(Mis) Adventures in the Micro

Hello all!
Frst of all, I am going to explain a bit about the Chilean Micro system( its like MEEcro, not MYcro). It appears at first to be a series of disorganized, "Get em if you can" type of thing, with busses flying by, stopping suddenly (if at all) and weaving in and out of eachother. Every day I go to catch a micro, it is a mystery as to weather or not I will get one that goes to my destination anywhere within 1 to 10 minutes of waiting, checking the number, flagging one down, and finally boarding. Sometimes I will see the bus I need just in time for it to fly past my stop.
Today was one of those days, until I saw (what I thought to be) the right micro. I was running a bit late for class-oh well- and half-heartedly waved my micro down, as I thought for sure it would not cross three lanes of busy traffic in time to pick me up. But, alas, I was wrong, and I happily boarded it about 100 feet away from the stop, where it had nearly sidded to pick me up. Good, I was going to Just be on time for class... Like usual... Then, we turned onto Calle Libertad, which is strange because normally we don´t turn until 5 Norte. O well, says me, This should be close enough. I´m sure we´ll turn eventually onto either 5 Norte or 10 Oriente...
OH NO. We did NOT, in fact, turn on either of those streets. Wat we did do, however, was turn up up up and over the cerros of Viña until we were nearly half way out of town. With each turn in the wrong direction, I kept thinking- Surely we´ll turn around Eventually! But we did not. Before I knew it, I was nearly on my way to Concon, which is another town entirely! After explaining to the bus driver that I needed to go back to Viña (and then learning that the bus did NOT go back in that direction), I got off with the bus assistant, and he led me to another micro, which I rode safely back to Viña, finally.
In total, this took about an hour. Most of which, I was either 1)Smiling at my silly mis-adventures or, 2) trying to understand what the hell the bus driver was saying to me.
So, I was way too late to go to class, and since I already had my swim suit top and appropriate bottoms on, I decided to go to the Beach instead...
Just another day. :)
Chau!

Santiago, and other thoughts...

Hello all!
Well, there´s a lot going on right now, so I figured I would keep everyone updated a bit on how my life looks right now. I am settling in more and more into Chile and the lifestyle it has offered to me. Translation: I am letting myself get swallowed. I think for a while I was trying to fight it, only to get choked on and spit back out, but thats not what I really want, thant not what I need. What I need is to get swallowed, and find my way through the system of this place (and others) and come out in a newer, different form to continue my next journey. A lot of peple from my program celebrated their half-way point (my quarter-way point) in being here. Some are excited to go, some wish they could stay, I am just happy to be where I am. I get the occasional "fuuuck! What am I going to DO this summer??? Can I do everything I want, do I have the time, money, space, travel buddy, desire, can I actually do all of these cool things I see myself doing in my mind and spirit´s eye!?!?" and then, I just breathe. I realize that pretty much anything I do will be awesome. It will not take place in Colorado like it has for the last 20 years, and I will learn, grow and have a blast reguardless. But, how much should I leave to fate, and how much of my own powers do I need to inject? I have been trying to find that balance lately between what I want to do, and where I am supposed to be. Or rather, where is the most beneficial place for me to be. Will it just Happen, or will I have to seek it out? Or both? I think both.
Anyway... In other news, I went to Santiago last weekend and liked it much more than I thought I would... Although we didn´t see the sun the whole time, I got to get a feel for the city where 40% of Chile´s population lives (!)- crazy, no!? I went with my program, and stayed in a room with two girls from my program. It was one of the girl´s birthday (Emily) and she also had friends who were studying in Santiago, so we all met up at our hotel and pre-gammed and went out. We went to this club first that was a pretty small little underground disco called El Tunnel, and danced for a bit. THEN, I met up with a friend from Boulder who is traveling around South America for 6 months, and happened to be in Santiago at the same time. So we met up and hung out (it was His birthday, too) and then went to another bar where we met up with a Chilean friend of mine (Rodrigo) who is from Punta Arenas in the SOUTH of Chile. We had a great time, and the night was fun. Also in Santiago, we went to Pablo Neruda´s house called "La Chascona" which is an indegenous word that means "messy hair". It is called this because his third and final wife, Matilde had crazy red hair that always appeared rustled and messy. This house was really cool, and had some secret passageways in it as well. We also got to eat some of the best food, and have some of the best conversations on this trip. I sat with people who I hadn´t really gotten to know up until this point, and just had a lovely time. One girl, Hayley, had spent the previous semester in Senegal, and just had some of the mos insightful things to say about the women there, and how they treat other human beings with dignity and respect. She also said something that was very great to hear about when women get married. She said this "...It´s great because women are expected to gain weight after they get married. It shows that, ya know, they´re happy, they´re realxed, they are well fed..." I just thought that was so lovely. As my body has changed a little from being down here, I have realized that I am happy, relaxed and well fed, so of Course this machine that is my body is going to respond to the input and output of the lifestyle I choose... So, all is good.
Antother addition to the weekend was that my traveling friend (his name is Christian) came to Viña and spent a few days here with me and our mutual friend Will who is also from CU. It was fun, and really inspired me to know my city more. I mean, I love Viña and know where a lot of cool places are, but I really need and want to fully meet and get to know her. Good thing I have lots of time! And time is what I have. It has flown by quickly, so I am trying my best to make the most of it, and squeeze as much in as possible. My budget is really tight, and sometimes that limits what I can do, but the beach is free, and smiles are too. (Cheeeeze, I know...) Also, it is Jackson´s birthday today- Happy Birthday Bro! Love you!
Chau!

