Hello all,
So, I am sitting here writing this as I am eating a strange, University-budget breakfast of Oatmeal with egg. Yes, the egg is In the oatmeal. I figure, you can put an egg in soup, rice... Why not oatmeal??? It isnt so bad to taste, although I wasnt sure if I should salt it lke an egg or sweeten it like oatmeal. (I opted for a little honey and it serves just fine) It has successfully done its job to be digested and leave me with somewhat of a sence of "fullness" or "satisfaction". Thanks otameal.
But, a word about this oatmeal...
Last week, I was tired after school and realized that I basically had No food at my house. So, I decided to skip over (Note:I didn´t really skip) to the open market that is near my school, and buy some food-including oatmeal. Now, it was after about 5 or so, and most of the food stands were closing or already gone, including the lady I Usually buy oatmeal from. So, I asked around and was pointed to a shop around the corner that sells wholesale oats, grains, and pet food. Not the Nicest place, certianly not Safeway, but it would do... So, I went in and did a little price shopping and found some oats for about $1 per Kilo as opposed to the others for about $2 per kilo. I didn´t have much cash on me, and being a bit frugal anyways, I opted for the cheaper one. The lady working there was saying things to me that I couldn´t even understand (think of how you speak in your socio-economic class, lower that class about 5 times, then put it in a different language), but I somehow convinced her that, yes, I wanted one kilo of that, please. She was acting strange for some reason, but after paying (well, after getting my Ticket from her, turning around and paying the ticket to the cashier, and then turning Back around and giving her the reciept...?) I was on my way. Finally.
Next day, I wake up and prepair to eat my oats. I have some nuts and honey and dried fruit and am convinced it will be a great breakfast, as usual. One thing- The oatmeal was Horrible! just, awful. And, Im not sure I can convince you, reading this, that oatmeal could be so disgusting, but, trust me, it was. It like... wasn´t quite seperated from the grain or something, so I kept getting all of these shells in my teeth (think of popcorn kernels-only at breakfast...) and the taste was something I literally had to guilt myself into forcing into my mouth (I am fortunate enough to even get breakfast this morning.).
So, here I am, giving it a 4th go and trying to at least make some use of this tragedy. I did buy it, after all. And I am eating it now, with the egg and honey (wow, Im weird...) and I feel a few crunches as I am biting. hm, crunchy oatmeal, eh?? After some investigating into the rest of the bowl, I found the culprit- a small, dark... Is it a grain? wait, are those little legs?? no way, are they really? Am I sure thats just not grain fibers or something?? fuck. omygod. ew. That actually IS a little bug, dead in my oatmeal. fuck, fuck, fuck. bleh.
Knowing his little friends are buried in my stomach, and making their way to my large intestine offers no more consolidation. Not only have I been eating terrible, shitty oatmeal, but I have also been unknowingly eating a little extra protien from the Animal Kingdom, as well. Guess I don´t need the egg anymore...
Next time, I may opt for the upgrade.
Happy eating!
Chau chau!
jueves, 22 de abril de 2010
domingo, 18 de abril de 2010
Priorities: Work, school travel... Sailing, graffitti workshop...(!?)
Hello all,
well well well. Lets see. Friday was a neat day. It was really beautiful out- the sun was shining, and I was hanging on my roof with my roomate, reading, chatting etc... Then I got a text from my friend Rachael asking if I wanted to go sailing with her and her friends (two of which are in the Navy and have access to boats). Obviouisly, I said yes, and happily rode my bike to Viña to meet up with them. About halfway into my ride I realized that I had signed up for a graffitti workshop that day at 5. It was already about 3, and I knew I would not return to Valpo anywhere within the 5 o clock hour. Hmmmm. I could either turn around, wait for 2 hours and go to graffitti, OR go sailing. I chose to go sailing.
It was great, but I felt really seasick for a bit and needed to lay down. It was cool at first, and then I realized how much I disliked the feeling of my foundation swaying underneath me (common theme???). So, I continued to breathe, drank some water, tried to convince myself to just get over it, and eventually felt better on the way back to the dock. Sweet, sweet ground!
After I got back to Valpo, I made some dinner with my roomates and had a party. My French roomates themed it where everyone had to dress as anything that starts with the letter "J". Little tricky, but they were all the Jackson 5 (really funny) and I was a Journey. I wore little things from my trip, as I originally wasnt stoked on the theme, but got more into it as the night went on.
