Sunday was one of the first days in a long time that I have had absolutely nothing to do. In addition to that, the weather decided to continue its streak of being sunny and practically cloudless.

My day consisted of cleaning my room, reading, catching up on my writing, booking an awesome AirBnB in Buenos Aires for when we go this Thursday, Skyping my parents and a good friend, going to the weekly artisan fair, sharing sushi and a bottle of wine with friends and ending the day by falling asleep to one of my favorite movies, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

Needless to say, I had a good day.

Not only did it give me a chance to take a breather, to catch up on things I need to do, but it also gave me a chance to reflect on my past three months in Córdoba, look ahead to the two months I have left and to also take a serious look at what is going on back in my home country of the US.

I don’t want to get into a political argument. I don’t want to use this tragedy to push a political agenda. It’s pointless. To me, the whole idea of debate has become pointless because instead of having educated, calm, and informative discussions, both sides just take to yelling at the other and calling each other stupid idiots. I thought that I had left kindergarten, but maybe not.

But here are a few things that I thought about during my quiet day:

1. If you don’t like people that are different from you because they are different, maybe because you don’t understand why they are different, that’s ok. But that gives you absolutely no right to disrespect them.
2. Don’t just send your thoughts and payers. They are definitely appreciated. But they do nothing by the way of making a difference for anyone. That requires action.
3. Debate is supposed to be stimulating. Debate is supposed to be calm. It is not being snarky with one another, or calling each other names. Social media has ruined the idea of debate. It also doesn’t do a damn thing. And yes, this is coming from a girl who has not hid her opinions on Facebook. Yes, I need to take my own advice.
4. We need to celebrate the fact that we are alive. That we have the right to speak out. We need to stop belittling each other. Your way of life does not make you superior to anyone. Just like another person’s way of life doesn’t make them superior to you.
5. Learn something about the world, other than what is familiar to you. Travel, talk to someone you would not normally talk to, read a book. Expand your horizons. It’ll help to expand your understanding of the struggles and graces of others.

Living in Argentina has allowed me to expand my own worldview. It has given me the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

They have helped me learn that there is so much more to the world than what we see on the news. It is our responsibility to learn the stories of individuals. To know that there is more to a culture than what meets the eye.

I have learned so much about other cultures here, and hopefully I have taught people about mine. I cannot believe 3.5 months have already gone by and that I only have 1.5 months left.

It has been a life changing experience so far, and one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Now, it’s time to finish this presentation I have for class tomorrow…

Rainbow over the rough water