Playing Sporty Spice

Hello All!
Maddie Thomas, Brooke Caldwell, Gracie Coburn and Kerri Councilman can definately contest to the fact that as a younger version of myself I LOVED the Spice Girls. We would play and dress up as them, and watch their movie like, um, every day when we were younger. Oh how I loved to play Posh Spice, (or, "sexy Spice" as I think she was for a while...) Brooke as Baby, Maddie as Scary, Gracie as Ginger nd Kerri as Sporty. It was always a toss up for me as to weather or not I wanted to play Sporty Spice or Posh Spice, but I always setteled on Posh because she had the straight brown hair (like me) and wore those "littul black dresses" that I always secretly thought were too short, but MAN did she rock them... So I played Posh Spice. But something about her was a little too boring for me, and for a while I just wished I could be ALL of the spice girls- cute like Baby, promiscuous like Ginger, craaazy like Scary, and tough like Sporty. Throughout these last few years, I think I have managed to pretty successfully fufill my dream, and today- I played Sporty Spice.
I am in this class that is about Human Movement. Originally I thought I would get some kind of Dance Minor credit for it, but it appears that that won´t be happening 1) Because the class is kind of a joke and 2) I would never be able to justify it to the CU Dance Department. But, reguardless, I have stayed in it beacuse, well, it is entertaining and the one time a week I can balance my bread intake with activities that do not include laying in bed or on the beach. So today in class we talked about games and why people play them, and what kind of games we play, etc... The Profe is very kind to me, and I think he loves the fact that I am a gringa. He was very interested in the kinds of games we play in the US as kids (which aren´t that different from the games in Chile) like "house" "tag", things of that sort. SO in class today we simulated the game "date" where someone comes over for a date (this is in my lecture, btw...). The date was me and Profe, and we "ate palta" and "talked about our days". How silly! I must say, though- it Was the first time I have dated a professor... Ha, only in Chile... Then, fot he next half of the class we palyed games like we usually do- basketball, volleyball and such (although sometimes we do obstacle courses or play piggy-back basketball where the guys piggy-back the girls... Que raro!) and as something new, we went into the weight room! We worked on all of the machines, and huffed and puffed lifting weights. Now, I´m not the most "athletic" person out there- I mean, I dance and stay active, but weights aren´t really my Thing. But, MAN! Some of the people in my class are way worse off than I am, and I find it so funny that they study something that they don´t apply into their lives (kenisiology and sports medicine). But, ha, such is life... So today I worked out, played a little volley with a friend, played Basketball with another and walked ALL around Viña, finally stopping to rest at the beach. I am home now for the first time today, and am prety tired BUT a friend of mine had a birthday yesterday, and we are celebraing tonight! Then tomorrow another full day, then Thursday my first day of teaching my sister and her friends English, then to Santiago this weekend! ...And school fits in there, somewhere.... (actually, I have been studying a lot for my classes and have realized that I do NOT have to hate Microecon- simply pass it and try to get out of it whatever and all that I can...)
So, life is gooood. Now I´m off to do a little partying! O Chile...
Chau!

...Being Good (at, for, to...)

