free write, oooo yeaaaa 23rd post

I have been wanting to write so bad for the past few days.  So I am not going to pay attention to grammar or the thought process and just give it ago.

Well things have been complicated since I got home from the United States.  I had such an amazing visit and saw all of the great things my friends are doing that I am starting to reconsider how long I will stay here for.  NOW…I am not saying that I will be returning back to the US, I am just saying…I am looking at different options and not letting any opportunity pass me by....costa rica???????? i want a male surfer to feed me frozen fruit, play with my hair, draw my name and his name and a shape in the sand, and buy me a green motor scooter.

My job, is, well, getting old.  I still love my little babes who give me all the love and attention that I need to get through the day…but my working environment is just horrific!   There is constant drama, jealousy issues and I am just getting tired of it! 

For example, I went to a party with co-workers about two weeks ago...i went with the Jesuit student priests, after eating at their Jesuit dorm house, and driving in their Jes-mobile.  about two hours into the night.. a group of the elementary school teachers showed up.  Yeah, I know, they have their ‘closed’ group of friends…but I tried to interact and get to know the group as to the fact that I work with them and never have the opportunity to share with them outside of the classroom.  Well, not to my surprise, they gave me the cold shoulder and continued singing karaoke (they were deafening).  Eventually, the boyfriend of one of the girls approached me and told me that he wanted to practice his English, annoying. Yeah, sure, whatever. MAXIMUM 10 minutes I spoke with this mammoth when I escaped for a potty break.  When I exited and returned, I was enlightened with a huge, scream-o fight between A. girlfriend/co-worker and boyfriend/gringa-chaser.

After embarrassing themselves in front of everyone.  The boyfriend re-approached me, (what did he want this time, Christ). He told me “I am sorry, I can not speak with you anymore, you know how Chilean women are.” NO SIR I DON'T

Well, needless to say, I had limited friends the rest of the night.  The girls and their boyfriends left (without saying goodbye)….that made for a very awkward Monday morning at school. Cueeeeeeeeeck,

It’s been cold here…I finally bought a new winter jacket.  It’s really stylish…it’s actually kind of like a sleeping bag.  I’ve slept in it at least 4 times since I bought it.  The greatest thing is that it was only about 30USD. I love bargins and I love big green jackets.

OHhhhhhhhHHHHHhh do I have some funny relationship/dating stories for you all.  I guess I should go back to the first one….

#1, Nice boy, takes me out for dinner and drinks, soooo original and cute…………..I know!!!!!!!!!  Well anyway, after racking this guys bill up…(was not planning on a second date) I go to offer to pay for half.  HE ACCEPTS AHHAHAHAHAHHAHA jokes on me.  Shit.  ANDI had just gotten done explaining to him that I was a “POBRE-SORA” Like a “PROFESORA” but inserting “POBRE” like a “POORPROFESSOR”…it was one of my first Spanish jokes-don’t laugh too hard!  Well anyway, I opened my bag to take out my money…when I realized…I only had what was equivalent to 2USD.  I had forgotten that I took my money out when I went out dancing the night before. Uuuuuuuuuuuu that was awkward…AND it made it impossible to deny a second date. 

LESSON LEARNED: NEVER offer to pay.

#2, After a few miserable dates…I finally found someone that sparked a little interest.  Marcelo.  Really cute, long-ish curly hair (sometimes he put it in a little bun, LOVED that), moreno, a mix between hippy/rock, driven, energetic.  Solid guy.  I actually met Marcelo when I was with my ex-boyfriend.  He was the waiter at a bar that we always went to.  (our eye contact was like fire lazers, rawrrr)  and, naturally, when I became single, I somehow found myself perched up at that very same bar, every night, for two weeks straight.  Until, the magic happened, our first conversation, sighhhhhhhhhh. 

I had been at the bar with some of my guy friends watching the Spain vs. i forget soccer game.  long story short, i finally had a conversation with marcelo, told him i couldn't stay and hang out with him and his friends because (obvious reason, i didn't know him, only his eyes) i had plans with my guy friends and i left. BUT, i was feeling saucy and about 30 minutes later, i ditched my guy friends and i RETURNED hahahaha who does that?...it was like a movie, yep, and there he was ...with his friends.....reallllllllly confused as to why i reappeared, and to be honest, my first line was, "i don't know why i am here again, i feel crazy." but loveeeeeeee (or lust) makes you crazy, doesn't it??? definitely pulled that out from the knowledge i have gotten from my obsession of chick flicks.

