the Social that the program puts on for the volunteers so that they can all meet each other. I meet people from Australia, Denmark, Belgium, France, and Germany and they all are doing different things in the Projects Abroad program. It was cool to hear all their different accents and there were so many convos going on in different languages. I was like...all ya'll who speak english hollaaa atcha girl! Everyday I am beginning to learn what an impact the US has on the rest of the world. Many of the volunteers asked me what I thought about certain polices Obama has put in place (oh dear goodness) and I have quickly learned that the Argentineans and Europeans that I have met are not George Bush fans. For the social, we went to a Bohemian restaurant where I found loud music, men with pony tails, and lots of great food! At the social, my friend Ziat, who I met yesterday, told me that when he was in the hospital in the morning, he saw a C-section of a girl who is 12 years old. He said the father was there and he was 13 years old. I could hardly believe it!

This morning I went to Casa Cuna. This is a public children's hospital and it is where I will be working until I leave to go back to the US. The hospital used to be an orphanage and was converted into a hospital many years ago. Again, IT IS SO DIFFERENT! There was a dog sleeping in one of the halls, there is no air conditioning, there are no nurses (the doctors do all the work!), and literally anyone can walk through the hospital and go anywhere they want. I didn't see a cool library like I saw yesterday, but I'm on the look out.

I met my supervisor today whom I will be working with for the rest of my time. Her name is Dr. Ellie! She is super nice and wants to teach me a lot. I was with her for an hour today when she got the patients from the waiting room and brought them back to her office to examine them. Today I wore my dark navy scrubs, so I'm afraid I was not one of the cool, hip doctors. (oh well, guess you can't be cool todos los dias) Today I finished at the hospital at 12 PM because it is a holiday...THE NEW YEAR!! In Argentina, it is a really big deal! Everyone goes with their families to have dinner and then celebrates until the morning! That is why they have monday as vacation too!

This afternoon I am off to the city center to hopefully get a new converter for my electronics! Even though this has nothing to do with my blog, I would still like to say I'm cheering hard for all my MAVS here in Argentina! Right now we are just working out the kinks, so watch out NBA, your 2011 champs are going to do it again!

that is WHAT?

hola mis amigos!

Today was my first day at the hospital and you know I was wearing those hot pink scrubs! I got to meet Dr. Mercado and he works at the maternity hospital. In the afternoon I stayed with Dr. Mercado while he did check ups for all the pregnant mothers. One woman was not pregnant, but she came to the doctor because she had stomach pains. Dr. Mercado used a sonogram and determined that she had small kidney stones. NOT GOOD! AHH. I could not get over how different the hospitals are here in comparison to the US.

1. The relationships the doctors have with the patients are very close and relaxed. It is kind of like your coming to see a friend.

2. The hospital is definitely not as clean as the ones in the US, but has a different style

3. The environment is very chill.

While we wearing waiting for the last patient, Dr. Mercado took me to the hospital's library. Before we arrived at the library, I was thinking to myself...I bet this is where all the med students study and read. UM WRONGO...this library was not your typical library, but was full of clear cases with different parts of the body. One of the other volunteers, Ziat, told me that he went to explore the library this morning and it totally freaked him out because it was dark and you would NOT believe the things I saw in these cases. Since its a maternity hospital, every thing in the cases had to do with children. There were preserved fetuses, heads, tumors, just about every organ you can think of, and get ready for this one....a full on abdomen that still had the baby inside! UMM EXCUSE ME? woah. I couldn't believe that I didn't have my camera when I came and saw this, but I will have to go back soon to take pics. It was something I had never seen before and I felt like I was in the middle of a crazy science lab and the mad scientist was about to jump out from behind a corner!

Lemme tell ya:

1) Last night I plugged my computer cord into the electricity converter. It had been charging for 10 minutes when I was started by a loud "pop" and smoke started to come from it. OMG what is my host mom going to think? It started to smell so bad and I quickly removed the flaming hot thing from the wall and put it outside on the patio. lesson #3 the voltages are different for different things. This morning Alicia was so confused about the small, black box on the patio. Lets just say it was a little difficult to explain in spanish...

2) I rode the bus by my self from the hospital back to my house today! This may sound like not a big deal, but WOAH, its tough. There are about 15 different types of buses and you have to get on a certain one at a certain stop. At one point I think the bus had 50 people on it and I was holding onto the railing for dear life because goodness know those bus drivers don't stop for anything!