Hello All!
So the beach is such a funny place to go sometimes. It is the one place in the city where anyone can go-reguardless of social class, economic and racial backgrounds, size, shape and color- and simply marvel at the phonomena of the place where water meets land. People frolic, burn, play, laugh run, swim, show-off, build things and get nekked ALL at this one concentrated piont. It really amazes me. Every time I go I laugh at some Thing that someone does, weather a little naked boy doing everything within his power to cover himself enitrely in sand, or a little girl yelling at me "queRicoElAgua" or the lady whos thong is almost entirely covered by the REST of her... It never ceases to entertain and giggle me. Thanks, Beach.
I´ve been thinking a lot about this whole thing of "being good" and what that means. I remember I was in a dance piece (with Joy French) one time, and she discussed the mundane-ness of "good". Have a Good day, read a Good book, I´m Good today, we have a Good relationship... Things of that sort. But, what got me thinking, is that what if being good is good enough? And is it really?
We have talked in my theatre class (which I will share a story about in a minute) about what it means to be an actor, etc... And he was saying that in order to truly succeed, you need to pick something, and make it your best- refine, polish and craft it to where you are the only expert in that specific field. This struck a chord in my soul instrument because I am still trying to find out what exactly it is (or what I want it to be) that I am REALLY Good at. Like, MY specialty, MY thing, My very best. I am a good dancer, a good friend, a good listener, a good student, and a good person for the planet, but where does good get better?
After much thinking, and trying to maybe focus my "goodness" into one specific area or specialty, I realized that maybe I don´t need to. Maybe I can just work on being the best human I can possibly be- for myself for others (friends, family and lovers) for the planet and for the general well-being of every creature with whom we share this space. So that´s it. Thats My thing. Being a good human. Which doesn´t necesairly mean being a Perfect Human (anyone close to me can tell MANY stories of Celine Fucking Up...) but a Good one. Because in our imperfections lie lessons and wisdom. Within our mistakes lie realizations, and within our failures lie other roads to new and different places. So really, life Is perfect, simply because we live within it to figure it out however we see fit. However fucked up we get, or wherever these lines of chaos take us- there we are. And in those moments we should be happy, we should be free, and we should make them the best places for us to be, simply because we are there and we are Good.
So, thats a little bable for ya, and now time for a story about my theatre class yesterday, which I am very proud of :)...
Sometimes in Theatre we listen to the Profe babble for a but about drama, action, gestres vs. movements, etc... And he always makes a point to incorporate the gringas (there are about 6 of us) into the class bt either cracking light jokes at us, or asking if we understood the jokes he just cracked at the others. So, yesterday we played an improv game where two people- guy and girl- got up, and just improved a skit. No premisses or anything- just improv. So, a few people had gone, and I was feeling balsy, and raised my hand to go next. I went up to the front of the room, and the Prof. picked my partner who is a guy with some very apparent acting skills. Before we went, he turned the lights off to breathe, concentrate and get ready to act. So I breathed, concentrated, and then proceded to do one of the things I do Best- perform. The skit went like this:
him "Hey, lets go to this party it will be so much fun, I can see it now... Empenadas, blah blah blah-" *All in Spanish, keep in mind...*
Me (holding my stomach in apparent pain) "no, no I can´t. I can´t go..."
Him "but, but why not? It will be so much fun and-"
Me "No! Seriously, Do you not remember what happened last night?"
H- (chuckling a bit) "well, kinda.... but, hey, don´t be upset, I mean we had fun, eh?"
(He reaches to put his hand on my shoulder and I shrug it off)
He then procedes to try and get me to warm up, saying something along the lines of "just come, it will be fun, we can dance..." And I was still being cold
Me-"No, poh. Its just that I can´t trust you anymore. Not after what happened..."
Him- "But we had so much fun! I mean, the first time, the Second time-"
Me- "yea, that second time!? What was that all about?!"
Him-"sorry, what bothered you?''"
Me- "Its just that. I just don´t like animals."
Scene. With that, my partner soon went into laughing hysterics, along with the rest of the class. The Prof was impressed, adn I think I earned some brownie points for Gringas everywhere. It was great to just get up there and do it! And I felt very wonderful afterward. It is so important to be able to have another energy when trying to create something. Both parties have to be comitted not to a goal, but to a form. To creating some kind of maliable form which can be interpreted and processed on many different levels.


Al right, time to go watch the Chile Ecuador game now. Thanks for reading. I hope you´re being and staying "good" :) Love you all.
Chau!