Yessssssss, and after our first interaction, everything fell into place.  We had many magical?? dates, drinking beer,….yeah, ugh, anyway…. But after about 2 months of texting and gchatting it was time to wrap the relationship up, i was bored and he expressed he wanted something serious and I still wanted….drinking beer dates. 

So he came over one night to hang out…you know,  listen to music, discuss theory, hug, play pogs….our relationship.  And as we were in the process of discussing life, we started to talk about 'clarity.'  And through all of my current confusion in life, and lack of “clarity” it was at that moment, I couldn’t have felt more certain that I did not want to spend another moment with this boy….profounddd, right!  So, I ended it, right there…right then. He. Did. Not. Take. It. Well.--- he stormed out like a 12 year old girl that just got told she would have her braces on an extra year. 

            In retrospect, I am not sure if it was my Spanish, and that I couldn’t express myself 100% or just that he had really strong feelings for me and I stomped on his red shape. but in the end i do feel 'a' ping of guilt....he left me a really expensive gift that I am still hoping to give back to him, one day.

LESSON LEARNED:  NEVER play pogs with curly-haired Chileans.

#3 This happened last night, not sure if it is too soon to be writing about this…but it is TOO good not to share.  The best part about this.. it wasn’t even supposed to be a date!  We have a new roommate, Felipe, and he’s great…he has really made a great attempt to integrate himself into the house ‘onda.’ Last night I got home for work really late and he asked me if I wanted to get a drink with him—it was on him. SURE, why not. Free mojito-I’m in! Well, after about 100 peresonal questions, 2 mojitos, and 1 corona later …he tells me he wants to take me to his favorite bar that has live music. Sureeeeee, why not...holiday tomorrow, no cellphone to escape, live music…I can dig it.

Worst. Decision. Ever. Not only was it weird having my roommate telling me “how good” I look (I hadn’t showered in two days, no make-up, purple pants with a a lime green shirt, uffffff I was looking, ufffff) but that wasn’t the worst part.  The average age in this bar was 40.  All, couples. And the music…not even sure, romantic folklore might be the genre? And, you can imagine how awkward that made things… and better yet he started a sing-a-long. And NOT, just sing….SHOUT. He was, belting out the words to these romantic love songs. People were staring.  But this kid had his eyes closed screaming so loud he didn’t seem to care.  I did. Oh my god, I did.  After about 3 songs of painful humiliation ...

I yawned and told him I wanted to go home.  Pouting, he said…”just one more song.”  I told him I’d wait outside.

LESSON LEARNED: …………………………NEVER go out with a Chilean?

Well besides my unhealthy, unlucky love life….drama-filled job---I think I’m doing okay!  I have a lot of things to look forward to.  Next month I am going to the CHILE vs COLUMBIA soccer game here in Santiago.  Then about a week after that is 18^th de Septiembre.  I have a week off from work and it is the best holiday in the world.  Chile’s Independence Day. I will behave badly, eat a lot of food, dance my booty wild and enjoy every moment of it.

Personal changes…I have brown hair and a dreadlock. Yes, 1, dreadlock. If you tell me you don’t like it, I don’t care. I just can’t wait for the day I don’t need to strap a plastic bag to my head in the shower.   Most people fall depressed suffering a broken red shape.  I get a dreadlock. 

Here’s some pics.

Some of my friends at work... Angela, Ricardo, Me, Rodrigo, Cecilia

This picture was taken outside of the historical theatre at the colegio.  It was the "Dia de San Ignacio" where we were celebrating the Saint, Ignacio. We had a very formal lunch inside the theatre.  It was a three course meal with really great red wine and good company.  They offered us espresso and a desert bar at the end...I went wild. 

