Most days

Saludos!!

It has been awhile.  I'm not going to make excuses for not blogging, I just realize I'm not good at journaling/blogging...I'm a talker, not a writer at heart!

Lately:

I got my hair cut with a groupon (yes, Uruguay has groupon too) by some guy that looked like Albert Einstein.  It was an upleasant experience because when people find out I am foreign they DON'T STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS.  I know, I know, I love to talk so this should be great. But, just imagine you go through an interview everytime you meet someone new. Here is the run through of questions and what runs through my head (and sometimes leaves my mouth).

So you are a student here? (No)
What do you do here? (I live and work here)
Where do you work? (Zonamerica)
I have a friend that works there! (Everyone does)
Where are you from? (I usually say USA, but my answers also include Poland, Uruguay, Australia, Canada...)
How long will you stay? (Until I get tired of it)
Do you like it? (yes, alot)
Really??(NO, THATS WHY I LIVE HERE)
What is your name? (Bailey (but I have also said Amanda because it is easier for them to understand))
What? Belen? (No, Bailey. Like the drink. Baileys)
OH!! BAILEYS!! Its my favorite drink! (It's aparently everyone's favorite drink here)
Why Uruguay? (Why not)
Did you move here for a boy? (I don't follow boys, they follow me)
Your Spanish is good! (Yours is too!)
Can we practice English? (If you pay me 15 bucks an hour)

Now don't get me wrong, I understand that there are very few foreigners so they are very curious as to why I am here.  However, one of the most frustrating things is to only be seen as the foreigner.  I am much more than that! More importantly than being foreign, I am ME!  So I usually prefer people who get to know me for me, and not just for my foreigness.  My reactions to being asked questions usually changes depending on who is asking.  With people we meet in stores or at work, I'm more polite.  However, alot of times guys will use this as an excuse to talk to (aka hit on) me and my Polish friend, and lets get serious, they could be MUCH more creative :)

Speaking of being interviewed, I was on national news the other day!  I was interviewed while waiting in lines to get tickets to a big soccer game (most likely because its rare to have a foreigner who cares about the national soccer teams).  I guess I can cross "being on national TV" off my bucket list!

Also, I'm moving! I rented an apartment with my friend Anna and our other friend Matias.  Its nice, in a safe part of town and close to the bus lines and all that jazz.  Its crazy, because the apartments here don't come with anything...we had to supply the stove, fridge, water heater...everything down to the bathroom mirror! Its been a really interesting challenge because we have been going to the street markets and sales to find things.  I still don't have a closet or dresser or actually anything besides a bed for my room...but it will all come with time and careful shopping!  I'm determined to find everything second hand and fix it up.

Work is okay.  Its long hours and little pay, but I really love everyone on my team.  They have been so fun and welcoming and we all get along so well!  I was moved to a different side of my team, from working with brokers to appraisers.  I am with appraisers now because they are typically more "difficult" to work with (they are in higher demand) so my accent helps (ideally) to persuade them to work with us.  We are in the process of a huge company expansion and are trying to recruit as many agents as possible.  Unfortunately, this creates a very demanding work environment, pushing me to my "corporate" limit some days.  If anything, I am learning alot about the housing industry and alot about what kind of work environments do and don't suit me.

xoxoxo
bails