Here are some fun things you can try for New Year's:
- Yellow underwear: good luck in life
- Red underwear: Good luck in love
- Lentils in the pocket at midnight: brings money for next year
- Carry a suitcase/passport if you would like to travel.
- Drink a glass of champaign with some jewelry inside.
- Eat 12 grapes with the 12 chimes of the clock and a wish for each month
- Bread with wheat stalk (don't eat the wheat stalk) means prosperity
- Jump over a bucket full of water (means you will cross the ocean)
- 3 potatoes in a plastic bag. 1 of those fully peeled (meaning very little money coming next year), 1 randomly peeled (means average amount of money), 1 not peeled at all (means good money coming). Each person picks a potato from the bag to see what type of money you should expect for next year.
No one knew of something for luck in jobs, but I'm sure if you carry a job listing page or something symbolizing work/job.
Hope this helps and you can try something new for this year!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
This is not me on my soap box I swear!!!
It has been a while since I have had an actual post about my life here and with the holidays coming up I thought a "Christmas Card" review would be a nice way to finish out the year on my blog.
Diego and I have been working at Presence together for a little over two months now and things are pretty good. For a while I was a little frustrated with my job simply because I was searching for things to do and the difference of opinion to some of the corrections are made- my boss' Harvard style vs my more simple and understandable style. But it is much better now...I think we have found a happy medium and we are working things out as we go. Anyway, I'm not going to lie I LOVE being busy at work. I actually become quite obsessed and people around me are shocked because I look "tan seria" or "so serious". There is never a rush on finishing things, but I still work quickly. Luckily, I don't have the same pressure that Diego has. Since he is in support normally if there is a problem then it needed to be fixed yesterday so there is a lot of stress that comes with his job.
Diego and I are also doing well....we have come to the conclusion that the "honeymoon" part of being together again after so much time apart has faded, but we are working through it. I have to give him credit, I was very VERY difficult to live with for a few weeks there during the Thanksgiving holidays and after. But I feel like myself again- not sweating the little stuff and laughing instead of bitching when things go wrong. It's funny all the little things you learn about each other and the give and take on how to deal with things that really annoy you. So far so good- we just can't lose our sense of humor!
The weather is starting to get a little better which has been great. It still rains almost every day but now it rains a little less and we keep the sun and blue skies longer during the day. It feels weird to be here during Christmas...kind of like visiting Florida during Christmas time. There are lights everywhere and you feel the holiday spirit, but it's just not as strong as when you have cold weather and snuggle up in a blanket with hot chocolate (with a little big of eggnog in it) and watch White Christmas. I have become quite the eggnog maker....the problem is that I have now figured out that if I know how to make it, it doesn't have to be a seasonal drink. For those who don't know, I can drink eggnog like a fish drinks water.
We have had up decorations since a little before Thanksgiving and I put pictures on facebook....but more should be coming. I have to give Colombia credit...they do have a certain flare for decorations, however, individuals (not businesses and building so much) seem to love blinking lights and I mean blinking lights on crack....like crazy blinking lights....but I digress. The Cable (business/shopping district outside of the centro) where I work has the most beautiful display of lights in a little park are. Diego and I are planning to go there and take pictures this week (ahem but someone continues to work late). At the factory where I taught my English class, they had lights everywhere of flowers and flamingos and tropical birds. An interesting change and I respect it considering that is what much of Colombia experiences during Christmas. Why should they be putting up decorations of snow and pine trees if that's not what they know?
Another Christmas topic is one of thanks. Diego and I have already received "gifts" from family and we cannot tell you how much we appreciate it. We will post pictures of some things we buy using the money given (nice shelving unit for the wall, a nice clock for the family room, diploma frames, etc). We also went out to eat using some Christmas money at a DELICIOUS restaurant where I ordered the most excellent lamb with a blue cheese sauce (pictures on facebook).
Diego and I LOVE food (not that anyone can't tell), but we try to stay money conscious and stick to going out once maybe twice a week, but normally to cheaper restaurants. Diego and I are so into food (and also cheap) that we crashed a Christmas party for a company of about 600 people. We got a half bottle of rum and 2 plate of lechona out of it. Remember lechona (which is delicious) is the food that is stuffed inside a pig including rice, meat, and peas and cooked. So when you see the pig, it looks like it got a good tan, but is missing it's back half.
With Christmas and New Year's coming up, I will have a lot of new experiences. Christmas will be just Diego and I, because it's not really safe to drive on the roads between cities with all the landslides so we can't go visit his parents. It will be strange for me, because I am used to be surrounded by the family but to be honest it feels easier than Thanksgiving did. We are trying to mix some traditions together (Diego has never opened presents on Christmas morning) and trying to come up with different things to do to make sure that it feels special. New Years should be a LOT of fun. Colombians have a lot of traditions which I will post before New Years so you all can take part in them if you like.
I think that will be all for now. I will post pictures on the blog later, but you can also look on facebook. There are some fun ones from a Bachelorette party that I threw with the girls from the office- I couldn't put up any of the pictures with our "special poster" where we played pin the penis on the naked man. But there is a good picture of everyone staring at something hard but you can't see what!
Happy Holidays everyone!!!!
Diego and I have been working at Presence together for a little over two months now and things are pretty good. For a while I was a little frustrated with my job simply because I was searching for things to do and the difference of opinion to some of the corrections are made- my boss' Harvard style vs my more simple and understandable style. But it is much better now...I think we have found a happy medium and we are working things out as we go. Anyway, I'm not going to lie I LOVE being busy at work. I actually become quite obsessed and people around me are shocked because I look "tan seria" or "so serious". There is never a rush on finishing things, but I still work quickly. Luckily, I don't have the same pressure that Diego has. Since he is in support normally if there is a problem then it needed to be fixed yesterday so there is a lot of stress that comes with his job.
Diego and I are also doing well....we have come to the conclusion that the "honeymoon" part of being together again after so much time apart has faded, but we are working through it. I have to give him credit, I was very VERY difficult to live with for a few weeks there during the Thanksgiving holidays and after. But I feel like myself again- not sweating the little stuff and laughing instead of bitching when things go wrong. It's funny all the little things you learn about each other and the give and take on how to deal with things that really annoy you. So far so good- we just can't lose our sense of humor!
The weather is starting to get a little better which has been great. It still rains almost every day but now it rains a little less and we keep the sun and blue skies longer during the day. It feels weird to be here during Christmas...kind of like visiting Florida during Christmas time. There are lights everywhere and you feel the holiday spirit, but it's just not as strong as when you have cold weather and snuggle up in a blanket with hot chocolate (with a little big of eggnog in it) and watch White Christmas. I have become quite the eggnog maker....the problem is that I have now figured out that if I know how to make it, it doesn't have to be a seasonal drink. For those who don't know, I can drink eggnog like a fish drinks water.
We have had up decorations since a little before Thanksgiving and I put pictures on facebook....but more should be coming. I have to give Colombia credit...they do have a certain flare for decorations, however, individuals (not businesses and building so much) seem to love blinking lights and I mean blinking lights on crack....like crazy blinking lights....but I digress. The Cable (business/shopping district outside of the centro) where I work has the most beautiful display of lights in a little park are. Diego and I are planning to go there and take pictures this week (ahem but someone continues to work late). At the factory where I taught my English class, they had lights everywhere of flowers and flamingos and tropical birds. An interesting change and I respect it considering that is what much of Colombia experiences during Christmas. Why should they be putting up decorations of snow and pine trees if that's not what they know?
Another Christmas topic is one of thanks. Diego and I have already received "gifts" from family and we cannot tell you how much we appreciate it. We will post pictures of some things we buy using the money given (nice shelving unit for the wall, a nice clock for the family room, diploma frames, etc). We also went out to eat using some Christmas money at a DELICIOUS restaurant where I ordered the most excellent lamb with a blue cheese sauce (pictures on facebook).
Diego and I LOVE food (not that anyone can't tell), but we try to stay money conscious and stick to going out once maybe twice a week, but normally to cheaper restaurants. Diego and I are so into food (and also cheap) that we crashed a Christmas party for a company of about 600 people. We got a half bottle of rum and 2 plate of lechona out of it. Remember lechona (which is delicious) is the food that is stuffed inside a pig including rice, meat, and peas and cooked. So when you see the pig, it looks like it got a good tan, but is missing it's back half.
With Christmas and New Year's coming up, I will have a lot of new experiences. Christmas will be just Diego and I, because it's not really safe to drive on the roads between cities with all the landslides so we can't go visit his parents. It will be strange for me, because I am used to be surrounded by the family but to be honest it feels easier than Thanksgiving did. We are trying to mix some traditions together (Diego has never opened presents on Christmas morning) and trying to come up with different things to do to make sure that it feels special. New Years should be a LOT of fun. Colombians have a lot of traditions which I will post before New Years so you all can take part in them if you like.
I think that will be all for now. I will post pictures on the blog later, but you can also look on facebook. There are some fun ones from a Bachelorette party that I threw with the girls from the office- I couldn't put up any of the pictures with our "special poster" where we played pin the penis on the naked man. But there is a good picture of everyone staring at something hard but you can't see what!
Happy Holidays everyone!!!!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A Reasonable (and Calm) Look at a Controversy
Anyone who checked out my facebook account on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week probably saw a heated debate between 2 of my friends and myself. Some saw it as too intense.....most saw it as passionate people arguing over a very controversial issue. Each person is entitled to their own opinion and most of the time I can understand why people come to the conclusions that they do. I would like to present my argument against the new procedures...hopefully in a way that doesn´t seem offensive or too intense since I have had time to think about it some more.
I would like to state that I am NOT against advancements or enhancements to security for airports. I simply do not wish to trade my dignity and 4th amendment rights for a false sense of security.