War zone.  The most recent Chilean Educational protest.  I live about 10 minutes walking from here.  As I was riding my bike to school, I turned down a street to find hundreds of people running in my direction throwing those little bomb things. errrrrrreeeerrrrrrrr quickly turned my bike around zoomed back to my house...left my bike there...jumped on a micro...was on it for about 4 minutes when the driver said that he would not continue on the normal route because he didn't want to have this happen:::::

So....I had to get off the bus. SPRINT to the metro...where I arrived to work about 20 minutes late... and had an asthma attack.  When I walked through my neighborhood later that night I noticed that there was glass smashed all over the ground...there was not one stop light standing, EVERYTHING had been torn down and destroyed.  There were also still things burning in the streets.  Walking through the streets the next morning I was still affected by the lingering tear gas.  I had to walk to school with my scarf over my face...but my throat still burnt and my eyes still were watering.

On a lighter note, here is a picture of me and my German roommate, Kerstin, at the cicletada 200.  It was a protest for better bike paths in Santiago. There is one on the first Tuesday of every month--but this one was special as it was the 200th one! There were over 1000 of us that met in the main plaza, Plaza Italia. People were dressed in costumes, others had boom boxes strapped to their bikes, there were balloons everywhere and it was pure craziness.  We took over the big main street in Santiago and road in a pack for about 2 hours.  We stopped all traffic and had a blassssssst.  IT WAS AWESOME--and I only ALMOST fell once!!! ...maybe right after this photo was taken.

Plaza Itlaia, Cicletada 200

alright well, i'd say i'm done. i have no new news. i walk, i eat, i breathe (sometimes, i'm really suffering from the smog) i go out at night and i'm single. oh, i watch netflix in my bed, season 3 of lost. and i am still reading 50 shades of gray...kind of like a boyfriend? it's raining today. i am going to a friend's to cook homemade pizza. but i really would prefer to eat dominos deep dish. 

whatever. gotta go shower. hopefully the water doesn't scorch me like it always does.  no wonder i haven't shaved my legs in.....

over and out

'a picture is worth 1000 words'

Some photographs to document the last two, almost three, months of my life!

 After having pneumonia and being out of work for almost two weeks ... I decided I needed a break from Santiago.  I went to Viña del Mar, a beach city about two hours away, to celebrate my friend Camila's birthday.  (Natalia, me, Camila)

 With my only American friend in Santiago, Katie.  However, she recently just left me to go back to the USA after being in Chile for almost three years.  I am really sad about it (although it is good for her--i'm being selfish)...I now have no one to complain to about cultural differences, boys and all of the nonsense that girls talk about with their friends ;)

 This picture is taking in my living room.  I came home from work one day right when the sun was setting and loved the way it was shinning through the window.

 This picture is taken about 40 minutes outside of Santiago in the campo (mentioned in previous posts). It belongs to the parents of my friend Seba and it is the perfect weekend escape from the city. There is something about breathing fresh air and sharing with a  family when you are away from your own.  Whenever I go I always manage to eat myself sick, relax, and return home to the city feeling refreshed.

 This is a picture of me and the son (Nico) of my host sister Gabriela from when I studied in Chile three years ago.  We were making our favorite foods out of play dough.  I made a completo (what I was craving at the time).  It is a typical Chilean food, which is a hotdog with avocado, tomato and mayonnaise on top.  It's delicious...especially if you add mustard and aji ;)

 This photo was taken at Punta de Tralca, which is a small beach town about two hours north of Santiago.  I had a retreat with the other professors at the school I teach at.  Although it was raining we still tried to enjoy the beach as much as possible.  I was not at all looking forward to this weekend but it turned out to be really fun and I got to know a lot of my co-workers.

 At the retreat we sang karaoke.  This is my friend Ricardo and I singing to Morrissey's "First of the Gang to Die."  We were booed off stage...I will never forget the look on my bosses face.

 THIS WAS AMAZING.  This was a dinner that I made with my roommates and people that had previously lived in my house.  It consists of chorizo, tons of seafood, cabbage, onion and pork.  It may or may not be one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life.  We spent the day cooking, watching soccer, eating, and dancing.  This day was beautiful because it was the despidida (going away party) for my friend katie...and also for Carlos (the only boy in the photo below) because he will be moving out of the house in just a few short weeks.