The next day was nice, and I built a little table and chairs with my roomate (who is 6 months pregnant and impresses me daily) and then had an asado on my rooftop with friends. It sounds great, and it was, but I had slowly manifested a terrible migrane, and spent the rest of the night in bed, trying to get over the pain.
This has happened a few times this year, and I am trying to catalogue every time when it happens to see what the factors could be. Something I ate, something I did? Not enough water, change in the climate??? One common theme is sleep. Nights where I havent slept well, or enough, etc... And now I think another common theme is stress.
STRESS!?!?!?! Whaaatttt!?!??! My Pacific, relaxed life here could be causing me stress? Well, not likely. But the lack of structure the wondering constantly of what I am going to make up for myself to do today, the never ending thoughts about how much I miss my family, or that one time....... Whatever it may be, I just put my head in to spins thinking and reeling, and trying to figure out what is good, better, best and ok for me to do here. Here, there, anywhere. So maybe thats it. My body is manifesting all of these negative things and feelings and building them up in myself to the point where they cause excruciating pain physically. I am (we are) one living system, after all. One being where each aspect has an effect on the other(s). So, trying to maintain that all in one healthy balance. huh. ok. Working on that.
So where do I fit in in my priorities? Obviously, I would like to say that my health and my needs come first, but I still party sometimes, I still eat too much sometimes, I still don´t find outlets for my emotions so they stay and cause my body pain... And then there is school, and how I live every other aspect of my life. How I treat my friends, how I care for people that care about me. How I want to and need to be "there" for people, while still being "there" for me.
Do I/we have to pick-and-choose where our priorities lie? I guess so. Why else would we go to work on a beautiful day? Money, job More important than getting out on a nice day.
Right!?
...Still working on the traveling/school priority list. I guess it depends on how you even define "education" in the first place... But thats a different thought entirely.
Off to bed now, to rest my weary head.
chau chau
well well well. Lets see. Friday was a neat day. It was really beautiful out- the sun was shining, and I was hanging on my roof with my roomate, reading, chatting etc... Then I got a text from my friend Rachael asking if I wanted to go sailing with her and her friends (two of which are in the Navy and have access to boats). Obviouisly, I said yes, and happily rode my bike to Viña to meet up with them. About halfway into my ride I realized that I had signed up for a graffitti workshop that day at 5. It was already about 3, and I knew I would not return to Valpo anywhere within the 5 o clock hour. Hmmmm. I could either turn around, wait for 2 hours and go to graffitti, OR go sailing. I chose to go sailing.
It was great, but I felt really seasick for a bit and needed to lay down. It was cool at first, and then I realized how much I disliked the feeling of my foundation swaying underneath me (common theme???). So, I continued to breathe, drank some water, tried to convince myself to just get over it, and eventually felt better on the way back to the dock. Sweet, sweet ground!
After I got back to Valpo, I made some dinner with my roomates and had a party. My French roomates themed it where everyone had to dress as anything that starts with the letter "J". Little tricky, but they were all the Jackson 5 (really funny) and I was a Journey. I wore little things from my trip, as I originally wasnt stoked on the theme, but got more into it as the night went on.
The next day was nice, and I built a little table and chairs with my roomate (who is 6 months pregnant and impresses me daily) and then had an asado on my rooftop with friends. It sounds great, and it was, but I had slowly manifested a terrible migrane, and spent the rest of the night in bed, trying to get over the pain.
This has happened a few times this year, and I am trying to catalogue every time when it happens to see what the factors could be. Something I ate, something I did? Not enough water, change in the climate??? One common theme is sleep. Nights where I havent slept well, or enough, etc... And now I think another common theme is stress.
STRESS!?!?!?! Whaaatttt!?!??! My Pacific, relaxed life here could be causing me stress? Well, not likely. But the lack of structure the wondering constantly of what I am going to make up for myself to do today, the never ending thoughts about how much I miss my family, or that one time....... Whatever it may be, I just put my head in to spins thinking and reeling, and trying to figure out what is good, better, best and ok for me to do here. Here, there, anywhere. So maybe thats it. My body is manifesting all of these negative things and feelings and building them up in myself to the point where they cause excruciating pain physically. I am (we are) one living system, after all. One being where each aspect has an effect on the other(s). So, trying to maintain that all in one healthy balance. huh. ok. Working on that.
So where do I fit in in my priorities? Obviously, I would like to say that my health and my needs come first, but I still party sometimes, I still eat too much sometimes, I still don´t find outlets for my emotions so they stay and cause my body pain... And then there is school, and how I live every other aspect of my life. How I treat my friends, how I care for people that care about me. How I want to and need to be "there" for people, while still being "there" for me.