Before going over my objections and concerns about the ¨enhanced¨ security, I would like you to keep something in mind. One airport has not been breached since 2002 and is not exactly in the safest part of the world to put it mildly. Security lines normally last only about 30 minutes. They do not use X-Ray vision machines or feel your intimate body parts The screeners at the Ben Gurion airport in Israel make eye contact with every passenger and ask them simple questions, watching to see how the person behaves rather than peeking at what’s on their body. How much would it cost to train TSOs compared to the $170,000 price tag of EACH machine and many larger airports have 5-10 machines.
Recent Attacks & Attempts
To start, I would like to examine the attacks and attempts in the post 9-11 world since that expression is so popular with supporters of the new procedures. First, 9-11 terrorists did not use any type of bomb device...they used box cutters or knives. Clearly for those type of things to make it through security was a sign of the lack of security we had and we immediately incorporated new security features to improve the situation.
What about attacks after 9-11? Arguably there have been two major terrorist acts since 9-11: Madrid and London. Both of those attacks happened on subways inside a city. Should we expect the same security procedures to take place on a daily basis in order to get on a subway or train. I´m sure people of Chicago or even NY would have something to say about that. These attacks also show that air transportation is not the main focus for terrorist groups.
What about recent attempts in aircraft that were not successful. Well, in the last few months we have seen attempted bombs make their way through boxes and packages like in the case of the London plane headed for the US- not on a person. Even today, a news story about a suitcase was found with bomb-like features in Germany- not on a person. I have also read news stories about bombs being sewn into animals which were foiled simply because the surgery was so bad, but the method could have worked- not on a person. These are just a few examples of how even if attacks are planned on a plane, the new invasive procedures could not catch them because they have nothing to do with people and try to avoid anything to do with people.
Ways Around It
While the new procedures are able to see better what is under our clothing and on our bodies, it cannot see what is IN our bodies. The press that the new procedures have gotten will certainly have alerted and prevented any prospective terrorists from trying to hide anything on the outside of the body. Without being too grotesque, there is enough room in the orphases of our body that could easily pass through the new security features. Why do I need to be violated if something can get through so easily? I am not saying that these machines or pat downs are not effective for finding things on the outside of the body, but it wouldn´t take much to find something small enough yet effective enough to do some damage that can be inserted inside the body. Not to mention the other options above that completely avoid the new procedures.
I do not think terrorists are un-intelligent. They are misguided or angry or maybe even being forced to act in that way, but they being a terrorist doesn´t qualify them as stupid. Innovation is just as natural to them as Internet hackers and the products people sell to protect you from them. It is a never ending game of advancing the tactics except in the case of airport safety, the ¨protection¨ from the terrorists is very personal and very invasive.
How Far Can It Go
That brings me to my next point. Some people say that the new procedures are not that invasive or they are worth it to keep us safe. But I have to ask.....where is the line? If orphases, dogs and cats, and who knows what else are the next phase in planting bombs, what are we going to be subjected to next. Stronger X-Rays to see in the body? More thorough manual searches? At what point will it stop becoming more invasive. Remember 9 years ago when we couldn't go the gates anymore? We were disappointed, but we understood. Remember when we started to have to take our shoes off and throw away our water bottles? We were annoyed and maybe a little disgusted to walk barefoot at the airport, but we understood. Remember when we didn´t have too worry about every single bottle of liquid that we were carrying? It was nice, but all of the changes since 9-11 were understandable. We slowly changed the system so that we were safer. None of these changes however involved invading our personal space, modesty, or took away our right of being innocent (and being treated innocently) until proven guilty. They all were things outside of our body that did not expose us in a derogatory way to any person or persons.
Untrained/Unprofessional TSOs
Part of the problem with the new procedures that include firm touching of the hands and fingers to the genitals and breasts along with clear scans of our bodies is that the TSOs are not always the most professional and well-trained employees possible. I have read articles (which always must be taken with a grain of salt), where a teenage passenger heard the scanner operator tell the operator on the computer (in another room) ¨We got a real looker coming through.¨ That normally would not offend anyone if someone wasn´t looking at our naked bodies. Those two employees could have easily talked about her after work....about her naked body.
Another story which originally did not get any press, but currently is resurfacing is about the TSA employee, Negrin, who attacked a fellow employee Osorno after months of derogatory and humiliating comments about his genital region. It was during training and Negrin went through the machine while Osorno and other agents were examining the computer screen. In this case, they clearly knew one another which is not normally the case, but it still shows that the people operating the machines or performing intimate searches of their body are not always mature professional people that I can trust not to humiliate me.
Modesty
I am religious person and around family and close friends I am not the most modest person, but I am very in regard to what people see of me or feel of my body when they don´t know me. I don´t even like it when the doctor (male of female) has to give me a breast exam or something as simple as feeling on my belly. I don´t like people touching me or looking at me in an exposed way....regardless of the circumstances. I guess I am more modest when I am the one being exposed to a person that is not exposed at all. The locker room or beach isn´t as bad (though I try to keep decently covered), because everyone that is there is at the same level of exposure. It´s multi-directional rather than solely directed at me.
I have been traveling a lot lately and I have found that I love traveling in dresses because they are typically loose fitting and comfortable, but still look nice. Sometimes I wear very thin leggings and sometimes I don´t. The scanning machines have more difficulties with loose fitting clothing since sometimes the overlap of material can block the radiation from your skin, therefore, appearing as if you have something. So after you have submitted yourself to being looked at, you must now be groped to make sure whatever it was is nothing harmful. Someone´s hands will be firmly rubbing up and down my legs and along my groin with as little as a thin pair of underwear. I know some defenders of the procedure would just say ¨Don´t wear that kind of outfit,¨ but (not including a thick pair of jeans) I think most material would allow too much to be felt along your private areas.
Americans don´t even like to touch each other on the arm or leg while in public areas. From the day we are born, we are taught to not touch each other. Think back to 1st grade when the teacher constantly reminds children to sit at their own desk and leave the other students alone. Or your mother telling you not to touch strangers when in line at the grocery store or hell not to let strangers touch you in your private areas. I know when I was in grade school we had multiple presentations about ¨Stranger Danger¨ and inappropriate touching. It´s hard to be raised in a culture like that and suddenly be told that the areas your significant other or doctors are normally the only ones to touch will now be looked at or touched by strangers.
Criminal
I have never been convicted of a crime. I have never been arrested. I have never even had a traffic violation. I am not a criminal. The new procedures to me are equivalent to what criminals are put through. An intense pat down including genital areas are performed by policemen on people suspected of carrying drugs or weapons....this is done when they have good cause to believe that person has something on them. Before a person goes to jail and while they are in jail, a strip search is done to ensure no weapons or drugs are being hidden....once again because they are either convicted criminals or enough evidence has been found to show that they could be dangerous in one way or another.
Why should it be that anyone who wants to fly home for the holidays should be the equivalent to a criminal. Many people would say that if you don´t want to be safe and go through the new security features, then don´t fly. Well, my friend Dustin had an excellent response to that "don't fly if you're scared of flying." I do not have a choice in the matter. It has been a few years since the last ocean liner made passenger journeys across the Atlantic from the US to the UK. There is one ocean liner in existence Queen Mary which is mainly used for cruises. If I want to go home, I have to fly. If I fly, I have to be subjected to some type of procedure that I personally find humiliating.
Skin Cancer
I would first like to say that most worries about cancer in regard to the radiation used are overstated. I know that. However, radiologists and oncologists have both said that there are cases when radiation even in small doses could (not will) affect some (not all) people. I am not trying to scare anyone into thinking the imaging machines will affect everyone, most people, or even a lot of people. But the question I have to ask is, if the hundreds of millions of people who travel every year ( I read 800 million) go through the scanning machines and .001% of them are affected by them (because of bad genes or whatever reason) that is 800,000 people. That is a thousandth of 1%. Is that percentage to high? What about .00001% that still amounts to 8,000 people----that is one billionth of a percentage which I´m sure is significantly smaller than what the FDA would require for the machines to be considered safe. There were less than 8,000 people killed on 9-11.
If anyone has the FDA report which explains the possible side effects of the machines, please send it to me. I do like to be well-informed.
General feelings about 4th Amendment Rights (and a little with 1st Amendment)
Finally, I have to address the infringement by the new procedure on my rights as a citizen. When it comes to American rights, laws, and the constitution, I know (as well if not maybe a little better) than the average American. I do not pretend to be a lawyer or well versed in court cases that would show precedence in this area so anyone that has knowledge on this subject please let me know.
¨The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.¨
I am sometimes very annoyed or frustrated by the American government, American policies, and sometimes Americans themselves, but I love being American. I have rights as an American citizen that give me a sense of pride and security, both of which are taken from me by the use of these new procedures. I am not proud that we are now that the majority of Americans have been ¨terrified¨ enough to allow images of their naked bodies to be taken or allow inappropriate touching of their bodies simply to get on a plane. I do not feel secure that these machines or pat downs will do what people expect they can do. I do not feel secure that my rights as an American won´t continue to be taken away.
I have the right to be secure my person and my belongings unless someone has probable cause to search me or my belongings. Trying to board a plane to go home or to go to work does not give them probable cause to violate my person. I was more than willing to give some room within the amendment especially with my belongings- having my bags X-rayed or opened and examined. I was willing to take off my shoes or be lightly patted if necessary when it came to my actual person. But my body- undressed or intimately touched and examined? That is too far. That is too much.
I am not one of those people who refuse to accept there are limits on the Bill of Rights or that they were made at a different time and therefore different needs needed to be satisfied (the 2nd amendment comes to mind). But we do have them for a reason and we need to protect them and ourselves from unfair violations. I refuse to continue down this road of sacrificing our freedom and dignity for safety.