 The generations of 1315 Salvador. I would consider them as part of my family here in Chile. <3





TRIP TO THE USA: First time back in over a year. 

I flew into Miami and we decided to stay for the weekend to enjoy the beaches and night life.  This is a picture of Lucy and I swimming in the warm, Miami water.  It was so great to finally be reunited with my family.

 Some of my girlfriends from Virginia Tech came to visit me.  Kate, Andrea and Erin.  They all flew down and we had a blast catching up and spending the weekend at the beach.  We laughed...a LOT.  Once best friends...always best friends.  I'm missing them already.

 My friend Rick also came down to visit me!  At Tech he was my neighbor and he always came with me to all of my date functions.  Being the only guy he obviously heard a lot things he didn't want to hear and put up with a lot when he was in Florida with all of the girls.  We went out with him one night and all of us girls were on the prowl to find boys at the bar...we kept referring to him as our "gay friend Rick."  It turned into a joke the rest of the weekend...he handled it very well (FYI: he's not gay) We are planning to meet up in Costa Rica this January or February to visit our friend Bob.

 After participating in a beer tasting and playing a bunch of American drinking games... I guess we found the old halloween costume box??? Every time I see this picture I laugh.  We are a good-looking bunch.

 With my best friend in the entire world, Kate.

BACK IN SANTIAGO!  First night back in Chile I went to an asado with a bunch of friends.  

This is a picture of me with the boys.  These boys have become my brothers here in Chile. (Orlando, Javier & Leo)  Without them I do not know what I would do.  I was trying to lay across their laps to do a "sexy" pose.  Unsuccessful.

I hope everyone is doing well.  It has been difficult getting re-adjusted to Chile after having such an amazing vacation home for two weeks.  I have a million stories but there are too many to write. However, I thought it would be fun to give everyone a glimpse into what's been going on. I have more pictures on Facebook under "Untitled Album." 

I would love updates from everyone.  Shoot me an email! 

animo

So it has been way too long since I have given any updates!  I can’t blame it completely on being busy but maybe that I have been exploring and finding out what I want to keep me busy.  Over the past month and a half I have been through so many ups and, well, naturally, downs.  But I am still doing well, taking each day as it comes…getting through each challenge and enjoying living by moment.

If I recall correctly I mentioned a few posts ago that I was enjoying the fact that I “finally had a routine!” well, shoot me in the foot. I actually hate it.  Of course, it’s great to have a stable income, but the everyday formalities, the same people,  and the same negative attitudes … it’s tiresome.  I have been stuck in a routine for only three months and I am already craving adventure and change.   Brazil 2013?  We’ll see.

Looking back, the last thing that I mentioned was that my friend Carlie was coming to visit from Buenos Aires.  God, that feels like centuries ago.  Anyway, it ended up being a beautiful weekend and it was great to see a familiar face.  It was exciting to have the opportunity to show her around Santiago and have her experience my so-called “life” here in Chile.  Although sometimes I feel like everything here is fake…like it is all something to keep me from taking part in “real life.”  But then again…what’s real life?

                                                 Carlie and I taking a walk down Santa Isabell

                                                 "Three Blondes Walked into Chile...."

                                                  Eating fresh seafood at the Mercado Central.

                                                             A night out with friends!

The weekend after Carlie left was Easter. We had a three-day weekend and there was nothing stopping me from leaving the city for a few days of fresh-air in a smog-free sky.  Fortunately, I was invited by my friend Seba to go to the “campo” to stay at his family’s house.   After having an extremely lazy day on Friday, we headed about 45 minutes outside of Santiago to a small town called “Aguila Sur,” only to be welcomed by Seba’s family and a bunch of our friends who had just finished a game of soccer.  We spent all Friday night eating and drinking, eventually falling asleep with full-bellies… in a state of complete relaxation.  Saturday was spent, once again, eating, and laying out in the sun.  In the late afternoon, our friends headed back to Santiago while Seba and I stayed…spending the rest of the weekend, eating and sleeping some more!!! Tough life, I know!  But I returned to work on Monday a new person… completely mellowed out with a positive attitude.