Do I/we have to pick-and-choose where our priorities lie? I guess so. Why else would we go to work on a beautiful day? Money, job More important than getting out on a nice day.
Right!?
...Still working on the traveling/school priority list. I guess it depends on how you even define "education" in the first place... But thats a different thought entirely.
Off to bed now, to rest my weary head.
chau chau
jueves, 8 de abril de 2010
A good day
Hello All,
Today was a really good day. I woke up relieved to find myself not as crazy as I thought I was last night. Do you ever just feel a little crazy? Well, I did last night, but Im over it. So today, I hung out with Margot for a bit, then went to buy some veggies and fruit in one of the markets. I live on a hill, so everything is Down from me. So, I took this LONG set of stairs down (instead of the ascensor) and was greeted by someone inside a beautiful courtyard of their house. He said hello and asked how I was, and I responded to both accordingly. Then, I began to continue my descent, and the father of the guy yelled down to me, and asked me to join them for lunch in about 20 minutes. Well, shit! Sure!
So, I did all I needed to do at the little market, picking and weighing and paying for my food for the next week, and began to go back up the stairs for my lunch date. I entered the courtyard and eventually the big, spacious home of the two guys who live there. The father of one of the guys is visiting from Santiago, and is Italian by blood. Naturally, we ate pasta, and made both a pesto sauce and green sauce. It was all so green! And so beautiful. One of the guys is an incredible stop-motion (?) animator...
So, we ate, drank some vino and hung out. I had an appointment at 4, and leisurly made my way back to my house (close). The appointment I had was with a lady who does Reiki.
So, Margot and I met back up, and met up with the lady and each had our own private Reiki session. It was really interesting, and she told me a lot of good things about my chakras, and how I am.
anyway, I am going to a concert now, so I´ll chat chat sooooon!
chau chau
Today was a really good day. I woke up relieved to find myself not as crazy as I thought I was last night. Do you ever just feel a little crazy? Well, I did last night, but Im over it. So today, I hung out with Margot for a bit, then went to buy some veggies and fruit in one of the markets. I live on a hill, so everything is Down from me. So, I took this LONG set of stairs down (instead of the ascensor) and was greeted by someone inside a beautiful courtyard of their house. He said hello and asked how I was, and I responded to both accordingly. Then, I began to continue my descent, and the father of the guy yelled down to me, and asked me to join them for lunch in about 20 minutes. Well, shit! Sure!
So, I did all I needed to do at the little market, picking and weighing and paying for my food for the next week, and began to go back up the stairs for my lunch date. I entered the courtyard and eventually the big, spacious home of the two guys who live there. The father of one of the guys is visiting from Santiago, and is Italian by blood. Naturally, we ate pasta, and made both a pesto sauce and green sauce. It was all so green! And so beautiful. One of the guys is an incredible stop-motion (?) animator...
So, we ate, drank some vino and hung out. I had an appointment at 4, and leisurly made my way back to my house (close). The appointment I had was with a lady who does Reiki.
So, Margot and I met back up, and met up with the lady and each had our own private Reiki session. It was really interesting, and she told me a lot of good things about my chakras, and how I am.
anyway, I am going to a concert now, so I´ll chat chat sooooon!
chau chau
lunes, 5 de abril de 2010
Everyday adventures
Hello all,
Every day is an adventure.
Today I ran errands with one of my roomates, and it was fun. It was so simple, but I couldn´t stop smiling. I spoke NO english today and didnt even think twice about it. (Until now, I guess). I only have a FEW more months, days, weeks, moments to absorb here. I reflect often on weather or not I am where I want to be, mentally and emotionally. And I am exactly where I should be. I FEEL. Every day. I feel. Sad, happy, excited, inspired, lonley, pissed off at the cat that used my bed as a litterbox... Whatever it is, I do feel it. And I think constantly. More than ever, I guess. And now that I can actually formulate my thoughts into words, I think EVEN MORE, and then Speak. Instead of getting lost in verb conjugations and vocabulary, I just speak. Even if its not right "". I do it anyway. And get corrected constantly. Sometimes I invent words, and thats ok too. I am trying. And I have help. A lot of it. And I am thankful for that. LOVE LIFE.
Love life.
Thats all.
Chau chau
Every day is an adventure.