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Benjamin Franklin An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania. (1759)
On a final side note....I have now fixed the setting where anyone can comment on the actual blog without being a member. I didn't realize I had checked the wrong option.
I would like to state that I am NOT against advancements or enhancements to security for airports. I simply do not wish to trade my dignity and 4th amendment rights for a false sense of security.
Before going over my objections and concerns about the ¨enhanced¨ security, I would like you to keep something in mind. One airport has not been breached since 2002 and is not exactly in the safest part of the world to put it mildly. Security lines normally last only about 30 minutes. They do not use X-Ray vision machines or feel your intimate body parts The screeners at the Ben Gurion airport in Israel make eye contact with every passenger and ask them simple questions, watching to see how the person behaves rather than peeking at what’s on their body. How much would it cost to train TSOs compared to the $170,000 price tag of EACH machine and many larger airports have 5-10 machines.
Recent Attacks & Attempts
To start, I would like to examine the attacks and attempts in the post 9-11 world since that expression is so popular with supporters of the new procedures. First, 9-11 terrorists did not use any type of bomb device...they used box cutters or knives. Clearly for those type of things to make it through security was a sign of the lack of security we had and we immediately incorporated new security features to improve the situation.
What about attacks after 9-11? Arguably there have been two major terrorist acts since 9-11: Madrid and London. Both of those attacks happened on subways inside a city. Should we expect the same security procedures to take place on a daily basis in order to get on a subway or train. I´m sure people of Chicago or even NY would have something to say about that. These attacks also show that air transportation is not the main focus for terrorist groups.
What about recent attempts in aircraft that were not successful. Well, in the last few months we have seen attempted bombs make their way through boxes and packages like in the case of the London plane headed for the US- not on a person. Even today, a news story about a suitcase was found with bomb-like features in Germany- not on a person. I have also read news stories about bombs being sewn into animals which were foiled simply because the surgery was so bad, but the method could have worked- not on a person. These are just a few examples of how even if attacks are planned on a plane, the new invasive procedures could not catch them because they have nothing to do with people and try to avoid anything to do with people.
Ways Around It
While the new procedures are able to see better what is under our clothing and on our bodies, it cannot see what is IN our bodies. The press that the new procedures have gotten will certainly have alerted and prevented any prospective terrorists from trying to hide anything on the outside of the body. Without being too grotesque, there is enough room in the orphases of our body that could easily pass through the new security features. Why do I need to be violated if something can get through so easily? I am not saying that these machines or pat downs are not effective for finding things on the outside of the body, but it wouldn´t take much to find something small enough yet effective enough to do some damage that can be inserted inside the body. Not to mention the other options above that completely avoid the new procedures.
I do not think terrorists are un-intelligent. They are misguided or angry or maybe even being forced to act in that way, but they being a terrorist doesn´t qualify them as stupid. Innovation is just as natural to them as Internet hackers and the products people sell to protect you from them. It is a never ending game of advancing the tactics except in the case of airport safety, the ¨protection¨ from the terrorists is very personal and very invasive.
How Far Can It Go
That brings me to my next point. Some people say that the new procedures are not that invasive or they are worth it to keep us safe. But I have to ask.....where is the line? If orphases, dogs and cats, and who knows what else are the next phase in planting bombs, what are we going to be subjected to next. Stronger X-Rays to see in the body? More thorough manual searches? At what point will it stop becoming more invasive. Remember 9 years ago when we couldn't go the gates anymore? We were disappointed, but we understood. Remember when we started to have to take our shoes off and throw away our water bottles? We were annoyed and maybe a little disgusted to walk barefoot at the airport, but we understood. Remember when we didn´t have too worry about every single bottle of liquid that we were carrying? It was nice, but all of the changes since 9-11 were understandable. We slowly changed the system so that we were safer. None of these changes however involved invading our personal space, modesty, or took away our right of being innocent (and being treated innocently) until proven guilty. They all were things outside of our body that did not expose us in a derogatory way to any person or persons.
Untrained/Unprofessional TSOs
Part of the problem with the new procedures that include firm touching of the hands and fingers to the genitals and breasts along with clear scans of our bodies is that the TSOs are not always the most professional and well-trained employees possible. I have read articles (which always must be taken with a grain of salt), where a teenage passenger heard the scanner operator tell the operator on the computer (in another room) ¨We got a real looker coming through.¨ That normally would not offend anyone if someone wasn´t looking at our naked bodies. Those two employees could have easily talked about her after work....about her naked body.
Another story which originally did not get any press, but currently is resurfacing is about the TSA employee, Negrin, who attacked a fellow employee Osorno after months of derogatory and humiliating comments about his genital region. It was during training and Negrin went through the machine while Osorno and other agents were examining the computer screen. In this case, they clearly knew one another which is not normally the case, but it still shows that the people operating the machines or performing intimate searches of their body are not always mature professional people that I can trust not to humiliate me.
Modesty
I am religious person and around family and close friends I am not the most modest person, but I am very in regard to what people see of me or feel of my body when they don´t know me. I don´t even like it when the doctor (male of female) has to give me a breast exam or something as simple as feeling on my belly. I don´t like people touching me or looking at me in an exposed way....regardless of the circumstances. I guess I am more modest when I am the one being exposed to a person that is not exposed at all. The locker room or beach isn´t as bad (though I try to keep decently covered), because everyone that is there is at the same level of exposure. It´s multi-directional rather than solely directed at me.
I have been traveling a lot lately and I have found that I love traveling in dresses because they are typically loose fitting and comfortable, but still look nice. Sometimes I wear very thin leggings and sometimes I don´t. The scanning machines have more difficulties with loose fitting clothing since sometimes the overlap of material can block the radiation from your skin, therefore, appearing as if you have something. So after you have submitted yourself to being looked at, you must now be groped to make sure whatever it was is nothing harmful. Someone´s hands will be firmly rubbing up and down my legs and along my groin with as little as a thin pair of underwear. I know some defenders of the procedure would just say ¨Don´t wear that kind of outfit,¨ but (not including a thick pair of jeans) I think most material would allow too much to be felt along your private areas.
Americans don´t even like to touch each other on the arm or leg while in public areas. From the day we are born, we are taught to not touch each other. Think back to 1st grade when the teacher constantly reminds children to sit at their own desk and leave the other students alone. Or your mother telling you not to touch strangers when in line at the grocery store or hell not to let strangers touch you in your private areas. I know when I was in grade school we had multiple presentations about ¨Stranger Danger¨ and inappropriate touching. It´s hard to be raised in a culture like that and suddenly be told that the areas your significant other or doctors are normally the only ones to touch will now be looked at or touched by strangers.
Criminal
I have never been convicted of a crime. I have never been arrested. I have never even had a traffic violation. I am not a criminal. The new procedures to me are equivalent to what criminals are put through. An intense pat down including genital areas are performed by policemen on people suspected of carrying drugs or weapons....this is done when they have good cause to believe that person has something on them. Before a person goes to jail and while they are in jail, a strip search is done to ensure no weapons or drugs are being hidden....once again because they are either convicted criminals or enough evidence has been found to show that they could be dangerous in one way or another.
Why should it be that anyone who wants to fly home for the holidays should be the equivalent to a criminal. Many people would say that if you don´t want to be safe and go through the new security features, then don´t fly. Well, my friend Dustin had an excellent response to that "don't fly if you're scared of flying." I do not have a choice in the matter. It has been a few years since the last ocean liner made passenger journeys across the Atlantic from the US to the UK. There is one ocean liner in existence Queen Mary which is mainly used for cruises. If I want to go home, I have to fly. If I fly, I have to be subjected to some type of procedure that I personally find humiliating.
Skin Cancer
I would first like to say that most worries about cancer in regard to the radiation used are overstated. I know that. However, radiologists and oncologists have both said that there are cases when radiation even in small doses could (not will) affect some (not all) people. I am not trying to scare anyone into thinking the imaging machines will affect everyone, most people, or even a lot of people. But the question I have to ask is, if the hundreds of millions of people who travel every year ( I read 800 million) go through the scanning machines and .001% of them are affected by them (because of bad genes or whatever reason) that is 800,000 people. That is a thousandth of 1%. Is that percentage to high? What about .00001% that still amounts to 8,000 people----that is one billionth of a percentage which I´m sure is significantly smaller than what the FDA would require for the machines to be considered safe. There were less than 8,000 people killed on 9-11.
If anyone has the FDA report which explains the possible side effects of the machines, please send it to me. I do like to be well-informed.
General feelings about 4th Amendment Rights (and a little with 1st Amendment)
Finally, I have to address the infringement by the new procedure on my rights as a citizen. When it comes to American rights, laws, and the constitution, I know (as well if not maybe a little better) than the average American. I do not pretend to be a lawyer or well versed in court cases that would show precedence in this area so anyone that has knowledge on this subject please let me know.
¨The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.¨
I am sometimes very annoyed or frustrated by the American government, American policies, and sometimes Americans themselves, but I love being American. I have rights as an American citizen that give me a sense of pride and security, both of which are taken from me by the use of these new procedures. I am not proud that we are now that the majority of Americans have been ¨terrified¨ enough to allow images of their naked bodies to be taken or allow inappropriate touching of their bodies simply to get on a plane. I do not feel secure that these machines or pat downs will do what people expect they can do. I do not feel secure that my rights as an American won´t continue to be taken away.
I have the right to be secure my person and my belongings unless someone has probable cause to search me or my belongings. Trying to board a plane to go home or to go to work does not give them probable cause to violate my person. I was more than willing to give some room within the amendment especially with my belongings- having my bags X-rayed or opened and examined. I was willing to take off my shoes or be lightly patted if necessary when it came to my actual person. But my body- undressed or intimately touched and examined? That is too far. That is too much.