 *This is what we ate on Friday night.  It is called a “disco” and it was filled with different types of seafood, chicken, and chorizo…all mixed into a brothy goodness that we drank out of small teacups.   We also ate homemade empanadas made with cheese and jaiva (type of shell fish), dipping each bite into the spiciest aji that I have tasted. 

After returning from a weekend away, the next two weeks were fairly boring, just doing the whole teaching thing and getting together with friends.  It was also during these two weeks that I experienced my first ping of homesickness.  I think after spending a weekend away with such a welcoming family it made me miss my own.  Also, I think it is normal that after 10 months of living in another country you start to miss the people and experiences that make you who you are. 

As difficult as those two weeks were (thank you, parents, for talking me through it) I am back on track again and I am happy as can be. But after dealing with the emotional roller coaster, I, obviously, was feeling antsy and needed to change it up again.  So I decided to head north to La Serena.

 I have two gringa friends, Katie and Abbey, who I met while working for the Chilean government, and who both stayed in Chile for a few extra months to work and spend time with their “pololo’s, “ boyfriends. It was their last weekend before their return to the states so I thought it would be fun to visit them to celebrate.  Luckily, my friend Seba, also, was going to La Serena to visit family so it made the 7-hour bus ride a little less unbearable.

Well.  The weekend was interesting.  After arriving and having the opportunity to check out the beach and meet some of Seba’s family…I was off to meet up with my friends for a crazy night out!  I was dropped off at their awesome cabaña and we had a blast talking and drinking piscolas.  We later went out to celebrate the birthday of one of their friends at a local club.  The night started out a blast, dancing and meeting a bunch of new people…but, as it got later, …my verrrry good gringa friends…disappeared, leaving me wandering the streets of La Serena, alone.  Thank God for Seba and his family…who came to find me at 4:30 in the morning.  Not embarrassing at all… these things happen all the time….( or so I keep telling myself).

Anyway, the rest of the weekend was great.  I went to Coquimbo, a neighboring city to La Serena, to experience the fish market and eat raw seafood!  It was delicious!  I also met up with the girls for dinner to receive my never-ending apologies and to catch up a little more (I still love you two, haha!)  That night Seba and I walked through the city center and drank wine with fresh fruit. And although the weekend was not as planned, putting all things aside…it was really, really fun and I am happy that I was able to see my friends!

                                                  Taking the dog out for a run on the beach :)

                                                         A beautiful La Serena sunset

                                                                           Water break!

And then there was two weekends ago. Which was a 4-day weekend.  It was spent relaxing and meeting up with friends that I had been neglecting during the weekends while I was away.  I went out a lot and slept a lot.  It was nice to stay in the city without set plans.  I experienced a new place called “El Galpon” which is a local venue for concerts.  A group of us sat in Plaza Brasil drinking beers before the show started.  I saw cover bands of Manu Chau and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.  Here is are some links to some of their music:

Manu Chau

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

Overall things are going well.  Work has been extremely busy preparing for the “World Book Day,” but it has finally died down a bit this week. Just recently the hours changed here in Chile.  Now it gets dark around 5:30 PM and in the mornings it’s light around 8AM.  It’s quite depressing and without heat in the house…I’m going to die!  (I’m exaggerating, kind of).

This past week, I did something that I will most likely regret and karma will definitely come back to bite me in the ass.  But at the time, I felt that it was completely necessary, and yeah, I’m still not sure if I reallllllllly regret it.  But anyway, riding home on my bike from work, I had the worst luck ever!  Hitting every single light, I kept stopping next to the same car that was occupied by two Chilean guys.  After the second light I noticed that they were secretly “snapping” photos of me with their camera.

I really do not mind the attention that I get for having blonde hair here in Chile.  I always have my headphones on so I tend to ignore any crude gestures or catcalls.  However, photographs, come onnn..have you really never seen a blonde girl ride a bicycle before?  I was feeling saucy.