Today I ran errands with one of my roomates, and it was fun. It was so simple, but I couldn´t stop smiling. I spoke NO english today and didnt even think twice about it. (Until now, I guess). I only have a FEW more months, days, weeks, moments to absorb here. I reflect often on weather or not I am where I want to be, mentally and emotionally. And I am exactly where I should be. I FEEL. Every day. I feel. Sad, happy, excited, inspired, lonley, pissed off at the cat that used my bed as a litterbox... Whatever it is, I do feel it. And I think constantly. More than ever, I guess. And now that I can actually formulate my thoughts into words, I think EVEN MORE, and then Speak. Instead of getting lost in verb conjugations and vocabulary, I just speak. Even if its not right "". I do it anyway. And get corrected constantly. Sometimes I invent words, and thats ok too. I am trying. And I have help. A lot of it. And I am thankful for that. LOVE LIFE.
Love life.
Thats all.
Chau chau
jueves, 1 de abril de 2010
ah, Chiloé.....
Hola todos!
Last weekend was perhaps one of the most beautifuly unique weekends I have spent here and maybe ever. The island of Chiloè is situated in the South of Chile, off the coast near Puerto Montt. It has its own very unique culture and a lot of folklore, mystery and other legends. Apart from the fact that it is shrouded in mystery, it is also INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL.
We left early in the morning on Friday to get down there.My study abroad program rules, and only the people who were here last semester went on this trip. There were 6 of us students (one couldn´t go) and two chapperones who are totally rad. So, from the get-go we were chatting, laughing, joking and having a wonderful time. This did not stop throughout the entire weekend, and we all just had SO much fun with eachother. So becides laugh a lot, here´s what we did...
Friday: Arrived in Puerto Montt early in the morning, and took a ferry over to the island. We were on two modes of transport at the same time, and it was a little trippy. We were in our van, on a boat! How silly. But it was really neat, and nice to chill for a bit on the water. Then, we got to the Island of Chiloè and drove off the ferry to Ancud, a town on the coast there. In Ancud we went to a historical museum, and then did some more tours around the cool old churches that are there and in surrounding towns. Then, in the afternoon we went to Castro to eat a delicious lunch (which became the norm)at our hostel. Then we just hung out, went to walk around Castro and got a much deserved sleep. (After another delicious meal of seafood and white wine)
Saturday: Such a beautiful day... We woke up and saw the houses that are built on stilts right in the bay of Chiloé (picutres are coming), and then drove some more to the place where we would spend one of the most lovely afternoon´s and evenings´ever. It was the house of our chaperone Alejandro´s friends who lives there and works as a fisherman. Where he lives looks like he lives on a lake, but within a few hours the sea´s tide goes down to reveal the land underneath. Sidenote: Really cool to watch the transformation.: Then, as we waited for lunch to be prepaired, we took out his sea kayaks and kayaked around in the calm, ocean water. It was a beautiful day, and Peter and I decided it was apt for swimming. So, we stripped down and swam in the cold cold water. It was awesome. Then, we all headed back to eat this traditional meal of seafood, potatoes and other meats called Curanto. BUT, I am not giving this ANY justice. This meal was absolutley incredible. Here´s how it was done:
First, we had a nice big fire with these grapefruit-sized stones in it. After a few hours (yes, it took forever!) we took out the wood so only the stones remained, and then poured all ofthe fresh seafood over them to cook along with the other ingredients, chicken, pork and potatoes. All fresh and without any seasoning or anything... THEN, we covered the elements with HUGE leafs from the forest, and put bread on top of them to cook as well. THEN we covered the bread with the grassy part of earth dug up from the yard. At the end, it looked like a big pile of sod with steam coming out of it. Then, we waited. And drank wine. And shared stories. And played the guitar. and sat in bliss. Then, it was ready and time to unveil what would be one of (if not THE) best meals I have ever eaten. Although there were about 10 of us, we hardly made a dent in this food. There was so much of it! but, damn, was it good.
After we finished and hung out more, we eventually went back to our hostel. Well, the others did. I went with Peter and Alejandro to the local school gymnasium to watch their rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar. yea.
Then, we went back, ate MORE seafood, drank MORE wine, and eventually went out to a bar. The night ended in the morning; after one real bar and one speak-easy-style Heavy Metal bar (complete wiht gargoyles and passed-out dude on the floor).
Sunday: In the morning, we went to visit the first Modern Art museum in Chile! It was really cool, and I "choreographed" an improvisational piece representing the ledgends of the Island. Then, we slowly made our way back, and eventually got on a plane to come back to Valpo. We didn´t arrive till about 2 AM on Monday morning, and due to my not-so-riggorous school schedule, I was able to sleep all day and not miss any classes.