I am not one of those people who refuse to accept there are limits on the Bill of Rights or that they were made at a different time and therefore different needs needed to be satisfied (the 2nd amendment comes to mind). But we do have them for a reason and we need to protect them and ourselves from unfair violations. I refuse to continue down this road of sacrificing our freedom and dignity for safety.
Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
Benjamin Franklin An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania. (1759)
On a final side note....I have now fixed the setting where anyone can comment on the actual blog without being a member. I didn't realize I had checked the wrong option.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
6 Ways to Prevent Vomiting on a 5 Hour Mountain Bus Ride
Diego and I went to Ibague again last weekend for Nata´s (his sister´s) birthday. (Special shout out to Michelle and Nata for celebrating their birthdays on the 15th!) In order to get to Ibague we have to travel by bus (mini-bus about 15-20 people) on roads that have sharp turns every 50-150ft.....aka A LOT!!! Back and forth, back and forth! After experiencing some stomach issues, I have developed 6 ways to prevent vomiting.
1) Be careful what you eat that morning. Hot chocolate with ham and cheese tastes delicious yes, but it is not recommended if you would like to keep it in your stomach.
2) Sit forward in the seat. Regardless of the fact that you might get lucky and have 2 seats to yourself, you need to face forward. In my mind facing to the side should seem easier on your stomach.....it´s not. I guess we are accustomed to sitting forward.....I recommend you stick with that.
3) Sit up in the seat. Although we like to be lazy and slouch, sitting straight up in your seat utilizes the force of gravity. It will be much harder for stomach contents to rise if they must fight the stongest gravitational pool possilbe.
4) Try to find something in the distance to stare at. This can be difficult considering you are more than likely next to a mountain with things passing very quickly and turns preventing finding a spot in the distance to stare at. But do try. Staring out the window on the side where the mountain is will make you very sick very quickly.
4.A Sit on the side of the bus that is not on the side of the mountain. Or switch seats so that you have something to stare at that isn´t 3 ft away.
5) Be VERY careful when you feel that you have to burp. Burping can be necessary from all the ups and downs of mountain driving....but you could get a little surprise.
6) Finally, pray to god that there will be a semi truck in front of you so that the bus driver HAS to go slower. Although you might appreciate getting out of the mountains in record time....trust me, it´s better to take more time without such quick turns!
1) Be careful what you eat that morning. Hot chocolate with ham and cheese tastes delicious yes, but it is not recommended if you would like to keep it in your stomach.
2) Sit forward in the seat. Regardless of the fact that you might get lucky and have 2 seats to yourself, you need to face forward. In my mind facing to the side should seem easier on your stomach.....it´s not. I guess we are accustomed to sitting forward.....I recommend you stick with that.
3) Sit up in the seat. Although we like to be lazy and slouch, sitting straight up in your seat utilizes the force of gravity. It will be much harder for stomach contents to rise if they must fight the stongest gravitational pool possilbe.
4) Try to find something in the distance to stare at. This can be difficult considering you are more than likely next to a mountain with things passing very quickly and turns preventing finding a spot in the distance to stare at. But do try. Staring out the window on the side where the mountain is will make you very sick very quickly.
4.A Sit on the side of the bus that is not on the side of the mountain. Or switch seats so that you have something to stare at that isn´t 3 ft away.
5) Be VERY careful when you feel that you have to burp. Burping can be necessary from all the ups and downs of mountain driving....but you could get a little surprise.
6) Finally, pray to god that there will be a semi truck in front of you so that the bus driver HAS to go slower. Although you might appreciate getting out of the mountains in record time....trust me, it´s better to take more time without such quick turns!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I love the funny little things about culture!
So over the last few weeks I have noticed/verified a few more things that are typical here in Colombia that make me smile. Sometimes I think it's weird and sometimes I think it's genius, but I always smile!
I have mentioned some things before like showers, drinks, and having a portero. Colombians have a social rule that you MUST take a shower in the morning. Diego told me kids get made fun of if they don´t and I thought maybe he was lied to as a kid so that he would take showers in the morning.....but no I asked other people in the office and they all said the same thing. I also mentioned that generally drinks with meals are only drunk after the meal is finished. I can´t quite adapt to that especially depending on the type of food I am eating. And finally, sometimes I am locked inside my apartment building because I have to wait for the portero (doorman) to unlock the door for me. Diego is supposed to be making a copy of the building door key, but I have yet to get one.
First, there is a different way of pointing down here. All of us have had are parents tell us at one time or another that we are not supposed to point (especially in church). Colombians have found a way around that. For the most part they point, not with there hands, but with there lips!!!! It's a little funny to watch....but it is a more subtle way to point. They also sometimes use a combination of eye and head movement which Diego likes to do a lot. He looks at me then looks and nods toward a specific spot. At first, you might think it's a little bossy or weird, but it's all done so nicely that it feels fine after you get used to it.
Second, Colombians make the bed weird!!!! Hehehehe!!!! This is something Diego and I "discuss" often. Colombians, in general, like to align the bottom of the sheets and blankets exactly at the bottom edge of the bed. So your toes can easily lose the blankets and be exposed to the cold air. Diego thinks that I am trapping his feet by tucking in the sheets and blanket at the bottom of the bed, but I just want to make sure our feet stay covered. It makes sense that they wouldn't want to tuck the sheets and blankets, most of the country is in warm, hot, or at least mild temperatures at night.....they don't need to keep out the "cold, night air" like we do in the US and other parts of the world.
As you know I started my new job 2 weeks ago and I was quite shocked when I discovered they have a señora that works at the office all day. She cleans the place which isn´t that strange, but she also serves us water, coffee, or tea and does the dishes as well. It´s quite strange being waited on at work. I do have to watch out that she doesn´t pick up my coffee cup until after I have finished it (especially if it is from the restaurant across the street and I paid for it). Can you imagine being waited on at work? It takes getting used to, because she cleans around you while you are working so for people who like their space and want to be left alone it´s a little difficult.
This next one is pretty funny. So Manizales is mainly one long main street that goes from my side of town to the centro (not actually the center of town). The main street has two lanes for each direction and is normally very busy since there are businesses or apartments that line the entire street. Apparently anyone may stop their car, go in reverse, park, and do god knows what else as long as their hazard lights are on. It´s quite funny to see sometimes because there are dozens of busses that run on that road constantly starting and stopping in the right lane along with taxis. So to see these people parking their cars in the lane like it´s no issue whatsoever is quite funny. So remember, hazard lights allow you to do ANYTHING you want while driving!
A not so large thing, but still quite funny is that everyone here (taxi drivers, store personnel, etc) always asks me how I handle the cold.....like it is really really cold here. I would like to point out it probably hasn´t been below 50F at any point in time here (night included). What I don´t seem to understand is how they don´t say anything about the rain!!! It rains everyday!!! I guess in time I will probably start to feel the cold like they do....but I don´t know if I can ignore the rain like they can.
So last weekend Diego and I went to my very first professional football (soccer) game. It was absolutely AMAZING. I will talk about that more in another blog, but one thing I will mention in this one is that Colombians show displeasure very strangely to me......it actually is quite the opposite of what I would do. Everytime they show displeasure (not including direct insults though yelling) it sounds to me like they are being positive! For example, at the football game there was one player on the opposing team that used to play for the home team.....every time he touched the ball the entire stadium would whistle. Like Dad´s whistle when it was time to come in from playing in the neighborhood when we were little. This is not something good....that meant something very bad....they didn´t like him!!!!! Another example is from my trip during spring break. When a theater performance is late in the Colombia, they don´t talk louder or say anything.....they clap! Yes, an entire theater was clapping to get the performers to come on stage! I have to admit there signs of displeasure are quite nicer than ours..........at least to my ears!
Finally and this is COMPLETELY hypothetical for obvious legal reasons, say that you knew someone that could magically take off 10 years on your driver´s license and every other public record. Would you do it? Just a question I would like to throw out there to the cyber world.
I have mentioned some things before like showers, drinks, and having a portero. Colombians have a social rule that you MUST take a shower in the morning. Diego told me kids get made fun of if they don´t and I thought maybe he was lied to as a kid so that he would take showers in the morning.....but no I asked other people in the office and they all said the same thing. I also mentioned that generally drinks with meals are only drunk after the meal is finished. I can´t quite adapt to that especially depending on the type of food I am eating. And finally, sometimes I am locked inside my apartment building because I have to wait for the portero (doorman) to unlock the door for me. Diego is supposed to be making a copy of the building door key, but I have yet to get one.
First, there is a different way of pointing down here. All of us have had are parents tell us at one time or another that we are not supposed to point (especially in church). Colombians have found a way around that. For the most part they point, not with there hands, but with there lips!!!! It's a little funny to watch....but it is a more subtle way to point. They also sometimes use a combination of eye and head movement which Diego likes to do a lot. He looks at me then looks and nods toward a specific spot. At first, you might think it's a little bossy or weird, but it's all done so nicely that it feels fine after you get used to it.
Second, Colombians make the bed weird!!!! Hehehehe!!!! This is something Diego and I "discuss" often. Colombians, in general, like to align the bottom of the sheets and blankets exactly at the bottom edge of the bed. So your toes can easily lose the blankets and be exposed to the cold air. Diego thinks that I am trapping his feet by tucking in the sheets and blanket at the bottom of the bed, but I just want to make sure our feet stay covered. It makes sense that they wouldn't want to tuck the sheets and blankets, most of the country is in warm, hot, or at least mild temperatures at night.....they don't need to keep out the "cold, night air" like we do in the US and other parts of the world.