3. I tried Mate. This is the most popular drink here in Argentina and it is full of floating herbs and juice. Interesting. And everyone around you drinks from the same cup with the same straw. You can literally look anywhere in the city and you will always find dozens of people drinking mate.

4. I learned itsy bitsy spider in spanish! A six year old taught me and even the motions! I love talking with the kids because we are little bit more on the same level in Spanish! Oh well!

5. Tonight the program is having a social gathering, where all the volunteers here get together to meet each other. WAHOOOO

spanish speakin texas gurl

This morning I was woke up frazzled and freaking out because my alarm did not go off! Alicia cooked breakfast for me and then I was off with Ramon and Natalia, who work with Project Abroad. Today was induction day...and sure did I get inducted and fast.

First I learned how to catch the bus that runs all over town. Here are a few tips I learned: (1) You must wave down the bus with your hand or they won't stop (2) Have the bus card (you pay the fee with it) ready because Argentinean people are impatient! (3) Get a seat on the bus when you can because if there is a free one, people will scramble for it!

We took the bus to the Projects Abroad office and there I met all the staff and saw the wall that every volunteer signs when they leave. It was so cool to see that there have been volunteers from literally all over the world! Can't wait to leave me good ol' Texas stamp when I leave! Which, by the way, shout out to all my Texas cowboys and cowgirls out there...here in Argentina, they think that everyone lives on ranches and has huge accents. I guess I added to the stereotype when I kept saying the word "ya'll" and they would laugh.

Then we had lunch at this great Argentinean restaurant and I had a typical dish of steak with blue cheese and we had empanadas! It was delicious! I am starting to learn that the meals here are ALOT longer than the ones we have back in the US. At lunch, Ramon gave me a quick summary of the history of Argentina. They have had great presidents and other that were dictators. Many years ago Argentina used to be the 5th wealthiest country in the world and then they went through a crisis. Now they are on the up and up. When he talked about the US he said that we are the most powerful country in the world. He also talked about how all the movie stars and businesses that he pays attention to are located in the US. I guess this is something that I have never thought about. The fact that the US is truly the land of opportunity and I think sometimes we forget that when we are living there.

After lunch they showed me the beautiful city of Cordoba! Well lesson #2 today was that I clearly wore the wrong shoes. Flip flops = bad idea. Who knew there was going to be so much walking involved and by the end of the day my feet were black from the dirt. One of my favorite things that I saw was the main Catholic church in the city center. It was exquisite and the details put into the painting were flawless. Ramon told me that after the crisis here 10 years ago, people fell away from the Catholic church, but many of the older people in the community still practice it. I also saw many of the universities that are in Cordoba. AND GUESS WHAT...THEY ARE FREE!! Many people from other countries come here just for that reason. So...mom and dad...I guess I'm not coming back to the states!

Tomorrow will be my first day at the hospital. They told me today that I will be working in the hospital in the morning and in the Ronald McDonald House in the afternoons. When I told Ramon that I already had scrubs, he looked at me and asked, "What colors?" I said I had a couple pairs, some pink, navy, gray. He quickly said, "WEAR THE PINK because that was all the cool, hip, and young doctors wear!" Well, who doesn't want to be cool and hip? Guess its going to be pink tomorrow!

the kitchen is the heart of Argentinean culture

Ok so I just couldn't go to sleep without blogging about this. So earlier in the day, Alicia told me that her kids and her father would be coming over for dinner. By about 10 o'clock PM I was thinking to myself, umm do I need to help her get some things started? Ok so here's the deal:

1. dinner here starts at 11 PM (omg thats just about my bedtime)

2. EVERYONE helps prepare dinner.

3. dinner tonight = grill session for kelsey (a name which everyone here has had SO much trouble pronouncing. I told them just to call me kels!)

4. You can learn a lot from older people (el abuelo) and they want to tell you

5. The dinner lasted 2 hours and I'm pretty sure one of the hours comprised of a spanish grammar session.

6. For dessert, we had an assortment of candies! (right up my alley)

This was definitely a dinner that I will never forget because I was with great people and having fun conversation. (which many times consisted of them laughing at my pronunciations!) I love my new family!

ready, set, GO

It is day one in Argentina. Let me give you the low down on everything that’s happened so far (which is a lot). WOAH.

