Welcome to a New Continent!

I arrived in Buenos Aires a few days ago, for a new adventure. I expect to be here two years, plus or minus, depending on how things go. I'll be posting pictures of my apartment, when I remember. For now, I'll just say, it's been interesting. I really hesitate to say a lot because later I look dumb. After 5 years in Manila, I re-read my first impressions and thought, "I was so naive and green." Still, this website is all about honesty so here goes. I must learn Spanish. I took a job in South America because I wanted to be back in the continent where I was born and I want to be forced to learn Spanish. I'm a little shy, until I get comfortable. So for the past few days, I've been wandering around with my Spanish-English dictionary but not saying much. I went to Carrefour and bought stuff for my house--alarm clock, pillow, fruit and veg. Then I got home and realized that the alarm clock didn't work. So yesterday, I went back. I found the service desk and said, "Hablo un poco Espanol. Yo compro ayer aqui pero no funcion." (word for word translation--"I speak a little Spanish. I purchase here yesterday but no function." And when I figure out how, I'll put in the accent marks where they belong.) Then I went to the guard who had "helped" me the day before and he asked for the papel por cambio (paper for change). I said, "No, tengo dinero." meaning I got the money back, not just an exchange. I suppose that never happens but since I don't speak Spanish AND I just bought it yesterday, I got the cash. So I guess what I'm saying is, I'll be forced to speak Spanish and that's going to be beneficial. I don't know yet what to say about work. Right now I have few resources. The ones I sent in my shipment from Manila haven't arrived yet and there aren't many resources here. I'm a little frustrated but maybe after I get past the first day or two, it'll get better. Guess we'll see! I promise, pictures soon. And lots more details. We're going to a tango lesson and show tonight so I'm sure I'll have stuff to write about that, when I get the time!