As you know I started my new job 2 weeks ago and I was quite shocked when I discovered they have a señora that works at the office all day. She cleans the place which isn´t that strange, but she also serves us water, coffee, or tea and does the dishes as well. It´s quite strange being waited on at work. I do have to watch out that she doesn´t pick up my coffee cup until after I have finished it (especially if it is from the restaurant across the street and I paid for it). Can you imagine being waited on at work? It takes getting used to, because she cleans around you while you are working so for people who like their space and want to be left alone it´s a little difficult.
This next one is pretty funny. So Manizales is mainly one long main street that goes from my side of town to the centro (not actually the center of town). The main street has two lanes for each direction and is normally very busy since there are businesses or apartments that line the entire street. Apparently anyone may stop their car, go in reverse, park, and do god knows what else as long as their hazard lights are on. It´s quite funny to see sometimes because there are dozens of busses that run on that road constantly starting and stopping in the right lane along with taxis. So to see these people parking their cars in the lane like it´s no issue whatsoever is quite funny. So remember, hazard lights allow you to do ANYTHING you want while driving!
A not so large thing, but still quite funny is that everyone here (taxi drivers, store personnel, etc) always asks me how I handle the cold.....like it is really really cold here. I would like to point out it probably hasn´t been below 50F at any point in time here (night included). What I don´t seem to understand is how they don´t say anything about the rain!!! It rains everyday!!! I guess in time I will probably start to feel the cold like they do....but I don´t know if I can ignore the rain like they can.
So last weekend Diego and I went to my very first professional football (soccer) game. It was absolutely AMAZING. I will talk about that more in another blog, but one thing I will mention in this one is that Colombians show displeasure very strangely to me......it actually is quite the opposite of what I would do. Everytime they show displeasure (not including direct insults though yelling) it sounds to me like they are being positive! For example, at the football game there was one player on the opposing team that used to play for the home team.....every time he touched the ball the entire stadium would whistle. Like Dad´s whistle when it was time to come in from playing in the neighborhood when we were little. This is not something good....that meant something very bad....they didn´t like him!!!!! Another example is from my trip during spring break. When a theater performance is late in the Colombia, they don´t talk louder or say anything.....they clap! Yes, an entire theater was clapping to get the performers to come on stage! I have to admit there signs of displeasure are quite nicer than ours..........at least to my ears!
Finally and this is COMPLETELY hypothetical for obvious legal reasons, say that you knew someone that could magically take off 10 years on your driver´s license and every other public record. Would you do it? Just a question I would like to throw out there to the cyber world.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Quick Catch-up
So I know that it has been a long time since I last posted....in my defense there has been a lot going on. A trip to Ibague (great fotos of the park on facebook), teaching class at Bata, an eye infection, starting my new job at Presence. It's been a lot to do and I've been too lazy to get on here and write.
I'll start with teaching an English class at a factory called Bata. It is through an English school here in Manizales and I have to admit that I have had a lot of fun with it. I am known as "crazy teacher" (I believe or at least want to believe "crazy" in a good way) and normally have 2-3 students a day. However, there is a total of 9 students in my class so you can imagine how difficult it is to deal with absences and teaching more advanced material if they weren't there for the previous classes. While I like the class it is starting to conflict with my new job....because its from 6:30-7:30 in the morning.
Shortly after starting the class at Bata I developed an eye infection that looked somewhere between pink eye and the puffiness of a black eye. The doctor said it was probably from the same virus that causes chicken pox, but we're not sure. The medicine he gave me worked and it was gone in about a week.....but for that week I felt like the hunchback of notre dame!
Next comes our trip to Ibague to visit Diego's great aunt and see his parents for a little bit. Ibague is a town about 5 hours south of Manizales, only because there is a giant mountain directly between the two....riding the bus was fun. Just imagine driving through the mountains of Colorado (not the nice freeway parts) for 5 hours....it wasn't horrible but it was not possible to sleep from the constant swaying left to right with all the turns. Anyway....my favorite thing about Ibague was the AMAZING park that they have near the centro. Diego and I relaxed for most of the weekend, but we also saw some potential apartments that his parents were looking at. They have since bought an apartment and are in the process of moving from Bogota to Ibague!!! I also ate lechona.....that is what I talked about in my last post. When you have a pig cut in half and stuff with rice and other food....I have to admit it was DELICIOUS!!! I made sure to walk straight to the table so I didn't have to see the pig's face!
The apartment is looking great....we have curtains and other little touches in the living room for color. I feel pretty good about the place. Of course we are slowly working on the "extras" for the kitchen and the rest of the place, but slowly we'll get it together.
Finally, I started my job at Presence this past week!!! I was absolutely terrified to start and it shows. The two or three weeks before I started the job I pretty much ate everything in the apartment so now I am dealing with the aftermath of that. When it comes to the job, I think I am really going to like it. The first few days were rough because I didnt sleep before my first day and then I was obsessing over what I learned the next few days. I feel better now though and I am starting to really understand the software and what it does. If I haven't talked to you personally about the job, I will give you a run down.
The software from Presence (the name of the company) is used by call centers to expedite the process.... more calls can be received or sent out. It includes phone, chat, and email services. I have to admit that the software does a very good job, but I feel sorry for the people who work at call centers that use the software. Some configurations of the software doesn't allow the worker to wipe his/her butt without someone allowing it to happen. Good for the company....harsh for the workers. My job is to translate the manuals, announcements, and actual screen commands to English (File on your internet browser is Archivo in Spanish so I need to change those things from Spanish to English). It' a challenge but its fun!
Diego and I are doing well....We play pool about once a week and go out to eat once and a while just to have some fun. We ate at an amazing sushi restaurant tonight and it was great to have a date night with him. It's not difficult to work with him at Presence, because he is always so busy and we work in different departments that don't have to interact....which I think is better for us.
Anyway, that is enough for now. Just know that we are doing well and are having fun. We do miss the US at times (especially when people talk about the holidays), but we still love to hear from you!!!!
I'll start with teaching an English class at a factory called Bata. It is through an English school here in Manizales and I have to admit that I have had a lot of fun with it. I am known as "crazy teacher" (I believe or at least want to believe "crazy" in a good way) and normally have 2-3 students a day. However, there is a total of 9 students in my class so you can imagine how difficult it is to deal with absences and teaching more advanced material if they weren't there for the previous classes. While I like the class it is starting to conflict with my new job....because its from 6:30-7:30 in the morning.
Shortly after starting the class at Bata I developed an eye infection that looked somewhere between pink eye and the puffiness of a black eye. The doctor said it was probably from the same virus that causes chicken pox, but we're not sure. The medicine he gave me worked and it was gone in about a week.....but for that week I felt like the hunchback of notre dame!
Next comes our trip to Ibague to visit Diego's great aunt and see his parents for a little bit. Ibague is a town about 5 hours south of Manizales, only because there is a giant mountain directly between the two....riding the bus was fun. Just imagine driving through the mountains of Colorado (not the nice freeway parts) for 5 hours....it wasn't horrible but it was not possible to sleep from the constant swaying left to right with all the turns. Anyway....my favorite thing about Ibague was the AMAZING park that they have near the centro. Diego and I relaxed for most of the weekend, but we also saw some potential apartments that his parents were looking at. They have since bought an apartment and are in the process of moving from Bogota to Ibague!!! I also ate lechona.....that is what I talked about in my last post. When you have a pig cut in half and stuff with rice and other food....I have to admit it was DELICIOUS!!! I made sure to walk straight to the table so I didn't have to see the pig's face!
The apartment is looking great....we have curtains and other little touches in the living room for color. I feel pretty good about the place. Of course we are slowly working on the "extras" for the kitchen and the rest of the place, but slowly we'll get it together.
Finally, I started my job at Presence this past week!!! I was absolutely terrified to start and it shows. The two or three weeks before I started the job I pretty much ate everything in the apartment so now I am dealing with the aftermath of that. When it comes to the job, I think I am really going to like it. The first few days were rough because I didnt sleep before my first day and then I was obsessing over what I learned the next few days. I feel better now though and I am starting to really understand the software and what it does. If I haven't talked to you personally about the job, I will give you a run down.
The software from Presence (the name of the company) is used by call centers to expedite the process.... more calls can be received or sent out. It includes phone, chat, and email services. I have to admit that the software does a very good job, but I feel sorry for the people who work at call centers that use the software. Some configurations of the software doesn't allow the worker to wipe his/her butt without someone allowing it to happen. Good for the company....harsh for the workers. My job is to translate the manuals, announcements, and actual screen commands to English (File on your internet browser is Archivo in Spanish so I need to change those things from Spanish to English). It' a challenge but its fun!
Diego and I are doing well....We play pool about once a week and go out to eat once and a while just to have some fun. We ate at an amazing sushi restaurant tonight and it was great to have a date night with him. It's not difficult to work with him at Presence, because he is always so busy and we work in different departments that don't have to interact....which I think is better for us.
Anyway, that is enough for now. Just know that we are doing well and are having fun. We do miss the US at times (especially when people talk about the holidays), but we still love to hear from you!!!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Adventures in Grocery Shopping
1) I finally found reusable grocery bags.....if you go to the market everyday they are especially useful. I have about 20-30 that will take a while to be used up as garbage bags so I am excited about saving myself the guilt of having to throw away the extra few hundred that I could accumulate in the coming weeks. The funny part is when I bought the bags, the clerk tried to put them in a plastic bag...not sure if I should make an ironic joke or just blame the fact that reusable bags aren't that popular.
2) I also saw a new sight for me when it comes to meat. During my time in Mexico, I saw cow heads, pig heads, and just about everything you can imagine...or at least that is what I thought. Diego and I walked past a restaurant that had a special pork plate. I know this because there was a cooked pig (head, ears, feet, everything) that was missing his back half!!! I therefore could look into the pig's stomach and beyond....I didn't have my camera on me, but I'll try to find it again, because it was definitely unique!
