Expat Report: Month 20 – Heat, Blackouts, and New Beginnings

The clock is ticking—soon enough, I’ll be officially starting college here in Argentina!

This summer has been pretty stressful. On top of dealing with a swarm of insects trying to invade my home, I’ve also had to deal with constant water pressure problems and frequent power outages. Both of these are pretty common around here. This is my second summer in Argentina, so I knew what to expect—but that doesn’t make it any easier to handle.

The heat index has been brutal, spiking as high as 40°C (104°F). There have been days when I couldn’t shower, wash dishes, or do laundry because the water pressure dropped to almost nothing. Aguas Cordobesas, the water company here in Córdoba, is utterly useless. I’ve requested several times for them to come by and check our water pressure, and they never showed up. Only after repeated complaints did they finally send someone, who then claimed there was nothing wrong with the water pressure. But that’s not the only utilities issue I’m dealing with.

To beat the heat, people crank up fans and air conditioners, which puts a huge strain on the power grid and causes intermittent blackouts across the province. Sadly, there’s not much I can do about that either.

At least I have something to look forward to. The Argentine fall season is just a few months away, and it will bring some much-needed relief from this relentless heat. I also have to admit, I look way more stylish in winter clothes than in summer gear.

In the meantime, I’ve been keeping busy writing articles for my freelance job. I’ve also been socializing with Sarah-Claire, Rosalia, and their Whovian friends. Yes, my ex is still in the picture, but strictly as a friend.

I’ve also started exercising at home to complement the positive effects of my antidepressant and anti-anxiety meds. It might sound like a hectic schedule, but honestly, it’s nothing compared to what I’ll be facing next week when I start school at the National University of Córdoba (UNC). I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous, but also pretty excited.

Oh, and someone recently sent me a personal message through social media asking how I’m handling single life. Hmm… that’s a tough one. I can’t say I’m happy about it. I was in a committed relationship for twelve years, and that’s not something you just get over in a couple of weeks. I’ve had moments where I cry myself to sleep or question what I’m still doing in Argentina, since I only came here to give my ex the advantage of free healthcare and a better life. It kind of seems pointless to give a sh*t about that now that he dumped me.

That said, I’m trying to see the positive side. Now I have more time to focus on myself, which, I’ll admit, hasn’t happened much in my life so far.

So, what about my ex?

Well, getting a divorce while living abroad isn’t easy, so it’ll be a while before everything is finalized. But just because our marriage ended doesn’t mean our love for each other has completely fizzled out. We still care about each other… in our own way. Right now, we’re slowly learning how to live our individual lives while sharing the same roof.

I feel like I’ve been reborn, and like any newborn, I’m learning how to live life all over again, one step at a time.

Celebrating New Year 2014 Abroad

2013 was a crazy year for me! With Zach’s help, I was able to get my U.S. education validated so I could enroll at the public university in Córdoba (UNC). We were also able to make Zach a permanent resident of Argentina, which was a huge relief for us. I started going to therapy at the public hospital, where they provided me with medication to help manage my social anxiety and depression.

I took two incredible trips to the capital city of Buenos Aires and had the chance to eat at T.G.I.F., Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Wendy’s. I boarded a train for the first time in Argentina, which was an experience in itself. I’ve made some amazing expat and Argentine friends, and I celebrated my second Thanksgiving since moving here—fortunately, this one was way better than last year’s. I also went on a diet and lost 8 kilos (about 17.5 pounds).

Of course, not everything was positive. I’ve had to deal with some pretty bad stuff too. I watched my relationship with my “cousins” turn toxic and emotionally abusive. I was also recently a victim of a judicial officer in Córdoba who came looking for a previous tenant. When I tried to prove I wasn’t the man he was looking for, he became irate, ripped my U.S. passport from my hand, shouted racial slurs about Americans, and threatened to arrest me. That, to say the least, was not fun at all.

However, the most painful change in my life has been having to end my marriage. Even though I saw it coming for months, I don’t think my heart was prepared for it. Worst of all, there aren’t too many moments where I’m okay—only moments that don’t hurt quite so much.

Lately, I’ve been reconsidering a lot of things. I’m thinking about giving my ex the house and getting my own apartment, but that’s going to cost money. As grateful as I am for the freelance writing job I get from my handler, Ben, the assignments don’t always come consistently. And not to crap all over Ben, but I get the feeling he’s been playing dumb about paying me on time on a few occasions. That’s okay. Once I secure a more stable job, I’ll definitely start saving up for a move.

I’m also considering waiting until I graduate from college before moving back to the States in about six years. It’s nothing personal against Argentina. I just don’t feel like I belong here. Who knows, I might change my mind once I actually start college.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that my folks threatened to throw us both out on the street a few weeks ago? Yeah. There was a lot of tension stemming from an argument about me not really liking Argentina and not wanting to stay here. Despite all that, Zach and I were still invited to their house for New Year’s Eve dinner.

My dad made goat, which I’m not a fan of, but he also added sausages, steak, and pork to the mix. It ended up being a really nice meal, and we took some wonderful pictures. This New Year’s Eve celebration was better than the last. At least this time, Zach was here with me, even though we weren’t a couple anymore.

Afterwards, we headed outside to watch the fireworks at the stroke of midnight, just like we had on Christmas Eve.

 

Then we headed back to the house and had some Sidra, which is like champagne, to toast to 2014. 

I’m not sure what 2014 will bring, but I’m hopeful for a new beginning, more money, more traveling, and more friends to add to the already amazing group I have, both here and in the U.S.

I’d like to wish a Happy New Year to all of my readers from around the world. Thanks to you, my blog has had over 15,000 hits, which isn't bad given that I started it a year and a half ago. You’re all amazing! Send me some hugs if you can, because I have a feeling I’m going to need them.