Wow, so.... Back now, and am planning on staying in one place for a while. Also:::::Today I went to a place that does FREE MODERN DANCE WORKSHOPS!!!!!!!!! There is an audition on the 27, and I am super stoked to DANCE! wohoooooooooooo!
So, thats the news. Now off to an asado,and a hat party! :) Happy April!
chau chau!
Last weekend was perhaps one of the most beautifuly unique weekends I have spent here and maybe ever. The island of Chiloè is situated in the South of Chile, off the coast near Puerto Montt. It has its own very unique culture and a lot of folklore, mystery and other legends. Apart from the fact that it is shrouded in mystery, it is also INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL.
We left early in the morning on Friday to get down there.My study abroad program rules, and only the people who were here last semester went on this trip. There were 6 of us students (one couldn´t go) and two chapperones who are totally rad. So, from the get-go we were chatting, laughing, joking and having a wonderful time. This did not stop throughout the entire weekend, and we all just had SO much fun with eachother. So becides laugh a lot, here´s what we did...
Friday: Arrived in Puerto Montt early in the morning, and took a ferry over to the island. We were on two modes of transport at the same time, and it was a little trippy. We were in our van, on a boat! How silly. But it was really neat, and nice to chill for a bit on the water. Then, we got to the Island of Chiloè and drove off the ferry to Ancud, a town on the coast there. In Ancud we went to a historical museum, and then did some more tours around the cool old churches that are there and in surrounding towns. Then, in the afternoon we went to Castro to eat a delicious lunch (which became the norm)at our hostel. Then we just hung out, went to walk around Castro and got a much deserved sleep. (After another delicious meal of seafood and white wine)
Saturday: Such a beautiful day... We woke up and saw the houses that are built on stilts right in the bay of Chiloé (picutres are coming), and then drove some more to the place where we would spend one of the most lovely afternoon´s and evenings´ever. It was the house of our chaperone Alejandro´s friends who lives there and works as a fisherman. Where he lives looks like he lives on a lake, but within a few hours the sea´s tide goes down to reveal the land underneath. Sidenote: Really cool to watch the transformation.: Then, as we waited for lunch to be prepaired, we took out his sea kayaks and kayaked around in the calm, ocean water. It was a beautiful day, and Peter and I decided it was apt for swimming. So, we stripped down and swam in the cold cold water. It was awesome. Then, we all headed back to eat this traditional meal of seafood, potatoes and other meats called Curanto. BUT, I am not giving this ANY justice. This meal was absolutley incredible. Here´s how it was done:
First, we had a nice big fire with these grapefruit-sized stones in it. After a few hours (yes, it took forever!) we took out the wood so only the stones remained, and then poured all ofthe fresh seafood over them to cook along with the other ingredients, chicken, pork and potatoes. All fresh and without any seasoning or anything... THEN, we covered the elements with HUGE leafs from the forest, and put bread on top of them to cook as well. THEN we covered the bread with the grassy part of earth dug up from the yard. At the end, it looked like a big pile of sod with steam coming out of it. Then, we waited. And drank wine. And shared stories. And played the guitar. and sat in bliss. Then, it was ready and time to unveil what would be one of (if not THE) best meals I have ever eaten. Although there were about 10 of us, we hardly made a dent in this food. There was so much of it! but, damn, was it good.
After we finished and hung out more, we eventually went back to our hostel. Well, the others did. I went with Peter and Alejandro to the local school gymnasium to watch their rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar. yea.
Then, we went back, ate MORE seafood, drank MORE wine, and eventually went out to a bar. The night ended in the morning; after one real bar and one speak-easy-style Heavy Metal bar (complete wiht gargoyles and passed-out dude on the floor).
Sunday: In the morning, we went to visit the first Modern Art museum in Chile! It was really cool, and I "choreographed" an improvisational piece representing the ledgends of the Island. Then, we slowly made our way back, and eventually got on a plane to come back to Valpo. We didn´t arrive till about 2 AM on Monday morning, and due to my not-so-riggorous school schedule, I was able to sleep all day and not miss any classes.
Wow, so.... Back now, and am planning on staying in one place for a while. Also:::::Today I went to a place that does FREE MODERN DANCE WORKSHOPS!!!!!!!!! There is an audition on the 27, and I am super stoked to DANCE! wohoooooooooooo!
So, thats the news. Now off to an asado,and a hat party! :) Happy April!
chau chau!
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