3) Shortly after the pig exhibit, Diego was invited in to a strip club....while I was right next to him holding his hand. I don't know if that is normal in Colombia....maybe it would be normal in the US, but typically you don't walk by strip clubs so I remain a little confused and a little amused.
4) I have a confession. I am an addict- a guayaba addict. They make these delicious sweets down here that are sugared guayaba "bocadillos" or sandwiches and I am obsessed with them. Typically, you shouldn't eat more than 1 or 2 because it is made of real fruit and lots of sugar so it's pretty hard on the stomach. However, I was left alone with the "bocadillos" for a day....and I had no control!!! I will not mention the number of bocadillos that were eaten, but I will say that the taste of them makes up for the horrible stomach ache I had later that day.
5) Diego and I went out for a celebratory meal when I got a teaching job (just one class) with Cambridge. It was a super cool Italian restaurant that had small doorbell looking things at each table so when you needed/were ready for the waiter, they would come. Super amazing....everyone knows what it's like when the waiter rushes you or keeps bothering you or the opposite when you never can find them when you need them. I think this is a trend that needs to catch on.
Also during lunch, Diego had another "Fez" moment. I have concluded that Diego is my family's Fez. He says things that normally wouldn't be that funny (I'm e-screwed), but for some reason it's hilarious when he says it. Anyway, at lunch he told me,
"I love you even when you are crazy."
"Am I crazy?"
"Yes and I love you when you are crazy and are making movies in your head."
"I make movies in my head?"
"Yes"
"What are they about?"
"CRAZY SHIT!"
Enough said!
6) Ooooooo I almost forgot the other Fez moment!!! So Diego and I are quite focused on grocery shopping intelligently and cheaply. We wanted something to small to spoil ourselves with- ICE CREAM. However a container of icecream is between $5-$9 which means you need to choose carefully so you don't waste too much money. We studied the price per gram for a little while and settled on a cookies-and-cream ice cream. We grabbed the ice cream only to have Diego get really excited and see a "cheap" ice cream of his favorite flavor with Shrek and friends on the container. He was really excited, but the barcode number didn't match up. He went to check the price to be sure and.....and.....and.....it wasn't cheap at all!!! He returned it to the freezer with a "Fuck you, Shrek."
2) I also saw a new sight for me when it comes to meat. During my time in Mexico, I saw cow heads, pig heads, and just about everything you can imagine...or at least that is what I thought. Diego and I walked past a restaurant that had a special pork plate. I know this because there was a cooked pig (head, ears, feet, everything) that was missing his back half!!! I therefore could look into the pig's stomach and beyond....I didn't have my camera on me, but I'll try to find it again, because it was definitely unique!
3) Shortly after the pig exhibit, Diego was invited in to a strip club....while I was right next to him holding his hand. I don't know if that is normal in Colombia....maybe it would be normal in the US, but typically you don't walk by strip clubs so I remain a little confused and a little amused.
4) I have a confession. I am an addict- a guayaba addict. They make these delicious sweets down here that are sugared guayaba "bocadillos" or sandwiches and I am obsessed with them. Typically, you shouldn't eat more than 1 or 2 because it is made of real fruit and lots of sugar so it's pretty hard on the stomach. However, I was left alone with the "bocadillos" for a day....and I had no control!!! I will not mention the number of bocadillos that were eaten, but I will say that the taste of them makes up for the horrible stomach ache I had later that day.
5) Diego and I went out for a celebratory meal when I got a teaching job (just one class) with Cambridge. It was a super cool Italian restaurant that had small doorbell looking things at each table so when you needed/were ready for the waiter, they would come. Super amazing....everyone knows what it's like when the waiter rushes you or keeps bothering you or the opposite when you never can find them when you need them. I think this is a trend that needs to catch on.
Also during lunch, Diego had another "Fez" moment. I have concluded that Diego is my family's Fez. He says things that normally wouldn't be that funny (I'm e-screwed), but for some reason it's hilarious when he says it. Anyway, at lunch he told me,
"I love you even when you are crazy."
"Am I crazy?"
"Yes and I love you when you are crazy and are making movies in your head."
"I make movies in my head?"
"Yes"
"What are they about?"
"CRAZY SHIT!"
Enough said!
6) Ooooooo I almost forgot the other Fez moment!!! So Diego and I are quite focused on grocery shopping intelligently and cheaply. We wanted something to small to spoil ourselves with- ICE CREAM. However a container of icecream is between $5-$9 which means you need to choose carefully so you don't waste too much money. We studied the price per gram for a little while and settled on a cookies-and-cream ice cream. We grabbed the ice cream only to have Diego get really excited and see a "cheap" ice cream of his favorite flavor with Shrek and friends on the container. He was really excited, but the barcode number didn't match up. He went to check the price to be sure and.....and.....and.....it wasn't cheap at all!!! He returned it to the freezer with a "Fuck you, Shrek."
Monday, September 13, 2010
Cleanliness....Who's right? Who's wrong?
So after briefly singing Janet Jackson's "What have you done for me lately" because of the title of the post, I will now focus on some very serious questions at hand.
Diego says that Colombians are very particular about when and how often someone should shower. First of all, he says they must shower at least once a day. Okay, fine. I'll give him that. But more strangely, they must shower in the morning!! He told me that children who go to school without showering in the morning (proof found in the wet hair) are made fun of the way that heavier kids are made fun of in the US!
Considering the fact that I have been a night-time shower taker since ummmm birth, I find that very strange. I personally have severe issues with dry skin after showering once a day. I skip washing my hair one day or try to only wash the key areas so I don't dry everything out so much. I need my natural skin oils!!! That might be "too much information" for some people, but it's the truth. The idea that you would have to shower at night if you were dirty during the day only to wake up the following morning to take another shower seems ludicrous! My skin and hair would all fall out if I did that.
I have to reiterate that this is all according to Diego. Maybe it's something he was told so he would take a shower as a kid. Maybe it's a Bogota thing. I'm not sure....but it seems very strange in deed.
Diego says that Colombians are very particular about when and how often someone should shower. First of all, he says they must shower at least once a day. Okay, fine. I'll give him that. But more strangely, they must shower in the morning!! He told me that children who go to school without showering in the morning (proof found in the wet hair) are made fun of the way that heavier kids are made fun of in the US!
Considering the fact that I have been a night-time shower taker since ummmm birth, I find that very strange. I personally have severe issues with dry skin after showering once a day. I skip washing my hair one day or try to only wash the key areas so I don't dry everything out so much. I need my natural skin oils!!! That might be "too much information" for some people, but it's the truth. The idea that you would have to shower at night if you were dirty during the day only to wake up the following morning to take another shower seems ludicrous! My skin and hair would all fall out if I did that.
I have to reiterate that this is all according to Diego. Maybe it's something he was told so he would take a shower as a kid. Maybe it's a Bogota thing. I'm not sure....but it seems very strange in deed.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
What I'm thinking is......
1) What I'm thinking is that trying to post the pictures of my apartment on the blog is a little too much time. So for any of you that didn't see them yet, go to my facebook page and see amazing pictures of the apartment, city, and a trip to "Coffee World" (that's my name for it at least).
2) What I'm thinking is that Colombians in general do not drink much during a meal....they really only drink their juice, water, soda, whatever it is until after they finish their plate. That's nothing crazy, but it is something that I noticed especially when we were staying at the boarding house with 8 other people.
3) What I'm thinking is that I look better in Diego's jeans than I do in my own. Is it a little depressing that I fit into someone's jeans that is 6 inches taller than me....of course. But do I LOVE the fact that my wardrobe has expanded some.....HELL YES!!!
4) What I'm thinking is that roller-coasters are not as common in Colombia than they are in the US. When we went to the "Coffee World," there were a couple small roller-coasters that normally would be considered the smaller, not-so-scary roller-coasters at an amusement park in the US. The endearing part of it was that each time the small roller-coaster got back the entire crowd waiting/watching cheered the victors for their amazing survival. I'm almost a little jealous of their excitement. It takes a lot for me now to really get my adrenaline pumping. It's like firework shows.....once you have seen Thunder over Louisville it's hard to be excited about any other show.
5) What I'm thinking is that I am a little too competitive. First, it should not surprise any of the family....I had to stop myself from being too serious about a game of pool. One reason is that I sucked....horribly!!!! And if I stayed serious I would want to stab myself with the pool stick. Another is that it was a fun game that we made up so that 8 people could play. Luckily, I was with Diego's coworkers who are so much fun and I had a great time.
6) What I'm thinking is that I want to continue giving English lessons even if I find a different job. There's something about people wanting and excited to learn that will always keep me coming back for more as a teacher. I had my first lesson on Thursday and it went really well. I think I like to make a difference on a more individual basis and we all know that my multitasking ability (in regard to dealing with 20 students at a time) questionable.
7) What I'm thinking is that I am a master cook!!! Not really, but I took off the skin and ribs from the chicken breast I bought the other day.....that's got to count for something.
8) What I'm thinking is that I LOVE our washer/dryer!!! It's amazing when you don't have to wash your clothes by hand or wait 3-4 days for them to dry in a small space with no sun and little air. Plus our washer/dryer sings a beautiful song each time it finishes. I haven't caught it on video yet.....but soon....very soon!
9) Finally, what I'm thinking is that the statues here in Manizales are the funniest, collest statues ever. There are some human statues that look like they have war paint on, there are bulls walking down the side of a building, there are bulls jumping out of a fountain, it so much fun!!! I am going to try to take more pictures to post them soon!