Llena de gracias....Full of thanks

Hello All!
Writing here after a truly wonderful and magical weekend that could have only happened in one place in all of the world- Chile. I had a weekend full of deep profound conversations (in Spanish), LOTS of new friends(or Old friends?) and a little Pisco and Escudo to top it all off. I´ll give some highlights, as it was a pretty packed couple of days, and a long weekend to boot!
Friday: After many plans that had fallen through, and many rain-checks, I finally got together with a new friend Andres. I had met him at his house when he had a party a few months back, and we had talked about hanging out for a while, and so Friday night we finally did. We went to the Botellería (liquor store) and got a bottle of Pisco, Gingerale, ice and two cups for about 6 USD ish, and proceded to walk up onto this cerro hill to drink and check out the view of Viña and el Mar. It was very beautiful and very tranquilo. Then, within the next few hours, we proceded to have what was one of the most fufilling conversations I have had in quite a while. We talked about life, philosophy, and what it is that we are searching for in our souls... During this time, we had a little music, smoked a little joint (or, pifla, I think) and just hung out. As we were sitting there, I casually reached down to touch the firm brown dirt on which we were sitting. And then something happened that was a sensation I had not felt in a Very long time-if ever. Not only did I just touch the dirt, but I felt it. With every cell and fiber of my being, I felt the earth of the hillside. The tierra, the ground, the EARTH. And it moved me. It shifted something within my soul to where I thought "This is where I need to return to".
Within the following events, Andres and I chatted about how fortunate we are to be living this life, and he Thanked me for coming to Chile. It was beautiful...
Then, we met up with some of his friends who we had seen earlier in the night, and went to Valpo to party down at a disco. In all, a very good night...
Saturday: With Andres and more friends including a very cool girl named Pia, we had an asado or, BBQ complete with beers, meat, and a World Cup qualifying game in which Chile beat Colombia 4-2! yeaaaa..... Then Saturday night, I slept. Por fin...
Sunday: Went to Laguna Verde with my family to spend the lovliest day in el campo with one of Christians friends and his family. They live in this beautiful cozy wooden house (without water or electricity) in the midst of an impressie grove of Eucalyptus and pine trees. Shaded by the trees, their outside area is equipped with swings, a hammock, more plants, and garden gnomes. Very lovely. That day, we ended up going on a lovely nature walk, and picked an impressive array of flowers and plants to bring back to the house where we ate lunch, and spoke exostentially about life and death. Very tranquilo. Then, Sunday night I went to the birthday of Christians Other friend, Ignacio and met some really fun people (some of whom thought I was Chilean!) including these two girls from Ostralya (Austrailia, haha) who were just great! They are here traveling around, and one of them is "Pololeando" dating Ignacio (whos birthday it was), and since they are leaving soon, we are going yo go get drinks this Wednesday at a popular bar here.
Then today, I just chilled, watched some futbol, and went to the beach with Ameile....
Good day.
So, everything here on this side of the globe is good, and am just hoping you are all well, and sending good things your way! Love you all :)
Chau!

Tacos, Tequila, Amigas! ¿¡Cachai!?