I left Dallas on Monday at 9 PM for Santiago, Chile. I have met the most interesting people and my adventure has only begun. Before I boarded the plane, I met a family that was going a cruise to Antarctica so that they can hike and find penguins (adding that to the bucket list). On the plane I sat next to the nicest woman named Ramona. I am guessing she is about 80 years old and she did not speak English. I guess my practicing came early. She was so sweet and told me all about what to expect in Cordoba. She was traveling with her granddaughter, who spoke English (PTL) and they both helped me with all the questions I could think of while on the 9.5 hour flight. At the airport in Chile, I picked a random restaurant to eat lunch. I wasn’t that hungry so I ordered: Guacamole, las papas fritas, y una botella de agua. When I asked for the check I saw that it was only 9.2 pesos. (Thinking to myself OH this is so great! Its cheap!) ummm no kels, the waiter converted it to American dollars and it turned out to be a $20 meal. I walked away thinking, “wow I guess things are just more expensive here.” When I told my new-found friends from the plane and a few others, they were in an uproar! Apparently the man robbed me because the conversion should be about $12. Well…that was lesson #1. Soon after, I hopped on a plane to Cordoba.

Here are a few observations I have thus far noticed:

1. The people are SO nice here! And all have great stories to tell about their lives!

2. The style is WAY different. I have seen a lot of men wearing capris and carrying purses. Also the flare pants are in here, ladies…take note!

3. People drive without rules. Good thing I wasn’t the one in the drivers seat!

4. It is HOT!! Never going to wear the jeans or long sleeve shirt I brought.

5. Time is different here. When people say a certain time, they really mean…I’ll be there 30 minutes to an hour later. Can you say chill?

Once a man named, Mattias, picked me up from the airport, we drove straight to my host mother’s home. When we pulled up to the quaint, one-story house, I was greeted by a bubbly, red haired, rapid-speaking Argentinean woman. Her name is Alicia. Alicia has 3 kids, who I’m about to meet tonight when we all have dinner at 9 PM. The kids don’t live with her anymore because they are in their 20’s. Alicia showed me around the house and my favorite thing was the guinea pig running around in the courtyard outside. Lately, I have helped her peal some potatoes for dinner and then she gave me a tour of her cosmetic shop next door to her house. Working from home? I really hope I get to help her out in her shop sometime!

For the most part, I have been able to understand the Spanish, but when people begin to talk really fast, I get lost. Alicia has been such a great help in explaining words I don’t know and talking a little bit slower. Tomorrow is induction day and I will get to see the city, the main office, and the hospital! Gosh, God is SO good!

the countdown has started

In less than a week I can officially say that I am in Argentina! This has been something that I have eagerly been awaiting for many months. One of my best friends, Hannah, is already in Ghana doing the same medical internship through Projects Abroad. Although I am slightly jealous she is already there, I love spending Christmas with my family. During this time I am always reminded how blessed I am to have a family that loves and supports me. (Thanks mom and dad if your reading this!) Although it seems a little daunting to be traveling across the equator by myself and living with people who I do not know and do not speak english, but I am fully confident in the plans the Lord has for me while I am there. Lately I have been constantly been reminded of this verse from Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

MDBIL Checklist (must do before i leave):

-Christmas shopping (ehh getting there)

-buy scrubs (done and done)

-review my medical terminology book (its a work in progress)

-spend time with my family and friends (never something that could be checked off)

-craft? (maybe...if im up to the challenge)

-pack (who are we kidding. that won't be done until the night before!)

*I have started reading "Heaven is for Real," but the Spanish version, "El cielo es real." Although I have only read 2 chapters, it has already sucked me in. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for something GREAT to read over the holidays!

hasta pronto!

2 MONTHS!

God is so good! Today is an exciting day because I officially have my plane ticket booked for Argentina! I will be leaving on December 26 and returning on January 15! I will continue to post updates and thank you for your prayers! Can't wait to share all the exciting things that are to come :)

Uncontrollable Excitement

Bienvenido!

It is the end of September and I can hardly wait for it to be December 26, 2011. This is my departure day for Cordoba, Argentina. This is where I will be serving as a volunteer in hospitals and will be receiving hands on experience from Argentinian doctors. I can barley wait to put my Spanish skills to practice while interacting with the patients and employees. I ask that as it continues to get closer and closer to December 26, 2011, that you will be praying for me and that God will use me in Cordoba so that others will see the love of Christ. I will write again soon!

Hasta Luego,

Kelsey