2) What I'm thinking is that Colombians in general do not drink much during a meal....they really only drink their juice, water, soda, whatever it is until after they finish their plate. That's nothing crazy, but it is something that I noticed especially when we were staying at the boarding house with 8 other people.
3) What I'm thinking is that I look better in Diego's jeans than I do in my own. Is it a little depressing that I fit into someone's jeans that is 6 inches taller than me....of course. But do I LOVE the fact that my wardrobe has expanded some.....HELL YES!!!
4) What I'm thinking is that roller-coasters are not as common in Colombia than they are in the US. When we went to the "Coffee World," there were a couple small roller-coasters that normally would be considered the smaller, not-so-scary roller-coasters at an amusement park in the US. The endearing part of it was that each time the small roller-coaster got back the entire crowd waiting/watching cheered the victors for their amazing survival. I'm almost a little jealous of their excitement. It takes a lot for me now to really get my adrenaline pumping. It's like firework shows.....once you have seen Thunder over Louisville it's hard to be excited about any other show.
5) What I'm thinking is that I am a little too competitive. First, it should not surprise any of the family....I had to stop myself from being too serious about a game of pool. One reason is that I sucked....horribly!!!! And if I stayed serious I would want to stab myself with the pool stick. Another is that it was a fun game that we made up so that 8 people could play. Luckily, I was with Diego's coworkers who are so much fun and I had a great time.
6) What I'm thinking is that I want to continue giving English lessons even if I find a different job. There's something about people wanting and excited to learn that will always keep me coming back for more as a teacher. I had my first lesson on Thursday and it went really well. I think I like to make a difference on a more individual basis and we all know that my multitasking ability (in regard to dealing with 20 students at a time) questionable.
7) What I'm thinking is that I am a master cook!!! Not really, but I took off the skin and ribs from the chicken breast I bought the other day.....that's got to count for something.
8) What I'm thinking is that I LOVE our washer/dryer!!! It's amazing when you don't have to wash your clothes by hand or wait 3-4 days for them to dry in a small space with no sun and little air. Plus our washer/dryer sings a beautiful song each time it finishes. I haven't caught it on video yet.....but soon....very soon!
9) Finally, what I'm thinking is that the statues here in Manizales are the funniest, collest statues ever. There are some human statues that look like they have war paint on, there are bulls walking down the side of a building, there are bulls jumping out of a fountain, it so much fun!!! I am going to try to take more pictures to post them soon!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
That Can't Be True!
2) So as I have mentioned before, Colombians eat a lot of food. To the right is a picture of a plate of food that I ordered at a restaurant. It's bigger than it looks...They like to stack food whereas in the US we still like our food separated for the most part. Diego ate his plate and about 1/2 of mine. For the 2 weeks we stayed at the boarding house I finished a total of 3 meals (that was after I told her to give me less. That can't be true!!!! I have decided that there is something about Colombian food that makes me feel it faster so I get full very fast....cause lord knows I can kill 2 plates of Bob Evans "Big Farmer's Breakfast" in the US. And yes I did eat the chicharron (fried pig skin)....that can't be true!!! But actually it can!
3) My husband is an evil dictator wanting to take over the world!!!! See video for proof! That can't be true, can it? Further proof can be seen by his evil joy of the thought of eating little, adorable, innocent bird eggs!4) There are a few things in Colombia that seem backwards to me. First...they do not drink juice for breakfast, but they do drink it for lunch and dinner! That can't be true!!! Second, I cannot get in or out of my apartment building without the doorman. That can't be true!!! But it is!!!! The doorman is the only person who has the key to the building. So yes, that means sometimes I wait inside the building to get the attention of the doorman, who also works the 3 buildings near me, in order to let me out. Btw, the next blog will be devoted entirely to the apartment and furniture!
5) To go to the grocery store I have to climb these stairs....that can't be true!!! But it is!!!! There are 84 stairs plus the two sets of stairs to get in the apartment!! I love the challenge especially 7,020 ft up!! Take that Marie with your little 52 steps to your walk up!! Hehehehe! 
6) This is definitely true!!! I am the clumsiest person ever!!! Diego and I went to get some arepas and cheese along with some beer for our very first meal ever in the apartment. It was raining and I was in flip flops so when I walked down the stairs I slipped and slid down 3 or 4 stairs on my side. I have a large bruise on my hip along with a few other bruises down my leg!!!! Painful...yes. Embarrassing....hell yes!!!!! Luckily the arepas and beer were fantastic!!!!!!7) Finally, a couple pictures that are absolutely beautiful that just don't seem real to me! I love the dog picture, because he was doing the same thing I was.....hanging out in the middle of the road checking out the fantastic views!!!!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Life is funny/interesting
1) Colombians eat A LOT.....for lunch at least. Typically there is a LARGE bowl of soup and a large plate full of food. And yesterday even included another bowl of casserole. I never can finish my food! Lucky for me I am married to the human garbage disposal who eats all of his food plus about 1/3 of mine. I want to take a picture to show you...but there's a fine line between naive newcomer with a fascination and rudeness so we will see on that one.
2) I made a funny and didn't know it! I was at the dinner table with Diego and 3 other people trying to keep up with the conversation. I heard something about being together for 40 years and thought Diego had said we had been together that long. I gave him a "Are you kidding look?!?" for suggesting I'm old enough for that. Only when everyone started laughing really hard did I realize they said something along the lines of can you imagine being together for 40 years (like the boarding house couple). Therefore, my look was seen as...."hmmmm with this guy....40 years....I don't think so!" Hahahaha! I made a joke in Spanish without knowing it!
3) I am living in Oz. Seriously, we are somewhere over the rainbow! Those were a couple pictures that I took on Wednesday. NO PHOTOSHOP WAS INVOLVED IN ANY WAY!!! I have never in my life seen a rainbow so well defined. The sun was shining so bright and there was just a light sprinkle of rain. (BTW Mom, if you want to retire here know that it rains quite a bit, but usually just a little each day.) And the building on the left in the picture to the right is where Diego works....it's all glass on the other side! Quite fancy for Manizales.
4) If you notice at the bottom of the picture (Gramma, you can click on the picture to open it in another page and click it again to make it really big), there are a lot of statues painted in bright colors. These are found throughout the city along the roads, on buildings, in parks. I once saw a naked man sitting on top of a building and was quite surprised....I thought maybe that was the art college or something and it was a live action kind of art project. Diego said it was a statue, but since I haven't found it again I am unconvinced. If I do see it....I will definitely take a picture for proof so that you will believe me.
5) Random moment the other day consisted of Diego giving the night sky a thumbs up with his arm outstretched. Then he said, "Hmm, my thumb is ALWAYS bigger than the moon." He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world to notice such a thing. I love my husband and the strange way his mind works. It brings a whole new world for me to look at in a different way.
6) Finally, Diego and I are hopefully going to talk to the real estate company that we have been working with to see about renting an apartment that we like (that I found...thank you Mom for the hundreds of Sunday house viewings as practice). We tried to go yesterday, but Diego got off work late and they were leaving for the day. Take a look at the site with a couple pictures....the description can be easily translated by an online translation site. And yes, it does say that it is 550,000 pesos per month. That comes out to be about $305 a month.
http://castrorosero.com/castrorosero/?p=1861
2) I made a funny and didn't know it! I was at the dinner table with Diego and 3 other people trying to keep up with the conversation. I heard something about being together for 40 years and thought Diego had said we had been together that long. I gave him a "Are you kidding look?!?" for suggesting I'm old enough for that. Only when everyone started laughing really hard did I realize they said something along the lines of can you imagine being together for 40 years (like the boarding house couple). Therefore, my look was seen as...."hmmmm with this guy....40 years....I don't think so!" Hahahaha! I made a joke in Spanish without knowing it!
3) I am living in Oz. Seriously, we are somewhere over the rainbow! Those were a couple pictures that I took on Wednesday. NO PHOTOSHOP WAS INVOLVED IN ANY WAY!!! I have never in my life seen a rainbow so well defined. The sun was shining so bright and there was just a light sprinkle of rain. (BTW Mom, if you want to retire here know that it rains quite a bit, but usually just a little each day.) And the building on the left in the picture to the right is where Diego works....it's all glass on the other side! Quite fancy for Manizales.
4) If you notice at the bottom of the picture (Gramma, you can click on the picture to open it in another page and click it again to make it really big), there are a lot of statues painted in bright colors. These are found throughout the city along the roads, on buildings, in parks. I once saw a naked man sitting on top of a building and was quite surprised....I thought maybe that was the art college or something and it was a live action kind of art project. Diego said it was a statue, but since I haven't found it again I am unconvinced. If I do see it....I will definitely take a picture for proof so that you will believe me.
5) Random moment the other day consisted of Diego giving the night sky a thumbs up with his arm outstretched. Then he said, "Hmm, my thumb is ALWAYS bigger than the moon." He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world to notice such a thing. I love my husband and the strange way his mind works. It brings a whole new world for me to look at in a different way.
6) Finally, Diego and I are hopefully going to talk to the real estate company that we have been working with to see about renting an apartment that we like (that I found...thank you Mom for the hundreds of Sunday house viewings as practice). We tried to go yesterday, but Diego got off work late and they were leaving for the day. Take a look at the site with a couple pictures....the description can be easily translated by an online translation site. And yes, it does say that it is 550,000 pesos per month. That comes out to be about $305 a month.
http://castrorosero.com/castrorosero/?p=1861
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Whew.....so many things so few days
We are in Colombia!!!!!!! After a emotional and stressful travel day, a brief rest with the in-laws in Bogota, a beautiful yet exhausting 9 hour bus trip to Manizales, and one very long, tiring, but still exciting day apartment shopping in Manizales I am filled with so many emotions I don't even know which ones to write!