Hello all!
Writing here from a very good place. Last night was my first night out with new Chilena friends from one of my classes! I met a group of girls in my class of Human Movement (which I originally thought I could get dance credit for, but I can´t...) in the Kenisiology school at my University. We met at the beginning of classes, and now that I am getting more and more comfortable with the language, am finally able to relate with them on a more personal level. So, they invited me out last night for a night of Tacos and dancing. At first, I thought we were going somewhere and get tacos to eat, but we ended up going to this one girls house where she lives mostly alone, but partially with her aunt, and found more friends and some of the best Chicken, Guacamole, corn and mushrooms (!) and cheese to make tacos. The mushrooms were a surprise, but suuuuuper riiiico. mmm. Then we washed it down with some ¡Tequila! Of which, I only had three little shots from this teacup because EHWEH! Tequila is... Sometimes great, and sometimes not. So, I took it easy with the salt, lemon (because there are no limes here apparently...) and Tequila, as we did our Saluds to friends, good nights, the Moon (which was rising and looked SO big and beautiful) and good health. Sidenote on where we were: This girls appartment (I actually forget her name, because its either Cata, Cati or Carla or something...) is on the top of this BIG hill and overlooks ALL of Viña and out onto the ocean. One of the best views I have seen from a window.
Anyway, Then we went Dancing! We went to this Disco called Scratch here in Viña and entered with our "freepass" that a lot of people get (somehow). So we didn´t have to pay, which was awesome. Then, we were greeted at the door with empty cups, because there was a free bar. So, we went (or, pushed, shoved and wriggled our way) to the bar and held our cups over the edge in hopes of it being taken and filled with More alcohol. What a sight that was! From my vista, I saw bodies with arms extended and plastic cups in the hands. Some were shaking "fill me fill me" others more like "pleaseeeee" and still others like "come ON, I´ve been waiting longest!". And finally after minutes of standing there trying to keep my feet in one place, the free bar closed and we resorted to dancing a little less drunk... But not for long!
Cultural Sidenote: Chileans always (well, almost) ASK you to dance first. Which is nice. BUT agreeing to dance is basically agreeing 30% to dancing, and 70% to the possibility of making out. At first this was a fun venture and I admit I have had some "culturally fufilling" dancing nights. But Last night I just was NOT into it, and finally told my dance partner after several attempted makeout sessions, that I really only wanted to dance, and NOT kiss him,
¿cachai?? And, go figure- first guy to ask for my number at the Disco....hm.
Two of the greatest compliments I have recieved are that I Habla bien, and that I Baile bien. Which is great, because I´d like to think the language I speak most fluently is dance. Que Bueno. Yes, another good night in Chile. Drinks at 3:30AM? SURE! Bring it on...
Finally at the ripe hour of 4:30 we returned to our friends apartment, talked about boys and had a sleepover! It was great, and I learned some funny new slang that I will ONLY repeat when talking amongst girlfriends... :) So, now I´m off to enjoy the day, maybe go to the beach, and just... chill.
Love you all, and hope you´re staying warm up there! Besos :)
Chau chau!

Recetas

Hello All!
So the Chileans love food. For the most part, it is similar to the food in the US- veggies, meats, beans, etc... But it is prepaired very differently than what I have experienced. It is usually pretty simple to prepair, but very sabroso (usually with salt, cilantro, and lemon). Here are some recipies for anyone who wants to eat like a Chilean for a day ( or a meal...).

Ensalada de Cebollas (onion salad)
Sounds a little strange, but I had it for lunch today and it is very rico y refrescante!
Slice raw onions (for however many people are beiong served)
mix with salt, cilantro, and lemon juice
Eat! That´s it! I had it today with my usual "salad" of celery and avacadoes with lemon juice.
Variations: Add cooked lima or pinto beans, and chop the onions instead. Also, add a little bit of oil along with the three main seasonings; cilantro, salt and lemon juice.

Tortilla (kind of like quiche without the crust- and faster, too!)
This can have many variations, but my favorite is with Couliflower and onions...

• Sautee onions until you like them
• Steam cauliflower and add to the onions at the last minute so they share some flavor
• In a seperate bowl add enough eggs to cover the couliflower ( I feel like I am not spelling that right...) and a little bit of flower to thicken the mixture

-this is where I would vary from what my host mom does-
Add some seasoning! A little salt to start, then... whatever flavor you want! You can either make it spicy, sweeter, or herb-ier, whatever you want!

• Then mix everything together (the egg/flour mix and the veggies) in the bowl
• THEN, over a medium-heated, oiled pan- pour (or set) the mixture and let cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked through and hot.
• It should come out flat (like a tortilla) but thick- about 1 inch or so, and however big of a diameter as you want. Then, cut and serve it with salsa, or just plain!
• Can be eaten for breakfast, lunch AND dinner.

-Variations could include spinnach, mushrooms, broccli or any meats- try not to make it too mushy, though. It should be firm in texture (that´s where the flour comes in...), so harder veggies are suggested.

I am sure there are many more recipies I could add, but for now, that should be good. Happy eating!

As far as everything else goes, I am still in the midst of figuring out travel plans for this summer, as well as how to Afford those travel plans... I have gotten accepted to work on a farm in Colombia, so we will see how the Financial gods smile on me in the coming months... Also, the weather here has just been lovely! Lots of sun and beach :) very happy. And I am planning a trip to Buenos Aires in November (So cheap!) so I´m pretty excited about that. As far as school goes... WHY did I decide to take Microeconomics and Bio!?!?!?!? SOOOOO hard! ugh. anyway, es la vida.... Until next time!

Chau!