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.