TRAVEL DAY
I woke up on Thursday after a night of random late night packing, I woke up only to have to fix the weight in my bags and hurry out to the car without any sentimental feelings (better that way) and with a lot of help from dad with all my bags. When we pulled into the airport garage, we immediately saw Colleen and Sara who came to see me off and be my personal pack horses until then. Lol!
However, laughs were quickly gone when I realized the booking website that I used was a piece of $%!#...and the two airlines that I would be using do not communicate with one another. Therefore, I learned I would have to get my bags in Orlando and recheck them in to get my ticket to Bogota.....after I had gone to Chicago. I have to say when the Santo's pull together we can do just about anything. I had one sister writing down my itenarary, one on the phone with JetBlue, my dad and Colleen on the phone with CheapOAir.com, and the others (Michelle Greg and Mom) trying to keep me from freaking out. After exhausting all efforts, I realized I would just have to suck it up and have an awesome work out trying to cart around my 4 suitcases and computer bag and purse in the Orlando airport by myself. So with many tears from I think just about everyone, I went on my way hoping that both my suitcases and myself could make it to Bogota.
After taking off an hour late from Chicago, I arrived to Orlando sprinting to get my bags, put them on the cart and sprint to the JetBlue Check-in where I was the last person allowed to check-in for my flight. Due to the graciousness of the check-in guy for United I only had to pay the extra baggage fees once. By the time I had made it to the gate I had time for quick phone calls to say I will make it to Bogota and scarf down a McDonalds plain double cheeseburger.
BOGOTA
Once I made it to Bogota, I met my wonderful husband in the customs line who waited for me there in case I had any problems. It took 2 cars to get all of our stuff and persons back to his parents house for a couple days rest. I have to say that while be separated from Diego was very difficult at times, I completely forgot about all that when we were together again. It felt like it was completely normal- a good sign if I say so myself!
TRIP TO MANIZALES
Anyway, we got our things together for the most incredible bus trip. I was excited to see what buses are like in Colombia after all my trips in Mexico and I have to say the are comparable. I watched The Shooter in dubbed Spanish and understood most of it, except for those key couple lines that let you understand a major plot twist. Everything is practice.
Anyway, I have to say the paisaje... Give me a minute. What is it in English? I have to look it up. Aha!!!! Landscape! The landscape of Colombia is just incredible. Everything is so green and alive here. There were tropical looking plants high in the mountain and waterfalls along the side of the road. And when the sunsets (including in Manizales) it is absolutely incredible. The sun peaks over the mountains to highlight the terrain and the organized chaos of all the buildings and roads.
We stopped for lunch (a few hours after we exepected due to traffic....although our bus driver did everything he could to pass many trucks (in a 2 lane road) going around hair pin turns. I think there is a system of honking to help out....but they could mean something completely different. Anyway, our lunch consisted of a huge bowl of soup, a huge filled plate of food and a drink for a whopping total of $3. And this was good food!!! I love that part about Colombia. After lunch the trip went pretty quick and we arrived in Manizales at about 7:30-8pm (we left at 10:30am).
MANIZALES
I have to say it was sweet/funny how much Diego was loved by everyone is that house. Isobel was excited and even the older, very sick senora was happy to see him. Isobel's helper, Cesy, I think has a crush on Diego because she kept giving me strange, appraising looks. They all joked around a lot which I am noticing is the hole that I am missing. I can't really understand most jokes and telling them is just as difficult.
We moved to Luz Marina's house the next day (Isobel's sister) and her house is HUGE! She has probably about 8 rooms of tennants. I think it's a good business in Manizales since all the universities are here. The house is nice with meals and laundry included, but I have issues sleeping because out room faces the very busy road. I have decided to go to sleep every night with my IPod as my savior.
So after spending a whopping 12 hours in Manizales we start apartment shopping. I can honestly say that in that first day on Monday we went down 6 floors to see the gates of hell, but we also went up 6 floors to see heaven. Hell was moldy, dark, no air, and just plain scary. Heaven was perfect except it was a studio apartment with no separate bedroom (apparently studios can have a separate bedroom here). Another interesting thing is that because the terrain here, you can enter the building and have your apartment on the first floor, but on the other side of the building there are 4 aparments below you that have large open windows to the street on the other side. So it's difficult to judge what you will see when it says you are on the 3rd floor...that could mean you have to go down three floors.
After seeing many more places over 2 days (including a house) Diego and I decided to go to a company for help. Diego works from 6-5 with 1.5 hours of lunch and the sun sets about 6:30 so it just doesn't leave us a lot of time to walk around, call the owners, get the keys to check it out.
I think I will end this post (it's already too long) and talk more about the city on the next one! Love you all and wish you could see this with us!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tomorrow is the Big day!!!
Just a few more hours for us to get to the place and time we have always wanted to be. It is as exciting as it sounds, however is a feeling hard to describe using words...
Now I can only say that Sharon and me are feeling very happy, very anxious, a little scared, but over all of that we are feeling a lot of love!!!
Well, tomorrow is our big day. And for sure, we will bring us many new experiences and adventures!
We will let you all know...
Diego
Now I can only say that Sharon and me are feeling very happy, very anxious, a little scared, but over all of that we are feeling a lot of love!!!
Well, tomorrow is our big day. And for sure, we will bring us many new experiences and adventures!
We will let you all know...
Diego
Sunday, August 8, 2010
How fast things can change...
"I have to admit I am not sad to leave." I said that a very short 6 days ago. My how fast things can change!!! After a wonderfully social week seeing my friends from high school, college, study abroad programs, and even a grade school reunion; I thought that I would make it through these last few days easily without too much emotional termoil. But right now I am breaking down in tears every time I turn around (as I tear up right now....seriously this is ridiculous!)
So what's up with this? Well, the combination of mother nature's gift to women, lack of sleep, struggling with packing, last visits with Gramma and Kari, little talk time with Diego, and the realization that I am going to be gone for a very long time has hit me like a ton of bricks. Don't get me wrong....I am sooooo ready to be with Diego and I am still very excited to go to Colombia, but the thought of a more permanent home away from all my annoying but love-able family and great friends is tough to get used to.
All I have to say is that the next 4 days should be a very interesting roller-coaster!!!
So what's up with this? Well, the combination of mother nature's gift to women, lack of sleep, struggling with packing, last visits with Gramma and Kari, little talk time with Diego, and the realization that I am going to be gone for a very long time has hit me like a ton of bricks. Don't get me wrong....I am sooooo ready to be with Diego and I am still very excited to go to Colombia, but the thought of a more permanent home away from all my annoying but love-able family and great friends is tough to get used to.
All I have to say is that the next 4 days should be a very interesting roller-coaster!!!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
10 Days and Counting
Due to my ever-spinning mind, I am awake at 1am and like usual I am obsessing over what is to come in the next couple weeks. As the title of the post suggests....I have 10 days until I board the plane to start my new life!
I have to admit I am not sad to leave. This summer has been very difficult. Originally, I expected to be in Colombia by mid-June, then beginning of July, then mid-July, late-July....I can go on, but I think I would bore you. Needless to say, my Colombian adventures with Diego had continually eluded me. After my incredible experience in Mexico and my Colombian adventure just around the corner, I think it has been hard for me to fit in and get comfortable here. Something about only having 10 days left makes me realize how close I really am and therefore much more optimistic.
Diego, on the other hand, has been in Barcelona for the past month. He has visited Paris and Rome and had a lot of fun experiencing the night life of Spain...which is amazing yet exhausting in my own opinion. While I wanted to visit him in Barcelona, I didn't want to have to share a room with one of his coworkers nor could I escape the grown up inside my head that said the money saved by not going will be well spent on a lot of mini trips in Colombia and setting up my new life. I'm a grown up? When did that happen?
I will say that Diego going to Spain without me was the best thing that could have happened for us. After my adventures in Mexico which was difficult for us at times, we both completely understand what the other one was going through and therefore are much better at the separation this time.
Anyway, I am starting this blog for those who would like to keep up with my adventures with Diego in Colombia. We have a lot coming up.....finding an apartment, moving furniture from Bogota, completely my paperwork, finding a job for me, and simply experiencing marriage life.....and we can't forget Colombian food! I'm sure there will be tears....of joy, of frustration, of exhaustion, but I welcome the time when they come....it means I'm in Colombia!!!
I have to admit I am not sad to leave. This summer has been very difficult. Originally, I expected to be in Colombia by mid-June, then beginning of July, then mid-July, late-July....I can go on, but I think I would bore you. Needless to say, my Colombian adventures with Diego had continually eluded me. After my incredible experience in Mexico and my Colombian adventure just around the corner, I think it has been hard for me to fit in and get comfortable here. Something about only having 10 days left makes me realize how close I really am and therefore much more optimistic.
Diego, on the other hand, has been in Barcelona for the past month. He has visited Paris and Rome and had a lot of fun experiencing the night life of Spain...which is amazing yet exhausting in my own opinion. While I wanted to visit him in Barcelona, I didn't want to have to share a room with one of his coworkers nor could I escape the grown up inside my head that said the money saved by not going will be well spent on a lot of mini trips in Colombia and setting up my new life. I'm a grown up? When did that happen?
I will say that Diego going to Spain without me was the best thing that could have happened for us. After my adventures in Mexico which was difficult for us at times, we both completely understand what the other one was going through and therefore are much better at the separation this time.
Anyway, I am starting this blog for those who would like to keep up with my adventures with Diego in Colombia. We have a lot coming up.....finding an apartment, moving furniture from Bogota, completely my paperwork, finding a job for me, and simply experiencing marriage life.....and we can't forget Colombian food! I'm sure there will be tears....of joy, of frustration, of exhaustion, but I welcome the time when they come....it means I'm in Colombia!!!
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