July 17, 2006
Project Allende Phase II
So you may have noticed that Project Allende and the final destination of Argentina doesn’t quite gel. Why didn’t I call the “Project” Project Guevara and be done with it. Not a bad idea really, but to be truthful the Allende name was not my idea but my travel partner's, Clare’s. I thought it a good name because Clare could do the cultural half and I the political half of the content. Isabel Allende has taken a well earned siesta but Salvador Allende lives on in the página Web http://projectallende.org/ based out of the country that borders his grave; Argentina.
So, what is Project Allende and why has it persisted when the journey of 50,000Km is ended? Well for me the journey was a journey of discovery. In my mind's eye I was also on the lookout for two new things: a new place to live and a new job to do. The truth is in this specialized world of ours there are two requirements for foreign work and they are, (1) local language proficiency and (2) professional qualifications. So stage two of project Allende meant coming back here to Argentina to get my Spanish “on” and get my Political Economics “on”.
I made some small progress in the last seven days and I just wanted to fill you all in as to to where things stand. Last week was my “key” week; “La semana clave”, as I have been referring to it here to the locals. So what was so key? Well it marked the end of my four month long, "Level Three" Spanish for foreigners course at the UBA. Monday was my written, then Thursday, my oral exams. Then this week, today at 12:00PM to be precise, was my interview for entry into the masters in the “Economics of International Relations” so I have some news.
It is as the Californian's like to say "all good". First I got 70% in both my oral and written exams in Level three of “Espanol para extranjeros” so I qualified to begin level four. I enrolled and paid Thursday and began this morning: 60 hours of the subjunctive studied at quadruple speed in just four weeks, if that isn’t Hades then where is?
So what's the good news?
Today Project Allende enters phase II: Attempting to qualify as an International Economist which will take two years, twelve payments of A$400 Pesos and a lot of burnt brain cells, beginning August 7th. I know it will take a lot more but this is a start.
I suppose then I shall have to give in and get a real job?
We shall see. I shall consult with my brother.
Posted by Tony Phillips at July 17, 2006 10:06 PMHa! Yay for Tones.. that's wonderful news. Hopefully there is a decent economy for you to specialize in by the time you graduate.
Posted by: Elena at July 18, 2006 12:10 AMOne of the best ways to postpone an actual job that I can think of. Keep it up.
Posted by: Elgy Gillespie at July 18, 2006 12:50 AMcongratulations, keep the nose to the stone!
4 more weeks till baby, counting the hours. Its so hot I'm in a near coma. Wishing for foggy SF.
bien bien bien por ti Toño, je estas si que son buenas noticias, pues parece que seguire tus pasos de quedarme por aca, y a estudias mas, bafff
Posted by: eva at July 18, 2006 03:24 AMHuzzah! Congratulations on your graduation from the Laboratory of Idioms! I'm still working on my degree in New York in the Laboratory of idiots!
Posted by: Siobhan at July 18, 2006 04:29 AMDear Tones: You're a hero to all us wimps who are not so brave. Studying economics, o.k. but in a foreign language? Oh, my god!
After a month of Academia here with 2 hours tajera every night, I've re-enlisted with Warren Hardy doing Preterite and Integrated Pro-Nouns for the third time. Elaine van Vleck and I did two weeks of Academia together and then she returned to S.F. to fly off somewhere exotic and I continued on. You're my hero! Barbara
Its the 18th and I've scanned through your autobiography to date. However being half drugged from sleep (I hasten to add) I'm going to print the article and peruse it on the beach.
Did they show the conversation between Tony and George on TV where you are?........ All grist to my mill to show up that two artificial bastards!!!! ...
Many congrats on your Spanish results, soon you'll be able to speak 'n' rite as proper as well as what I done in English , ay?
So, a good old proper qualification in Economics & in Spanish, does that make it Spanomics? If it doesn't it should. Good on you & the best of luck with it.
I'm just starting my own course in French and yes the subjunctive is a 'hoors bastard' as they say in Cork, my empathy reaches across the South Atlantic. Bloody Latin languages, proper 'ard they are.
So cheerio from a scorching Paris (102°F in the shade) and don't forget to SKYPE from time to time.
Brendan, Isa & Thom
Congrats! I guess this means we have even more time to visit you in BA.
Posted by: Cliona at July 18, 2006 04:04 PMFelicitations! J'espere que tu n'oublieras pas ton francais and totally don't forget your Californian dude.
Posted by: Gabs at July 18, 2006 05:08 PMIt's good to hear you're moving forward and growing up. No more adolescent sh!t for you. You're on your own and speaking Spanish now. What happend to sitting around in the panhandle and getting high? Is it all high finance and Argentinian women with you? Hey--where are the notes on your dating life? There's nothing here for me. And your brother is going to help you? Gordon? Brother is right.
P.S. I miss you baldy.
Posted by: Mitch Harris at July 18, 2006 08:43 PMHeya Tones,
After you matriculate as an International Economist and all those job offers start to roll in, consider my recent dilemma of all the fielded offers from the host of insurance companies, credit card purveyors, tobacco magnates, marketing skells, and all manner of "the corporate axis of evil" who value my skill sets.
Start now making a list of whom you simply will not allow to "expolit your wares" and avoid the "Christmas rush" when you are most susceptible to lucrative offers from those silly-smooth corporate-types. If they ply you with Cuban cigars at the inteview dinner, run away. Fast!
I simply cringe to consider the host of scum itching to hire an "International Economist " with South American experience and language skills.
With every advancement seems to come a new set of dilemmas. 'Twas always thus, eh?
Congratulations!
tV
Posted by: tV at July 19, 2006 08:35 AMTones,
so happy you're sticking around. The best way to learn about South American economics is to become part of it... as soon as you score 70% in bribery, you're considered an advanced student and you will automatically pass straight onto level 5! However, to really learn how to do it, I would have suggested you study at Skulls & Bones.
Which coincidentally rhymes with Tones.
I leave you with this wisdom. May our paths cross again so we can have hours of witty conversations - but without having our tongues fuelled by this lovely delicious stout. I still feel hangovery.
Peace
Kat