At the third light we stopped at, I was starting to get annoyed. The two guys whistled and when I looked at the car, they took a picture. The nerve! I got off my bike…took one step, snatched the camera from the guy’s hand (with no intentions to return it) and said:

“Ahora, quiero uno de ustedes” (Now I want one of the two of you)

I turned to my right and saw that there was a man passing by on the sidewalk.  And while getting back on my bike I grabbed the man’s arm and asked:

“Quieres una camera?” (Do you want a camera?)

and handed it to him….all while speeding away.

I didn’t hear a peep from the two slugs in the car…I am assuming that they were in shock. And, ok, I know it may seem dramatic and I may have handled the situation the wrong way.  But…I still think it was deserved. Ugh, whatever.

I have been spending a lot of time with a group of professors from work.  We are all “newbies” and like to keep away from the endless drama that our departments bring us.  We are always planning happy hours and dinner dates,  just last Friday we met up in Bellavista for a drink before we all headed our own directions for the night.  It’s such a diverse group of people.  A 40 year old lesbian, 26 year old soccer fanatic,  24 year old intellectual and well…me, the foreigner.  There are always a few extras floating around …but I’d say we’re the “core group.”

This past weekend was spent here in Santiago and again a night in the Campo.  This upcoming weekend I will be hosting a party for two close friends that will be traveling for extended periods of time.  Daniela, who works for Doctors Without Boarders and will be headed to Africa to finish her term and Seba who is taking a 3.5 -month vacation to Europe.   It should be fun!

One rant….Something that irritates me about Chileans: when they clear off the table to take everything into the kitchen to be washed…they stack EVERYTHING.  Stacking makes it so much more difficult to clean…you have two...extremely messy sides of the dish, and for some reason I always find myself in the dishwasher role.  The small things…I know.

I have written a book here so I am going to leave everyone with this:

I am coming (for the first time in one year) to the United States July 7-20.  I will be staying at my family’s house in Florida.  All are welcomed to come visit!

Also, I would love to get some updates from everyone!  Shoot me an email!

Sending all the cariño in the world.

resfriada & temblores

So this past week has been quite a whirlwind.  I must have gone through about 5 rolls of toilet paper.  And no, not because of backside, silly hiney issues but because I was slapped across the face with a major cold, which left me miserable and cranky.  It is Monday and I am still not feeling at all 100%.  Working with my little nuggets is a glorifying experience…but there are some downfalls…one of them being GERMS!....and the occasional desire to punch a concrete wall.

I think I’m doing ok as a professor.  I’ve only made two kids cry so far.  The first was because I wrote a note home to a student’s parents about his behavior and the second because I got too aggressive during recess and I kicked a soccer ball at a kid’s face. 

In addition, I have started to feel a little uncomfortable with a few of my students in one of my first grade classes.  They refer to me as “mama,” and like to give me lots of hugs and kisses.  I always need to reinforce that I am NOT their “mama,” and that I do not have/nor want children.  Today, they took it too a new level.

Matias (the leader of this group) was giving me my normal “child/mother love.”  It was sweet and innocent until he reached up, grabbed my left breast, and said “leche, leche…yo quiero leche.” (Milk, Milk, I want milk).  This is when I had another professor take control of the situation, informing him that Miss Sarah did not have “leche” in her breats.

My bike is the best investment that I have made in Chile.  I now can leave 25 minutes before work and arrive without any problems.  I’ve only hit two pedestrians and one other bike.  The bike crash was not my fault.

Friday night I celebrated my roommate’s birthday with red wine and lasagna.

I spent all day Saturday at a religious retreat that was made mandatory for all new employees at San Ignacio.  I had to be at the school at 7:30AM and I didn’t arrive home until 7:30 at night.  Considering the fact that I am currently in a phase of “religious exploration” and have a low-tolerance for Chilean formalities…it was horrific.   And by horrific…I fell asleep while the priest was talking. Torture.

Fortunately, later that night there was a festival in my neighborhood “Barrio Italia” where all of the art galleries moved their work out into the streets, and there were live bands and free drinks.  Afterwards I went to a friend’s apartment for an asado.

Today was a great day.  I had two of my girlfriends here in Santiago come over and help me make a brunch for a few friends.  I went to the supermarket and bought a bunch of food to cook with.  I wanted to make it a “thank you” meal to all of the people that had taken care of me during my time of financial difficulties.  We made pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, strudel, fruit salad…and even mimosas! It was a great afternoon with a ton of laughs…(I shared stories about my obese childhood)…and everyone left with full bellies and big smiles. Success.

