Wow, I suck at this...

To Everyone (including myself):

I am sorry! I have been really bad about updating on this blog. I planned on being better about it, but it seems like my time here is flying by so quickly that I barely have time to sit down and write. Suddenly, work has really picked up. I've been busy doing lots of document review which is boring and time-consuming. Still, I have found ways to keep it interesting - such as looking for documents that have dates that are special to me or that are holidays in the U.S. While I am already starting to be sad about the thought of leaving this place, it's becoming increasingly difficult to imagine not hanging out with the chiquis (girls from the office) and Justo. They have been the defining features of my summer, and I am so grateful for having them in my life. The chiquis told me that I had to stay through the rest of the year in order to play in their next season of soccer (since I was such a hit during our recent game, in which we won 7-2, garnering 3rd place in the league). Justo told me that I had to stay so that he could keep having so much fun and being distracted while practicing his English with me. Gustavo told me that I needed to stay so I could re-learn the Karate that I used to do - he is a member of the Argentine National Karate Team. As you can tell, I love the people that I work with, even if the work itself is not my cup of tea.

In addition to work, I have been spending a lot of time running around. Last weekend, I went to Lima, Peru to spend the Fourth of July with Hallie, my roomie from senior year of college. The weekend was simply awesome...exactly what I needed. We lazed around and caught up on Friday, before heading to sushi at Osaka to celebrate my arrival and Hallie's roomate, Annie, finishing undergrad. It was so great to eat something other than meat. Don't get me wrong, I love meat, but I have been craving seafood for a while now, especially sushi. After hanging out at a swanky bar and downing some Pisco, we went home and had a "tranqui" night. The next morning, we walked around the city and went to a Spanish-influenced area of the city to watch Spain and Paraguay on the big screen. We took some great pictures with policemen, giant inflatables, and other things, before venturing into the markets to buy trinkets. I ended up deciding upon a chess set with the pieces being Incas versus Conquistadores - pretty sweet and only 20 soles, the equivalent of $8 USD. Later, we snacked on Salchipapas (hot dog and fries with condiments) and also anticuchos (cow heart). With energy up, we went to do some more shopping at another market before returning to the house to rev up for a night out. Dressed to impress, we ventured to Baranco and ended up hanging out with some of Annie's university friends. What crazy chicas! Aside from the cat calls from the Peruvian men, the night was a lot of fun, but I would advise anyone going to the bars not to order a Gin & Tonic...it is only Gin and quite unappealing looking. Regardless, it was a great time, despite having my first sighting of a prostitute...jeez. On Sunday, we walked around again and decided to grab some coffee at a Middle Eastern restaurant. We made friends with the bartenders and even got to pet a rabbit before we decided to march onward. At that point, we visited a point that overlooks the ocean - what a vista! We walked down the side of a cliff/small mountain and ate dinner at this amazing restaurant that was surrounded by water on all sides. It felt like what I imagine the Titanic felt like, minus the drowning and tragedy. After a tremendous dinner, we returned to Miraflores (where the house was located) and celebrated the Fourth by indulging in a Peruvian delicacy - tres leches - at an American institution - Starbucks. Good times! The following morning, I bid farwell to Hallie and Annie, dwelling on the fact that the weekend came and went all too quickly, but I guess that's just what happens when I've had too much fun.

In any case, I am about to head out for the night, but I must update more and will probably do so tomorrow about Argentine Independence Day, the Colombian lawyer, etc. Until then...un beso.