Other than this…everything has been pretty laid back.  I thoroughly enjoy having a routine, waking up in the morning…going to school etc.  I forgot to mention that I got asked to start an English club.  I’ll be getting paid about 200USD extra a month for about 6 hours of work…I’ll take it!

I almost killed my plant Neil.  I knew that I couldn’t handle the pressure of being responsible for another living being.  However, after some critical care, he is starting to turn green and firm again.  I promised myself that I would do better with his feeding schedule this week.

This week is also very exciting because I will have my first visitor.  Carlie, one of my closest friends from Virginia Tech will be coming and staying with me for a few nights.  I hope she is prepared for all of my plans!  I can’t wait to show her my city and introduce her to my Chilean life J

Also, I guess I should mention that I am okay in despite of the news regarding the earthquakes here in Chile.  I am very accustomed to tremors after being in Iquique.  However, this weekend I was a little uncomfortable after the two tremors we experienced here in Santiago.  Saturday morning at around 4:30AM I woke up to my bed slamming the wall.  This one lasted about 20 seconds and was really loud.  Then, last night (Sunday) we had another one that lasted about 40 seconds and was a result of the 7.2 earthquake that hit the southern region of Maule.  For the first time, I could literally feel the ground moving below me…and not in a back and fourth motion but more of a circular motion, jolting everything around.  Although it was a little scary…it was also kind of entertaining.

I finally have my iPod back.  My friend Sebastian took me to the store to get it fixed...I walked out with a new one! Exceeeeeeellent. 

Two things I have been pondering over the past week:

1) Friends of mine told me that in Germany boys sit down to pee….I can’t stop thinking if it’s true or not.….does anyone know/been to Germany?

2) I also saw a midget…using a midget bike.  I am debating on whether the bike was especially made for the midget…or if it was just made for kids.

Congratulations to my brother, James, for getting a new job... :)

Life is going amazing.  I am so content, with everything.

Over and out.

English Department: San Ignacio

                                 Some English Professors at Breakfast: Danitza, Me, Claudia, Tamara

                                 Leo's Birthday (Last Friday): Sebastian, Caroline, Me & Pame

                                                                         Again....

                                                               Caroline & Me :)

all over the place

I started work last week.  I absolutely love it.  Working with first and second graders is so much fun.  I sing songs, act really dumb and get to wear a smock or “apron.” (less pressure to get dressed in the AM) The little boys (remember all boys school) like to touch my hair, my earrings, give me kisses and tons of hugs. Mmmmmmm my heart melts everytime I walk down the hall or into a classroom.

My favorite story is when I met one of my 1^st grade classes.  The other English professor introduced me to the kids by having an “interview with miss Sarah.”  She asked me basic questions in English like “what is your favorite color, etc.” At the end of it she asked if the boys had any questions for “miss sarah.” One little boy raised his hand and said:

“puedes preguntar la miss si ella tiene un pololo?”

(can you ask if the miss has a boyfriend?)

the other professor translated into English “miss sarah…do you have a boyfriend?”

obvious answer, I responded

“no, I do not have a boyfriend.”

the boy looks at me, WINKS and repsonds:

                        “quieres uno?”

                        (do you want one)

6 years old and this kid has more game then 3 quarters of the men I have encountered in my 22 years of life….a mini I don’t even know b ut, needless to say…day 1 and he was awarded favorite/coolest student award…probably should’nt be admitting that.

Today is the international day of women.  I came into school this morning and had rosses on my desk…my boss, a Cuban man…bought all of the women in the office rosses! How sweet.  We were also given cake for breakfast in the teachers lounge....the day is looking GOOD

I also started my other job this week….working at an e-learning company…I’ll be conducting skype telephone calls with business executives who do not have time to take traditional English classes…I’m pretty excited to get the ball rolling with this project … it’s going to be easy labor, working at home and making some $.

I’m buying a bike. I hate the metro and micro in the mornings. Too crowded and too sweaty.  It was so full the other day I saw some fat guy get his stomach get stuck inbetween the metro doors…come on…wait 2 minutes to get on the next one.  Save the rest of us from dry heaving, thanks. There is a bike path from my house to the center…plus when the protests start back up there will sometimes be no public transportation.  It’s the only way. The onlyyyyyyy way

My ipod’s broken. I just bought it 8 months ago. I normally fly through this city jamming and without it I feel lost. I hate hearing everything.  Hopefully my friend can drive me to get it fixed (the apple store is unreachable by metro and id have to switch to go on like 3 dif micros)

Ive been lazy with the guitar. Now that im working from 8 to 7 or 8 at night I’m too tired to practice. Wah … hopefully when I get some money I can pay for lessons or something to keep me motivated. Looks like my tour dates are going to be pushed back to september, i know, i know, i feel your disappointment.

So I know that I have mentioned to some friends how I have had some funny experiences in the dating scene here.  There have been some that have gone really well…and others…terribly bad.  i havea  few rules about dating Chileans…first thing is first….latino men like to be, well, complimentary, and often…they like to use “pet names.”  Now, there is something really cute about being called a “peluchito” (little teddy bear) in Spanish.  However…when a boy, I do not care if you are George Clooney…calls me a “chanchito” (little piggy) or “gordita” (little fatty)…it’s time to CUT. THINGS. OFF.  They are considered terms of “endearment” here…but I’m sorry…being called a “little piggy” is just not flattering, nor acceptable.

 However, the best is yet to come.  After work on the other day i went to get food and a drink with a Chilean guy that I have been crushing on.  After an amazing afternoon and evening I was feeling really good about the situation…and I even considered a goodnight kiss AHH! Towards the end of the date we were sitting on a bench when “he” grabbed my cheek and said “awwwwwwwww que guapa mi jamoncita!!!!!!”

…JAMONCITA!

………….JAMONCITA!

……………………..JAMONCITA?

Well, that was the first time I’ve ever been referred to as a “little tiny ham.” And I sure hope it’s the last.   the date ended, with a hug. Ouch.

Hmmm what else is new?

OH, how could I forget. The story about how karma almost killed me. Literally.

In my last blog post I mentioned how I didn’t receive any valentine’s day gifts from anyone, not even my own mother.  Well, my apologies, mom. Last week i  received a huge box from my 2205 FL address.   Inside, I got photographs to hang in my room, vitamins, some beef jerky and a beautiful red box of valentines day chocolates.  Now, my mom and anyone else who knows me really well knows that I am not a big chocolate fan.  But, on Sunday I had a craving for something sweet and carmely. So, I decided to crack open the box of chocolates and treat myself  to a little carmel surprise.

I bit into the chocolate and to my delight it was filled with coconut, the only thing in this world I am allergic to.  Sitting alone in my Santiago apartment my throat starts to itch…thennnnnnn it starts to close.  I panic and decide to walk myself to the drug store about 4 blocks away. Now, don’t forget, it’s still summer here in Chile.  So as I feel like I’m breathing out of a straw I’m also struggling to breathe due to the intense heat and smog. Well, I reached the drug store, my legs gave out and i passed out in the doors…and caused a huge scene. GRINGA DOWN.

I was given some pills to open my throat…and afterwards, a pill to relax. Now I have no idea what this “relaxing” pill was but I was out. of. IT. I felt like w0o0ooooo0o0oooo0oooooooooooo for the rest of the night. But I survived, with only a little bit of embarrassment of passing out in a drug store, meh no big deal.

Anyway, thanks mom, for the chocolates…and for your attempt at murder…I thought I was far enough away that you would stop plotting ways to get rid of me hhahahaha

My feet smell really bad here. I’m not sure how to handle it.  I have to wash my feet whenever I come home…not normal, I know.  Does anyone have any smelly feet remedies?

I also saw the stars the other night.  I haven’t looked at them in so long. They are a little backwards here.

I have to go teach a class. Second grade B. we will be reviewing school materials and games. Hello, hello, hello…hello how are you?  Hello, hello, hello, I’m fine thanks and you? Da dum da dum da dum

Updates por favor!